Gone are the days when you’d buy a cheap fry pan and replace it with another cheap skillet a few weeks later. If you’re looking for cookware pans to level up your cooking game, you should invest in cookware pans without Teflon.
According to World Health Organization, Teflon is a carcinogenic chemical present in pots and non-stick cookware pans. The All-Clad HA1 PFOA Free 8 and 10-Inch Fry Pan Cookware Set 2 (Black) is a good example of the best non stick pan without Teflon. It’s beginner-friendly and works well for professional cooks who value high-quality pans. But is it excellent cookware for busy families? Does it give the best bang for your buck? Here is our detailed all-clad H1 review.
Features
Construction and materials
The 8 and 10-inch fry pan set is a classic kitchen staple perfect for frying small diced potatoes or catfish. It comes with a flat base and works seamlessly at high heat.
The cookware is constructed with heavy-duty aluminum and provides excellent heat conductivity. This material is less likely to warp even when you leave it on heat – is a little different than your typical non-stick cookware. The anodized surface means that the cookware has been subjected to a chemical process to make it resilient. Generally, aluminum is hard-anodized through electronic processes. This helps to create a non-stick surface resistant to corrosion, durable, and easy to clean.
The smooth finish will meet and exceed your expectations. This is an area where other brands cut corners.
Design
The E785S264/E785S263 Fry Pan Cookware Set 2 is made of dark metal and covers every little scratch. And just like other non-clad cookware, the pans have a stainless steel base to prevent warping. Without it, the cookware can get damaged in a dishwasher.
It’s also curved to allow the food to easily escape on the sides. Additionally, it’s soft on the edges and helps one keep an eye on the food as it cooks.
The handles are heavy-duty and make the pan unbalanced. Furthermore, the concave channel at the end guarantees a secure grip. You may want a dish towel when handling all-clad cookware. It’s cool to touch on a stovetop.
This cookware doesn’t feel flimsy. It has steep sidewalls for making sauces, tossing food, and cooking vegetables. This is what you need to saut & eacute; foods with liquids. The only challenge with this design is that it becomes difficult to keep everything in the pan.
If you’re using a spatula, you can be sure the ingredients won’t fly around. Another positive aspect of the cookware is that it won’t wobble to one side. It doesn’t get unbalanced.
This skillet is lightweight and has better heating properties. It’s also aesthetically pleasing and adds functionality to your kitchen.
Non-stick coating
The interior is engineered with three layers of non-stick coating – it’s not the typical Teflon coating. This prevents food molecules from clinching to the surface. With this cookware, the safety of your food is a priority. The PFOA flakes won’t flake off on your plate. To protect the non-stick coating, you should keep the pans stacked within each other and follows the recommended heating guidelines.
While the non-stick surface won’t stand the test of time, it lasts longer compared to its competitors. The manufacturer recommends that you add some oil and preheat before you add food. Since the surface is non-reactive, you don’t have to add seasoning.
Even though the pan heats up quickly, it can handle the stickiest protein like fish and eggs without the external help of spatulas. With these two skillets, you’ll have no problems making omelets or dealing with a messy pan.
Versatility
The stainless steel base bumps up durability and is compatible with induction, electric, and gas tops. You can even put it in an oven up to 500 degrees F. This explains why All-Clad HA1 is trusted by many home chefs.
PFOA and PTFE free
The cookware is promoted as PTFE-free. Unless specifically noted, Teflon cookware has PTFE in its coating. According to research, Teflon breaks down synthetic PTFE at high temperatures. All-Clad HA1 pans are entirely safe when you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. This material cannot affect the flavor of food.
Easy to clean
Once you’re done cooking, you simply place the cookware in a dishwasher for quick handwashing. The manufacturer recommends that you use non-abrasive pads and mild detergents. You can also use warm, soapy water and a rag. However, you should pay attention to non-coated riveted screws since the grease tends to accumulate here.
The manufacturer does warn against the use of scrubbers and abrasive cleansers. Keep in mind that a non-stick surface can wear easily with improper care.
Makes cooking easier
You can be sure you’ll get the easiest cookware ever. The three layers of nonstick coating make food slide without the use of excessive oil. There are very few complaints of scratching and chipping, so it will hold up well with daily use. Another feature that makes Teflon unique is that it heats evenly compared to thinner pieces. Plus, the flat surface allows for easy sliding on a glass countertop.
Lid design
All-clad H1 has glass lids that allow you to keep an eye on your cooking progress. This ensures you don’t disrupt the process to check on things. The lids have a stainless steel handle that can get warm while cooking. You may want to protect your hands as you handle the lids.
Performance
This cookware handles well and is far less likely to scotch. The non-stick surface provides excellent performance. But to make the non-stick surface last, you need to take some basic precautions.
Since the handles are stainless, they won’t heat faster than the rest of the pan. You will need a towel in the middle of cooking. This skillet can withstand up to 500 degrees F.
Value for quality
These may not be the cheapest skillets on the market – you’ll be hard-pressed to find cookware of the same quality. The 8-inch and 10-Inch sizes mean that you don’t need other cookware pans to round out your arsenal. When investing your hard-earned money, durability is a factor to consider. All-clad is one of the most durable cookware out there. This is not the type of skillet you replace every year.
Limited lifetime warranty
The cookware comes with a limited lifetime warranty to protect against defects in construction, material, and craftsmanship. All-Clad does a good job honoring its warranty if there’s evidence of factory defects. It’s worth mentioning that the warranty doesn’t cover warping, discoloration, and other issues.
Here is the catch. Non-stick coatings have a lifetime of up to 5 years.
Pros
- It’s compatible with all cookware tops
- Solid and well made – this is not the typical non-stick cookware. You’ll feel some weight in it, and feels secure in your hand.
- The stainless steel handles guarantee a secure grip
- Its dishwasher safe
- The heavy gauge is long-lasing and offers even cooking
- The ergonomic handle stays cool
- The rugged coating resists scratching
Cons
- A bit expensive. However, you’ll spend your money on quality cookware that will last for many years.
Why it’s important to use pans without Teflon
Non-stick pans are essential in any chef’s cooking arsenal. Some are covered with Teflon. This chemical makes cleaning easy and allows one to cook without oil. Additionally, this material creates a barrier between the pan and external elements that can harm it.
Unfortunately, there’s a health concern associated with it. According to health experts, Teflon contains PFOA. This is a risk factor for liver disease, chronic kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and infertility.
Some manufacturers assume this time of coating is harmless, but researchers suggest otherwise. How is Teflon unsafe? When this material is heated above 350 degrees Celsius, it poses a danger to your health. It starts to break down polymer fumes – continued exposure causes health problems. In the initial stages, one may experience symptoms such as chest discomfort, headache, body ache, chills, and fever. The symptoms can disappear within a couple of hours.
When you use non-Teflon cookware, you reduce the risk of ovarian, testicular, bladder, and kidney cancers. Such products are also linked to low birth weight and infertility. Even better, you’ll have zero restrictions when you use this cookware.
Exposure to PFOA is also linked to high blood pressure in pregnant women, changes in liver enzymes, and increased cholesterol levels.
Non-Teflon cookware heats evenly and never sticks. You barely need any grease, oil, or butter. You can stir fry and cook other delicate foods with ease.
One way to tell if your pan has Teflon is to look at its coating. If there’s a glossy black finish, it has PTFE. If it doesn’t have a shiny surface, then it is not coated with Teflon.
Wrap up
If you want a set of frying pans in the 8-10 inch range, All-Clad HA1 is a great alternative. Overall, the above cookware offers excellent cooking capabilities and heats up to a certain point. The inner anodized coating and stainless steel plate guarantee even heat distribution. Also, the welded steel plate makes the pan compatible with stovetops. Of course, the oil doesn’t slide to the surface thanks to the flat surface. This is the best non stick pan without Teflon for roasting, sautéing, and searing. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons.
No Responses