I Tested the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillet – It’s Pricey, but It Makes Everyday Cooking Feel More Luxurious

Your cookware is just as important as the ingredients you use, and upgrading to pieces that will last a lifetime can feel like a real kitchen rite of passage. I’ve traditionally relied on non-stick cookware, but with so much praise for stainless steel skillets and their versatility and durability, I was keen to put one to the test for myself.

The Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillets are made of NanoBond, which is created by bonding stainless steel to patented titanium, and Hestan claims that this material is 400% stronger than typical stainless steel cookware. This NanoBond material is also chemical-free and resistant to staining and scratching, which are all things you want to hear when you’re buying a pan at this price point. These skillets also have sealed rims, which make them dishwasher-safe.

I put them to the test in my home kitchen to decide if this premium non-toxic cookware is really worth the price. The short answer? Absolutely, particularly if you are a confident home chef who cooks to impress regularly. Here's how I got on.

Product Specifications: Hestan NanoBond Titanium Stainless-Steel Skillet

Design and First Impressions

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Upon opening my Hestan package (which included the 8.5-inch and 11-inch Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillets), I was immediately impressed by how shiny the pans looked, though I did notice the absence of lids, which stood out for this price point.

There was also very little additional plastic or packaging material, and the included product guide provided some context about the company. In particular, Hestan Culinary is committed to making highly durable, high-performance cookware that cooks beautifully and lasts for years to come, and all of that feels evident in the design.

With a quick wipe out, they were ready to use.

Cooking Performance

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When testing out the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillets, I followed the instructions to heat the pan to medium to medium-high heat and add vegetable oil.

As with any stainless steel cookware, there was a little bit of a learning curve to prevent food from sticking, and I had to experiment to find the right temperature for each item I was cooking. I also watched a few videos about how a stainless steel pan needed to be used, which eased some of the anxiety of using such an expensive pan for the first time.

• Onions: I was able to caramelize the onions by cooking them on medium heat, but some of the onions weren’t as soft as I’d like all the way through. Some of the onions weren’t as colored as I’d like despite stirring every minute.
• Pasta sauce: Using medium heat, I made a homemade pasta sauce with a can of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, pasta water, and onions that I had caramelized. It took less than five minutes for the sauce to simmer, and the sauce bubbled evenly across the surface. Nothing stuck to the bottom of the pan when cooking, which was a big plus.
• Steak: To test this, I cooked a rib-eye steak, which I cooked on medium-high heat. Once the pan was hot enough that the water beads slid on the metal surface of the pan, also known as the Leidenfrost effect, I added olive oil. Once I added the steak, I waited until it released from the pan, which took two minutes per side, and it didn’t stick. I also added herb butter to the pan, which I used to baste the steak. The steak was juicy with a nice even crust, and I found it even easier than the non-stick pans I usually use. The handle wasn’t hot, so I was able to touch it while cooking.
• Fried eggs: I used vegetable oil to cook two eggs over easy, which took three minutes. I used the 8.5-inch pan, which was the perfect size. The bottoms of the eggs were nice and crispy with a jammy yolk, and I was able to flip them with most of the egg intact. There also wasn’t much residue left in the pan, which made for easy cleaning, but I did notice that the pan handle was hot to the touch.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance

The Hestan NanoBond Titanium skillet was easy to clean when I used hot water and a Scrub Daddy sponge, which was ideal for scrubbing off burnt bits like an egg with a little elbow grease.

The pan is also dishwasher-safe because it has fully sealed rims, which is helpful if you want the benefits of a stainless steel pan without worrying about cleanup. If you start to see discoloration from high heat and oil residue, you can use the Hestan NanoBond® Professional Grade Cleaner, but I didn’t feel the need to use it as long as I washed the pan after using it.

The pans are metal utensil-safe, which is ideal for those looking for the perfect professional chef experience, but it also makes them easier to store as they are scratch-resistant. As with cleaning and caring for any cookware, however, we still suggest pan stackers (available at Amazon) or a cookware organizer to keep cabinets neat and prolong the look and lifespan of such an investment.

How Does the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Stainless-Steel Skillet Compare?

The Hestan NanoBond Titanium skillet comes at a high price point, which may be worth it if you’re looking for a pan that’ll last. If you could forgo the NanoBond material but still want a skillet made with a durable material, try the Hestan ProBond Luxe skillet, which is made of stainless steel and retains many of the design elements that make it ergonomic to use. If you’re looking for a more affordable skillet that’s still versatile and has a low-stick surface, try the Lodge Skillet, which is significantly more affordable.

On Hestan Culinary’s website, the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillet has an average rating of 4.9 across 2,000 reviews, and an average rating of 4 stars across 350 reviews on Amazon. Customers praise the pan for its durability, ease of cleaning, and high-end construction, which makes it a worthwhile investment for your kitchen.

In particular, customers say that they can get a great crust on their steak and fish and that it looks as new as the day they purchased it, even after repeated use. Lower reviews mention that the pan handles get too hot to hold, and that it requires polishing to prevent discoloration.

My Verdict: Should You Buy The Hestan NanoBond Titanium Stainless-Steel Skillet?

Overall, the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Skillet is worth the investment if you’re willing to learn how to use and care for stainless steel cookware. Its versatility makes it particularly useful for recipes that move from stovetop to oven, while its high-heat tolerance adds to its appeal. It’s not the only stainless steel skillet on the market, but it’s a compelling option if the price fits your budget.

The small details are where this pan shines, and it feels like a love letter to the art of cooking. This is evident in the rivets that are flush against the pan to prevent food buildup and ease of storage, flared rims for ease of pouring, and a 20% greater cooking surface than competitors’ skillets.

I’d recommend this skillet to confident home cooks, or anyone keen to develop their cooking skills and willing to get to grips with stainless steel. If you’re used to non-stick cookware, there’s a learning curve, particularly when it comes to preheating the pan correctly so food releases more easily. However, once you get the hang of it, the experience can be well worth the effort.

The biggest drawback is the price, especially as the pan doesn’t come with a lid. Still, if cooking is a passion and you’re looking for cookware built to last, it could be a worthwhile investment. The smaller 8.5-inch skillet is a practical choice for smaller households, although those cooking larger portions may prefer a bigger size, which comes at an additional cost.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

We test all cookware in our own homes under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

To help organize pots and pans and prevent damage, I have rounded up a selection of top organizers and care tools to make the most of your new investment cookware.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

Still not sure where to start when outfitting your kitchen? We have a guide to choosing the best cookware to simplify the process and ensure your money is well spent.

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