Best Non-Stick Frying Pans in Canada

Our goal is to help Canadians make the best choices for their lives and their homes, and that’s what we set out to do every time. Whether it’s housewares, appliances, electronics, or more – if Canadians use it, we evaluate it to find the best options for your home.

We evaluate every product we review in our test lab, and then send each product to our team of dedicated testers for even more in-depth feedback. Based on that information and our own knowledge of what Canadians hold the most important, we create a list of the very best products in each category. For our list of the best non-stick frypans in Canada, we looked for a combination of the following features:

• Material. The type of material used to manufacture non-stick frying pans is important. We looked for frying pans that were made from sturdy aluminum and included a few that have unique materials used in construction for the very best non-stick performance.
• Functionality. We want to make sure Canadians know what they’re getting from a non-stick frying pan, so we looked for options that are compatible with the widest range of cooktops and even in the oven.
• Durability. Nobody wants to spend money on a product that needs replacing after only a few months. For our list, we chose non-stick frying pans that were built to last and would perform the same way next year as they do today.
• Features. We looked for a variety of features while putting together this list of the best non-stick frying pans in Canada, including sturdy construction, easy cleaning, comfortable grip handles, and extra-large capacity.

How Do Non-Stick Frying Pans Work in Canada?

Non-stick frying pans are typically used because they are easier and healthier to cook with than traditional pots and pans. They are usually manufactured from metals like aluminum or stainless steel, metals that are lightweight and heat up quickly. They typically have a coating on the interior of Teflon or some other material (like ceramic) that prevents food from sticking to the surface of the pan.

The process used to create the non-stick coating is called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. It involves forming a molecular bond between the surface of the pan and a resin-based plastic. Then, powdered silicone is added to the surface. This PTFE coating is heat-resistant, non-stick, and protects the pan from food burning or sticking to the surface of the pan. As technology has advanced, manufacturers have developed new techniques for creating a non-stick surface.

Are Non-Stick Skillets Safe to Use?

In the past, non-stick skillets were thought to be unsafe to use once the non-stick coating started to deteriorate, crack, or peel. This is because the Teflon coating contained chemicals and compounds known as perfluorooctanoic acids, or PFOAs, as well as polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE. Those chemicals could be released during heating (or during high-temperature cleaning in a dishwasher) and cause potential harm to people who encountered them.

However, as technology has advanced, manufacturers have figured out how to remove these harmful chemicals from the process altogether. That’s why you will notice that many non-stick pans are now advertised as PFOA and PTFE-free. Manufacturers have also learned that using certain metals, such as lead or cadmium, could be harmful to people as well, and they have stopped using these types of metals in non-stick pans.

How to Choose a Non-Stick Skillet in Canada

Non-stick skillets may seem self-explanatory, but there are some features you should look for when shopping for the best non-stick frying pan in Canada. The following tips can help you choose the perfect skillet for your kitchen.

Materials

What your non-stick frying pan is made of can be just as important as the non-stick coating itself. The material used can determine the type of cooktop you can use the skillet on, as well as how evenly it heats.

• Aluminum. Aluminum heats quickly but can be uneven. They are lightweight but can’t be used on induction burners.
• Stainless Steel. Stainless steel skillets are heavier and more expensive than aluminum options. These pans provide even heat across the surface.
• Titanium. Titanium is a lightweight material that heats quickly and evenly. It’s stronger than aluminum and lighter than steel but isn’t as strong as some of the other options on the Canadian market.

While most non-stick frying pans can be used on many stove top types, it’s important to check if your skillet is rated for induction cooktops. If you have an induction stove, you should use a skillet that is compatible with that heating method for the best results. Other types of stove tops can use different pans, but make sure to know what type of stove you plan to use your pan on before you begin shopping.

Skillet Size

It’s important to have skillets of all sizes and descriptions in your kitchen, particularly if you like to cook a lot. Larger skillets can be great options for feeding larger families or performing large-scale meal prep. If you just want to fry an egg or warm up leftovers, a smaller frying pan can be the way to go.

Consider the size of the skillet before you make a purchase. If you already have non-stick skillets in that size, it might be best to choose a different size to ensure diversity in your cookware.

Oven Safety

Some recipes and food preparation require quick baking sessions inside your oven. If you want to avoid using multiple dishes to move food from your oven to the stovetop, consider choosing a frying pan that is safe for use in your oven. Keep in mind that not every option will be safe in the high temperatures inside your oven. While using on the stovetop requires heating throughout the pan section of your skillet, the oven will heat the handle and other components to the same temperature.

Never put a skillet that is not rated for use in the oven to bake foods. This can lead to damage to the skillet, toxins in your food, and more mess than you’d prefer to clean up. If you plan to use your skillet in the oven, make sure that you purchase one for that specific use.

Dishwasher Safety

Cleaning up after you cook can be a tedious chore, but choosing kitchenware that is dishwasher-safe can help. If you have a dishwasher at home, you might want to choose a non-stick skillet that is safe for the high temperatures inside your dishwasher. While food isn’t prone to sticking to your non-stick skillet, it still gets dirty with use. If you don’t want to clean your non-stick skillet by hand after every meal, a dishwasher-safe option is your best bet.

Handle Materials

The handle of your non-stick frying pan can be one of the most important parts of the skillet. The handle should be covered with rubber or another heat-resistant material. This helps protect your hand while you’re cooking. Avoid any type of frying pan (non-stick or otherwise) that uses a plain metal handle. It can quickly become hot and unsafe as you cook.

Is it Easy to Clean a Non-Stick Skillet in Canada?

Non-stick skillets are popular among kitchens around the world for several reasons. Firstly, you cannot overlook the benefit of the easy clean-up job required after using a nonstick frying pan. When you cook with a traditional skillet, you will probably wind up with bits of food that are burnt onto the cooking surface and cooled, solidified grease and oil.

Without the non-stick coating, you’re left with only two choices – soak the skillet in warm, soapy water for hours or scrub the burnt food off with a sponge or scouring pad. Sometimes you might even need to do both. This can be time-consuming and is often very hard on the joints, potentially causing pain and injury. It’s also hard on the pan itself and can cause your traditional cookware to wear out quickly, which means replacing it altogether.

With a non-stick frying pan, all it usually takes to clean up after cooking is the quick wipe of a paper towel or soft cloth. Give the frying pan a rinse and you’re good to go. Many non-stick frying pans can even go straight into the dishwasher so there’s no muss or fuss when it’s time to clean up. Many Canadians appreciate how easy it is to clean a non-stick frying pan. After all, who enjoys endlessly scrubbing pots and pans?

How to Care for a Non-Stick Frying Pan in Canada

If you take good care of your non-stick frying pan, it will last a long time. However, certain actions will speed up the deterioration of the non-stick coating and could put your frying pan at risk. Some manufacturers may offer recommendations and instructions for the care of your frying pan, and you should follow those recommendations for the best results for your specific frying pan. Below are some basic tips for protecting and caring for a typical non-stick pan.

• Rub a thin coating of cooking oil over the surface of the frying pan before using it for the first time. This can help protect the cooking surface and extend its life.
• Add a bit of cooking oil to the pan and lightly coat the surface before preheating. Do not preheat an empty pan, because the metals used to manufacture non-stick pans are designed to heat up very quickly. Preheating an empty pan could damage the pan or the non-stick coating.
• Avoid using non-stick cooking sprays, and instead, opt for natural cooking oils like vegetable or olive oil.
• Do not subject your non-stick frying pan to excessive heat, but only cook at low or medium heat. Most non-stick frying pans can withstand heat up to around 175 degrees Celsius but check the manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure about your specific cookware.
• Always check the instructions regarding whether or not your non-stick frying pan is oven safe before attempting to use it in the oven. Certain pans cannot withstand the heat of an oven or may have handles that are not designed for use in an oven.
• Do not use metal utensils, such as spatulas or spoons, with your non-stick frying pan. These types of utensils can scratch or damage the non-stick surface. Instead, use wooden, plastic, nylon, or silicone-coated utensils to protect the surface of the frying pan.
• Clean your non-stick frying pan with a soft rag or non-scratch sponge. Use a small amount of dish detergent and warm water when cleaning. You can create a paste of baking soda and water for stuck or burnt food particles.
• Always check if your frying pan is dishwasher safe or not. Most newer pans can withstand the heat of a dishwasher, while others cannot. Either way, handwashing is safer for your frying pan.
• Avoid stacking other cookware items on top of your non-stick skillet during storage. If you do need to stack your pots and pans in the cupboard, use a layer of paper towels or a rag between the non-stick frying pan and other pots and pans to avoid scratches or chips.

What Types of Foods Can Canadians Cook in a Non-Stick Frying Pan?

Non-stick frying pans are great for cooking a variety of foods, most notoriously egg dishes. This is because eggs are a delicate dish that easily sticks or burns when you cook them in traditional cookware. However, when you cook them on a non-stick surface, eggs won’t burn and will slide right out of the pan onto your plate when it’s time to eat.

While we’re making breakfast, don’t forget about the pancakes. Non-stick surfaces are perfect for making pancakes or crepes. Just be sure to avoid the metal spatula.

If you’re cooking anything that includes cheese as an ingredient, a non-stick frying pan is a great choice. Cheese easily burns and sticks to traditional cookware but will easily slide around inside a non-stick frying pan.

Meats that don’t require high-temperature cooking are suitable for a non-stick frying pan. Chicken and seafood are typical choices. These delicate meats might stick to a traditional frying pan but will cook perfectly in a non-stick pan.

Mexican-style foods, like tortillas, are also great to cook in a non-stick frying pan and will turn out crispy and delicious without burning or sticking to the surface of the pan.