Types of Nonstick Pans

When shopping for a nonstick pan, you’ll likely notice a wide range of pan types. Here’s a quick primer on the most common: 

• PTFE-coated pans: This is the most common type of nonstick pan. Usually, the PTFE nonstick coating is applied to an aluminum or stainless steel pan. When used within the recommended temperature range, PTFE nonstick coating is highly durable and can last for years. That said, exposing PTFE pans to high temperatures can break down the coating, making it less effective over time.  

• Hard-anodized aluminum pans: Hard-anodized aluminum pans feature a surface layer of metal that has been oxidized to strengthen it, making it twice as hard as stainless steel. This process also makes the nonstick coating adhere better to the pan, so you can say goodbye to those peeling nonstick pans of the past. You’ll discover that this hard-anodized layer also reduces friction, makes the pan more resistant to scratching, and enhances the cookware’s durability when compared to traditional aluminum or stainless steel pans. 

• Ceramic-coated pans: Ceramic-coated pans have become popular over the last few years as an alternative to PTFE pans. This type of cookware is made with an aluminum or stainless steel construction and a silica-based ceramic-like coated cooking surface. This coating helps food glide easily across the cooking surface, but does tend to lose its nonstick properties more quickly than PTFE pans, which means they need to be replaced more frequently. 

• Seasoned nonstick pans: Cast iron or carbon steel pans are not inherently nonstick but can develop a nonstick-like cooking surface through a process called seasoning. Seasoning can be achieved with continued use over time or by coating the surface of the pan in a light layer of oil and baking it on low heat for several hours. Once seasoned, cast iron pans will release food easily and sear excellently—though you’ll still need to use oil or fat when cooking. Unlike other nonstick pans, cast iron pans can be used with nearly all cooking temperatures. They can also be used when cooking on the stove, oven, grill, and even an open flame. 

How to Pick the Best Nonstick Cookware for Your Needs

A solid understanding of how nonstick works and the types of nonstick pans available on the market will go a long way towards helping you choose cookware that you’ll reach for every day. To ensure you pick the very best nonstick cookware for your kitchen, consider the following:

What are you going to cook?

Thinking about what types of dishes you’ll be cooking up in your nonstick pan can go a long way towards helping you choose the best one for your needs. If you can’t start your day without a couple of fried eggs, a PTFE-coated pan is likely the right choice. If you’re working on mastering the perfect steak—or just love a good sear—a cast iron pan that can take you from the stove to the oven or the grill is going to come in handy. 

How often will you be cooking with your nonstick pan? 

If you’re an avid home cook looking for a nonstick pan that you can reach for every time you fire up the stove, go for something that is durable. Cast iron is famously sturdy, but requires a little more maintenance. A  classic PTFE-coated nonstick pan will hold up well for years of use if properly cared for. For example, Circulon’s PTFE-coated ScratchDefense A1 and C1 Series pans feature aerospace-grade nonstick technology that is highly durable and ultra scratch-resistant (even when using metal tools).

What feels good to use? 

Being comfortable in the kitchen is about more than just understanding recipes. Having a pan that feels good to use is essential—meaning it isn’t too heavy for you to maneuver safely, is easy to handle, and feels good in your hand. Keep in mind that PTFE-coated and ceramic pans tend to be the most lightweight type of nonstick cookware, while cast iron pans are the heaviest. 

3 of the Best Nonstick Pans 

Circulon has perfected the art of ultra-durable, easy-to-use nonstick cookware. Here are three of our favorite nonstick pans. 

1. 10-Piece ScratchDefense™ A1 Series Nonstick Cookware Set

Our  10-piece nonstick cookware set features all of the essentials—frying pans, sauté pans, sauce pots, and stock pots—making it the perfect choice for first-time home cooks. The cooking surface of these pans is coated in our most advanced nonstick technology yet (and was picked as the best overall nonstick by Good Housekeeping), featuring aerospace-grade materials that are designed to be thicker, harder, and more durable than regular nonstick. 

Why we love it: They’re dishwasher safe, crafted from a heavy aluminum, and feature an edge-to-edge steel base for quick and even heating without hotspots.

2. ScratchDefense™ C1 Series

Combining the luxurious look and professional heating performance of stainless steel pans with a groundbreaking nonstick surface, our ScratchDefense™ C1 Series 10- and 11-piece sets are perfect for the home chef looking to upgrade their kitchen.   

Why we love it: These high-performance pots and pans combine the superior heat distribution of clad stainless steel with the easy-to-clean convenience of nonstick cookware. Plus, the C1 Series 5qt Sauté Pan was voted best large nonstick pan by Allrecipes.

3. Premier Professional Hard-Anodized Pans 

Circulon’s hard-anodized nonstick pans are twice as strong as stainless steel and feature a unique high-low nonstick cooking surface designed to reduce surface abrasion, helping them last ten times longer than traditional nonstick pans. 

Why we love it: Hard-anodized aluminum construction means these pots and pans are tough enough for everyday use, and helps them heat quickly and evenly. Both the inside and the outside of the pans feature a long-lasting nonstick coating, ensuring even the messiest meals can be cleaned up quickly. 

How to Care for Nonstick Cookware 

With the proper care, nonstick cookware can withstand years of daily use in the kitchen. Here are a few tips and tricks from our expert cookware scientists: 

Watch the heat

PTFE-coated and ceramic-coated nonstick cookware is best for use at low to medium heat. To ensure the nonstick surface of your pan lasts for years to come, avoid cooking on high heat for prolonged periods, as this can cause the nonstick coating to break down and become less effective. Most nonstick cookware is oven-safe up to about 400°F (though some, like our C1 series, can withstand higher temperatures), but always double-check your pan’s care instructions before putting them in the oven. 

Avoid Cooking Sprays

While aerosol oil sprays are convenient, they are not safe to use with nonstick cookware. That’s because these oil sprays contain additives that burn at lower temperatures than their non-aerosolized counterparts, which can result in a buildup of sticky residue on the surface of cookware that can be hard to remove. Instead, use regular butter or cooking oil to help with food release and add flavor, or fill up a reusable non-aerosol oil sprayer with your favorite cooking oil. 

Use tools carefully 

Traditional PTFE-coated and ceramic-coated nonstick cookware can be susceptible to scratching, which is why it is recommended to avoid using metal tools on your nonstick pans. Instead, opt for tools made of nylon, silicone, or wood, which are gentler on surfaces. 

That said, Circulon’s ScratchDefense™ coating was designed specifically to be strong enough to hold up to metal utensils. In laboratory testing, our ScratchDefense™ cookware withstood over 350,000 metal utensil scrapes with minimal wear and tear. That’s equivalent to 200 years of average cooking use! 

Wash gently 

To preserve the surface of your nonstick cookware, never use scouring pads, steel wool, or harsh chemicals to clean them. For PTFE-coated, ceramic-coated, and hard-anodized pans, a little bit of dish soap, a gentle sponge, and warm water should be all you need to remove food debris, oil, and grease. Also, while many nonstick pots and pans are advertised as dishwasher-safe, we always recommend hand washing nonstick cookware to preserve the longevity of the nonstick cooking surface (which can break down when exposed to the high heats and harsher chemicals of traditional dishwashers). 

To learn more about how to properly wash nonstick pans, check out our full guide to cleaning nonstick cookware.

Cook with Confidence

There’s a reason that nonstick cookware is a go-to for cooks of all experience levels: They’re simple to use, clean up quickly, and are designed for durability. By following the tips and tricks we’ve outlined in this article, you’ll pick the right pan for your needs and be whipping up delicious meals with your nonstick cookware for years to come. 

For more tips, recipes, and to shop some of the best nonstick cookware on the market, visit circulon.com.