This Is the Best Nonstick Pan Your Kitchen Needs
No one — and I mean no one — should be without a nonstick skillet. For starters, it makes cooking an omelet, crepes, or anything that sticks to the pan practically foolproof. And after whipping up some scrambled eggs, you won’t have to scrub and scrub to clean off all that gunk that’s stuck to the bottom or sides of the pan.
Naturally, our favorite nonstick pan has a top-notch finish — and it’s also a solid piece of cookware all the way around.
Our must-have pick: Anolon Authority Nonstick
While we love the 8.5-inch nonstick skillet for omelets and blintzes and the 12.5-inch deep, covered one for a stovetop pot roast and braised pork chops, the 10.25-inch size is really the only one you need. It’s large enough to hold a few burgers, a Dutch baby pancake, or enough eggs for a family of four.
What Makes Anolon Authority Nonstick the Best?
The finish is unparalleled.
On Anolon Authority, you’ll find one of the best nonstick finishes on the market. When we tested it side by side with others, it left its competitors in the dust. Pancakes and fried eggs fell right out when we flipped the pan upside down, and cleanup was easy because there was, well, nothing left behind to clean. You can expect this finish to last a long time — and you can even use a metal spatula or spoon without worrying about scratching the finish. (However we do not suggest using a metal knife to cut wedges of a frittata or check on the chicken in the pan.)
It heats evenly.
This skillet is made of anodized aluminum, so it heats exceptionally evenly. That means if you’re using it to cook lamb chops or pancakes, you won’t have to keep rearranging them to get even browning. When you’re simmering meatballs, you won’t have to continuously fiddle with the heat setting or stir to make sure they stay at a steady simmer — and you won’t wind up with scorched tomato sauce in the bottom of the pan.
The walls are like little pour spouts.
We love the shape on the 8.5- and 10.5-inch pans. It’s the classic French omelet pan configuration, with sloped sides that make it easy to roll out an omelet or pour out gravy. Plus, they’re deep enough to poach eggs.
It’s dishwasher-safe.
Anolon Authority really is dishwasher-safe. It won’t lose its nonstick properties in the machine. And unlike many anodized aluminum pans, it won’t discolor from harsh dishwasher detergent. If you choose to hand wash, you’ll find the exterior surface an awful lot easier to clean than shiny stainless steel.
If you want to hand-wash: How To Clean a Nonstick Skillet
It’s also oven-safe.
You can put your Anolon Authority in the oven up to 500°F degrees. That makes it possible to finish up pan-cooked salmon in the oven or crisp and brown a skillet mac and cheese casserole.
The handle is well-thought-out.
Because it’s stainless steel, the handle doesn’t get too hot to handle without a pot holder. It’s also riveted, which means you’ll never find it loose and jiggly. (But you will have to clean the rivets carefully, as gunk can collect around them.)