Non-stick pans are common cooking utensils found in many kitchens around the world.
They are designed to make frying much easier, by preventing your food from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
The non-stick coating used by these pans is often made from Teflon, but many people have reservations about using this substance for cooking food.
Teflon used to be made using a chemical called Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which was believed for many years to be carcinogenic.
It was feared that using metal implements with non-stick pans would scratch the Teflon coating, allowing microscopic amounts to contaminate your cooking.
Teflon pans are no longer made with PFOA and many of the claims about these pans being carcinogenic are now widely refuted. However, some people still won’t want to take the risk.
Thankfully, there are lots of different non-stick pans that you can buy which don’t utilize a Teflon coating.
These pans use alternative food safe materials to prevent food from sticking to them.
So if you are still concerned about the potential health issues associated with Teflon, you should check out some of the awesome non-stick pans we have compiled for this list.
OUR TOP PICK
Micheangelo Frying Pan With Lid
EDITORS CHOICE
T-fal Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan Set
BEST VALUE
GreenPan Lima Ceramic Nonstick Skillet with Lid
OUR TOP PICK
Michelangelo Frying Pan With Lid
This Michelangelo frying pan looks almost like it is made from pure granite, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen.
With three layers of a special, stone-derived, non-stick coating, you won’t have to worry about your food sticking to this pan at all.
The coating is also very scratch resistant, so you can use metal implements with your pan without damaging it.
Underneath the non-stick surface, the main body of the pan is made from high-grade aluminum that offers excellent heat dissipation.
This allows for better control over the temperature you are cooking at, so your food is less likely to be burnt.
The aluminum base of this pan is also compatible with induction hobs, so you can use this pan on almost any type of cooking surface.
Thanks to the glass lid that comes with this pan, you can always see how well your food is coming along.
Both the handle and the lid are designed to stay cool while the pan is on high heat, so you won’t burn your hands when you touch them.
The coating on this pan makes it exceptionally easy to clean, since even grease will have a hard time sticking to it.
Pros
- Aluminum base that is compatible with induction cookers.
- Three layers of scratch resistant non-stick coating.
- Comes with a glass lid and an ergonomic, stainless steel handle.
Cons
- Although the manufacturers say this pan is dishwasher safe, it should only be washed by hand.
Also available at: Walmart
EDITORS CHOICE
T-fal Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan Set
If you don’t want to spend lots on a new frying pan, then this set offers great value for money.
Not only do you get two pans for your money, but both are made from very high quality materials.
They are made from ceramic with a Teflon free non-stick coating on the inside that allows your food to freely slide around in the pan.
The coating used in these pans is not only very easy to cook with, but it is also easy to clean.
As such, you won’t need to spend ages scrubbing down your pan after each cooking session.
Provided they aren’t covered in lots of grease, you can even put these pans in the dishwasher when you need to quickly clean them after light use.
With a base made from durable aluminum, these pans heat up very evenly and don’t have any hot spots where you could burn your food.
Sadly, since they don’t use the aluminum alloy that we saw on our last product, they can’t be used on an induction cooker.
The plastic handles on these pans are ergonomic and safe to put in the oven, provided it is set to a temperature below 350°F.
Pros
- Ceramic non-stick coating that is easy to clean.
- Durable aluminum base offers great heat dissipation.
- Dishwasher safe.
Cons
- The non-stick coating may gradually degrade with regular heavy use.
Also available at: Sears
BEST VALUE
GreenPan Lima Ceramic Nonstick Skillet with Lid
Perhaps, you’re looking for a larger skillet, and if so, then the Greenpan Lima is a great choice for you.
This 12in skillet has a ceramic non-stick coating that makes it easy to cook anything from omelets to stir-fry.
The coating is free from cadmium, PFAS and PFOA, ensuring there are no toxic substances that could be leaked into your food.
Thanks to the glass lid, you can stop too much moisture from escaping your food while you are frying.
The lid has a stainless steel handle, and just like the handle on the pan, it is designed to stay cool even on high heat.
Since they are made from metal, these handles may be a little slippery when touching them with wet or oily hands, so you will need to be careful to not drop the pan.
Since there are no plastic components, this pan is safe to put in the oven up to 600 °F.
However, you can’t put it in the dishwasher as this may cause the non-stick coating to be compromised. This pan is suitable for any kind of stove-top, except induction hobs.
Pros
- Suitable for placing in the oven.
- Ergonomic stainless steel handles on both the lid and the pan.
- Large 12in area for cooking larger meals.
Cons
- Handles may be slippery if your hands have water or oil on them.
Also, available at: GreenPan
RUNNER UP
Ozeri ZP1-3P Green Earth Pan Set, 3 Piece
Some people like to use induction hobs instead of other, more conventional stove tops.
Induction hobs allow you to heat up your pan much faster and give you better control over the temperature, but they only work with pans that have a magnetically reactive base.
The base of these pans made by Ozeri are made from heavy-gauge aluminum that is specially designed for use on inductions. This set offers great value for money, with three frying pans for the same price most competitors would charge for one.
The smallest pan is 8in in diameter, while the largest is a 12in skillet. With these options, you have a lot of choice when it comes to what kind of food you want to make and how much you want to cook. All of these pans have a textured cooking surface that helps to prevent food from sticking to the bottom.
The honeycomb pattern also helps to create pockets of air under your food for better heat dissipation.
Thanks to the thick silicon handles, you won’t have to worry about burning yourself when taking these pans off the heat.
Pros
- Texture bottom offers better heat dissipation.
- You get three pans for a very good price.
- Suitable for use on induction hobs.
- Heat-resistant silicone handles.
Cons
- The honeycomb pattern makes these skillets a bit harder to clean.
Also available at: HomeDepot, Sears, and Kmart
RUNNER UP
Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Restaurant Fry Pan
This pan made by Tramontina is built from professional grade aluminum with a PFOA free non-stick coating.
It is quite a heavy pan, but this is a testament to its quality and durable build.
You will find that your food simply slides straight onto your plate when cooking with one of these frying pans.
The coating is also very scratch resistant and dishwasher safe, which makes it very easy to clean.
This pan is safe to put in the oven as long as you set the temperature below 400 °F.
However, it doesn’t come with a lid, so using it in the oven may cause your food to dry out too much.
The handle is securely attached to the pan with three steel rivets to make sure it won’t come loose.
There is a rubber cover over the handle to make it safe to touch even when the pan is boiling hot.
When you buy this pan, you get a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer to ensure you won’t be in need of a replacement for many years.
Pros
- Made from high gauge aluminum with a satin finish.
- The handle has a rubber grip to make it safe to touch.
- Can be placed in the oven provided the temperature is under 400°F
Cons
- No lid.
Also available at: Walmart
RUNNER UP
Abbio Large Nonstick Skillet
If you are looking for a skillet that can do everything, then this one made by Abbio is the perfect choice for you.
This pan has a 11in diameter and can be used for cooking on any type of stove top, including induction hobs.
You can also put it in the oven, and since there are no plastic components to melt, you won’t even have to regulate the temperature.
This pan is made from aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel.
There are four layers of non-stick coating on the inside of the pan, made from completely non-toxic substances that won’t contaminate your food.
While the coating isn’t toxic to ingest, it is still recommended to avoid using metal implements with this pan.
If you scratch the non-stick coating, it won’t really affect the pan’s performance, but it will make it look a lot worse.
The ergonomic handle is made from stainless steel and will stay cool even on high heat.
When it comes to cleaning up after your meal, this pan is dishwasher safe, making it very easy to maintain.
Pros
- Made from three layers of metal for better heat dissipation.
- Magnetic stainless steel outer layer allows you to use this skillet on induction hobs.
- Both dishwasher and oven safe.
Cons
- It is not advised to use metal implements with this pan.
Also available at: AbbioKitchen
Buyers Guide
As you can see, there are lots of alternatives to Teflon when it comes to nonstick pans.
With so much variety, it will be important to think about what kind of frying pan you need to suit your individual needs.
In this section, we will cover a few basic considerations to bear in mind when buying a non-stick pan.
Material
The type of metal used for the body of your pan is important, as it will determine how well it performs on high heat.
You want a pan made of a metal like high-gauge aluminum or 304 steel, as both these materials offer great heat dissipation.
This means that the heat spreads evenly throughout the pan, without any hot spot areas where your food is more likely to burn.
Some pans will use multiple layers of different metals to offer even better temperature control and durability.
If you want to use your pan on an induction hob, then you need to buy one with a magnetically reactive base.
This could include products made from magnetized stainless steel or other metals that are magnetic.
Non-Stick Coating
If you are buying a pan that doesn’t use Teflon for its non-stick coating, then you will need to consider what kind of alternative you would prefer.
Many ceramic coatings are completely free from toxic chemicals, but they can still be scratched by metal implements.
However, since they don’t contain harmful substances, the worst that can happen after scratching your pan is that some food may stick, and it won’t look as nice.
That said, it is worth buying a pan with a scratch resistance coating, so you can use any cooking utensils you want without damaging it.
Some non-stick coatings will include a textured bottom to the pan, often arranged in a honeycomb pattern of dips and rises.
These textured bottoms will cause a little more food to stick to your pan, however, they do offer certain advantages.
For example, they can allow for pockets of air beneath your food to improve the heat dissipation of your pan.
Intended Cooking Surface
Most pans will be designed to work on conventional gas powered or electric stove tops.
If you want one that will work on an induction hob, then as we said above you will need to buy a model with a magnetic base.
Some people may want to place their frying pan in the oven when cooking certain dishes.
If you think you will want to do this, then you should buy a pan made from purely metal components.
Those with plastic handles may not be able to go in your oven above a certain temperature in case the plastic melts.
Just be careful when removing your pan from the oven, as the handles will be just as hot as the rest of the metal.
Handles
Speaking of handles, you want to buy a pan that you can safely use on high heat.
This means buying one with a heat-resistant handle that can be touched without burning your hands.
Some metal handles are designed to stay cooler than the main body of the pan.
However, these handles may be very slippery to hold onto with hands covered in water or oil. As such, you may be more likely to drop them.
Plastic handles can’t be put in the oven above a certain temperature, but they are easier to grip and hold onto.
Lids
For some dishes, you may want to prevent too much moisture escaping from your food.
In this case, you will want a frying pan that comes with a lid to trap in both heat and moisture.
Glass lids are the best since they allow you to see how your food is doing while it is cooking.
It is important for the lid to have a heat-resistant handle. Without one, you won’t be able to lift the lid without burning your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Teflon Pans Really Carcinogenic?
PFOA is the main substance in Teflon pans that people consider to be carcinogenic.
Most modern pans with a Teflon non-stick coating no longer contain PFOA, but may contain other harmful substances.
That said, the American Cancer Society currently states that there are no proven connections between ingesting Teflon and cancer.
There are many claims on both sides, and as such the health issues associated with Teflon are highly contended.
Can You Use Metal Implements In Non-Stick Pans?
Even non-stick pans that don’t use a Teflon coating may be scratched by metal spatulas or other utensils.
While scratching the non-stick surfaces may make the pan look much worse, in most cases they won’t contaminate your food with any toxic substances.
That said, if you want your pan to last for a long time, then it is better to preserve the non-stick coating as much as possible.
As such, even on scratch resistant pans, it is best to use rubber or silicon implements and utensils to move your food around the pan.
What Is The Difference Between A Skillet And A Frying Pan?
A skillet and a frying pan are for the most part the exact same thing. However, the generally accepted distinction between the two is that a skillet is normally much deeper than a frying pan with walls over 2 inches tall.
