Join the millions that have trusted Haffprice to help them make smarter buying decisions. Let our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations help you find the baby monitor that’s right for you.
#1
9.9
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Pan
- Skillet pan
- Hard anodized steel material
- Quantanium non-stick surface
- 12″ diameter
- Oven safe
Picked by 452 people this month!
#2
9.8
Home Hero 23-Piece Copper Cookware Set
- Fry pans, saucepans, grill pan
- Copper material
- Nonstick surface
- 5.5″ – 10.5″ sized pots and pans
- Oven safe
#3
9.0
T-fal C530SC Signature Nonstick Cookware Set
- Fry pans, saucepans, dutch oven, griddle, and more
- Aluminum material
- Non-stick cooking surface
- 10″ diameter sauce pan
- Oven safe up to 350°F
#4
8.9
Home Hero 13-Piece Copper Cookware Set
- Fry pans, saucepans, grill pan
- Copper material
- Nonstick surface
- 5.5″ – 10.5″ sized pots and pans
- Oven safe
#5
8.7
GreenLife 16-Piece Cookware Set
- 3 Frying pans, skillet,
- 2 saucepans, 1 sauté pan, 1 stockpot
- Recycled aluminum
- Ceramic nonstick coating
- Frying pans measure 4″, 7″ & 9.5″
- Dishwasher safe, soft-grip handles
#6
8.6
Gotham Steel Copper Ceramic Cookware
- Includes skillets and pots
- Copper & aluminum material
- Non-stick cooking surface
- 15″ diameter skillet
- Oven safe up to 500°F
#7
8.5
Ozeri Stone Earth Pan
- Frying pan
- Heavy-gauge aluminum interior
- Nonstick stone earth cooking surface
- 12″ diameter
- Features a heat resistant silicone handle
#8
8.8
Amazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware Set
- Includes fry pan, saucepan, casserole pan, and more
- Aluminum material
- Non-stick cooking surface
- 10″ diameter fry pan
- Hand wash only
#9
8.1
T-Fal Aluminum Saucepan
- Fry pan
- Titanium & aluminum material
- Non-stick cooking surface
- 12″ diameter
- Dishwasher safe
#10
8.0
Ninja C30026 Foodi NeverStick Premium Fry Pan
- Fry pan
- Aluminum material
- Non-stick
- 10.25″ diameter
- Dishwasher safe
We also considered 5 other:
Our Top Choice
#1
9.9
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Pan
- Skillet pan
- Hard anodized steel material
- Quantanium non-stick surface
- 12″ diameter
- Oven safe
Picked by 452 people this month!
About Our Rankings:
Our recommendations are based on expert comparisons between available products in each product category. For baby monitor, we chose the topics that we think matter most to our users, and provide consise, clear comparisons of the features that matter. Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms, that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.
90
Models
Evaluated
10
Topics
Considered
25
Hours of
Research
4,947
Purchases
Analyzed
Pan Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right pans for your kitchen comes down to their material, durability, and versatility.
Overview
When shopping for pans, it’s important to know what to look for so you can easily compare products. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
What are the different types of pans?
There are several options to choose from when selecting pans for your kitchen. You can look for complete cookware sets, specialty sets, or individual pans.
Complete cookware sets typically come with an assortment of sizes of frying pans, sauté pans, saucepans, stock pots, and some associated lids. These sets include anywhere from 5 to over 20 items. Basic cookware sets will usually include one or two frying pans and one or two saucepans of different sizes. The sizes of the frying pans range from around 7 inches to 10 inches, and the saucepans range from 1 to 2.5 quarts. More complete cookware sets will include additional sizes at the upper and lower ranges, more lids, and utensils.
Specialty sets of pans typically include a variety of sizes of one type of pan, such as frying pans. Often, you can buy the individual pans from these specialty sets as well. These sets and individual pans are useful for people who need to add on to a basic cookware set, such as by adding a larger 12-inch frying pan to a set that already includes smaller versions.
What are the important features of pans?
The goal of any pan is to cook quality food safely and easily. To do so, you will want to look for a few important features. First, you will want to consider the material of the pans. Common materials include stainless steel, ceramic, copper, and aluminum or anodized aluminum. Each of these materials cooks and cleans slightly differently, so you will want to consider what is best for your cooking needs.
You will also want to consider how easily the pans clean and how durable they are. Nonstick pans tend to be easier to clean, but they scratch easily. Most manufacturers recommend that you do not use metal utensils with nonstick pans as they can easily scratch off the nonstick coating. Additionally, some pans are dishwasher safe while others can only be hand washed.
A final important feature to consider when choosing pans is their range of functionality. Most pans are designed to be used on gas or electric stove tops. If you have an induction cooking surface, be sure to read the details of the pans carefully as pans that are not ferromagnetic will not work on these surfaces. Additionally, some pans are oven safe, but the lids and handles may not be safe at all temperatures.
What makes the best pan?
The best pan for you will depend largely on your cooking style and what you want to add to your kitchen. Stainless steel pans are durable, do not scratch easily, and do not react to acids in foods, making them versatile for the kitchen. However, they are typically not coated with nonstick material, so they are more challenging to keep clean. Copper pans will transfer heat evenly, resulting in even and consistent cooking. While beautiful and heavy duty, copper tends to be expensive in comparison to other metals. They are also not magnetic, so they will not work with induction cooktops. Aluminum pans are lighter, transfer heat well, and are usually less expensive than copper. Since aluminum tends to stain easily, many aluminum pans are anodized, or chemically hardened, to prevent some of this staining.
Another factor to consider when choosing the best pan is the size of the pan. Most complete cookware sets will come with mid-range sizes. If you cook mostly for one or two people, smaller frying and sauté pans will likely work well. However, if you regularly cook for larger groups of people, you may want to invest in pans that include larger frying pans that may not be available in a standard cookware set.
FAQS
So how do you choose the pans that are right for you? These are the questions consumers are asking when shopping for pans.
Is it better to cook with a stainless steel pan or a nonstick pan?
Stainless steel pans react to heat adjustments quickly and are good for things like browning meats and cooking onions or other vegetables. They are also good at cooking foods that are acidic, like tomato sauces, because they do not react with the acid to produce a metallic taste.
Nonstick pans are ideal for cooking breaded items or softer foods like scrambled eggs. They do not brown food as nicely, but they also prevent breaded items from sticking to the bottom. Nonstick pans shouldn’t be used at the highest heat settings on your stove top or be put into the oven as that can damage the nonstick coating.
How long do nonstick pans last?
Nonstick pans will typically last for three to five years. Cookware that has two or three layers of the nonstick coating will last longer than pans with only one layer. Typically, the more layers of coating that the manufacturer applies, the more expensive the pan will be initially.
You will know it is time to replace your nonstick pan when you notice peeling or chipping of the nonstick coating on the inside, rusting, or discoloration that you can’t remove with a good cleaning. If food begins to stick during cooking, this is also a sign that the nonstick coating has worn off, and it is time to replace the pan.
What pans can you use on a glass top or an induction stove?
If you have a glass top stove, you will want to be careful that you don’t crack or chip the surface. Stainless steel and aluminum pans are good choices. Copper pans may discolor the surface and cast iron pans that are heavy may crack the glass.
When selecting pans for an induction cooktop, your pans must contain iron or be coated with a layer of metallic material since induction cooking heats by creating a magnetic field between the pan and the cooktop. Many manufacturers will clearly indicate whether or not the pans are induction compatible since even some stainless steel pans are not.
Final Thoughts
Deciding on new pans comes down to how you intend to use them in your kitchen. After considering your budget, the size and quantity of pans you want, and the versatility you desire, you can find the perfect pans for your inner chef.
ABOUT BUYER'S GUIDE
Navigating the many choices for every consumer purchase can be challenging. Our team spends hours doing research, combing through forums, and reading consumer reviews on even the most basic of household items, and we summarize that information in clear, precise comparisons.
Join the millions that have trusted Haffprice to help them make smarter buying decisions. We help our readers spend their money wisely and find the right product to suit their specific needs. Our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations empower you find the pan that’s right for you.
We leverage user data to understand decision-making and put the best products in front of each user. We tailor our comparisons to what matters to our user’s needs, specific or broad. We keep our content up to date, we are constantly looking for new merchants and products to compare, and we are quick to remove any that are outdated or no longer meeting our standards.
Our rankings change day-to-day based on our proprietary algorithms that crunch data to identify top-performing products and tailor recommendations to exactly what our readers are looking for.
Written By Ryan W.
Ryan graduated with a degree in journalism and spent years building his writing career in the tech media field. An avid fan of gadgets and tech in general, Ryan has spent years testing and reviewing a wide array of devices. He specializes in reviewing everything from laptops and smartphones to more niche items like smart home devices and security cameras.
© All rights Reserved. Haffprice.net
As an Amazon Associate & Affiliate of other partners Haffprice may earn a comission from qualifying purchases made as a result of our reviews.
This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the rating that is assigned to them. To the extent that ratings appear on this site, such rating is determined by our subjective opinion and based on a methodology that aggregates our analysis of brand market share and reputation, each brand’s conversion rates, compensation paid to us and general consumer interest. Company listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information, including pricing, which appears on this site is subject to change at any time.
