Ceramic coatings (which, despite the name, are actually made from a silica-based material called sol-gel) have a much shorter lifespan than PTFE coatings like Teflon. The biggest complaint we read and hear about ceramic is that it seems to lose its slickness after gotham steel cookware sets about a year of regular use. A pan with PTFE coating, on the other hand, can last up to five years if you use and maintain it with proper care. The Swiss Diamond Nonstick Fry Pan is very similar to the Scanpan in design and handling but typically costs a lot more.
But again, the goal is to keep the pan in the best shape as long as possible. While these pans are technically metal utensil-safe due to their super-strong titanium reinforcement, the non-stick ceramic coating does not completely prevent scratching. A lot of pans claim to be non-stick, and Gotham Steel claims their pans are so non-stick that cooking oil and butter aren’t necessary. But the quality of non-stick surfaces can vary widely among brands. Gotham Steel pans are supposed to have excellent food release, be safe for metal utensils, and have none of those nasty chemicals people try to avoid. We found the heating performance to be about the same as the rest of the Gotham Steel lines with an encapsulated base.
Here’s how to keep them looking good, and alternative pans you might want to try. Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart.
There were some complaints that water got stuck in the rim of the lids. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it could be problematic if you’re gotham steel cookware sets cooking with milk. The lids are the safest part to put in the dishwasher, and I recommend this if you struggle to clean the rims.
Unlike the Pro Series set, you can use these skillets on an induction cooktop. For an inexpensive pan, Gotham Steel has a few nice qualities, such as the stainless steel handle and the encapsulated base . If you have ergonomic issues and need lightweight cookware, Gotham Steel is a decent choice.
The titanium-reinforced non-stick coatings are smooth, whereas the diamond-reinforced coatings are textured. Customers did have issues with the non-stick layer scratching and peeling, although some admitted to using metal utensils on the pans. Some also had problems with food sticking, especially with eggs.