HexClad Cookware Review: Does the Hybrid Pan Live Up to the Hype?
A versatile pan that merges easy food release with stainless steel toughness.
HexClad Cookware Review: Hands-On Testing and Unbiased Results
HexClad has become one of the most hyped cookware brands, thanks to its futuristic hybrid design and high-profile endorsements. Described as combining the convenience of nonstick pans with the durability and searing power of stainless steel, HexClad promises the best of both worlds. But does reality align with the marketing? In this in-depth review, I put HexClad pans through rigorous real-world cooking and durability tests to uncover the truth behind the hybrid pan phenomenon.
Table of Contents
- What Is HexClad?
- How We Tested the HexClad Pan
- Nonstick Performance
- Searing and Browning Performance
- Durability and Scratch Resistance
- Ease of Cleaning
- Is HexClad Worth the Hype?
- Alternatives to HexClad
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is HexClad? Understanding the Hybrid Pan
HexClad cookware is advertised as a “hybrid” pan, fusing the best elements of nonstick and stainless steel into a single piece of cookware. The surface features a laser-etched hexagonal mesh of raised stainless steel ‘peaks’ interspersed with nonstick ‘valleys.’ This design aims to deliver two things:
- The resilience and browning power of stainless steel, for perfect sears and long-term durability.
- The easy food release of nonstick coatings, to make cooking and cleaning straightforward.
The result is a striking pan that looks futuristic, with visible stainless hexagons and a slightly textured feel. HexClad claims you can safely use metal utensils, throw the pan in the dishwasher, and expect professional-level results—claims we set out to test.
How We Tested the HexClad Pan
We evaluated the HexClad 12-inch hybrid frying pan through a series of real-world cooking and durability tests, designed to assess each of the brand’s key claims. Our testing procedures included:
- Cooking multiple egg dishes to evaluate nonstick ability and food release.
- Searing chicken, beef, and vegetables to test browning and caramelization.
- Repeated cleaning cycles, with and without a dishwasher.
- Simulated metal utensil use, including scraping and whisking.
- Dropping utensils and small pots onto the pan to mimic real kitchen accidents.
We also compared HexClad to both traditional nonstick pans (such as PTFE coatings) and all-stainless steel competitors to see where it truly excels and where it falls short.
Nonstick Performance: Is It as Slick as Advertised?
One of HexClad’s biggest selling points is that you can fry eggs, flip pancakes, and sauté sticky foods without them clinging to the pan. Here’s what real-world testing reveals:
- Initial Performance: Straight out of the box and pre-heated with a touch of oil, HexClad does a great job with foods like eggs. The egg slides around after a little nudge with a spatula. While not as glassy-smooth as a Teflon-coated pan, standard nonstick tasks are mostly effortless.
- Comparisons to True Nonstick: Traditional PTFE and newer ceramic-coated nonstick pans still outperform HexClad in pure slipperiness. With HexClad, slightly more push is often required—delicate foods may catch on the steel ridges.
- Long-Term Durability: Repeated cooking and washing eventually lead to a decline in nonstick performance. Over time, sticky residues and slight build-up appear, especially if you’re not diligent about gentle cleaning. However, HexClad retains its abilities better than most ceramic nonstick, whose coatings often degrade or chip within a year of heavy use.
Summary: HexClad is noticeably more nonstick than pure stainless, especially for eggs and cheese. It can’t quite match the release of new PTFE or slick ceramic pans, but the hybrid surface offers a good balance—especially for those who want more durability than any classic nonstick can deliver.
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Searing and Browning Performance: Does It Sear Like Stainless?
A key question: Can HexClad develop that golden-brown crust you get with stainless or cast iron? We tackled this by searing proteins such as chicken breast and steak, as well as sautéing mushrooms and onions.
- Maillard Reaction & Browning: HexClad’s raised stainless steel mesh does promote real browning—far more than traditional nonstick, which struggles to build fond (the tasty browned bits) on its smooth, slick surface.
- Steak & Chicken Sear: While HexClad doesn’t quite rival the high-heat results of all-stainless or cast iron, the hybrid design gets respectably close. Proteins developed appealing color and a satisfying, crisp crust, especially with a little patience.
- Even Heating: HexClad’s tri-ply construction with an aluminum core promotes mostly even heating. Hot spots are minimized, but not eliminated—especially when using very high heat settings.
For cooks who want more browning than nonstick can offer but prefer not to use pure stainless day-to-day, HexClad offers a true advantage. Just don’t expect it to replace your cast iron when you want blackened steak or ultra-deep pan sauce flavor.
Durability and Scratch Resistance: Can You Really Use Metal Utensils?
One of HexClad’s signature claims is that you can use metal utensils safely, scrape and whisk inside the pan, and not baby the cookware the way you would with most nonstick. Here’s what testing found:
- Scratch Tests: Repeated scraping with metal spatulas, using forks and whisks, and even dropping a steel pot onto the surface produced only faint, superficial scratches. The raised steel mesh genuinely shields most of the delicate nonstick valleys from aggressive contact.
- Egg Test After Abuse: After intensive scratching and banging, HexClad’s food release abilities did decline slightly, especially for delicate foods like eggs, but performance remained serviceable. Crucially, unlike ceramic or traditional PTFE, the coating didn’t flake or peel.
- Stacking and Storage: Dropping and nest-stacking the pan also left it unscathed, another advantage over classic nonstick, which often nicks or chips easily in crowded kitchen drawers.
All nonstick coatings will eventually degrade with time and rough treatment. HexClad’s hybrid design provides real-world durability superior to any traditional nonstick, although being completely invincible is too good to be true. The pan holds up impressively to everyday (and even some accidental) abuse.
Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-Safe, But Not Effortless
HexClad advertises the ability to toss your pans in the dishwasher. While this is accurate, daily performance suggests a more nuanced reality:
- General Maintenance: After standard cooking, a sponge and warm soapy water remove most residue cleanly. The textured valleys can require extra attention if sticky sauces or burned bits become embedded.
- Dishwasher Use: Cleaning the pan in a dishwasher is effective, but over time, frequent cycles may slightly diminish the nonstick’s water-beading effect. Hand washing is best for maximizing longevity, but HexClad is less fragile than typical nonstick in this regard.
- Tough Messes: For stubborn, caramelized remains or burnt-on food, a gentle scrubber or brush can target the valleys. Avoid abrasive steel wool, which could scratch even the tough hybrid surface over time.
The pan cleans up far more easily than stainless steel, but not quite as effortlessly as the slickest nonsticks. HexClad finds a competent middle ground.
Is HexClad Worth the Hype—and the Price?
HexClad pans are not cheap. The innovative hybrid design, tri-ply construction, and premium branding position them at the luxury end of the home cookware spectrum. So, is HexClad worth it?
- For Versatility: If you want a single pan that can handle eggs in the morning, seared chicken at night, and an occasional stir-fry—all while standing up to metal tongs and the dishwasher—HexClad is one of the few options that genuinely excels.
- For Pure Nonstick Performance: Chefs who primarily cook eggs, crepes, or ultra-delicate foods will probably want a cheaper nonstick alongside HexClad for those tasks.
- For Serious Searing: If you’re looking to achieve restaurant-level crusts on steak or need maximum heat retention, cast iron or classic stainless still win on pure performance and price.
- Longevity and Warranty: HexClad offers a lifetime warranty (though damage to the nonstick is often excluded). Hybrid coatings last longer than ceramic and give a longer useful life than almost any nonstick, which is significant for the price.
For many home cooks, HexClad can replace multiple pans, especially if you value longevity and flexibility over extreme specialization. For some, the investment pays off; for others, a classic nonstick plus a stainless or cast iron pan might be a better (and cheaper) combo.
Alternatives to HexClad: How Does It Stack Up?
| Pan Type | Key Characteristics | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| HexClad (Hybrid) | Combines stainless durability and nonstick convenience. Metal utensil safe, dishwasher safe, moderate browning. | Home cooks wanting one versatile, relatively tough pan. |
| Classic Nonstick (PTFE) | Glass-smooth surface. Utmost food release. Not metal safe. Shortest lifespan. | Eggs, fish, pancakes; delicate tasks. |
| Ceramic Nonstick | PTFE-free, moderately slick, eco-friendly. Tends to degrade/chip fastest. | Health- or eco-conscious cooks who don’t mind replacing pans regularly. |
| All-Stainless Steel | Maximum browning and crust. Needs oil. No nonstick. Metal safe, lasts decades. | High-heat searing, pan sauces, professional-style cooking. |
| Cast Iron/Carbon Steel | Heavy, ultra-durable, develops nonstick with seasoning. Best for searing. | Steaks, burgers, oven-to-table; willing to maintain seasoning. |
HexClad claims a unique space: tougher and longer-lasting than any nonstick, simpler to use than all-stainless, and with easier cleanup than cast iron. For some, it could seriously minimize kitchen clutter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are HexClad pans truly metal utensil safe?
HexClad’s raised stainless design does a remarkable job of protecting the nonstick valleys from normal scraping, whisking, or everyday utensil use. Heavy abuse—such as forceful stabbing or cutting in the pan—could still cause damage, but HexClad is more metal-safe than virtually any other nonstick.
Q: How long does the hybrid nonstick last?
Expect years of good performance—significantly longer than PTFE or ceramic—especially with proper care. Scratches and diminished nonstick will happen eventually but take much longer than with standard coatings.
Q: Is HexClad induction compatible?
Yes, all HexClad pans contain a magnetic stainless steel layer for full induction cooktop compatibility.
Q: Can HexClad go in the oven?
HexClad pans (including lids) are oven safe up to 500°F, making them suitable for finishing dishes in the oven or keeping food warm.
Q: What’s the best way to clean HexClad?
Hand washing with warm soapy water preserves the nonstick the longest. It’s fine to use the dishwasher, but avoid abrasive scrubbers for best results. If sticky residue develops, soak and scrub gently with a soft brush.
Q: Are HexClad pans worth the price?
If you value a pan that covers most cooking tasks, is tougher than standard nonstick, and you want to minimize year-over-year replacements, the investment can be justified. If you have a tight budget or only need a pan for eggs, stick to classic nonstick.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy—and Who Should Skip—HexClad?
HexClad’s hybrid cookware delivers many of its bold promises. Relatively easy to clean, impressively metal utensil safe, better browning than almost all nonstick, and a longer lifespan than most competitors, it’s a genuine middle ground for those seeking longevity and versatility.
However, the high cost and “jack-of-all-trades” approach aren’t for everyone; specialized cooks may want to stick to a classic multi-pan setup for ultimate results.
- Great for: Anyone who wants a singular, do-it-all pan for most weeknight meals, or for cooks who dislike constantly replacing fragile nonstick cookware.
- Not for: Those who want maximum nonstick release or those who demand perfect steakhouse sears every time.
Ultimately, HexClad fills a unique niche—and for many kitchens, may be the right kind of compromise.
References
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