There are a few simple tests I run on non-stick pans to measure even heating, surface flatness, as well as each pan's non-stick properties and ability to release food.
Fried eggs and omelets: classic non-sticky food
The first and probably most important test shows us how well each pan releases sticky foods, including eggs and pancakes. I also cooked a fried egg and scrambled egg omelet in each. The hope is that each one completely releases the food once it has been digested with as little food as possible. In truth, all of the frying pans released the eggs well during this test and without a single pan dropping it. However, there were some slight differences in performance. The pans I selected as my top picks in each category performed as well or better than average.
This is the lift you can expect with a good non-stick pan.
Pancakes reveal all. Well, a lot anyway
I also cooked a skillet-sized pancake in each pan — a test that does double duty. Besides illuminating the non-stickiness of the pan, it also shows how evenly the pan is heating and cooking.
After filling a cold pan with one cup of pancake batter, I turned on the heat and let it cook for two minutes. Normally you would add the pancake batter to a preheated pan, but here I want the batter to spread evenly and settle into the pan before cooking so I can really see if they have hot or cold spots. I flipped the pancake out of the pan and upside down. Yes, it was a messy affair, but what was revealed on the other side were pancake gradients that shed light on each pan's ability to cook evenly across its surface.
The browning of a pancake shows us how evenly the pan is cooking and how well it releases notoriously sticky breakfast foods.
Other considerations
While performing these tests, I am careful to note other factors such as the overall size of the pan, weight and balance of the stove. I also take into account the height and angle of the slope of its sides, as well as the angle and construction of the handle. Some of these factors are of course subjective, especially handle comfort, so it might make sense to find a cookware superstore and test different handles before making a final choice.
It may seem like a small thing, but the angle of the handle can make a big difference in maneuvering the pan. I like the subtle slope of the Missen pan. The rubber casing was easy on my hand.
Durability of non-stick coatings
This is a more complicated factor to assess. Ultimately, you'll want your non-stick coating to last as long as possible, but you can only really measure this with consistent use over time. In my experience, decent non-stick frying pans will last anywhere from three to four years before they really start to break down. While I don't have the luxury of testing the durability of each pan over that period of time, I do look deep into each pan's reviews to see if there are any red flags or patterns that might suggest they are corroding faster.
If your non-stick pan looks like this, it's time to splurge on a fresh pan.
While no non-stick pan will last forever, we pick our top pick Misen as well as on Fully clothed set they have three layers of non-stick coating which should give them a longer life.
Price was one of the biggest factors
Due to its short lifespan, you'd be wise not to spend a fortune on a non-stick pan. Besides HexClad offering a unique hybrid surface designed to withstand metal utensils and wear and tear, I don't recommend spending more than $60 or $70 on a nonstick pan.
If you go too cheap (pans under $40 or so), you'll find that the non-stick coatings start to corrode much faster and you'll need to replace them sooner. I've made this mistake before and it's just not worth the hassle just to save a few bucks.
Price and value were some of the biggest deciding factors I considered when choosing the best non-stick fry pans of 2024.