If you have an induction cooktop, we recommend you avoid the smaller pieces of Gotham Steel cookware–but the 10-inch-and-larger skillets should be fine. It’s the only one that has titanium in its coating, so it may be slightly more durable nonstick. The build quality of the pans seems about the same across the board (even if they’re not made in the same factory). The evidence is still pretty new and more research is needed. But this is a compelling concern about nonstick ceramic cookware that people should be aware of.
Nonstick manufacturers have now phased out PFOA and replaced it with other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ; these break down faster, but their health effects are still being studied. Blue Diamond Cookware Sets uses industrial lab-grown diamond dust in their nonstick coating. That special ingredient is what is supposed to make their pans exceptionally durable, as well as heat quickly and evenly.
Overall, I am not impressed with the performance of Gotham Steel cookware. It heats up fast, but the non-stick coating breaks down after a few months, the handle is uncomfortable, and the cooking surface warps in the center. Whatever style air fryer you choose, remember that the secret to crispy results is air flow. That means you should select an air fryer that comes with the accessories necessary to facilitate air flow from all directions. A wire or mesh air fry basket allows food to stand up off the base, so that air can evenly circulate underneath. If you’re working with a toaster-oven style, make sure the tray comes with a wire or mesh rack that sits on top of it.
Weinstein and Scarborough have penned nine books about kitchen gadgets, including The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook and the forthcoming Instant Air Fryer Bible. Chef Damon Daye is the Executive Chef of the New York-based food truck The Steak Truck and has experience working with air fryers in restaurants, home kitchens and food trucks. Wirecutter editor Phil Ryan has been cooking in his Tramontina nonstick skillets almost daily for over two years and confirms that they’re still slick. Phil’s only minor complaint is that he wished this skillet came with a lid. The Tramontina Professional 10-Inch Restaurant Fry Pan is superbly nonstick, excellent at evenly distributing heat, easily maneuverable, and affordable.
Indeed, some ceramic cookware contains PTFE, the active ingredient of Teflon. Gotham Steel cookware will not last you a lifetime, and you’ll want to treat this cookware with care to prolong its life. If you want the best Gotham Steel pan, I would go with the Gotham Steel Hammered Copper Ceramic Cookware Set. I’d try the Gotham Steel Hammered Copper Ceramic Non-stick Pan. It can lose its temperature quickly, so you’ll want to be careful about making heat adjustments while cooking. Once you’ve finished cooking, it’s important to let your Gotham Steel pan cool down before washing.