Do you love to cook new recipes? Have you finally found the cooktop of your dreams? Don’t turn those burners on just yet — you need the right cookware first! Show Whether you’re a cooking pro or are always on task cooking the family meals, having the right cookware makes all the difference. And deciding which pots and pans are best comes down to which type of cooktop you have: a smooth top cooktop, an induction cooktop, or a gas cooktop. Smooth, Like Glass An electric smooth-top cooktop contains radiant elements underneath a glass or ceramic surface. Since glass and ceramic are delicate materials, you have to be careful about which cookware to use. Now, if you’re a cast-iron lover, you’re in for some not-so-good news. Cast iron is incredibly heavy and can easily crack and scratch your cooktop surface. And because cast-iron pans aren’t perfectly flat, your skillet will take longer to heat and can shorten the life of your burner due to the trapped heat underneath. So, what cookware can you use?
Pro Tip: To get the best cooking results, make sure your pot or pan isn’t bigger than your selected burner by more than an inch. And make sure to keep the bottoms of your pots and pans clean from grease to prevent stains on your cooktop! Induction PowerAn induction cooktop is very similar to a smooth top — they both have glass surfaces. But what makes induction different is the heating source: electromagnetic coils. What does that mean for you? You have to use magnetic cookware for your cooktop to heat up. Induction cooktops only heat up when compatible cookware is in use, so you need to find pots and pans with ferrous metals (i.e., metals with iron). Cookware that is compatible with induction cooktops includes:
Pro Tip: Try the magnet test to determine if your cookware will work. If you hold a magnet to the bottom of your cookware and it clings, it’s compatible! But if it only grabs softly, it won’t be a right fit. Get Cooking with GasGas cooktops use either natural gas or liquid propane to heat and have grates (either continuous or segmented) to place your cookware on. These grates make it easy to find compatible cookware — all you need is cookware that distributes heat evenly and responds quickly to temperature changes. Ideal cookware includes:
The cookware you should not use is ones with a thin base steel layer or ones with a magnetic or non-stick coating on the outside of the pans. These may produce harmful and toxic fumes so double-check your cookware! Also, keep in mind that ceramic can crack with high heat, making the heating process less efficient. Pro Tip: Check the cookware instructions or materials before you buy! Some will tell you if they are compatible with gas stoves. Are You Ready for an Upgrade?There are so many things to consider when cooking your favorite meals, from the right cookware to which ingredients to buy. But the one thing you shouldn’t have to sweat is your cooktop! This article was updated in January 2023 to ensure all product picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab were in stock and reflect current pricing. A nonstick pan is an essential piece of cookware in every chef's kitchen, from the most professional to the very beginner. And no matter whether you cook on a gas range, an electric range or an induction cooktop, a quality nonstick cookware set will get put to use often. Nonstick cookware makes cooking eggs — especially scrambled eggs — easier, and it makes pan-searing fish simpler. A nonstick pan can also prevent your favorite pancake recipe from tearing apart in the pan. There are two main types of nonstick cookware: traditional nonstick and ceramic. The difference lies in the nonstick coating and sometimes the material of the pan. This list focuses on traditional nonstick, but you can also check out our picks for the best ceramic nonstick cookware, which includes even more options. In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we have tested more than 100 cookware sets and individual cookware pieces over the years, including stainless steel sets and cast iron skillets. Our favorite nonstick pans are the ones that can do it all, from cooking an egg with no oil to searing a steak, while remaining easy to clean after use. Below are our favorite nonstick pans, including top-tested picks, editor favorites and new releases with innovative features that make searing or pan-frying easy. Our top picks:
Read on for how we evaluate nonstick cookware in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect cookware set — at the end of this guide. Looking to invest in more state-of-the-art kitchen appliances? Check out our guides on the best electric knives and best blenders. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below 1 Best Overall Nonstick Cookware Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick 10 Piece Cookware SetWhat’s in the set8-in. frypan, 10-in. frypan, 3-qt. covered saucepan, 6-qt. covered stockpot, 5-qt. covered saucepan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepanMaterialAnodized aluminumDishwasher safeNoOven safeYes, up to 450˚FInduction safeNo 2 Best Value Nonstick Cookware Signature Nonstick Cookware SetWhat's in the set7.75-in. fry pan, 11-in. fry pan, 1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 5.5-qt. covered Dutch oven, 10.25-in. griddle pan, spoon, ladle and slotted spatulaMaterialNonstick-coated aluminumDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 350˚FInduction safeNo 3 Best Nonstick Cookware for Beginners What's in the set1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 6-qt. covered stockpot, 8.5-in. frying pan, 10-in. frying pan, 3-qt. covered sauté pan, nonstick slotted spoon and fish spatulaMaterialHard-anodized aluminumDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 400˚FInduction safeNo 4 Best Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Cookware SetWhat's in the set2-quart saucepan, 9.5-in frying pan, 3-quart saute pan and 1 interchangeable lidMaterialCeramic nonstickDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 600˚FInduction safeYes 5 Best Stainless Steel Nonstick Cookware The Non Stick SetWhat's in the set8-qt. stock pot with lid, 4-qt. saute pan with lid, 4-qt saucepan with lid, 10-inch frying panMaterialStainless clad nonstickDishwasher safeNoOven safeYes, up to 500ºFInduction safeYes 6 Most Durable Nonstick Cookware Foodi NeverStick Premium Hard-Anodized Cookware SetWhat's in the set8-in. fry pan, 10.25-in. fry pan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepan, 3-qt. covered sauté pan, 6.5-qt. covered stockpotMaterialHard-anodized aluminumDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 500˚FInduction safeYes 7 Most Versatile Nonstick Cookware Essentials Nonstick Cookware 10-Piece SetWhat's in the set8.5-in. fry pan, 10.5-in. fry pan, 4-qt. covered sauté pan, 2.5-qt. covered saucepan, 7-qt. covered stockpot with multi-purpose insert, 13-in. square pan and two silicone trivetsMaterialHard-anodized aluminumDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 500˚FInduction safeNo 8 Best Lightweight Nonstick Cookware Classic 14-Piece Cookware SetWhat's in the set1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 2.75-qt. covered sauté pan, 3-qt. covered saucepan, 6.5-qt. covered Dutch oven, 8-in. skillet, 10.25-in. skillet, 10.5-in. nonstick grill pan and 12.5-in. skilletMaterialsNonstick strataniumDishwasher safeYesOven safeYes, up to 500˚FInduction safeNo How we test nonstick cookware sets In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we fried 165 eggs, seared 50 steaks and simmered and boiled to rate more than 35 new cookware lines. We tested how evenly skillets distributed heat on gas and electric ranges and how well they browned meat. We assessed how well saucepans maintained a steady simmer and resisted scorching sauce. We evaluated how well the nonstick surfaces released eggs and pancakes and how easy everything was to clean. Finally, we checked the ease of use for all of the items, including whether handles became hot to the touch and whether each piece was oven- and/or dishwasher-safe. What to consider when buying a nonstick cookware set ✔️ Number of pieces: Consider how many pots and pans you actually need. We recommend at least an 8-inch fry pan for quick, small tasks like eggs and pancakes; a 10-inch fry pan for cooking larger dishes or for family sizes; a stockpot for pasta and batch sauces and soup; and a small saucepan that's deep enough to boil an egg and a good size for reheating and simmering. ✔️ Weight and size: You want a cookware set that’s mid-weight, so make sure the pots and pans have some heft. Very lightweight pans are too flimsy and heat too quickly; heavier-weight cookware allows you to get a good sear but may be difficult to lift. For easy, efficient storage, we love sets that nest neatly to save space, though you might want to line them with cloth or paper towels to prevent scratching. ✔️ Handles: How cookware feels in your hand is important: You want to be comfortable and to have control when cooking. Some have silicone-wrapped handles which generally stay cooler to the touch and feel more comfortable in the hand than metal handles. For easy maneuvering, look for helper handles (an extra handle on the opposite side of the main one), which are beneficial for lifting to create extra balance. ✔️ Dishwasher and oven safety: Dishwasher-safe cookware saves you time and energy — you can just pop it into the dishwasher instead of scrubbing it. Keep in mind that hard anodized metal will stand up to multiple washes, whereas other coatings can fade faster with repeated washing. Oven safety is useful for a range of dishes since it allows you to move your cookware from the stovetop to the oven to finish cooking or to keep warm. ✔️ Cooktop compatibility: Most cookware is designed to be compatible with gas and electric cooktops. But if you have an induction cooktop, you have to make sure that the cookware you are purchasing is compatible. An induction-ready piece of cookware will have a base made out of a magnetic material, like iron. Our picks from are compatible with an induction burner. Tips for using nonstick cookware ✔️ Never heat an empty pan. It will get hot quickly and can approach the 500˚F mark faster. ✔️ Use medium or low heat to cook with nonstick, but refer to the manufacturer's instructions for what temperature is best. ✔️ Use less oil than you would in a stainless steel pan. You won't need it to coat the pan. ✔️ Avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the nonstick coating unless your instruction manual explicitly says you can. ✔️ Avoid putting nonstick cookware in the dishwasher; the coating will wear faster. Is nonstick cookware safe? Why trust Good Housekeeping? Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014. She started cooking at 12 years old, and she is now trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer. She has led the testing for stainless steel and cast iron cookware as well. What kind of pots and pans do you use on a glass top stove?Look for cookware that has a smooth finish, holds onto heat, and sits flat on the cooktop. Fort prefers stainless steel or ceramic coated cast iron because they won't scratch surfaces and are excellent at retaining heat.
What pans should not be used on a glass top stove?The materials that don't work well on glass top stoves are cast iron, stoneware, and other glass or ceramic cookware. These are typically rough and can very easily cause scratches, especially when dragged across the smooth surface while full of food.
What is the best cookware for a glass top?Stainless steel, aluminum, copper and titanium are the preferred materials, which isn't terribly different from your usual cookware. But the construction specific to the best cookware for glass top stoves creates an even heating surface and smoother base to prevent cracking and scratching.
What pans can you not use on electric stove?The cookware you should not use is ones with a thin base steel layer or ones with a magnetic or non-stick coating on the outside of the pans. These may produce harmful and toxic fumes so double-check your cookware! Also, keep in mind that ceramic can crack with high heat, making the heating process less efficient.
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Best pots and pans for electric cooktop
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