Cooking food at a high heat will make sure that the flavor is retained and your food is juicy, tender, and utterly delicious. But cooking at high heats can often mean that the food sticks to the pan and there’s nothing worse than enjoying a tasty meal only to have a mammoth clean up.
Not only this, but there are horror stories about Teflon and PTFE coated pans that start releasing chemicals once they reach a certain heat. It’s no wonder that foodies are feeling a little anxious when it comes to choosing a new pan.
But don’t sweat it. We’ve taken the time to bring you five of the best non-stick pans that can be used over high heat without any risks. We’ve also got some handy tips to help you find the right pan for you. So, let’s get started.
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What Type Of Cookware Handles Heat The Best?
There are lots of materials to choose from when it comes to cookware but the problem is that while they may excel in some areas, they fail in others. For example, cast iron is excellent at withstanding extremely high temperatures, but its non-stick properties aren’t as good. Stainless steel is also a great option and while it’s not naturally non-stick, proper seasoning can improve this.
5 Best Non Stick Pans For High Heat
If you’re in a pickle about which non-stick pan to choose then look no further. Here are five of the very best products that we think you’ll love. These pans won’t let food stick and no harm will come from exposing them to super high temperatures.
Scanpan
While this pan does come in a variety of sizes, we’re looking at the eight inch pan. This is great for making smaller dishes or when you’re cooking for just one or two people. What’s great about this highly durable pan is that it’s designed to be used on all heat sources; it’ll even work on an induction stove.
This pan is incredibly lightweight being made from aluminum which is also extremely durable. Couple this with the fact that it features a stratnium non-stick coating and you’ve got something truly incredible. Moreover, the stainless steel handle is much more tolerant to heat so adds to the durability of this product. Scanpan is a premium brand of cookware.
Circulon Symmetry Hard Anodized Non-Stick Frying Pan Set
Not only are these pans very well made but the non-stick system is unlike any other so you can feel really confident cooking on high heat. There are raised circles and triple layered material for the ultimate cooking experience. Moreover, this design ensures that the Circulon pans are super easy to clean. No more spending hours doing dishes after you’ve eaten. In fact, they are even dishwasher safe!
These pans are designed to be used on heats up to 400ºF and feature a stainless steel base to ensure perfect heat distribution. With rubber coated handles, there’s no concern about that heat transferring and making it difficult to hold the pan.
Since you get two different sizes; ten inch and twelve inch, these are great for families or people who have slightly more diverse cooking needs. That said, it is worth keeping in mind that these pans do require a little more care than some others. Many users have talked about the fact that if you take good care of them, they’ll serve you well. But if you neglect them, you’re not going to have a pan that will last for very long at all.
The Stone Earth Frying Pan By Ozeri
Made in Germany, you already know this is going to be a well-engineered and durable piece of equipment. At 12 inches, it’s a slightly larger pan so it’s ideal for bigger servings. Do keep in mind it is a relatively shallow pan so it’s better suited to things like eggs, bacon, chicken breasts and so on.
This is a stoneware pan so if you’re looking for something more natural, we think this is an excellent pick. What’s more, the pan hasn’t been treated with any nasty chemicals so you know your food is going to be safe.
Everything about this pan feels solid and well put together. A lot of pans have their handles connected with just two screws whereas there are three on this one. It might seem like an insignificant point but it certainly improves the structural integrity of the pan. Moreover, the pan handle is silicone coated for comfort and excellent grip.
Use this pan on all heat sources, including induction stoves. Also don’t forget that the pan benefits from a scratch resistant coating so you don’t need to worry when using metal utensils. However, users should keep in mind that this isn’t the most long lasting pan in the world. For this reason, we would suggest this one for occasional use.
EPPMO Hard Anodized Non Stick Saucepan
Many of the pans that we have been looking at are much shallower and so limit you on what you can cook. If you’re looking to make anything that involves using a liquid, you will need to use a saucepan. What’s great about this one is that it comes complete with a lid so the heat stays in and there’s less risk of spilling.
This is a triple layered pan with a lightweight yet durable aluminum core and a hard anodized outer coating that’s brilliantly heat resistant up to 500 degrees! It does come in various sizes from relatively small to something that would make soup or sauce for a large family. There’s even a matching wok if you want to complete your cookware set.
We love that this pan is compatible with all types of stove including induction and is fitted with a heat resistant handle so you don’t end up getting burned. When you’re done, you can clean it in the dishwasher so there’s no hassle. Quite simply, this is one of our absolute favorites.
ESLITE Life Deep Non Stick Frying Pan
You only need to take a quick glance at this frying pan to see the quality and workmanship that’s gone into its creation. It’s made from a blend of aluminum and ceramic so you get something that’s both lightweight and ultra resistant to heat. Plus since the pan is reinforced, it won’t warp, bend or break; as long as you take good care of it, you’ve got a pan that’ll last a lifetime.
The layered base with conduction magnets ensures that the pan heats evenly so your food cooks just as evenly. Moreover, the non-stick coating is free from nasty chemicals like cadmium so you can feel confident that your food is safe and won’t cause any health issues down the line.
We think this is an excellent choice for things like stir frying as it’s much deeper than other similar pans. But it’s also great for boiling and deep frying so it’s beautifully versatile and a true kitchen staple.
You can use it over all types of heat but the one thing that disappointed us a little was the fact that it’s not dishwasher or oven safe. This is due to the inclusion of natural material like ceramic so it’s to be expected. While it doesn’t affect how good this pan is, it is a little bit of an inconvenience.
Non-Stick Pan For High Heat Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing a non-stick pan for high heat, there are a few things you will need to consider. It’s no good trying to blind buy and not being certain of what you’ll get. Before committing to any pan, take a look at the following points that will help you choose exactly what you need.
What Are You Cooking?
When choosing to buy a new pan, you first need to think about what you’ll be cooking. If you are cooking up a storm that involves any kind of already sticky ingredients, then going for a non-stick pan is the obvious choice.
Safety
One of the primary concerns of the modern kitchen user is whether their cooking equipment is safe or not. There has been an outpouring of reports detailing the horrors of PFOAs used as a non-stick coating which can cause serious health problems if you are exposed to them over time.
Teflon is one of the most commonly used non-stick coatings and it’s pretty safe for the most part. That is, until you turn up the heat. Once temperatures exceed 500 degrees, the coating begins to melt and this is when chemicals are released into your food.
To avoid this, it’s best to look for PFOA free cookware or go for natural materials which are non-stick by their very nature, such as ceramic.
Heat Distribution
When you’re cooking a steak, for example, the last thing you want is for it to cook unevenly. But if you don’t choose a pan with a layered base then you’ll find that there are hot spots around the base of the pan and this can lead to unevenness.
You want to look for something that’s at least three layers but if you can find a pan with five layers, then it will perform even better.
Durability
Buying a non-stick pan can be a pretty expensive venture so you aren’t going to want something that’s going to fall apart after a couple of uses.
Of course, the durability of the pan very much depends on what it is made from. For example, a ceramic pan, by its very nature, is going to break more easily when dropped compared to something like aluminum.
But it’s also important to look at how well the pan has been constructed. Check how the handle has been attached and how secure any screws or fittings are. If the pan has a removable handle, does this reattach tightly and securely?
Size
Non-stick pans come in a huge variety of sizes so it’s important to choose something that’ll meet your needs. If you tend to cook smaller meals just for yourself, then buying a huge pan will do nothing but waste energy.
However, if you have a large family or entertain often then a small pan just won’t cut the mustard. Similarly, you may find that, for larger parties, you require a set of pans and it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to sell sets with varying sizes of pan. That’s also great if you’re looking to replace your entire previous set of kitchenware.
Conclusion
When you cook using high heat, there are a lot of pieces of kitchenware that don’t perform as you would hope. But that doesn’t mean that this way of cooking isn’t possible; it’s all about finding the right pan.
With our curated selection of the best non-stick pans for high heat, you’ll be able to find something that will serve you and your kitchen for many years to come.
Related: How to Remove Burnt Food from Non-Stick Frying Pan
Last update on 2022-11-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
