Why buy a non-stick frying pan?
Cooking with ceramic or anodised pans is ideal for reducing your oil and fat intake, and it can also make cleanup a breeze. To determine the best non-stick pan for you, take a look at your needs and budget. You can go for inexpensive options if you’re not looking to use a dishwasher or oven. Meanwhile, if you want versatile, long-lasting cookware, don’t hesitate to invest in one of the best-rated non-stick pans on this list.
Are non-stick pans safe to use?
Cooking with non-stick pans wasn’t always the norm. The first one was sold in the 1960s after French engineer Marc Grégoire discovered how to add a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon to cookware. Before that, people had no choice but to fry omelettes or make fluffy pancakes in regular, uncoated stainless steel pans or heavy cast-iron pans.
While the earliest versions of non-stick coatings were impressive, they also needed a lot of improvement. PTFE releases toxic fumes when heated at temperatures above 300°C, so manufacturers sought ways to produce non-stick pans without Teflon. Health concerns about a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have also pushed companies to make pans without using this substance.
Now, you can find different types of chemical-free non-stick pans made from ceramic or anodised aluminium. These offer the same impressive performance as Teflon-coated cookware while keeping you and your family safe. To help you decide which one to buy, we've rounded up the 12 of the best non-stick fry pans in Australia.
Each of these best-rated non-stick pans was chosen based on performance, versatility, durability, and price. You’ll find products for any need and budget.
1. Essteele Per Salute covered saute, $219, Essteele
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Combine convenience and performance into beautiful Italian cookware and you have yourself Essteele Per Salute. This covered saute is a large pan made from diamond reinforced nonstick to ensure it lasts a lifetime. Its super-resistant DuraShield barrier makes for a stylish (and durable) interior - plus, its smart Thermotech handle turns green when the pan is hot enough and ready to start cooking, what more could you ask for?
2. Scanpan CTX Commercial Grade Frying Pan, $184.89, Catch.com.au
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The first item on our list is the Scanpan CTX frying pan. With a recycled aluminium core and a ceramic-titanium PFOA-free surface, it offers exceptional performance without compromising your health or safety. Use this product on any cooktop or in the oven (up to 260°C), then let it sit in the dishwasher afterwards. Note that while this product does the job, it doesn’t come cheap.
3. Woll Diamond Lite Pro Frypan with Lid, $503.23, Amazon
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Want a professional grade non-stick frypan that will last forever? A Woll frypan is the way to go! Each item is painstakingly handcrafted in Germany and features a patented non-stick surface that is resistant to cuts and scratches. It also features a stainless steel construction and PFOA-free coating with diamond reinforcing crystals throughout. This particular pan is also perfect for browning and searing, and is dishwasher-safe.
Woll cookware was founded by chef Norbert Woll in 1979.
4. Calphalon Non-Stick Space-Saving Frypan Set, $64.99, Calphalon
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Calphalon’s hard-anodised aluminium non-stick cookware offers exceptional performance. Its interior includes three layers of non-stick coating, with the first two providing durability, while the third layer makes it impossible for food to stick.
These save-spacing eight and 10-inch pans be used in the oven for up to 204°C, making it ideal for finishing a gourmet dish.
5. Tefal Ingenio Essential Non-Stick Pan, $129.95, MyDeal
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The Tefal Ingenio product line has the best non-stick frying pan for beginners looking to stock up their kitchen for the first time. It has a unique Thermo-Spot technology that shows if your pan has reached optimum cooking temperature. You’ll worry less about burning or undercooking your food when you’re using this product.
The Tefal Ingenio also comes with other benefits. It comes with detachable handles, enabling you to save space. Additionally, it’s dishwasher and oven safe (up to 260°C).
6. Anolon Advanced Induction Non-stick Frypan, $149.95, Myer
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For a gas stove, you need a pan that offers outstanding heat distribution. The Anolon Nouvelle copper hard-anodised nonstick skillets are perfect for this job. It has a layer of aluminium encapsulated with copper to deliver exceptional cooking performance. It also has a magnetised stainless steel cap, making it compatible for all stovetops, including induction stovetops.
This small pan comes with a lid to keep heat trapped in. You can use it in the oven for up to 260°C. For its price, it’s well worth the money.
7. Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick Shallow Frying Pan, $240, Myer
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If you want a large, oven-proof pan that can do it all, then the Le Creuset toughened non-stick shallow frying pan is the way to go. Ideal for everyday cooking, it’s compatible with any heat source and is safe to use at any temperature. Its surface is PFOA-free and is triple-reinforced to prevent flaking, peeling or rust. The best part? It’s dishwasher-friendly. For these reasons, it deserves the top spot on our list of the best non-stick pans.
8. Anko by Kmart 24cm Frypan, $18, Kmart
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Coming in at just $18 is the non-stick Kmart frypan that impressed the professional reviewers at Choice.com.au. The experts found that the pan is light-weight, durable and scored well in terms of heat distribution. Unlike other cheap frypans on the market which usually feature a plastic handle, this pan features an oven-safe, stainless steel. While it’s an impressive pan for the price, the experts noted that it does have a thin base which means food is more likely to burn or stick while cooking.
9. Luke Hines Non-stick Frypan by Neoflam, from $103.05, Zanui
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Personal trainer and cookbook author Luke Hines’ Neoflam range of non-stick frypans is great for foodies who want cookware that works hard and looks good too. The range is made from die cast aluminium coated in a ceramic finish and is available in marble pink, green and blue. It’s suitable for all stovetops, including gas and induction and can even be used in the oven up to 250°C.
10. Brilliant Basics Jumbo Non-stick 30cm Fry pan, $9, Big W
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Tried and stress-tested by families to come out as a top-rated frypan, the Brilliant Basics Jumbo epitomises getting bang for your buck. This affordable frypan has an aluminium body with a non-stick interior coating, and costs just $9.
11. Circulon Symmetry 21.5cm Open French Skillet, $39.95, Catch.com.au
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No list of the best non-stick fry pans in Australia is complete without the Circulon Symmetry Skillet. This product brings sophistication to any kitchen without compromising performance. The bottom of the pan features circular grooves, which ensure even heat distribution. It’s also reinforced with 3 layers of non-stick coating that makes it safe to use with metal utensils.
The skillet has a hard-anodised nonstick interior that’s twice as hard as stainless steel. This material gives it exceptional durability and makes it dishwasher-safe. Feel free to use it in the oven at a temperature of up to 204°C.
12. RACO 'Zing' Twin Pack Skillets, $99.95, on sale $49.95, Harris Scarfe
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RACO's 'Zing' range of non-stick frypans are designed to help you cook and clean up quicker! The triple layer AeroLIFT non-stick surface means even food notorious for sticking to the pan will slide right off. The handles are oven safe up to 180°C and are designed to stay cool when you're cooking on the stove.
Keep in mind, these pans aren't for use with induction cooktops.
13. SolidTeknics Quenched Skillet/Frying Pan, $164.95, Biome
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This Australian-made frypan is designed to last not just a lifetime, but multiple lifetimes. Made from cast iron, this isn’t your typical non-stick 26cm frying pan. Follow the manufacturer’s guide to seasoning the pan, and you’ll have a naturally non-stick pan that is so hard-wearing you’ll be able to hand it down to your grandkids. It’s even engraved with the month and year of manufacture, so it’s designed to be a collector’s item and a family heirloom.
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