Today I'm sharing my Hestan Skillet Review..
And FYI, not a sponsored post.
A few weeks ago, after plenty of research, I dove in and bought a Hestan Nanobond Titaium Skillet. I chose the eleven inch model, price tag? A whopping $280. Here is my Hestan Skillet Review.
Was it worth the price??...
Wanted: The Perfect Skillet
For years I have struggled with my most-used piece of cookware. the skillet. I adore a good skillet. I use it for stir fries, tofu scrambles. For veggies, tempeh and tofu cubes and of course french toast, pancakes and other brunch delights. Skillets are fast and friendly. They give your food life, color and flavor. But it has been my luck to go through skillets more often than I would like.
My perfect skillet is first and foremost, toxin-free. Those old-school nonstick skillets coated in not so great stuff are a big no-no for everyday use. But that being said, I love a bit of non-stick-like goodness to my skillet. I hate spending time scrubbing burnt bits when things don't go perfectly with a cooking sesh.
I also want high quality materials. zero exposed alluminum. A nice sturdy feel to the skillet. And most important, I want it to last. I am so sick of buying a skillet (in the $80-$150 range!) and having it's surface just get worn in about a year. something about all the products I had been trying in the past just wasn't meshing well with my cooking style. I honestly don't know, but I don't think I'm the only one who goes through skillets faster than their other cookware.
I absolutely adore my Staub pot. I have had it for years and it still looks brand new. I want that in a skillet!
What About Stainless Steel?
I have a small high-end stainless steel skillet. It actually has held up really well the past few years. The problem with it is that it sticks way too much. though it always scrubs clean - all shiny and new - I am not a fan of scrubbing. So I kept researching options.
I tried a cast iron skillet for a while, but it was just way too heavy and hard to handle. And it also had sticking problems.
What About GreenPan and other Eco-Friendly Skillets?
I love that there are healthy options out there these days. Even though the research can be mixed, I think it's safe to say that most people are looking for skillets that are free of Teflon and PFOA.
Cancer.org says that "Teflon itself is not suspected of causing cancer." But the PFOA that is used when making Teflon, "has the potential to be a health concern because it can stay in the environment and in the human body for long periods of time."
I tried a GreenPan and loved it for about a year, but then it started chipping and sticking more and more, so I tossed it. Personally, I would choose a sticking, PFOA-free pan over any Teflon nonstick pan. But everyone is different.
But I just couldn't settle on an okay skillet. Even if it was a healthy, eco-friendly option. I wanted a skillet that rocked my world, was free of toxins, lasted forever and was a breeze to use.
Enter the Hestan Nanobond Skillet
I decided to search on Williams and Sonoma and C&B and investigate their most expensive skillet brands. Because, honestly, sometimes the expensive things are the best. Like with a Vitamix vs a $99 blender.
Hestan was definitely one of the most expensive. So I continued researching with it, and a few other brands in mind.
I spent a good few weeks reading articles, 'best of' lists, about skillets, chat forums and I even found this Hestan review by one of my blogging friends Jaden.
Some of the Hestan Nanobond Features:
- Safe, nonreactive surface that is 100% toxin free
- Molecular Titanium bonds thousands of titanium nano-layers to stainless steel, creating a brilliantly resilient cooking surface 4X harder than typical stainless-steel and resistant to scratching, staining and salt pitting
- Triple bonded stainless steel with exclusive ProCoreTM aluminum delivers 35% greater heat conductivity than other aluminum-clad cookware for quick and even heating
- Sealed rims are encapsulated in stainless steel to protect against delamination and pitting. No exposed aluminum
- Flared rims offer perfect drip free pouring
- Flush rivets for easy cleaning and stacking/nesting ability
- Oven and broiler safe; heat tolerant up to 1,050°F
- Handcrafted in Italy
Is Hestan Nanobond a Nonstick Skillet?
Nope. It has non-stick properties. But they don't call it non-stick. you still need to add oil or fat to allow for the non-stick-like cooking.
Food Tests: Nanobond Skillet
Important part of this Hestan Skillet Review, food tests! Here are a few so far...
French Toast: Sticky banana french toast can be tough on a skillet. But I started off by warming the skillet over medium heat. Then I add 1-2 teaspoon vegan butter and a drizzle of EVOO. Swirl the oil around and add the soaked bread. I allowed it to cook 2-3 minutes, then flip. That first flip is a dream. Browned edges and just a very few bits that stuck and browned on pan. Continue cooking until done. Once I removed the french toast there were a few bits that stuck from the coating, but nothing compared to my old skillets. And the pan cleans in seconds with a bit of warm water and a gentle scrub sponge.
Rice and Beans: Last night I added some leftover rice and beans to the skillet to warm up. The rice can get really sticky when I do this, and even though there was some sticking, the cooking was brilliant and clean up, again a breeze.
Veggies: Nothing to complain about here. EVOO, a bit of garlic, then some greens like kale and the cooking is fast and easy. Zero mess. The pan is so clean upon serving.
I'm excited to try some more recipes like tofu and tempeh - like my tofu skillet sandwich.
So, Is a Hestan Nanobond Worth the Money?
Hestan Skillet Review: I have never ever been impressed by a skillet. And I have tried many brands and even a few higher-end brands. and this skillet is just different. A few weeks in and I can't imagine ever going back to another skillet.
the first meal a prepared was vegan banana french toast. One of the stickiest foods out there! Every time I made it on my old skillet some piece would burn and stick and though it tasted great, it just was a bit of a pain to prepare.
The Hestan skillet performed beautifully. I added a bit of vegan butter and oil to the pan and the first flip felt like a non-stick skillet. there was a tiny bit of sticking with some of the surface bits, but the actual food was super easy to manuveur. flips happened with ease and clean up was so easy. One swipe of my Scrub Daddy and the pan was clean and looked like brand new.
I cannot wait to try more dishes on this skillet.
So YES! I actually can say with confidance that if you use your skillet as much as I do and have had trouble with tossing skillets way too often, this Hestan is so worth it. I cannot predict what it will be like in a year, but with a lifetime warranty and the superior use quality I have seen already, I have high hopes.
What skillet do you use? Do you love it? What other brands should I check out?
Check out Hestan Nanobond for yourself: Hestan
*this post is not sponsored
Andir says
I did a lot of research before investing in a set. They are beautiful and cleanup is easy, sometimes need a soak and I usually finish with banking soda because I am having difficulty with sticking. Maybe I’m not using enough butter or oil but I don’t want toxic free pans only to clog my arteries with more cholesterol! Any suggestions?
Maria R says
I have just bought a Hestan Nanobond pan and I discovered that the bottom is convex. That means that the oil won't stay in the middle and the food sticks. I wonder if your pan also is convex?
BRUCINKO says
How's it for searing steaks at extremely high heat?
nora says
Good day Ms. Patalsky - how is the pan holding up ??
sparky John says
I am fine with frying egg with Nanobond. The trick is smear the pan a thin film of oil till 170-200 C, turn the heat down to medium. Add cold oil evenly on the pan and pour the egg immediately afterwards. let it cooked until you can see from the top it's halfly cooked. Turn the egg and add a little bit oil.
Not so successful for cheese, it still sticks on Nanobond, I still have to use Teflon based pans. Will try the meshed pure Titanium pan once got a chance.
sparky John says
Similar to you I am constantly on the lookout for a ultimate stir fry pan, high temperature, non-stick, no coating. After getting a couple of Nanobonds, I have found some pure Titanium fry pans. These pans are made of Titanium for the cooking surface and the rest is similar to Nanobond. As the cooking surface is made of a complete Titanium sheet so I think it will last longer than the Nanobond which only has the Titanium 'chemically coated' onto the stainless. The Titanium pan is lighter too. For smooth surface type, like Nanobond, it's only stick resistant but very easy to clean. I have tried one and like it more than the Nanobond. It's less than half price of a Nanobond.
Recently, I have seen one with meshed Titanium surface, it claims to have much better stick resistant property. I haven't tried it yet.
Chris Meagher says
My experience with Hestan dealership was horrendous had to terminate the first one then never received a rebate “tricky” company with bad customer service It took 6 months to acquire an Aspire freestanding grill
Purchase a Napoleon to avoid a bad taste
Maya says
Are you concerned about leaching from the nanoparticles?? Just curious if you have info whether it does or does not.. Besides the price tag, the nanoparticles worry me..
Kathy Patalsky says
I'm not concerened from what I've read on the site. 100% toxin free makes me feel good and comparing this pan to every other pan I have ever used - this pan has the least amount of "leaching." So many of my pans eventually had a top layer scrape off. Not ideal at all for leaching. This one acts like stainless steel where I don't visibly see anything leaching. But if you have specific questions and concerns about the science behind the construction, Heston probably knows a lot more than me. I'm still SO happy with this pan.
Kathy Patalsky says
Interesting! I will check this out! Always interested in products that ppl love.
Kathy Patalsky says
I have! Sort've. I've done kale with just water and then lemon juice... Maybe a tinge of oil. But if you keep things hydrated enough you seem to be good. So far I'm super happy with this one!
Kathy Patalsky says
I have done french toast and it's great. I think pancakes will work beautifully too. Crepes would be tricky though! I know how that feels though - those scary pans work so well!! Ugh. this has seriously been the closest thing for me though and I'm happy so far.
珠海罗宾 says
I need help...I can’t get my nanobonds to NOT stick regularly. I use medium heat to warm...then add fat..then add an egg..then scrape it off and throw it out...grabbing my wife’s $10 nonstick she bought at the Asian market (that we will toss after 6 months) and cook another egg that I can actually eat
I also work for Stanley (the Stan of Hestan) and know it my cooking errors so...please help!!!
Mei says
Hi, I bought a whole set of Hestan Nanobond pots and skillet in LA in October. I just noticed there's a deep scratch and several other scratches on my smaller skillet 😮. I've been happy with my Nanobonds this far but I certainly didn't expect scratching in a skillet resistant of scratching. I'll contact Hestan tomorrow to see what they say.
Kathy Patalsky says
Interesting! Since the pans have a lifetime warranty I would be curious to see what Heston says. I haven't noticed any scratches thus far. Hope they respond with some good advcice or send you a replacement!
Karlene says
I currently have scan pans they are starting lose their coating. I have had them over 20yrs. I have been looking for replacement pans. I found your review for the hestan pans. I am seriously considering these pans after reading several reviews. Had never heard of hestan pans. Thanks for detailed review. Karlene
Kathy Patalsky says
So frustrating when pans lose their coating! I'm still REALLY happy with this pan and I've cooked many things on it so far! It cleans up so well and still looks like new!
Karlene says
I currently have scan pans they are starting lose their coating. I have had them over 20yrs. I have been looking for replacement pans. I found your review for the hestan pans. I am seriously considering these pans after reading several reviews. Had never heard of hestan pans. Thanks for detailed review. Karlene
Glenn says
Hello.
In my searching for high quality, non toxic, non disposable, cookware, I ran across a fantastic company called "SOLIDteknics" out of Australia. They decided to build a manufacturing plant here in the good ol' U.S.A. to lower the cost of shipping from there to here. Their Stainless Steel cookware line is called "Nöni" as there isn't any Nickel in the metal, hence NO NIckel. This line of cookware is made from just one SOLID piece of ferritic Stainless Steel, so there is no multiply layers. This magnetic Stainless Steel works on all heat sources, like magnetic induction, gas, fire, electric coils, the works! Because it is only one ply, it has incredible efficiency in heating up, and there are no hot spots. The handle has brilliantly engineered vent holes included in it to assist in helping to keep the temperature on the handle down while stove top cooking. An added plus is because of the ingenious one piece design and construction, there are no rivets to hold the handle to the pan. These SOLIDteknics Nöni cookware are available on Amazon. An 11 inch Stainless Steel pan is only $199.00 and the warranty is Multi-Generational. SERIOUSLY!
I can't stress enough how incredible this cookware is. Please do yourself a favor and, at least, check out this line of cookware. Nothing else like it in the world. I wanted to included pictures and texts from the Amazon page, but I'm not familiar enough with your comments section to be able to do it, if at all possible.
You did ask for comments, and I truly wanted to let you know about this company and their products. It is truly a revolution in the cookware industry. I am not affiliated in any way with this company, nor am I compensated in any way. This is simply me responding to your request to make a comment on what I use for cookware.
Thank you for allowing me to post my thoughts here, and I hope that you try out one of these AMAZING pans. TIP, there is a matching lid that goes along with the 11 inch pan, and the lid is a great piece of cookware in it's own right. I use mine as a baking tray in the oven, and for pancakes, and omelets, it's SO handy to use.
Please be safe, and take care! :^)
michelle says
It’s a beautiful skillet. Have you tried veggies without oil? I don’t cook with oil, only veggie broth so that is why I typically use non stick. I am also looking for a new skillet.
Julie says
My question now is, what to use for making pancakes and crepes??? I tried cast iron pan and griddle, lots of oil in a stainless steel pan, and it always finishes with a lot of bad words and an angry cook. I keep going back to my scary teflon pan. I need to find a safer, toxin-free magic pan!