recommend a non-stick frying pan for me

[commasense]

@Cheesesteak

Teflon pans are essentially disposable, particularly if you intend to use metal utensils.

But why do you *need *to use metal utensils? With metal pans I can see that you might need metal utensils to scrape off something stuck to them, but IME that rarely happens with non-stick surface, and plastic tools handle it fine.

In any case, modern non-stick surfaces, like the one I linked to above, are said to be resistant to metal utensils. I can’t testify to that, since I don’t have any metal utensils to abuse mine with, but it certainly seems much tougher than my older Teflon pans.

[iamthewalrus_3]

@squeegee

And the winner was a $30 Tramontina, the runner-up a $23 T-Fal. About what I’d expect. Don’t buy pricey nonstick.

We just bought their top choice, replacing a ~6-year-old (previous Wirecutter pick) T-Fal that was starting to be annoyingly sticky. It’s great.

You don’t need nonstick for much, but for eggs it’s great. Better to buy a new $20-30 pan every 5 years than try to buy an expensive one… which will last about the same amount of time and you’ll feel bad throwing away a $100 pan.

[silenus]

So…basically what I said back in Post #2.

Just checking.

[Dewey_Finn]

Incidentally, I saw a YouTube video the other day of Jacques Pepin preparing a classic French omelet. The amusing thing is watching him use a metal fork on the non-stick pan to move around the egg as it’s cooking. Some of the commenters mention this, with one saying, “Teflon doesn’t scratch if you have a French accent.”

[puzzlegal]

@commasense

This one checks off all your requirements except induction-capable. I bought it after using other Calphalon non-stick pots and pans for years. It’s far more substantial and heavy than my previous Calphalon pans, which were aluminum and not oven-safe. Although I don’t generally use metal utensils, the listing says you can use them with this one, and I believe it. The non-stick coating seems much tougher than any I’ve ever owned before.

I’ve had it since February, use it several times a week, and love it. I paid about $70 (with lid; it’s listed at $75 now), and expect to be using it for years to come. I’ve been using much less substantial Calphalon pans for at least seven years with no flaking or other problems.

I ended up buying this one. I bought it for about $45 on-sale from Macy’s. The key factor in my decision was that we found a $100 gift card for Macy’s, and had to use it up. (It’s not a place I usually shop, and the card was a gift that had been misplaced.) I also bought a grinding attachment for my stand mixer, so now I can make ground meat. The surface doesn’t look all that sturdy, but for now it seems slippery, and the size and shape are good. And it may be handy to have another lidded pan.

@commasense

But why do you *need *to use metal utensils? With metal pans I can see that you might need metal utensils to scrape off something stuck to them, but IME that rarely happens with non-stick surface, and plastic tools handle it fine.

Do you have any plastic utensils that are really thin? I have a lot of plastic spatulas designed to flip pancakes and such, and hate them all, because they have such a thick edge – I can’t really get it under the food without smooshing the food, some. Whereas every metal spatula I’ve ever purchased has had a nice thin edge.

I like plastic spoons, I love my nylon pasta fork, and silicone scraper-type spatulas are the bomb. But for flipping pancakes, eggs, or french toast, metal is just better.

This supplements my cast iron skillet, an assortment of stainless steel pans (with aluminum core for heat transfer) a small calphalon omelet pan (with a very sturdy, but less slick, anodized finish) and a less-well-made, and smaller non-stick pan with what looks to be a similar surface.

[puzzlegal]

@gotpasswords

I’ll “plus one” the recommendation for commercial grade stuff from the restaurant supply. My go-to pan is a 10" nonstick from Webstaurantstore. Nine bucks, so when it eventually goes from nonstick to allstick, it’s not a hit to the budget to replace.

Thanks for recommending this website. I haven’t bought from it, but I am intrigued by what it carries, and may do so in the future.

[commasense]

I’m gratified you found my recommendation useful, and you certainly got a great deal. As for plastic utensils, I have several plastic turners, and I guess they’re a little thicker than a similar metal one might be. But I’ve never had any trouble flipping fried eggs with them. (I rarely make pancakes.)

But Calphalon says you can use metal with this one, so you’re all set. Enjoy!