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My trusty cast-iron skillet has been my go-to for cooking a variety of dishes for quite some time now. A well-seasoned skillet boasts nonstick properties, is oven-safe, and can reach high temperatures with proper preheating. However, for reactive foods such as tomatoes and other acidic ingredients, I opt for a sturdy stainless-steel pan. Additionally, for foods that tend to stick, such as eggs, I keep a nonstick frying pan on hand.
Upon learning about the HexClad Hybrid Pan, which claims to combine the best features of cast iron, stainless steel, and nonstick pans, I was intrigued and decided to give it a try. This innovative pan is conveniently available on Amazon. In this review, I will provide my honest assessment of the HexClad Hybrid Pan.
What is HexClad Cookware?
Renowned chef Gordon Ramsay has bestowed high praise upon HexClad cookware, referring to it as “the Rolls Royce of pans.” This endorsement is further supported by the positive feedback from other Michelin-starred chefs. Additionally, HexClad’s wok, knife set, pots, and pans have garnered over 100 five-star reviews on Amazon.
HexClad cookware is designed to offer the best features of cast-iron, stainless-steel, and nonstick pans without any of their drawbacks. It boasts the sturdiness and heat retention of cast iron, the even heat distribution and non-reactivity of stainless steel, and the nonstick properties of nonstick pans.
HexClad Skillet Product Features
HexClad utilizes a patented design that employs a laser-etching process to create a hexagonal pattern on the bottom of its stainless-steel pan. The pan boasts a high-grade nonstick coating that is infused with diamond dust, providing exceptional durability. The hexagonal pattern allows for even heat distribution, while the PFOA-free nonstick coating prevents food from adhering to the surface.
The HexClad Hybrid Pan is equipped with a magnetic steel base, enabling it to rapidly conduct heat and making it suitable for use with induction cooktops. Additionally, it is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. HexClad is a robust and long-lasting cookware option, and the company stands behind its product with a lifetime warranty.
How We Tested It
I conducted a thorough test of the 12-inch HexClad Hybrid Pan, and upon initial inspection, it became apparent that this pan shares many similarities with cast iron. It is undeniably a robust and durable skillet, reminiscent of the kind that can be passed down through generations. However, unlike traditional cast iron pans, the HexClad features a handle that allows for easy lifting and holding, minimizing strain on the wrist.
As a regular cook, I often begin my dinner preparations by sautéing garlic or onion in olive oil until they turn golden, before adding other ingredients. Therefore, I decided to cook precisely that in my HexClad Hybrid pan, along with a generous portion of greens.
Remarkably, the HexClad pan heated up in just about a minute, significantly faster than my cast-iron skillet typically takes to reach the desired sautéing temperature. Both the garlic and onion cooked evenly, achieving a beautiful golden brown color without any sticking to the pan. Once I added the greens and a pinch of salt, I confidently tossed everything together using tongs, without any concerns about scraping or damaging the pan, as would be the case with a traditional nonstick pan. The greens cooked down rapidly, with the liquid evaporating swiftly as I swirled the pan.
It was evident that HexClad cookware excelled in handling simple everyday cooking tasks effortlessly. In order to put it to the test, I decided to use it for a task that can easily go wrong if the wrong pan is used. Slowly cooking chicken thighs, with the skin side down, in a skillet should result in a delectably crispy skin with tender dark meat underneath. However, every skillet has its own challenges.
Through my experience, I have found that cast iron performs the best overall for this task. However, due to uneven heating, some thighs tend to brown (or even burn) more than others. Stainless steel, on the other hand, can produce uniform browning, but the chicken often stubbornly sticks to the bottom of the pan. Nonstick pans do not have this sticking issue, but they are not suitable for the high temperatures required for browning meat. Could the HexClad pan provide a solution?
To test this, I preheated the HexClad pan over medium-low heat for one minute. I generously seasoned four chicken thighs with kosher salt and arranged them, skin side down, in the pan. I then left them undisturbed for a duration of 15 minutes. When I flipped them over using metal tongs, they were perfect: evenly browned with no signs of uneven heating, incredibly crispy, and absolutely delicious. Nothing stuck to the pan, and there were no instances of burning. This not only benefited the chicken, but it also made the cleanup process effortless. The HexClad cookware was easily washed clean with soap and water, requiring no scrubbing.
Pros
- Truly nonstick
- Non-toxic cooking surface
- Heats evenly
- Oven- and dishwasher-safe
- Replaces three popular pans
- Safe for use with metal utensils
- Induction-compatible
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Some users may find it a bit heavy
