The 4 Best Nonstick Pans of 2022 Reviews by Wirecutter

She published her first cookbook, “The Complete Guide to Pickling,” in 2020. We will go over what makes this cookware set so special and if it’s right for you in this extensive Gotham Steel cookware review. This Gotham Steel set is safe for oven temperatures up to 550°F (288°C), and it’s also compatible with induction cooktops. This set is large enough to get you started without overloading you with superfluous pieces. Customers loved the ease of cleaning, but several had problems with hot handles, again.

gotham steel cookware sets

In addition to drawing on personal experience, I pored over science literature and editorial sources to get the skinny on what makes a great nonstick pan and how to safely cook in one. I also looked at respected editorial sources, including Cooking For Engineers and Serious Eats. The Nordic Ware pan’s design is very similar to that of the Tramontina pan, and it performs just as well, though its surface isn’t as smooth to the touch.

It does require some oil or butter to unlock the best nonstick performance. The price for either of these pans is quite low and generally about the same. Some owners have reported that the nonstick properties began to fade after only 6-8 weeks.

Overall, Gotham Steels cookware sets provide a great deal for those looking to populate an empty kitchen with useful and reliable nonstick pans for a reasonable price. These pans are wider and shallower than the other Gotham Steel lines. You may think that cuisinart knife a cookware line designed to stack easily may sacrifice usability–but these don’t do that. The wide, shallow shape makes them easy to use and easy to wash. The skillets have very straight sides, which gives them a large amount of flat cooking surface.

The nonstick ceramic coating aids the cookware in this as well. Of course, as with the other Gotham Steel sets, customers also had issues with the handles on the lids getting overheated during the cooking process. Make sure to use oven mitts or pot holders when handling this cookware. The major feature that differentiates these frying pans from the 20-piece set is the encapsulated aluminum base.

These pans are very affordable and functional for an entry-level ceramic nonstick option. The nonstick properties are pretty good as long as proper care is taken when cooking and cleaning . Using high heat can cause food to stick to cooking surfaces, and Gotham Steel recommends that you don’t cook with more than medium heat. Some brands like to advertise impressive performance capabilities, but it tells a different story when looking at the fine print. As of yet, there is no nonstick pan that will last forever like stainless steel and cast iron. True space-saving sets should be short and stable when stacked or nested.

Although coated rivets are a nice feature, because they make cleanup easier, we don’t think having to scrub a little egg off of some bare aluminum is a dealbreaker. It’s useful to have at least one nonstick skillet in your kitchen for cooking eggs, fish fillets, or other delicate items. A nonstick pan is also great for beginner cooks or anyone who wants something that’s easy to use and to clean.

But you can find more durable cookware out there–and again, for not a lot more. Any cast aluminum pan is going to be more durable and warp-resistant than any stamped aluminum pan . Original Gotham Steel cookware has a ceramic nonstick coating that’s reinforced with titanium. Gotham Steel’s new Diamond Platinum line is also ceramic nonstick that’s reinforced with diamond dust. The reinforcements sit slightly above the nonstick coating, which helps protect it from scratches. The reinforcements can result in a smooth coating, as in the case of the Gotham Steel titanium ceramic, or a textured one, like the Gotham Steel Diamond Platinum.

But when used at temperatures above 500°F (260°C), PTFE can release fumes that are lethal to birds and give humans flu-like symptoms. While the Gotham Steel pan reviews are mostly positive, this cookware is quite thin. If you’re expecting an heirloom piece, you’ll be disappointed. One of them did not use any oil or butter, which is consistent with the advertising.

Although it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison, a pre-seasoned cast-iron skillet has decent initial release and will become smoother as you use it over time. We’re not trying to claim that cast iron is as slick out of the box as a new nonstick skillet, because it’s definitely not. But the more you use it, the slicker it gets as it builds more layers of seasoning, and it will last much longer, possibly for generations. Because nonstick pans aren’t heirloom pieces and the coating will eventually wear off, you will have to deal with disposal. But before you send your pan to the landfill, check to see whether you can recycle it.