Practical Non-Toxic Pans are Rarely Cheap, But This Editor-Approved Pan Is $30 Off Right Now – It's The Durable 'Value for Money' Pick our Expert Chef Loved
I'm taking advantage to finally upgrade my cookware
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Cucina
Whether you’re passionate about hosting exquisite dinners, experimenting with culinary trends, or perfecting your kitchen's design with timeless elegance and innovative functionality, this newsletter is here to inspire
Non-stick pans are, by and large, the most convenient options for the everyday home cook looking to make mid-week dinners as painless as possible. However, these affordable conveniences can be quietly making you sick thanks to their PFA-laden coatings.
But upgrading to the best non-toxic cookware rarely comes cheap. Be it stainless steel or ceramic, these higher-quality alternatives come with the higher price tag, which is why any sale is well worth jumping on.
Available in both plain stainless steel and an exclusive stainless steel and antique brass handle, the Made In Stainless Clad Fry Pan was given five stars by our expert chef, who found it to be the perfect durable pan for all sorts of cooking applications.
Non-stick pans aren't just hazardous to your health; they are incredibly impractical – they scratch easily with the wrong utensils, can't be cleaned in the dishwasher, and generally become less effective over time.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, faces none of these pitfalls. It is little wonder that the world's top kitchens will almost always opt for stainless steel when choosing the best cookware.
Reviewed by our expert chef Lydia Hayman, the Made In Stainless Steel Pans, from Crate & Barrel, received five stars, making it the best non-toxic pan we have ever put through its paces in the test kitchen.
While the sale still sets it at $100, Lydia determined the pan was one of the best value for money investments you can make for your kitchen, writing, 'It’s a solid investment that delivers professional-level performance without an ultra-luxury price tag. It’s sturdy, well-balanced, heats evenly, and handles everything from delicate sauces to high-heat searing with ease.' T
he brushed finish keeps it looking good, too, and easy to clean. Plus, the 'stay-cool handle' makes it comfortable and safe to use.
You can learn how to make any pan non-stick if you feel nervous about cooking on stainless steel for the first time.
Testing with onions, seared chicken breast, and gyozas all proved the pan to be perfectly responsive and forgiving, cooking perfectly evenly despite the pan being slightly larger than the burner. Better yet, everything coloured beautifully without burning. Pasta sauce garnered similar results, simmering evenly across the entire surface in a minute and 12 seconds, to be precise.
The only letdown was fried eggs – a common pitfall of stainless steel pans. If you have eggs regularly and value perfect edges, but also want to create a non-toxic home, a good ceramic pan, such as the Made In CeramiClad Frying Pan, might be your best bet. We tested the CeramiClad pan and gave it four stars, as it needs more gentle care than the stainless steel. It is a payoff you will need to consider before shopping.
If the convenient cooking wasn't enough, stainless steel is stackable, making it far easier to organize a kitchen with small kitchen storage. Unlike non-stick or ceramic, there is no delicate coating that could scratch or peel, meaning, if needed, you can stack pans safely without the fear of scratches. Although to really protect your pans, it is always advisable to throw a cork trivet, from Walmart, between each pan to protect the overall aesthetics from light visual damage at the very least.
For $30 off, it really is a no-brainer for an instant, healthy upgrade that will serve you and your cook space for years to come.
What to Shop
There is a non-toxic pan to suit any cooking style. These are the six we love the most:
Best for everyday searing. A favorite among professional chefs, the Made In pan delivers excellent value. It heats evenly, resists scratching and leaching, and produces a perfect, golden sear every time.
We love the smooth surface on this vintage-style skillet. Frittatas and pancakes slid out perfectly in testing. Made from sturdy cast iron, it’s built to last a lifetime – it just needs regular seasoning for a naturally non-stick finish.
Best for eggs and delicate ingredients, Made In's ceramic is superior to any other brand. It is robust and seriously slippery, but you still need to take care not to chip or damage the coating.
Lodge has been a trusted name in cast iron cookware since 1896, proudly made in Tennessee. It may not be the smoothest or most stylish option, but it delivers reliable durability and performance – all for under $40.
This pan is pretty and practical. The unique 'no-coating' Titanium design is dishwasher-safe (a huge win), and food still sizzles effortlessly on the grooved surface. However, it is heavy.
Best for versatile cooks, Caraway’s stainless steel pan can handle any recipe, from pastas and curries to oven-baked casseroles. I’d choose this classy design over their non-stick every time.
No matter what type of cookware you choose to invest in, it is worth brushing up on how to clean and car for every type of cookware to make sure it lasts and you get the perfect results every dinner time.
