I Asked 4 Food Editors To Name the Best Nonstick Skillet, They All Said the Same Brand
It'll soon be time to replace my nonstick skillet, so I asked food editors for their go-to brands. The four editors I asked gave me the same answer.
Scrambled eggs are a staple of my kitchen, so an easy-to-clean, non-stick skillet is essential. Although I primarily use my current skillet for eggs, avoid high-heat cooking in it, and use silicone spatulas, it will need to be replaced soon. The nonstick coating is etched and is losing its slipperiness.
Ahead of replacing it, I started asking friends and fellow food editors for their favorite nonstick skillets, and they all named the same brand. I shouldn’t have been surprised that these smart folks picked a pan with thousands of five-star reviews, and that costs under $50.
Why Nonstick Skillets Need To Be Replaced Regularly
“My opinion on nonstick skillets is that they're ultimately disposable—no matter how nicely you treat them, they need to be replaced every few years,” says Simply Recipes Senior Editor Megan Scott.
All nonstick pans are treated with nonstick coatings that will wear off over time regardless of how tenderly they are cared for. Once the coating begins to diminish any nonstick skillet will lose its stickiness making it less efficient for everything from eggs to grilled cheese.
Experts also warn that scratched or flaking nonstick coating is harmful if consumed frequently. So, replace your pan every 1.5 to two years or any time it becomes less nonstick or has visible wear inside.
The Best Non-Stick Skillet Is Under $40
Megan, as well as Simply Recipe’s editors Myo Quinn and Laurel Randolph, and food writer and Food & Wine Testing Editor Jennifer Zyman all recommend Tramontina 10-inch Professional Aluminum Nonstick Fry Pan.
This pan has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, and many reviewers have noted that they’ve purchased this pan more than once. Myo shared that her mom is one such customer, and now so is she. “This is the brand my mom preferred as far back as I can remember, so it’s partly nostalgia and partly the fact that it’s the best non-stick skillet on the market at a reasonable price.” It is currently sold on Amazon for about $35.
This Tramontina nonstick skillet is well-loved for its heavy-gauge aluminum construction and NSF (U.S. National Science Foundation) certification for professional kitchen use. This food editor favorite is used in many restaurant kitchens. It has a comfortable, oven-safe grip handle. The pan is dishwasher safe (the grip is not), though the pan is easy to clean by hand.
A tip from Myo: The Tramontina nonstick skillet goes on sale often, so buy a few is to buy when it does. “ Since I know I have to replace it every year and a half or so, I buy several when they’re on sale (about $20 to $25 for a 10-inch pan) and hold on to them for later.” With this method, you might never have to shop for a new nonstick skillet when one wears out.
