Best Non-Stick Frying Pans (UK)

When buying a non-stick frying pan, it is always worth shopping around to find the best pan for your needs.

Of course, we’ve done all the shopping around for you here. Before we started writing this cookware article, we researched the market to find the best non-stick frying pans in the UK right now.

So, if you need a frying pan, you’re in the right place. Read our recommendations below and explore our buyer’s guide covering all you need to know about purchasing a frying pan.

 

Guide to Choosing a Non-Stick Frying Pan

Know your non-stick coatings

When choosing a non-stick frying pan, it is important to know what the type of non-stick coating it has.

For many years, manufacturers of frying pans used non-stick coatings that contained harmful chemicals. These chemicals were PTFE and PFOA. These were known for breaking down at high temperatures, typically over 240 degrees Celsius. This breakdown meant that harmful chemicals could be released into your food.

Thankfully, a lot of manufacturers are now breaking away from these non-stick coatings. They are opting instead for more natural non-stick coatings like ceramic and titanium.

Ceramic and titanium provide a really strong bond to the metal of the pan and offer an excellent non-stick coating that will last for years.

Depending on how you use a frying pan, of course, a non-stick coating with PFOA or PTFE can work for you. However, for the most flexibility and durability, while cooking, we recommend a more modern non-stick coating like ceramic or titanium.

 

Material

Frying pans can be made from stainless steel, aluminium, copper and more. Does the metal really make a difference, though? Well, in a way, yes.

A pan made from aluminium, for example, will heat up differently when compared to a copper pan.

Also, some materials will not work with induction hobs. Keep in mind that frying pans are intended for different purposes, and some are created for a specific cooking method.

Generally, though, if you want a solid frying pan that will last years and perform well during those years, stainless or aluminium is a good bet.

 

Wall thickness

Even really good frying pans come with a variety of wall thickness. Some very high-end pans have a really thin wall.

This isn’t because the pan is made cheaply; it is designed that way. A thin-walled frying pan heats up really quickly but doesn’t hold heat in so it needs constant high heat to perform well.

A thick-walled frying pan, on the other hand, can hold heat really well, it just takes a bit longer to heat up.

For everyday use, a thick-walled pan is usually acceptable. However, some people prefer a thinner wall.

 

Is one frying pan enough?

A non-stick frying pan is a cookware essential for most people. However, we recommend having a few different sizes of frying pan. In fact, at home, I have two frying pans of the same size and then another one that is a lot smaller for eggs.

We only have two of the same size frying pans because my partner liked the look of one and I preferred the other.

However, having two frying pans really helps when creating different parts of a meal. For example, if I fancy tuna one night, but my partner wants a steak, we can sear both and cook them to perfection at the same time.

Even if you live alone, two frying pans can be used to cook different components of a meal. Now that we own two frying pans, we certainly won’t be going back to just one, two are so handy!

 

Size

In most cases, 26cm to 30cm is a good size. With a 30cm frying pan, you can put a good amount of spinach in it or sear a steak without the frying pan cooling down too much.

If you love your steak, 30cm is the best option. As steaks are large, you need a larger pan so that when the meat is first put into the pan, it doesn’t draw all of the heat away from the bottom and the sides.

A 20cm frying pan is excellent for eggs and omelettes, but it isn’t as universal as a pan that’s 26cm to 30cm.

 

Induction hob ready?

About 80% of frying pans now work with induction hobs because they are increasingly popular. However, if you own an induction hob, or want to own one in the near future, always check. Particularly if you’re purchasing a frying pan on our list.

The frying pans below are extremely good quality, and you’ll have them for years. So, you won’t want to give up your favourite frying pan because it isn’t compatible with your new hob.

 

Is it oven-safe?

Even frying pans with plastic handles claim to be oven-safe nowadays, but are they really? Some manufacturers claim their frying pans can be used in an oven up to 400 degrees Celsius. For others, it’s about 250 degrees.

If you love transferring your frying pan to the oven, this is an important factor to check. Also, go for a pan that can easily handle the temperatures you typically cook at.

If you go for a pan that can just about manage the heat, the non-stick coating could begin to fail, or other parts of the pan.

 

Is it dishwasher-safe?

Most non-stick frying pans are dishwasher safe, but do check. Pans made from cast iron, for example, can’t be put in the dishwasher as the cleaning cycle will affect the seasoning on the pan.

To sum up this frying pan buyer guide, there is no pan in the world perfect for everyone. There are certainly general-purpose frying pans that will work perfectly for most general tasks. However, if you want a frying pan for a specific reason, these are things to consider:

• How many pans do I need?
• Should the walls be thick or thin?
• What material should it be made from?
• Will it work on my induction hob?
• The perfect size for me
• Is it oven and dishwasher safe?

Asking yourself how you use or want to use a frying pan will help you buy the right pan for the job. I have a Tefal non-stick frying pan and an aluminium skillet that I love, but you may hate the combination.

Cooking should be enjoyable and so finding the equipment that can bring you as much joy as possible is important.

We hope this frying pan buyer’s guide has helped you narrow down the pans you’re considering.

 

What Does PFOA-Free Mean?

For years, PFOA was used in the non-stick coatings of most pots and pans. However, in recent years, concerns have been raised about health risks associated with this manmade material.

What is PFOA?

PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid is a chemical used in polymer-based coatings that are designed to be heat, stain, scratch or stick resistant. This chemical is commonly used in cookware, however has also been used in other industries, including construction and manufacturing.

If a non-stick cookware product is advertised as being PFOA-free, this means that the non-stick coating does not contain any PFOA.

 

Is PFOA still used?

PFOA has not been used in the manufacturing of non-stick cookware since 2013, but by that point, the chemical had already taken its toll on both people and the environment.

PFOA is known as a “forever chemical”. This means that it does not degrade in the environment, so PFOA used even decades ago can still be found in the air, ground and water.

Laws were introduced governing the use of PFOA as there is a chance that PFOA could have a negative health impact in sensitive individuals, and that the chemical is possibly carcinogenic in humans.

 

How to Care for a Non-Stick Pan

There are a range of methods that you can use to extend the lifespan of your new non-stick pans, including using appropriate utensils and cleaning the pan carefully.

1. Use gentle utensils

Most modern non-stick pans are very durable, however they will always last longer if you choose your utensils carefully. Instead of metal, try to use only plastic, wooden or rubber utensils.

 

2. Clean the pan carefully

Avoid using abrasive metal cleaning equipment as this can damage the coating of the pan. Instead of these harsh scourers and pads, use soft sponges or washcloths.

Some new non-stick pots and pans are dishwasher safe, but it is still recommended in a lot of cases that the pans are hand washed instead. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer for guidance.

 

3. Use lowest possible temperatures

High temperatures increase the chances of food sticking and burning, which can lead to the breakdown of most non-stick coatings. The best way to preserve the life of your non-stick coating is to cook every dish at the lowest possible temperature.

 

Conclusion

And there you have it, there is our list of the best non-stick frying pans in the UK.

With our buyer’s guide, you can get the perfect frying pan for your kitchen and enjoy it for years. However, the Tefal Comfort Max would get our vote all day, every day. Its comfortable handle and the superior non-stick coating make it a joy to use.

We hope this look at non-stick frying pans has been helpful. For more info about non-stick pans, how to get the coating to last as long as possible and more, check out our other articles.

We have a wealth of information about non-stick cookware on here that can help you enjoy cooking that little bit more.