Skillets: Reviews

Experts and owners consistently identify All-Clad Stainless as the best line of stainless-steel cookware. All-Clad bonds a heat-conducting aluminum core between two layers of slower-heating stainless steel, resulting in a… expandskillet that produces even, controlled heat. This skillet also features an oven-safe stainless-steel handle, which testers say stays relatively cool. Reviewers report its cooking surface is roomy, and in durability tests, it sustained little damage when it was banged against concrete. The All-Clad Stainless 12-Inch Fry Pan is oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher-safe (although the manufacturer recommends hand-washing). All-Clad cookware comes with a limited lifetime warranty. collapse

While reviewers agree that All-Clad is the gold standard when it comes to stainless-steel skillets, reviewers say the less expensive Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 12-Inch Open Skillet also features a roomy cooking… expandsurface that nicely distributes heat. One foodie magazine notes that this pan's encapsulated aluminum disk on the bottom fell off in the stress test, but users are generally happy with the durability under normal use. Experts also warn that it may be more difficult to control the heat with this value-priced pan, compared to the tri-ply construction of higher end pans. This skillet is oven-safe to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, dishwasher-safe and has a limited lifetime warranty. collapse

The Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Omelette Pan Set (containing both 10-inch and 12-inch pans) does not appear in professional comparison tests, but the skillets get solid reviews from owners. Users say they heat evenly… expandand retain heat well, and their nonstick properties are excellent. Their main problem is durability. Even though experts say all nonstick coatings eventually wear off, some users said that the coating on these pans began to come off within months. However, other users said that their pans were still in good shape after a few years. Like most nonstick pans, they are made with the chemicals perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Experts disagree on whether these chemicals pose a hazard to human health, but their use concerns many people. While some skillets use alternative nonstick coatings, none get better owner reviews than these Calphalon pans. collapse

This skillet doesn't contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), two controversial chemicals used in traditional nonstick coatings like Teflon. Instead, EarthPan has a sprayed-on layer of… expandsilicone to keep foods from clinging. Reviewers generally find this skillet easy to handle. However, experts haven't found alternative nonstick coatings to be more durable than Teflon. While the EarthPan does better than others in this respect, we still found reports from owners that the coating begins to degrade within a few weeks, resulting in a loss of non-stick properties. collapse

Reviewers say this cast-iron skillet, which comes already seasoned (coated with a small amount of soy-based oil) from the factory, releases food nearly as easily as nonstick pans -- and it costs a lot less. The Lodge… expandLogic's vertical sides offer a spacious cooking surface and its sturdy cast-iron construction means it won't scratch or dent like other pans. However, one professional review complains that its handle is too small, and a few users report that the pan can crack. Also, like any cast-iron skillet, this pan needs to be cleaned with extra care. The manufacturer says it should be washed without soap and towel-dried immediately to prevent rust from forming. collapse