We’ve recently compiled a list of the ten best non-stick frying pans for your kitchen this 2021. After all, a kitchen isn’t complete without an ideal non-stick frying pan. You can prepare and cook a lot of treats, snacks, recipes, and meals with this tool. It also has health benefits as you don’t need to add any oil or butter when cooking many types of food, such as bacon and ham slices, among others.
We took a series of steps to build our list of the top 10 non-stick pans of the year. Our first activity was to learn about the fundamental properties of a non-stick pan and how we often use it in our kitchens. This enabled us to know a lot of crucial things that can help us identify the best ones in the market today.
And that was our second step. We listed down the most important factors that can make or break our search for the most suitable non-stick pan in the market today. As we were developing this list of vital factors, we immediately realized that a certain number of these should be prioritized more than others. So that’s what we did — We trimmed our shortlist down to the most vital factors that can help us pinpoint the right non-stick pans this year.
Our third activity was to form a test group. We contacted our pro chef friends and others with beginner to intermediate kitchen skills. Our objective is to ensure that all these groups are equally represented by a set of members in our test group. This way, we’ll be able to cover much wider ground. Many of them were more than willing to participate, and we thank them for their time and energy.
Finally, our fourth activity was to develop a set of testing procedures that simulate real-world situations in the kitchen. We consulted each member in our test group, from beginners to pros. Once we finalized these testing procedures, we moved on and asked our test group to perform these steps.
And this is why we compiled our list of the ten best non-stick pans of the year. Here they are:
Best Non-Stick Frying Pan Comparison And Ratings
| Image | Nonstick Pan | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Carote 8.5" Nonstick Frying Pan | 92% |
 | #2 - Circulon Symmetry Nonstick Pan | 92% |
 | #3 - Tramontina Professional Nonstick Pan | 90% |
 | #4 - All-Clad Stainless Steel Try-Ply | 86% |
 | #5 - Amazon Basics Nonstick Pan Set | 86% |
 | #6 - Farberware Nonstick Pan | 86% |
 | #7 - BulbHead Red Copper Nonstick Pan Set | 86% |
 | #8 - Cook N Home 5.5" Nonstick Pan | 84% |
 | #9 - Master Pan Nonstick Divided Skillet | 82% |
 | #10 - T-Fal Professional Nonstick Pan | 82% |
One of the first sources of our information was Amazon and the reviews that were left by customers from all around the world. We confirmed these opinions by comparing the details they shared against the reviews of members at relevant online communities where we usually hang out to discuss kitchen-related things. Finally, before we could offer our feedback, we asked the pros and home cooks in our test group to confirm these things by testing out the non-stick pans on our list. So here are our findings:
1. Carote 8.5″ Non-Stick Frying Pan
There are certainly several high-quality materials used to manufacture this product. The pan is made from a European-standard aluminum alloy. On the outside, it has a reinforced mineral particle layer and a high temperature resistant outer layer. Inside there’s a scratch-resistant and wear-resistant mineral layer with the non-stick layer on top.
Its coating is eco-friendly Swiss imported granite ILAG. It’s PFOA and PTFE free. It is non-toxic and allows for safe, healthy cooking.
Its handle is different than most. It is made out of wood. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold, and it stays cool.
The base of the pan is 5mm thick, encouraging heat distribution. You can use it on induction stoves, electric, gas, ceramic, galls, and halogen cookers. It won’t go in the oven.
To clean, all you need is a soft cloth. Using steel balls of rough pads can damage the coating. You can’t put it in the dishwasher, but you won’t need to.
Carote offers a range of sizes, all with the same quality materials. All of the products come with a 12-month warranty.
What We Like About It:
Most of us loved the design. The granite provides a nice change to solid black. The wooden handle is also unique and looks nice. The chefs in our test group were worried about the strength of the handle. There aren’t any rivets holding it in place. After testing the pan, they felt satisfied that it wouldn’t break. It also made it easier to clean because there weren’t any fiddly areas.
The pan heats up incredibly quickly; we liked this for saving a bit of time. The food was cooked evenly. Some people used a bit of olive oil, others spray, and the rest used nothing. In each case, the food just slid straight off.
Washing was a breeze. It was wiped clean in a few seconds. Even with just a drop of dishwasher soap and a quick wipe, there’s no oil residue.
Overall, the testers in our group, along with lots of online reviewers, were pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality and ease of cleaning. The design is lovely and we felt that it was worth the price.
2. Circulon Symmetry Non-stick Frying Pan
There are several different sizes you can choose from. Interestingly, Circulon also offers different colors. You can choose between black, chocolate, chocolate brown, and merlot. We chose the nine and 11-inch set in each color so that we could see the difference.
These two pans are made from hard-anodized aluminum. The material is twice as strong as stainless steel and designed for durability. The handle is equipped with a rubber grip that nicely compliments its stainless steel frame.
The inside of the pans has three layers of non-stick coating. It’s PFOA free, and it’s safe to use metal utensils. The base has raised circles for better cooking. The circles make it easier to clean too.
The underneath of the pans is fitted with induction-suitable impact-bonded stainless steel. You can use them on all types of stovetops and in the oven up to 400 °F.
With the 9-inch and the 11-inch set, you’ll have the right sizes to cook any type of food. They can go in the dishwasher. Both are perfect for everyday use. There’s a hassle-free lifetime warranty.
What We Like About It:
We liked this set for the design. The colors are all sophisticated and emphasize its sleek design. The rubber grip matches the color of the pan. We also thought its weight was quite appropriate. Many chefs in our test group loved its heaviness, while the home cooks in our group didn’t find them too heavy.
The bases of the pans were thick. We noticed that it could handle higher temperatures. We tried cooking on various stove types, and we were impressed by how well they heat up on each type. Cooking was a dream. Chefs liked that they were a little deeper than others.
Lots of Amazon buyers marveled at the durability. Some were able to use theirs with moderate to heavy use, and the non-stick coating was still intact after three years.
We laughed at how naughty we all felt using metallic utensils in a non-stick pan. They didn’t seem to scratch or damage the coating. This impressed us greatly because there were a few stories of couples arguing over which utensils to use in the non-stick pan!
3. Tramontina Professional Non-Stick Frying Pan
There are several options available from Tramontina. We’re going to look at their 10-inch pan. It is made from commercial-grade 3004 heavy-gauge aluminum. The non-stick coating is high-performance reinforced PFOA-free. You shouldn’t use non stick aerosol sprays with it.
The materials and design of this product make it perfect for commercial use (NSF certified). But it’s also ideal for home cooks. You can fry, scramble, sauté, and sear with this pan. It can be washed in the dishwasher.
You can cook on gas, electric, and ceramic glass cooktops. The whole pan, including the silicone sleeve, can go in the oven at temperatures of up to 400F. It comes with a lifetime warranty.
What We Like About It:
We read the instructions and decided it was best to follow them. It helped that they were so easy to understand. The first thing you should do is the season the pan. The chefs in our test group agreed.
These bundled instructions also gave us lots of information about how to care for the pan. Using it on high heat will cause it to warp ever so slightly. But even then, this takes years to happen.
Everybody loved the quality of this pan, especially for cooking meats. The long handle made it easier to flip omelets. Its non-stick coating meant that the omelets slide out of the pan. It beat our scrambled egg test, too.
Once the pan cooled down, we didn’t even need to wash it in soapy water. Quite often, we could just wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
The professionals in our test group liked that you could place it in the oven. This also encouraged us to try some new cooking methods.
We all agreed that this was great value for money considering how long it will last for in such good condition.
4. All-Clad Stainless Steel Try-Ply No-Stick Frying Pan
All-Clad is an American based company, and its products are made in the U.S.A. There’s a choice of a 10” pan or 12” pan. We chose 12”. It’s made from 18/10 stainless steel with tri-ply bonding. It heats up quickly and cooks evenly.
Being stainless steel, it won’t transfer any food taste, and it won’t leave any metallic taste either.
This is a great pan for searing meat and then introducing it into the oven. You can even use it as a broiling pan, withstanding temperature of up to 600F. Alternatively, you can simmer food or sauté. It’s suitable for cooking on all cooktops.
The handle is also stainless steel. It has two rivets, and it’s strong and sturdy. It will get hot, though. I can go straight in the dishwasher, keeping it shiny and looking new.
There is also a lid made from stainless steel. It will lock in moisture while you are cooking. The lid has a large handle, but it will get hot.
Al-Clad provides a lifetime warranty. This is a big bonus because it is rather expensive.
What We Like About It:
We noticed the quality of the pan. The heat is a lot more consistent than other pans. Whatever you cook in this pan turns out delicious. And it was a favorite for the professionals too.
We liked how it can be used on any type of kitchen stove and the oven. If you upgrade your stove, you don’t have to worry about the pan not being compatible.
It was quite handy that we also didn’t have to worry about which utensils we used when cooking. Wooden spoons work effectively, and metal utensils didn’t cause any damage.
Some of us had never broiled before, so it was nice to have the option. We felt that it opened up the possibility of trying more recipes.
It’s an expensive choice, but we weren’t disappointed. It’s a great example of you get what you pay for.
5. Amazon Basics Non-Stick Frying Pan Set
Amazon Basics provide some great quality products for people who don’t want to spend a fortune. This 3-piece non-stick pan set is great if it’s your first kitchen, students moving away, or people who don’t cook that often.
It contains an 8-inch pan, a 10-inch pan, and a 12-inch pan. You can use them for lots of foods, including vegetables, meat, omelets, grilled sandwiches, and more.
The body of the pans is aluminum with a non-stick coating. The handles are soft-touch to prevent burns when cooking. All parts are BPA free. The bases of the pans are spiraled for an even cook. You can cook on gas, electric, and glass stovetops. They aren’t induction compatible.
It’s really easy to hand wash the pans with warm soapy water. They aren’t designed to go in the dishwasher because it might damage the non-stick coating.
There’s an error in the description. It isn’t an 8-piece set, and there are no lids. However, this is still an excellent set for the price.
What We Like About It:
Many Amazon viewers had one common opinion; they wouldn’t bother repurchasing expensive pans. These are non stick even though they are cheap. Even if you don’t use oil, the food doesn’t stick.
The three sizes are ideal. They’re small enough to store in smaller kitchens. They’re also large enough to cook larger food like a chicken breast. Cleaning them was super easy. Once they had cooled down a little, we just rinsed them off in soapy water.
We liked that they were lightweight. When we were flipping pancakes, the weight was almost unnoticeable. Even after a few months of use, the non-stick was still working. Another advantage is that the pans didn’t warp.
The pro chefs in our test group liked the feel of the handles. It helped them work in a busy kitchen where people can accidentally grab a hot handle.
Apart from the excellent function and great price, the pans even look nice.
6. Farberware Non-Stick Frying Pan
Faberware has been making cookware since 1990. It’s had plenty of time to get it right. This 12-inch skillet is brilliant for one-pot meals like risotto. The pan is made from durable, heavy-duty aluminum. It’s available in black and red.
The non-stick coating is 5-layers of DuPont Teflon Plus coating. SmartGlide. There are also dimples on the surface of the pan to create tiny air pockets, helping heat transfer. It’s easy to rinse off the pan with warm soapy water or put it in the dishwasher.
The handle is made of polished stainless steel with a comfortable grip. This non-stick pan comes with a see-through lid. There’s no need to take the lid off and loose heat. It’s shatter-resistant just in case of accidents.
It’s also safe for the oven. You can take it straight from the stove and into the oven. It can handle temperatures of up to 350F.
It’s on sale for a very good price, especially as it has a lid and a lifetime warranty.
What We Like About It:
We ordered the black and the red. Most of us agreed that the red was rather stunning, even people who have always preferred black in the kitchen. It was a good size, and the weight was just right.
It was a little larger than some of us were expecting. This was a good thing because we were able to fit 4 pork chops in it comfortably. The chops were cooked evenly.
The chefs in our test group used this to make paella. There was enough for five plates, easily feeding a family. The lid was useful; it was nice to be able to cover food and save getting splashed from spitting oil.
Many Amazon reviewers mentioned how they had had this non-stick pan for a long time, even years. It remained to look new and is still non-stick.
7. BulbHead Red Copper Non-Stick Frying Pan Set
This set has everything you need to start up a kitchen or replace an old set. There’s a 10” frying pan and an 8” frying pan with lids. There’s also a 1.5qt saucepan, a 2.5qt saucepan, and a 6qt saucepan, all with lids. It also comes with an aluminum steamer.
The pans have a strong copper-infused ceramic coating. This makes them non-stick and scratch-resistant. This coating s bonded to an aluminum base for even heat distribution. They are PFOA and PFTE free.
The pans are suitable for use in the oven. They can withstand higher temperatures than others, up to 500F. You can use them to sear meat and then finish off the cooking in the oven. The handles are metal, so be careful not to burn yourself. The lids can’t go in the oven.
Each of the copper-infused pans can go into the dishwasher. It is recommended to hand wash them with mild detergent. They’re really easy to clean, so no elbow grease is needed.
You should only use wooden or plastic utensils to protect the coating. You should also follow the instructions and season the pans before using them.
What We Like About It:
We read through some of the negative reviews about the non-stick coating coming off. This was when we realized how important it is to season them first. It does come with clear instructions on how to do this, and it’s well worth the effort.
There were lots of different cooking options with this set. You can cook anything from boiled eggs to a huge batch of stew. The pans heat up quickly and with good even heat. If you crack an egg into the frying pan, you can see how evenly it cooks.
Clean-up after is quick and easy. Some of us used a little oil. The pans rinsed off well with soapy water. For those who didn’t use oil, the food slides straight of the pan so again, just use soapy water.
At first, we weren’t sure about the red and copper combination. When they arrived, we decided that it’s a beautiful set. Many people chose to hand their pans in the kitchen instead of putting them in cupboards.
For a 10-piece copper-infused set, the price is excellent. There’s a lifetime replacement guarantee. Remember, to use the warranty, you must care for your set and follow the instructions.
8. Cook N Home 5.5″ Non-Stick Frying Pan
This is a cute set for those who don’t cook or need a small set for one or two people. The saucepan has a 1qt capacity, and the frying pan is 5.5” in diameter. They’re both made from thick gauge aluminum for quick and even cooking.
We don’t know what the non-stick coating is made of. It is durable as it’s strong enough for the set to go in the dishwasher.
The saucepan and the frying pan have Bakelite handles that don’t heat up when you’re cooking. You can cook with them on gas, electric, glass tops, halogen, and ceramic. They aren’t induction compatible or safe for the oven.
It comes with a tempered glass lid. You’ll be able to see how the food is cooking without removing the lid. There’s a steam vent too. It’s great that the lid fits the saucepan and the frying pan. The lid has a matching red stay-cool handle.
This is a great space-saving choice that comes at a good price. It has the right quality, and the design is simple yet attractive.
What We Like About It:
We were surprised by the quality of the set. It doesn’t weigh some of the more expensive pans, but we liked this. It made it a good set for children who are learning to cook and older people who have joint pains.
Many online reviewers commented on how small they were, admitting that they should have checked the dimensions. It wasn’t a negative. They’re great for small meals, breakfasts, and sauces. It’s the ideal size for a tin of soup or to reheat leftovers.
Because of the size and how easy to clean they were, we felt these were great for everyday use. It’ll save you from having to get out larger pans and create more work.
The thing we valued the most in this set was the lid. Not many sets at this price come with a lid. Because it fits both pans, it was very convenient.
9. Master Pan Non-Stick Divided Skillet
Master Pan 5 in 1 made it onto the list because of its separate compartments allowing you to keep five different foods at once. The pan is 15” wide. You still only need one stove because the heavy gauge metallic plate distributes the heat evenly.
The middle section is long and can be used for meat or fish. There’re two sections with a flat bottom and two with a round indent. Here you can make eggs or pancakes, fry tomatoes, etc.
It has a non-stick and stain-resistant coating. It uses Whitford’s XYLAN Plus for a double layer of protection. It’s PFOA free. The food won’t stick to the pan, and it’s a safe option without toxic products.
This multi-purpose pan can go in the oven at temperatures of up to 350F. The handle is Bakelite so that it won’t burn. It can also go in the dishwasher.
This is a great solution for families that have to cook separate foods, people who are sensitive to certain ingredients, and for camping or days out.
What We Like About It:
We found this one of the best options for fussy eaters. One of our testers refused to eat anything that had touched baked bean juice. This solved the problem. A family can cook a whole meal in just one pan. It saves time, cooking space, and clean up.
This is probably one of the best cooking solutions for making breakfast. You can cook sausages and bacon in the middle, hash browns/mushrooms/tomatoes in the flat sides, and eggs or pancakes in the round indented section.
It was also really handy that it could go in the oven. We decided that putting the whole meal in the pan into the oven is perfect for keeping food warm while you gather up the family.
Some worried that the smaller compartments would be difficult to stir the food in. We tested rice in one section, and because of the high sides, there weren’t any issues.
It’s more expensive than an individual pan, but the versatility makes it worth every cent. It’s easy to clean, cooks the food well, and is ideal for an individual or entire family.
10. T-Fal Professional Non-Stick Frying Pan
This was rated as Amazon’s best buy. It was also tried by America’s test kitchen and received an excellent review.
T-Fal has a range of buying options. We went for the 12.5-inch frying pan. It has a heavy-gauge aluminum body with a stainless steel warp-resistant base. This base makes it compatible with all stove types, including induction.
It’s PFOA, lead, and cadmium free. There’s a unique thermal spot in the center of the pan that tells you when it is preheated. It also has a pro-metal non-stick interior. It’s highly durable and scratch-resistant. Because of its durability, you can put it in the dishwasher.
The handle has two rivets and a soft-touch silicone grip. You can safely use this frying pan in the oven at temperatures up to 400F.
It’s recommended that you use the pan on medium heat, and you don’t let liquids boil.
What We Like About It:
We thought the red thermal dot was just a gimmick at first. Then, the pros in our test group explained how important it was to have the right temperature for cooking certain types of food. They felt that this was a great feature for those who aren’t too sure about when the pan is hot enough.
Its size was great and it wasn’t too heavy. We appreciated the Prometal coating because we could use the first utensil that came handy.
Cleaning the pan was easy. We tried it in warm soapy water and the dishwasher. Both had excellent results.
In the end, we concur with many buyers at Amazon. It is a great buy that can be used with any type of food and is long-lasting.
So, here you have the complete list with the necessary information. We haven’t just copied the product details from Amazon. We spent a long time consulting online reviews and putting each product through our tests. We placed the most importance on the feedback of our chefs and home cooks to provide you with our roundup of the ten best non-stick pans of 2021.
So that’s how we compiled our roundup of the ten best non-stick pans this year. Now let us walk you through the same process for you to make a more informed buying decision as you move on to carefully review our list of the top 10 non-stick frying pans today.
What is a Non-Stick Frying Pan?
Although this sounds like an overly simplistic question, we realized that this is a necessary step in the process that we developed for identifying the top products in the market today. So a nonstick pan is a frying pan with a handle and a nonstick surface. Its main difference over traditional pans is the nonstick material that’s integrated into its cooking surface. The objective of this material is to avoid as many types of food as possible from sticking on its surface as you use these pans for cooking.
After being reminded of this, we were able to conceptualize the differences that each nonstick pan has over other similar products in the market today. And as described earlier, we were able to zone in on the most important set of factors that you should consider as you go through our roundup of the ten best nonstick pans this year. And here they are:
Factors to Consider for Best Non-Stick Frying Pan
- Size & Shape — The number of people that you often serve should be considered when you’re looking for an ideal nonstick frying pan. That’s because this will also help you pinpoint the ideal size and capacity that a nonstick pan should be able to accommodate. After all, you wouldn’t want to prepare and cook the same recipe multiple times just to accommodate the number of persons that you usually have for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, right? Wouldn’t this be an awful waste of time and energy if you did it this way? Plus, the size and shape of your nonstick frying pan should provide you with space-saving benefits. You wouldn’t want to buy something that’ll just end up cluttering your kitchen now, would you?;
- Food-Grade Material & Overall Design — Nonstick components of kitchen products should always be free from harmful chemicals and other elements that can expose you and your loved ones to serious health risks. Remember, these tools come in direct contact with your food. So imagine ingesting toxins and other harmful chemicals without knowing as you eat your food. Also, keep in mind that rust has adverse effects on people when ingested, so the overall design of the nonstick pans in your shortlist should also be considered. Plus, you wouldn’t want the look and feel of your nonstick frying pan to clash with the color theme and style of your kitchen, especially if you intend to hang your pan out in the open for everyone to see as you store it after every use;
- Sturdiness & Durability — A nonstick pan with a nice heft when you handle it is much better than those without a sturdy handle. After all, having full control over your pan as you cook your food won’t only be more convenient for you. Rather, you’ll be much safer against accidental burns and injuries. That’s also why durability is a major aspect to consider in a nonstick frying pan. You wouldn’t want it to break down and spill hot food all over you or any other person near you as you cook. Now the sturdiness and durability of many products almost always depend on the material that was used to produce it, along with other relevant production processes. And for you to know this, you’ll need to ask around and learn about the experience of others who have been using the particular nonstick frying pans in your shortlist for a reasonable time;
- Additional Features & Guarantees — Aside from the guarantee of a nonstick surface that’s also quick and easy to clean, there are several additional features and guarantees that you must keep in mind. For example, some products are much lighter than others, even if they’re as strong and durable.
Meanwhile, certain nonstick pans are integrated with optimum heat distribution design techniques, providing you with an even cook for your food. Others are equipped with a handle that stays cool to the touch even at high temperatures. Other non-stick frying pans also have detachable handles for quick and easy storage and portability; - Price & Value-Added Benefits — A non-stick pan should have a price tag that’s reasonable in terms of the value that you can get as you use it. So carefully compare the products in our list of the ten best nonstick pans for your kitchen this 2021. You’ll be able to trim this list down to those that can provide you with the exact benefits that you want. And from this point, you can then compare the prices of each product.
But another thing that you should watch for is value-added stuff that’s bundled with those products. These can be promotional items like free recipe eBooks and so on; and - Product Warranty — For instance, a manufacturer that offers a 1-year warranty along with a money-back guarantee often has full trust and confidence in their products. That’s because they’re developing their warranties and guarantees based on the results of their thorough tests and real-world simulations. So in that example, the manufacturer’s test results point out that their products can last for a year or more despite prolonged heavy use. Now imagine the benefits that you can get when you consider these factors as you go through our list of the top 10 non-stick pans today.
So whether you have beginner cooking experience or consider yourself a bit of a master chef, pans are a necessary part of every kitchen.
