Gordon Ramsay exclusively endorses and owns a stake in HexClad. This hybrid cookware combines the durability and searing power of stainless steel with the effortless cleanup of non-stick. He also designed a line of oven-to-table bakeware and ceramic pieces in collaboration with Royal Doulton.
If you've heard of HexClad cookware, it might be because Gordon Ramsay dubbed them "the Rolls-Royce of pans." Or maybe you've seen them on Next Level Chef, a show Ramsay cohosts. Or in influencer videos on TikTok, like this one from Kylie Jenner.
HexClad cookware struggles to deliver the best of both worlds, often giving users the downsides of both nonstick and stainless steel. Major drawbacks include a very high price point, foods sticking to the stainless steel ridges, limited heat tolerance, and difficulties achieving a perfect sear.
HexClad is not the same as traditional Teflon. While Teflon pans are entirely coated in a slippery plastic (PTFE), HexClad is a "hybrid" pan featuring a raised stainless steel honeycomb grid. The non-stick coating sits in the "valleys" between the metal ridges.
If your eggs are sticking to your HexClad pan, it is almost always due to heat control and a lack of cooking fat. Because of their hybrid design, HexClad pans require a small amount of oil or butter and proper preheating to prevent sticking.
Chefs achieve ultra-fluffy scrambled eggs by vigorously whisking to whip air into the eggs, cooking them low and slow in foaming butter, and continuously folding them into soft, pillowy curds. The added moisture from a splash of dairy or water helps the eggs puff up as it turns to steam.
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.
HexClad faced a $2.5 million class-action lawsuit for allegedly engaging in false advertising by marketing its hybrid cookware as "non-toxic," "PFAS-Free," and "PFOA-Free". Consumers argued these claims were misleading because the pans contained polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).
HexClad cookware is PFOA-free, but it depends on the specific line you own. Traditional lines use a PTFE-based coating, while newer releases utilize a PFAS-free ceramic surface.
If you want to avoid Pfas and PFOA entirely, the safest pans are cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and ceramic (true ceramic, not ceramic coatings). Each has its own pros and maintenance needs.
HexClad pans are generally not worth the premium price tag unless you specifically want a hybrid pan that marries the easy cleanup of nonstick with the durability of stainless steel. At an average cost of $150 to $200+ per pan, they face criticism for failing to deliver perfect nonstick performance without the use of cooking oils.
HexClad officially transitioned away from using PTFE coatings in early 2024.
Yes, Costco sells HexClad cookware. However, it is not a standard, everyday inventory item. You can buy it through two specific methods:
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.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which is the most common form of skin cancer.
Professional chefs typically use All-Clad for premium stainless steel and brands like de Buyer or Lodge for carbon steel and cast iron. Rather than expensive, household non-stick sets, restaurant kitchens usually rely on budget-friendly commercial aluminum pans (like Winco or Vollrath) because they are inexpensive and heat up quickly.
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.
The least toxic cookware options are cast iron, carbon steel, glass, and stainless steel (especially without nickel). If you need non-stick convenience, choose PFAS-free ceramic-coated pans. These materials do not leach harmful chemicals (like PFOA, PTFE, or PFAS) into your food.
Our products are designed in Los Angeles and South Korea. Like the vast majority of cookware and other products today, our products are manufactured in China. At this time, it's the only location where factories are skilled enough to manufacture our technologically advanced cookware.
HexClad manufactures its cookware using different coatings, depending on when the pans were produced.
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.
Gordon Ramsay is heavily compensated as a paid partner and official ambassador for HexClad. While he frequently states that he uses the brand's hybrid pans in his home kitchen, his flagship restaurants rely on heavy-duty, traditional commercial cookware like carbon steel, solid stainless steel, and copper.
The primary enemy of stainless steel is chlorides, which are found in salt (sodium chloride), bleach (sodium hypochlorite), and certain hard water. Chlorides destroy the invisible, protective chromium-oxide layer on the metal's surface, leaving it vulnerable to rapid pitting corrosion and permanent staining.
Stainless steel shines in versatility, offering even heat distribution and an easy-clean surface perfect for sautéing and deglazing. Meanwhile, cast iron excels at retaining heat, making it a go-to for slow-cooked dishes and searing meats to perfection.
The healthiest metal to cook with depends on your cooking style, but stainless steel and cast iron are the top expert-recommended choices. Both are durable, uncoated, and free from toxic synthetic chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, and lead.