The Best Nonstick Frying Pan

Non-stick cookware has come a long way from the Teflon-coated pans that previous generations of cooks used to prepare meals at home. The Teflon of yesteryear contained chemicals like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which have questionable health implications when they peel off pans and are ingested by humans. Today’s home cooks can acquire professional-style, non-stick frying pans that are made from a variety of natural and state-of-the-art materials. These material upgrades for frying pans often allow users to prepare healthier meals since less oil is needed to prepare foods and non-toxic chemicals are not being absorbed into cooked dishes. Improved manufacturing processes also help to ensure that modern, non-stick fry pans can evenly distribute heat during cooking, are easy to clean and have plenty of safety features. This buying guide spotlights the attributes of non-stick frying pans for health-conscious meal preparers, avid cooking enthusiasts and busy home cooks.

Health-Conscious Cooks

The NuWave 9-Inch Duralon Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan is constructed of high-quality aluminum that has been hard anodized to create a healthy, non-stick surface. The pan’s Duralon ceramic coating is free from toxic chemicals, and the coating protects foods from coming into contact with the heated aluminum pan. The NuWave Duralon Ceramic fry pan is safe for use in ovens, and it can safely withstand temperatures of up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. According to users, the pan is durable and easy to clean, but the manufacturer’s instructions state that the hard-anodized frying pan must be hand washed. This NuWave fry pan comes with a 10-year limited warranty against manufacturer defects. However, buyers must make sure that they purchase their pans from authorized NuWave resellers, or the warranty will not be valid.
The Hommate 10.5-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Frying Pan is constructed of aluminum, and it has a ceramic-based, non-stick coating that is free of PTFE and PFOA chemicals. The pan has undergone additional processing to improve its durability even during high-heat cooking to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and its aluminum body allows it to distribute heat well for even cooking. The Hommate Ceramic frying pan and its stainless steel handle are designed for both oven and stovetop cooking. The pan comes with care instructions so that users can prolong the life of its non-stick surface. Actual users note that the pan is easy to clean and maintain when the right utensils are used with it. With the Hommate Ceramic frying pan, home cooks can master their favorite recipes while using very little oil. The pan is also dishwasher safe. The manufacturer offers buyers a 30-day, money-back guarantee if the product does not work to their satisfaction.
The Ozeri 12-Inch Stone Earth Frying Pan is constructed of high-quality aluminum, and it has a non-stick coating that makes cooking safe for humans and the environment. The proprietary Stonehenge, non-stick coating, which was developed in Germany, does not contain PTFE or PFOA chemicals that are commonly used in inferior-grade, non-stick cookware. The coating is also effective at maintaining its non-stick attributes even during high-heat cooking. The pan allows users to cook their dishes with up to 50% less oil than what would be required for cooking the same dishes in traditional frying pans. The Ozeri frying pan’s heavy-duty aluminum distributes and retains heat well, and it is safe to use on induction stoves. The pan features a heat-resistant silicon handle. It is not designed for machine dishwashing, but users state that the non-stick surface is easy to clean by hand with a soft cloth.
Recommendations
Use on a Variety of Cooking Surfaces: Ozeri 12-Inch Stone Earth Frying Pan ($26.97)
Ease of Clean-up and Maintenance: All are easy to clean, but the Hommate 10.5-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Frying Pan ($33.99) is dishwasher safe.
Warranty: Hommate 10.5-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Frying Pan ($33.99) and NuWave 9-Inch Duralon Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan ($22.99)
Economical Choice: NuWave 9-Inch Duralon Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan ($22.99)
The Splurge: Hommate 10.5-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Frying Pan ($33.99)
Best Value Option: Hommate 10.5-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Frying Pan ($33.99)

Semi-Professional Cooks

The Vesuvio 11-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan is versatile, durable and stylish. The pan, which was designed and crafted in Italy, is made of heavy-gauge aluminum that is coated with a non-toxic, ceramic coating. Buyers can rest assured that harmful chemicals and metals such as PFOA, PTFE, lead and cadmium will not leach into the food that they cook using this cookware. The Vesuvio pan is oven safe. It and the lid that comes with the non-stick frying pan have heat-resistant silicon handles for safer operations. While the pan is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends hand washing it to extend its life. Vesuvio non-stick frying pans come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects.
Cast iron has been the gold standard for many cooking enthusiasts for years, and the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 10.25-Inch comes pre-seasoned to give it a virtually non-stick cooking surface. This heavy-duty frying pan allows home cooks and amateur chefs to prepare delicious meals on all types of cooking surfaces. Electric stovetops, campfires, grills and induction stoves are no match for the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet. The durable pan must be hand washed and oiled regularly to maintain its looks and performance, which can last for generations. The Lodge Cast Iron skillet does not come with a formal warranty, but the American company offers to stand by its signature frying pan should a buyer have quality issues with it.
The lightweight WaxonWare 11-Inch Non-stick Frying Pan is constructed of an aluminum alloy and is glazed with a five-layer, ceramic coating that is called Stonetec. The result is a durable, non-toxic and completely non-stick surface. With the WaxonWare non-stick frying pan, users can cook on a variety of surfaces that includes induction stovetops. Its design allows cooks to use less oil and water during cooking for healthier, tastier meals. While the manufacturer recommends hand washing to extend the pan’s useful life, it can be placed in the dishwasher for convenient cleaning. WaxonWare also offers a three-year limited warranty as well as a 30-day, unconditional money-back guarantee.
Recommendations
Use on a Variety of Cooking Surfaces: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 10.25-Inch ($36.43)
Ease of Clean-up and Maintenance: Vesuvio 11-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan ($89.00) and WaxonWare 11-Inch Non-stick Frying Pan ($39.99)
Warranty: WaxonWare 11-Inch Non-stick Frying Pan ($39.99)
Economical Choice: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 10.25-Inch ($36.43)
The Splurge: Vesuvio 11-Inch Ceramic Non-stick Fry Pan ($89.00)
Best Value Option: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 10.25-Inch ($36.43)

Busy Home Cooks

The Cleverona 10.25-Inch Fry Pan can be used on all cooking surfaces, which include induction stovetops. Its non-stick surface is free of Teflon-related chemicals, and the pan allows for oil-free cooking. The rim of the Cleverona frying pan is designed for easy, drip-free pouring, and the pan comes with a matching lid. The handle on the Cleverona detaches for convenient storage, cleaning and oven cooking up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The pan is dishwasher safe. Cleverona backs up its non-stick frying pan with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects and a 90-day, unconditional money-back guarantee for complete customer satisfaction.
The Yzakka 11.8-Inch Stone Earth Non-stick Fry Pan is ideal for cooks who need a thermally-efficient, non-stick frying pan that multitasks for cooking and storage. This pan is composed of an aluminum core that is surrounded by five layers of stone-based, non-stick coating, which is completed free of the Teflon chemicals that are found in inferior cookware. This design allows the Yzakka frying pan to work on many types of cooking surfaces that include induction stovetops and ovens. The pan’s handle detaches with a touch of a button so that the pan can be placed in the oven, on the dining table for serving and in the refrigerator for meal storage. This non-stick pan must by cleaned by hand, and metal utensils should not be used on it. The manufacturer includes a matching lid and a wooden spoon with the purchase of the frying pan.
For busy cooks who need a non-stick frying pan that can withstand high-heat cooking surfaces as well as all types of utensils, the 12-inch copper fry pan by Original Copper Pan may be their go-to pan. This pan is constructed of high-grade aluminum that is coated with a non-toxic, ceramic coating that allows it to work on stoves as well as in ovens up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The Original Copper Pan fry pan can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and it doesn’t scratch up even when metal spatulas, whisks and spoons are used with it. The manufacturer states that the pan allows foods to be cooked without added oils, and it offers users a one-year warranty on its non-stick copper frying pan.
Recommendations
Use on a Variety of Cooking Surfaces: Yzakka 11.8-Inch Stone Earth Non-stick Fry Pan ($38.99) and Cleverona Essential 10.25-Inch Non-stick Fry Pan ($36.99)
Ease of Clean-up and Maintenance: Original Copper Pan 12-Inch Non-stick Copper Fry Pan ($24.00) and Cleverona Essential 10.25-Inch Non-stick Fry Pan ($36.99)
Warranty: Cleverona Essential 10.25-Inch Non-stick Fry Pan ($36.99)
Economical Choice: Original Copper Pan 12-Inch Non-stick Copper Fry Pan ($24.00)
The Splurge: Yzakka 11.8-Inch Stone Earth Non-stick Fry Pan ($38.99)
Best Value Option: Cleverona Essential 10.25-Inch Non-stick Fry Pan ($36.99)

That's it for now, please remember that this list is updated on a regular basis.