We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When I was a kid, I’d never have imagined that I’d be at a point in my life where I’d get fired up about cool new kitchen gear, but friends, that day has come. I just moved in with my girlfriend, and her roommate took most of their cookware, so I’ve been trying to outfit our new apartment with the best braisers, stock pots, Dutch ovens, coffee gear, and anything else I can think of. (Which, admittedly, I’m not too bummed out about, since I love cooking and testing and reviewing pots and pans.) Though I’ve always been a stainless steel and cast iron cookware guy, I’ve recently been going to bat for what’s quickly becoming a new favorite category of kitchen gear for me: nonstick pans.
In case you haven’t been paying attention, I’m a sucker for a good nonstick skillet. I love nonstick skillets primarily for their versatility, since depending on the size and shape, you can cook pretty much anything in them, and as long as they’re high-quality items and you take care of them, they last for a long time. Recently, I picked up this set of two Premier Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pans from Calphalon, and I’ve gotta say, I’m a fan.
Right off the bat, these things are gorgeous. The pans themselves are a beautiful slate gray with nearly imperceptible speckles that sort of remind me of an old-school lobster pot. The stainless-steel handles are also super ergonomic and comfortable, and they’re also long enough so they don’t get too hot when you’re cooking. But the best part, of course, is the coating — this has got to be the slickest nonstick pan in the game. It uses MineralShield nonstick technology, which is way more durable than previous models of Calphalon pans, and the three-layer nonstick interior is made with “some of the Earth’s hardest minerals.” Translation: It’s perfectly safe to use with metal utensils, and it’s also dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. (Truly a blessing for the neverending barrage of weeknight dinners.)
Yes, I did the fried egg test, and it slid around like it wanted to jump back into the carton. But, what I really love about these bad boys is that they’re oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is great if you want to finish dishes in the oven. And, it actually has pretty high walls for a skillet, so you could even use this as a braiser if you’re so inclined — it is approaching stew season, after all. They’re also compatible with most stovetops, including gas, electric, and glass, and though they’re certainly built to last, Calphalon also throws in a lifetime warranty in case anything goes wrong.
TL;DR: If you’ve spent the last few nights scraping eggs and crusted-on food off of your current “nonstick” pan, this two-pack from Calphalon will cure what ails you. The larger pan is perfect for searing meats and making delicious one-pan meals, and the smaller pan has become my go-to piece of egg-frying kitchen gear — and I can promise you that if you snag this set right now, you can finally say goodbye to the days of “letting your pans soak” in the sink.