Featuring the signature black and white Prima Tauro and white gold of Classic Prima, this is one of the most popular of the non-stick cookware types that has gained a reputation for being 'out of this world' (although we shall come back to that).
The iron-clad quality of this iron-and-aluminium D-ring pan is matched with a useful weight of 3 grams, for a 'medium sized' pan - and that's with its R2-like magnetic clasp!
It certainly delivers on its promises, creating a wonderful non-stick food that's also easy to clean.
As shown in the diagrams below, the 27cm high, 9.5inch wide and 2.5inch thick aluminium core will expand to 2.5 inches when the handle is closed, for an even and healthy pan.
The stainless steel infill is designed for a natural, non-stick finish, with no PFOA or cadmium levels that could compromise its food-release qualities. The base is made from PEI steel, which is also cheap and available in quantities you can count on one hand.
After many years of use and normal restaurant operations, the pan is free from PFOA and phthalates. It is also dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly.
Do you have a frying pan that's been through several incarnations but still looks brand new? We've got that covered too - the ProCook Elite First Class Pan has all the classic elements but is also very durable, with a polished finish that's just as comfortable to use.
The stainless steel is PTFE-coated, meaning it won't scorch the pan's surface, and the iron is PFOA-free. The non-stick qualities will improve with use, as the non-stick patina will become more consistent.
It's also induction- and oven-friendly, and just like our '9.5-inch' non-stick frying pan, it's safe for use on a range.
All in all, it's a solid choice, if a little heavier than your standard non-stick pan.
The Griddle Pan is another popular model on ebay, and although it isn't Teflon-like in the surface plating, it is a little on the pricey side.
However, the Griddle Pan still returned my fondest buys, and my favourite part about it is that you can turn it into an oven-proofed skillet. This really helps it last.
The non-stick qualities improve as the pan ages, and the non-stick patina will become more consistent as the pan ages.
The pan is safe for use on a range, but please be mindful of the following points:
- Never use metal utensils, as they will rust
- If you have small children, take their hands off the pan at all times
- Do not put your pan in the dishwasher
- Do not put your pan in the sink, as this damages the non-stick surface
- If possible, get a cast-aluminium pan, as the non-stick coating will inevitably rust
- Non-stick-coated pans are great for induction ranges, but they are not suitable for induction.
Non-stick coated pans have not yet caught on in the oven, so we tested whether the coating would stay slippery.
We used a custom-made Le Creuset 12-inch non-stick frying pan. This is a desktop-class frying pan with 10 layers of non-stick protecting the interior. It heats up quickly and evenly, and cooks a New Zealand Standard High fat fry-up, so you can save fat for cooking.
