Owned by the Emson company, Gotham Steel is a very popular brand of nonstick ceramic cookware.
The first generation of this line was introduced in 2000 and has been updated several times since then. The newest version of the line is called “Gotham” and features an innovative design that allows for even heat distribution throughout the pan.
This new line also includes a few other improvements, such as a larger base with a deeper lip to allow for easier lifting and less splatter when removing food from the pan.
They’re renowned for being free of many toxic chemicals often used when making nonstick ceramic cookware.
We’re going to take a run down of all things Gotham Steel. We’ll start off with what it’s made out of and how durable they are.
We’ll look at a bit of the history behind the Emson company, along with the general pros and cons of Gotham Steel cookware. Finally, we’ll wrap up with our overall thoughts on the entire line.
So let’s jump right in!
What Exactly Is Gotham Steel?
As we mentioned earlier, Gotham Steel is a line of nonstick ceramic cookware produced by the Emson company. They were originally developed by the Emson company back in 2000.
Since then, they’ve gone through multiple updates and changes to their original design. These days, you can find them in both stainless steel and aluminum versions.
It’s worth noting that Emson doesn’t manufacture anything, but rather imports foreign made products, which are then sold in the American market.
Emson does not own any manufacturing facilities or factories. Instead, they import products from China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.
This means that the quality of these products varies greatly depending on where they come from.
However, Emson does have strict guidelines regarding the materials that go into each product. This means that you shouldn’t expect cheap, low-quality products.
Is Gotham Steel Safe?
When it comes to safety, there are two main concerns: whether they contain harmful toxins like lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc., and if they’re actually safe to use.
Fortunately, Gotham Steel is completely toxin free. In fact, it’s one of the few lines of nonstick cookware that don’t contain any hazardous chemicals.
While it may be tempting to think that your nonstick pans will last forever, the truth is that they do eventually wear down over time.
As the surface gets scratched and worn down, it becomes more difficult to prevent sticking. It’s important to remember that nonstick cookware isn’t meant to last forever.
How Durable Are Gotham Steel Cookware Pans?
Like most nonstick cookware, Gotham Steel pans are extremely durable. They’re designed to withstand heavy usage, meaning that they won’t easily break or crack under pressure.
In fact, they’re so strong that they can handle temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit without breaking.
That said, they’re still recommended to be used between 350 and 450 degrees. Anything higher than that could cause permanent damage to the pan.
Gotham Steel: What Options Are Available?
Whilst the portfolio of cookware lines from Gotham Steel is extensive, they even make air fryers and small indoor grills, we’re just focusing on the Gotham Steel cookware.
Under each subheading below, we’ve composed lists of their main features.
Original Gotham Steel Line
– PTFE Free
– Stainless steel handles/Aluminum body
– Metal Utensil/Dishwasher Safe
– Oven Safe to 500F
– Not Induction Compatible
Pro Hard Anodized Line
– PTFE Free
– Anodized aluminum body
– Ceramic titanium non-stick coating
– Induction safe
Pro Chef Line
– Dishwasher safe
– Oven Safe to 500F
– PTFE Free
– Aluminum base
– Induction Safe
Hammered Copper Line
– PTFE Free- Dishwasher/Metal Utensil Safe – Copper-colored interior- Induction Safe
What Is A Nonstick Coating?
A nonstick coating is an extremely thin layer of material applied to the inside of a metal pan. The goal here is to create a barrier between the metal and whatever you put in it. This prevents the food from sticking to the pan.
The best way to describe this process is that it’s similar to putting wax paper between your food and a regular pan.
The difference is that instead of using wax paper, you’re using a very thin layer of nonstick material.
This makes it much easier to clean as well. You just wipe away any excess residue after cooking. There’s no need to scrub the pan with soap or other harsh cleaning agents.
There are two types of nonstick coating commercially used today – PTFE and ceramic.
PTFE (or polytetrafluoroethylene) is a man-made substance that has been around for decades. It’s commonly found in Teflon coatings on many surfaces, including cookware.
There is some weight to the argument that PTFE is unsafe, however, this argument rarely includes the fact that when used correctly, PTFE is safe.
Ceramic is another type of nonstick coating that’s less toxic than PTFE. It’s also far better at preventing sticking. However, it’s also significantly heavier than PTFE.
Because of this, it doesn’t work nearly as well as PTFE. This is why most manufacturers only use PTFE for their nonstick pans.
Ceramic Nonstick Vs PTFE
As mentioned above, there are pros and cons to both of these types of nonstick coatings. We’ll go over them now.
Ceramics have several advantages over PTFE. First off, they don’t contain fluorine. This means that they won’t leach into the food like PTFE will. They also tend to be more durable than PTFE.
However, they do weigh more than PTFE. Because of this, they’re not as effective at keeping foods from sticking.
In addition, they require special ovens to heat to high temperatures. Most induction stoves aren’t designed to reach such high temperatures.
Finally, ceramics tend to scratch easily. If you drop something hot onto the surface of a ceramic pan, you may end up scratching the entire thing.
If you want a nonstick pan that works well, but isn’t heavy, then PTFE is the way to go. It’s easy to clean, and it can handle extreme temperatures.
Pros And Cons Of Gotham Steel Cookware
Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of using Gotham steel cookware:
Pros
- Nonstick coating
- Induction safe
- Oven safe to 500F
- Easy to clean
- Heavy-duty construction
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Scratches easily
- Doesn’t hold temperature well
How To Clean Your New Cookware
To remove any leftover food particles, simply run warm water through the sink. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
Next, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and let it soak for about 5 minutes. Then, drain and dry the pan completely. Finally, apply one of our non stick sprays.
You should be able to get all traces of food out of the pan. If you still notice any spots, repeat the process until they disappear.
If you’ve ever had trouble removing stubborn stains from stainless steel cookware, then you know how important it is to keep your new cookware clean.
It’s best to avoid using abrasive cleaners, since they could damage the finish. Instead, we recommend using mild soaps and detergents.
Wrapping Up
The Gotham Steel cookware range is exactly what you might expect from cookware at their price point.
They’re sturdy enough to withstand normal cooking conditions, yet light enough to carry with ease.
In terms of their nonstick coating, whilst it’s PTFE free, it works best when cooking with oil in the pan. With heavy use, it’s almost expected that the coating will most likely wear out after a year or so.
This makes it essential to regularly check the condition of your pan. You can tell if it needs replacing by looking at the coating itself. If it starts to peel away, then it’s time to replace it.
