Looking for a new frying pan? With or without a ceramic non-stick coating? Suitable for all heat sources? We looked into which ceramic or non-ceramic frying pan is the best in which area for you
I always get a little suspicious when I receive cookware as a gift for my birthday or Father’s Day. What would be the underlying reason? Was it those steaks we all spent an hour and a half chewing on? Or those black bantam potatoes?
But this year I received something that made me very happy: a frying pan with a ceramic non-stick coating. One like that in which potatoes can’t fail and where you don’t have to fish out bits of non-stick coating between the food.
Which you can also clean very easily after preparing the meal. They couldn’t have made me happier. I immediately started cooking at the stove and enjoyed the children’s happy faces as they ate their perfectly cooked steak.
What is the best frying pan for you?
It depends on your needs. Do you want a frying pan with ceramic nonstick coating? Are you a fan of stainless steel pans? Or cast iron skillets? We figured out the best choice by category.
The best in the test
Le Creuset Handtekening
Le Creuset Signature pans are an ideal basic equipment for any kitchen. Le Creuset Signature frying pans do not have a ceramic non-stick coating, but are enameled. You can start using them right away, and with use a better and better natural non-stick coating forms. The pan has a wooden handle, with an auxiliary handle opposite. Not an unnecessary luxury, because the cast iron pan is quite heavy.
You can buy Le Creuset Signature frying pans in 3 sizes and 3 basic colors (red, orange and black). The largest size (28 cm) is even available in 11 colors. But the most important thing about this frying pan is the results you achieve with it. This pan is ideal for frying and roasting, also at a relatively low temperature and on all heat sources, including induction.
- Available in 24, 26 and 28 cm and in various colors
- Natural non-stick coating without PFAS
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Handle does not get hot
- Easy to clean with water and detergent
- High purchase price
- It is a heavy pan
The best buy
Tefal performance frying pan
The Tefal Performance frying pans are the ideal compromise between price and quality. They have an extra strong non-stick coating, which lasts three times longer than the standard Tefal non-stick coating. The non-stick coating is PFAS, lead and cadmium free. It is applied to the inside of the aluminum skillets as well as the outside, making the ceramic pans very easy to clean.
Of course, the Tefal Performance frying pans feature the famous Tefal Thermo spot, which indicates when the pan is at the right temperature for frying or roasting. These frying pans are available in diameters from 20 to 32 cm.
- Strong and safe non-stick coating
- Tefal Thermo-spot indicates when the frying pan is at temperature
- Pan is easy to handle
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Can go in the oven up to 175 degrees
- Easy to clean
- Available in various sizes
- Dishwasher cleaning is not recommended
The best cheap
Basic Culinary frying pan
That a good ceramic skillet does not have to be expensive proves the Basic Culinary skillet. The aluminum pan has a thick bottom that is suitable for all heat sources. It has a PFAS-free non-stick coating.
The ergonomically designed bakelite handle stays cool while frying. In short, an all-round pan with excellent performance, and at a very pleasant price. The frying pan is available in 20, 24 and 28 cm sizes.
For those on a limited budget, this is simply a great frying pan. Just don’t expect the Basic Culinary frying pan to last a lifetime, as some pans from reputable brands normally do.
- Low purchase price
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction hobs
- Non-stick coating
- Available in various sizes
- No unlimited lifespan
The best frying pan with ceramic nonstick coating
BK Fortalit
You could almost call it iconic, the BK Fortalit frying pan. The black sheet steel of this pan has a smooth and strong, ceramic non-stick coating on the inside in the form of blue enamel. You can use this good ceramic skillet on all heat sources and it can even go in the oven up to 230 degrees.
The refractory handle does not get hot on the stove, so the pan is always easy to handle. The classic BK Fortalit ceramic frying pans can easily go into the dishwasher and are available in various sizes.
- Can be used on all heat sources, including induction, and in the oven
- PFAS-free, very smooth ceramic nonstick coating
- Handle does not get hot
- Can be washed in the dishwasher
- To prevent sticking, use plenty of butter or oil
- Can warp if you let the pan get too hot
The best frying pan with lid
Fissler Origina-Profi
The Fissler Original-Profi skillet is made of stainless steel and has a tri-ply bottom with aluminum that ensures proper distribution of heat. On the inside of the pan are handy measuring marks, which come in handy when adding liquid to your dish. This is especially the case with stews. The lid, included free of charge, also comes in handy.
The thick bottom plate is specially designed for perfect grilling of vegetables and meat. The pan can be used on all heat sources and is oven safe up to 230 degrees. The specially curved rim prevents tampering when pouring the contents.
The Fissler Original-Profi frying pan is dishwasher safe. A 24 cm version is also available, but unfortunately only the 28 cm version comes with a lid.
- 28 cm version including lid
- Tri-ply bottom for perfect heat distribution
- Relief for grilling
- Measurements on inside of pan
- Suitable for any heat source, including induction, and for oven use up to 230 degrees
- Curved rim for pouring without spilling
- 24 cm version without lid
Best large frying pan
Ronneby Bruk Maestro
The largest skillet in the Ronneby Bruk Maestro series has a whopping 36 cm in size and a 28.5 cm frying top. The pan is made of strong cast iron, which conducts super well.
Meat will therefore sear quickly and stay nice and tender. Through use, a natural non-stick coating develops in the pan. In order not to affect it, do not put the Ronneby Bruk Maestro frying pan in the dishwasher.
Rinsing under the hot tap with a stiff brush is best. Then lubricate it with a little oil. This frying pan is suitable for all heat sources and can also be used in the oven up to 230 degrees. The handsome stainless steel handle gets a little hot while cooking, but not red-hot.
- Large frying pan
- Natural non-stick coating through use
- Extra handle opposite the handle
- Easy to clean
- Suitable for any heat source, including induction and oven
- Metal handle gets a little hot during cooking
Best small frying pan
Royal van Kempen and Begeer
Royal van Kempen en Begeer is best known for the luxurious silverware the company markets. But Royal van Kempen en Begeer’s ceramic skillets are also of very high quality.
The skillet with a diameter of 20 cm is made of high-quality tri-ply, for perfect heat distribution, also in the walls of the pan. The ceramic non-stick coating is reinforced with diamond, so it will last for years. The pan is suitable for all heat sources and can even go in the oven. And you can simply put this ceramic skillet in the dishwasher after use.
- High quality tri-ply stainless steel-aluminum stainless steel
- Strong ceramic non-stick coating
- Suitable for all heat sources, including induction
- Can be used in the oven up to 260 degrees
- Dishwasher safe
- High purchase price
best pan set ceramic frying pans
KitchenAid Classic
It is very convenient to purchase a ceramic skillet set. Then you always have the right size on hand, whether you want to fry an egg or steak for four. This 3-piece set from KitchenAid Classic consists of 20-, 24- and 28-cm diameter pans.
They are made of forged aluminum, which disperses heat very quickly. A triple non-stick coating prevents sticking and ensures that you need little or no butter or oil. Also convenient: the pan set is stackable.
- Set of three frying pans: 20, 24 and 28 cm
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Can go in the oven up to 180 degrees
- Easy to clean manually
- Ceramic non-stick coating
- The frying pans cannot go in the dishwasher
The best stainless steel frying pan
WMF Dorado
This beautiful high-gloss stainless steel skillet has a PFAS-free ceramic non-stick coating. The 3-layer Transtherm bottom has a fully encapsulated aluminum layer, which therefore cannot be affected by aggressive cleaning agents. The Cromargan 18/10 stainless steel is very hard-wearing and retains its shine for a long time, even with very intensive use.
The pan is suitable for all heat sources, up to even 400 degrees. In the oven, it can handle temperatures up to 250 degrees. The curved rim of the WMF Dorado frying pan ensures, that the contents can be poured out without spilling.
- Beautiful design in high-gloss stainless steel
- Transtherm bottom ensures even heat distribution
- Suitable for all heat sources, including oven
- Easy to clean
- Anti-leak edge
- Cannot be dishwasher safe
The best cast iron skillet
Koock Amsterdam Skillet
A skillet is a frying pan with an auxiliary handle opposite the handle and two outlets transverse to it. Skillets are usually made of cast iron, and the one from Koock Amsterdam Skillet is no exception. You can put this pan on the barbecue without any problem, as well as on induction hobs.
Metal cookware is no problem for pans made of cast iron. It has no non-stick coating, yet you can get it perfectly clean just under the tap. Do you like natural cooking, baking and grilling? Then the Koock Amsterdam Skillet is the ideal cast iron skillet for you.
- Diameter 30 cm
- Frying meat and vegetables with a typical grill coating on the outside
- Can be used on all heat sources, oven and barbecue
- Easy to clean under the tap
- Very robust
- The pan is very heavy
The Top 10 frying pans of 2024
There are lots of frying pans for sale. To make choosing easier for you, here we put the Top 10 frying pans conveniently in a table.
Buying a frying pan? Here’s what to look out for
Things that are important in your choice:-
- Is the size of the skillet suitable for your household?
- Does the skillet have a ceramic or non-ceramic nonstick coating? And is it PFAS-free?
- Does the handle of the skillet get hot while cooking?
- Is the skillet manageable for you on the stove?
- Can the pan go in the hot air oven and/or in the dishwasher? And on all cooktops?
- Which frying pans fit within your budget?
So lots to choose from, in which we try to help you with these top 10.
Conclusion: the best frying pans
We rank the Le Creuset Signature with its natural nonstick coating as the best of all frying pans. If you have a limited budget, also check out the Tefal Performance or Basic Culinary ceramic skillets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer is: nowadays almost all frying pans are suitable for this. Whether you prepare your dish on gas, induction, ceramic or halogen, most frying pans can handle multiple heat sources.
Online you will find many online shops with a wide range of frying pans and other ceramic pans. You are sure to find the ceramic frying pan of your choice. You can also buy ceramic pans from household goods stores, such as Blokker. The advantage is that as a buyer you can see and feel the products there.