Whether HexClad is "better" than Teflon depends on your cooking style and priorities. HexClad blends stainless steel with a non-stick coating, while Teflon refers to pure PTFE non-stick.
HexClad is PFOA-free, but traditional HexClad pans do contain PTFE (a type of synthetic nonstick polymer). However, they have recently introduced a ceramic line (TerraBond) that is completely PTFE-free.
Yes, HexClad is considered non-toxic under standard cooking conditions. It uses a PFOA-free PTFE nonstick coating embedded between layers of stainless steel and aluminum, offering improved safety over traditional Teflon pans.
Common HexClad complaints center on poor non-stick performance, steep prices, and a frustrating warranty process. The brand's heavily marketed hybrid pans—which combine stainless steel peaks with non-stick valleys—often fail to live up to the hype for everyday cooks.
HexClad faced a $2.5 million class-action lawsuit (Cliburn v. One Source to Market, LLC) that accused the company of false advertising. Consumers alleged that HexClad misled them by marketing its hybrid pans as "non-toxic," "PFAS-free," and "PFOA-free" when the products actually contained PTFE, a chemical belonging to the PFAS family.
Yes, Gordon Ramsay has an ownership stake in HexClad. He initially joined the brand as an equity partner in 2021. In July 2024, he expanded his ownership by making a $100-million strategic investment through Studio Ramsay Global.
Comparing HexClad and Le Creuset is like comparing an electric sports car to a vintage cast-iron Dutch oven; they serve entirely different purposes in the kitchen. The best choice depends on what you cook most and how much maintenance you are willing to handle.
The healthiest pans to cook in are cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, and 100% pure ceramic. These materials are entirely free of toxic, synthetic non-stick coatings (like Teflon/PTFE) and harmful chemicals (like PFOA and PFAS).
Yes, Gordon Ramsay is a major partner and vocal endorser of HexClad. He frequently features their hybrid pans on his television shows, in his cookbooks, and across his social media, famously calling them the "Rolls-Royce of pans".
Will my HexClad pans scratch? Yes, even a diamond can scratch! Metal spatulas, whisks, spoons, and other metal utensils are fine, but sharp utensils could leave a scratch. If this happens it is only cosmetic, and it will not affect the performance or safety of the cookware.
The safest nonstick coatings are ceramic (sol-gel based) and seasoned cast iron or carbon steel. Ceramic coatings are naturally free of PTFE, PFOA, and PFAS chemicals, while cast iron creates its own safe, natural nonstick layer through the polymerization of cooking oils.
HexClad officially transitioned away from using PTFE coatings in early 2024.
Oven Safety: HexClad is oven-safe up to 500°F. All-Clad stainless steel pans are oven-safe up to 600°F, and the non-stick collections are oven-safe up to 500°F. Options: All-Clad has more cookware options than HexClad in terms of construction and design.
HexClad pans are generally considered safe under normal cooking conditions (below 500°F). However, they feature a hybrid non-stick surface containing PTFE. If overheated, the coating can release toxic fumes. Health experts advise against them for high-heat searing and caution users to avoid metal utensils to prevent microplastics from scratching into food.
Instead of synthetic non-stick pans, chefs primarily rely on stainless steel, seasoned cast iron, and carbon steel. These materials last a lifetime, can handle high heat without releasing chemicals, and are capable of developing deep, flavorful crusts on proteins.
HexClad is an American company, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. However, its cookware and knives are manufactured in China, as the company states that overseas facilities are best equipped to handle its specialized hybrid-manufacturing process.
HexClad cookware, while famous for its Gordon Ramsay endorsements and hybrid design, has notable drawbacks. Critics often point to its high price, the eventual wear-and-tear on its nonstick surface, and the fact that it requires the maintenance of both nonstick and stainless steel pans.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common form of skin cancer.
Avoid old nonstick (Teflon) pans, uncoated aluminum, unlined copper, and damaged ceramic cookware. These can leach toxic chemicals (like PFAS) or heavy metals (like lead and cadmium) into your food. Always replace any pan that has chipped, scratched, or severely degraded cooking surfaces.
For the absolute best non-stick pan for eggs, top experts and professional testers agree that the Made In ProCoat Nonstick is the ultimate choice. For budget-conscious shoppers, the OXO Good Grips Pro and the ceramic GreenPan Valencia Pro provide exceptional, slip-free egg release at a more accessible price point.
While no single pan is magically 100% safe from every hazard (like burns or accidental heavy metal leaching if misused), you can get close. The most genuinely safe options are uncoated pans that lack artificial non-stick properties, such as 100% ceramic, stainless steel, cast iron, and carbon steel.
Ceramic-coated pans are generally considered a safe, non-toxic alternative to traditional non-stick (Teflon) cookware, as long as they are purchased from reputable brands. They are free of harmful chemicals like PFOA and PTFE. However, they do not handle high heat well and the non-stick coating can wear down quickly.
HexClad is generally considered the better, more durable hybrid cookware, though it is much more expensive. Henckels (often sold as the Paradigm or HXagon line) offers a highly affordable alternative, but sacrifices long-term heat retention and finish quality.
The best nonstick frying pans offer effortless food release and quick cleanup. The market's top options include a mix of sleek ceramic, durable hybrid surfaces, and heavy-duty hard-anodized aluminum. Each has unique benefits depending on your cooking habits, stovetop type, and budget.
Meghan Markle expressed surprise at the online backlash she received for using premium Le Creuset cookware on her Netflix show With Love, Meghan. When asked about the criticism that the pots were too expensive and unrelatable, she told a New York Times interviewer: