HexClad pans are generally not worth the premium price tag for most home cooks. While they offer decent hybrid cooking performance and high durability, independent tests show they suffer from the pitfalls of both materials: the stickiness of stainless steel and the eventual degradation of non-stick coatings.
HexClad pans combine stainless steel and non-stick surfaces, but come with notable drawbacks. Key cons include a very steep price tag, lackluster non-stick performance compared to dedicated non-stick pans, staining, and controversy regarding prior PTFE marketing.
HexClad is a durable, versatile hybrid pan that performs well for searing, browning, and everyday cooking, but it falls short of the hype as a "perfect" nonstick pan. It requires a bit of fat to release food easily and comes with a premium price tag.
Yes, Gordon Ramsay is a major ambassador and official partner of HexClad, and he exclusively uses their hybrid pans in his home kitchen.
The lawsuit against HexClad is a false advertising class action over claims that its cookware was "PFAS-free," "PFOA-free," and "non-toxic," despite allegedly containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or "forever chemicals") and PTFE.
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.
HexClad manufactures its cookware using different coatings, depending on when the pans were produced.
Avoid traditional non-stick pans with worn coatings or synthetic "forever chemicals" (PFAS), as well as unlined copper and reactive aluminum. Scratched or overheated pans release toxic fumes or leach heavy metals into your food.
Eggs are likely sticking to your HexClad pan because of a cold pan or missing lubrication. Because HexClad pans use a hybrid stainless steel and non-stick grid, they must be preheated and require a little oil or butter to achieve their non-stick properties.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer. He underwent successful surgery to have the cancerous cells removed from his jawline and used the opportunity to share photos of his stitches and a public service announcement encouraging fans to wear sunscreen.
The healthiest pans to cook in are cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel. These materials are naturally free of synthetic chemicals (like PFAS or Teflon), last a lifetime, and won't leach toxins into your food.
Yes, HexClad pans can scratch. While their signature raised steel laser-etched design makes them highly scratch-resistant, they are not scratch-proof.
Overall, HexClad provides even cooking, durability and an excellent nonstick surface. All-Clad, on the other hand, is ideal for quick maneuvering in the kitchen or for slow-cooking soufflés, casseroles or meats over high heat.
HexClad Cookware advertises its nonstick pans as free from harmful chemicals. But, according to recent reports, HexClad may be using a chemical compound called PTFE as a non-stick coating on its pans. PTFE is a type of PFA, or “forever” chemical, that can build up in the human body and does not break down over time.
Non-stick pans may be an ideal choice in home kitchens, but in professional commercial kitchens, their safety, heat resistance, service life and cooking effect limitations make them unpopular with chefs.
Cast iron excels at high-heat searing and lifelong durability, requiring careful seasoning to build a natural non-stick surface. Ceramic is naturally non-stick, lightweight, and easy to clean out of the box, but its coating can degrade or chip after a few years of heavy use.
Stop Scraping the Pan — Here's How Professional Chefs Keep Eggs From Sticking | Learn more at the link in the comments! Slow and low heat. Butter + oil = no burn Or butter only- beurre noisette is best, for flavor. Tip- Small amount of water (if dipping) and cover- to steam.
This especially applies to HexClad pans. Their Hybrid surface distributes heat fast, so cranking it up to high heat isn't necessary and can actually make food stick. Preheat the pan. Always let your pan heat up slightly before adding food.
Both cast iron and stainless steel are considered healthy, non-toxic cookware options that avoid synthetic PFOA/PTFE coatings. Cast iron is healthier for increasing dietary iron, ideal for those with deficiencies, but requires maintenance to avoid rust. Stainless steel is better for daily, low-maintenance cooking as it is non-reactive, durable, and won't rust or leach heavy metals.
The healthiest cookware materials are cast iron, 100% ceramic, and stainless steel. They do not leach harmful synthetic chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, or PTFE (Teflon). For non-stick convenience without the toxins, ceramic-coated cookware is the best modern alternative.
Here are several signs that will tell you when to throw away stainless steel pans:
Common HexClad complaints focus on food sticking, misleading warranty restrictions, and coating degradation. Additionally, the brand faced a $2.5 million false advertising settlement regarding claims that their pans were entirely free of toxic non-stick chemicals like PTFE.
While there is no immediate medical treatment or magic pill to "flush" PFAS out overnight, your body eliminates them naturally over time through bodily functions like urination, sweating, and blood loss (such as menstruation).
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.