I Tried 8 Nonstick Skillets That Cost $25 or Less. One Blew Me Away.

I’ve been a gear tester for many years. For greater than 30 years, I used to be answerable for testing and reporting on all the pieces from picket spoons to linked fridges at Good Housekeeping, and I’ve been fortunate sufficient to amass a large assortment of cookware at residence — particularly skillets. I’ve skillets of every kind, together with the costliest ones you should buy from top-rated manufacturers. However I’m comfortable to report that my new go-to is simply $25.

See, I spent the previous few weeks making eggs, pancakes, and burgers in eight totally different budget-friendly nonstick skillets and located that you just don’t must spend a bundle on a fancy-schmancy pan to cook dinner like a professional. From my testing, I discovered one clear winner — and two runners-up. Let’s have a look.

and also you’ll discover its professional look with riveted handles and its heavy weight instantly. Due to its heft, it’s gradual to warmth up however, as soon as it does, it cooks exceptionally evenly. On this pan, I discovered meals cooked by means of with out danger of over-browning or burning. The nonstick end was top-notch at protecting meals from sticking — eggs-over-easy fell proper out — and cleanup was just about nonexistent. I do know nonstick has a nasty rap for not being good for searing, however after I cooked hamburgers over medium warmth, beginning in a chilly pan, they got here out simply as well-browned, with some crispy bits across the edges, as any I’ve ever had.

Some housekeeping notes: The skillet is constructed of aluminum and has a shiny exterior end. To maintain it wanting that manner, you’ll wish to hand-wash it. The Farberware is oven-safe as much as 350°F, so you can begin a bit of fish off on the stovetop and end it off within the oven, however you may’t use it to crisp up a skillet casserole.

Nearly all of nonstick skillets priced at $25 or much less have conventional nonstick finishes. Nevertheless, on the Blue Diamond, there’s a ceramic coating, which may take increased warmth on the stovetop and may even be used within the oven or the broiler. You might sacrifice a bit on the discharge if you’re cooking eggs, however you may simply counteract that by utilizing a contact of butter. When it got here to pancakes, although, they fell proper out. And no matter I cooked heated exceptionally evenly. There was no want to maneuver hamburgers round within the pan to verify they had been all prepared on the similar time. Plus, this skillet has an aesthetic darkish blue enamel end on the skin, and a brushed aluminum deal with and appears prefer it prices far more than $20. 

Each residence cook dinner ought to have a whopping large skillet of their arsenal for simmering meatballs, making an enormous omelet, or stir-frying an entire mess of veggies. However you realize, as measurement will increase so do costs. That’s why I used to be tremendous impressed that this big Goodcook Everyday Sauté Pan may be had for simply $19. It’s a reasonably light-weight skillet, so that you do must watch out to not crank up the warmth, however which means if you load it up with a hen dinner, it received’t be too heavy to hold to the desk. I like the sloping sides, which make it simple to toss and switch Brussels sprouts or slip out fried eggs.

Surprisingly for this value, you get a riveted deal with that can by no means fall off. And the rivets are coated with the nonstick end, too, so that you received’t must put any further effort into getting scrambled egg gunk off of them. Whereas the producer says the pan is dishwasher-safe, the aluminum backside and the rim will lose their shine if machine-washed. This skillet is strictly for stovetop use, so it’s not a sensible choice if you happen to’re on the lookout for a pan for frittatas or Dutch infants which get popped up within the oven. 

Do you may have a favourite cheap nonstick skillet? Inform us about it within the feedback!