I haven't used a nonstick skillet in years, because I had birds in the house (nonstick emits fumes that will kill your bird if hot enough) and also the coating would start to degrade quickly plus were too thin to distribute heat properly. Those were a waste of money. This skillet cooks quite well and is heavy enough to distribute and hold heat properly. You have to remember that even with a nonstick, use a little oil. Get it hot before adding the food. And don't get in a big hurry and crank up the burner to it's highest setting to heat the pan. Take that extra minute and reflect on your life, scratch your elbow, anything. So I don't overheat the pan, never using any setting past 7 on my induction stove. I spend that extra minute unwrapping the meat or tending to veggies or getting seasonings out or even looking out the window. It won't work on an induction stove, unless you use a metal plate (sold on Amazon) that enables you to. I have that and a silicone pad that keeps pots from scratching the glass top (for induction only! Not glass top electric burners). Those two things allow me to use anything from a cast iron skillet to the cheapest dollar store pot anyone might want to use, but the silicone mats need replacing a couple times a year if you use them a lot. I've had it a couple of months now, using it usually around 3 times a week, and it's still as good as the day I got it. I'm very careful about scratching and don't scrub it. Often it doesn't even need a good wash, just a wipe with a paper towel if I've only made a burger. I did make some sausage gravy this week and the gravy stuck to the rivets that hold the handle on but not anywhere else. A bit of careful washing in soap and hot water took care of it. Never use a metal utensil at all, don't go with really high heat, use a bit of oil, and wash the inside carefully. 10/16/24: I've been using this skillet 14 months for 3-6 times a week and still just as non-stick as the day I got it. Cooks perfectly. Anything from a good seared burger to - you name it. I've never had a nonstick last more than maybe 5 months before, and never one that really cooked well. Yet it's still only $22. Some complain about the weight but I went from cast iron to this and it's a lot lighter than the cast iron for sure. Getting old and can't handle heavy cast iron any more. I couldn't be happier with a skillet. Read more
I bought this frying pan when shopping for a replacement for my old trusty Wearever. My old one has ceramic non-stick that has lost its ability to keep food from sticking after many years of use. This one was priced right and had good reviews, so I bought it and have been using it for several days now. First impressions: it's well made, thick and heavy for a Chinese made aluminum pan. Weighs in at 3+ pounds, which is much heavier than my old same sized Wearever. It heats up slower and cooks very evenly, and the non-stick coating works flawlessly. The outside bottom is plain unfinished aluminum with only a small brand logo stamped into the center. The interior bottom is a flat 9" across, with gently curved angled walls rising to 12" diameter at the top of the walls, then another 1/4" or so of horizontal drip edge all around. This pan is all business, with a long and stout handle with a nice soft and beefy silicone grip at the end. It's marketed as commercial duty and definitely has that feel to it, heavy but a pleasure to cook with because everything just works. I can't speak to longevity of the non-stick coating yet, but the rest of the pan is very solid and I doubt that it will warp or have handle issues over time. I'll update this review in the future with some longer-term impressions once it's been in use for a while. I use it every day so it will get plenty of wear, although I only use plastic and silicone utensils in my non-stick pans. Edit: An observation after a few weeks: this pan has a fairly loud ticking sound when cooking on medium or above heat, obviously due to interaction between the dissimilar metals of the pan and handle. It's the first time I've had a pan that does this. Otherwise it's doing a great job. Update 8/11/22: I've been using this pan daily for about 6 months and it's a perfect fit. The ticking I mentioned earlier in the review has stopped. I live in an area with very hard water, so I towel dry the bare aluminum bottom after washing to prevent water spots. Otherwise cleanup is fast and easy. Non-stick coating still works like new. I'll likely buy another like this when I wear this one out; I really like this skillet. Update 7/23/23: A year and a half of daily use with no issues or complaints. This has proven to be excellent quality cookware. Update 9/2/24: Holding up very well after 2.5+ years of daily use. Still looks new after cleanup, with an occasional need to use a magic eraser to spot clean the bottom where it contacts my glass cooktop stove. Non-stick still works like new. Absolutely zero complaints. Read more
Very nice, solid pan, heavy gauge, distributes heat great! Read more
They are reasonably well-made, the coating lasts me about 2 years or so of regular (3-5 times a week) use before it starts to break down. Aluminum body is thick enough. Handle is securely-attached. It's a chep skillet, don't expect miracles, and you won't be disappointed. Read more
I’ve used this frying pan literally every day since I got it five months ago. The non-stick surface is still immaculate, and the whole pan still looks (just about) new. I just wash it with a bristle brush, and occasionally with a bit of Barkeeper’s Friend on the bottom (gas ranges cause a little soot deposit build-up over time). I like the moderately high sides to the pan; it’s exactly what I was looking for; I can make an omelette or easily sauté vegetables. A pound of spinach can wilted into this pan without anything falling out onto the cooktop :). The pan is thick enough for reasonably even heat distribution; it does consequently take a little time to heat up (naturally). Overall, I’m very happy with this purchase. When it comes time to retire my larger pan, I’ll be looking to get a Cooks Standard. Outstanding quality, especially at this price point! Read more
Unusual pan, in that is heavier than most and durable. The aluminum exterior protects the interior from direct heat. But, when interior heats up it gets very hot and cooks faster than you think it will. Caution: clean the pan only after it has cooled down. This will ensure a long life. Inside of pan will clean well if you let it cool down first. Read more
