What a Skillet Nonstick Pan Does Better Than Other Cookware

You reach for a nonstick skillet when you want cooking to be easy. A nonstick skillet pan lets you slide eggs right out, flip fish without tearing it, and lets you clean it with a quick wipe instead of a scrub. That's the whole point of that convenience. But the way they create that nonstick surface is different, and that difference has an impact on the cooking experience.

The Coating Trade-off
The classic non-stick coating is PTFE. It is slick, dependable and widely used. A PTFE nonstick skillet pan will give you that easy release people expect. The catch is durability. The coating does not withstand high heat and is not durable with use. If you're a cook who uses high heat often, you'll notice the pan losing its slickness in a couple of years.

Another choice is ceramic coatings. They don't emit fumes at high temperatures and appeal to those cooks who'd like to avoid PTFE. A ceramic nonstick skillet pan is safe and works, but the nonstick effect wears out more quickly. Many users report sticking problems after a year of regular use.

The Difference Of Cast Iron
Cast iron is a completely different approach. A well seasoned cast iron skillet gets slick naturally over time. It doesn't have the same nonstick all-the-time performance as a coated pan, but it sears better. A cast iron nonstick skillet will last longer than any coated pan but it takes care, no soaking, no dishwasher and regular oiling.

What Cooks Should Know
The fact is that no one pan does a very good all-purpose job. A skillet nonstick pan is great for light foods, fast meals. It's not the pan for doing a high heat sear. For this a well-seasoned cast-iron pan or stainless-steel pan is better.

The trick is to match the pan to the style of cooking. A cook who makes eggs every day needs a dependable nonstick surface. A cook who sears meat every week needs something stronger. Use a nonstick skillet that fits the way you cook all the time. One that doesn't will be in the cabinet. That is what separates a pan worth buying from one that is not. Use the pan properly and it will do its job. Push it to the limit, and you'll be shopping for a replacement sooner than you'd like.