The titanium-reinforced non-stick coatings are smooth, whereas the diamond-reinforced coatings are textured. Customers did have issues with the non-stick layer scratching and peeling, although some admitted to using metal utensils on the pans. Some also had problems with food sticking, especially with eggs.
The pans are quite thin and light for tri-ply clad stainless steel, and that is reflected in the somewhat uneven heating. We had some scorching to deal with, and even at low heat settings, most food stuck to the pan . The pan is nicely designed, with a good shape and a lot of flat cooking surface.
It’s flat, so easier to stabilize with your arm rather than just your hand. The pan body is a little on the thin side and the pans are very light (the 11-inch skillet weighs just 1.6 lbs, which is very light). This isn’t horrible for an all-aluminum pan, but it’s definitely on the thin side.
We know that nonstick pans are best when they’re brand new, and age is the true test of value. For over four years at home, I regularly used the first Tramontina 10-inch nonstick pan we tested in 2016. After all that time its nonstick coating had dulled a bit, but it still released eggs and fish fillets without resistance.
If you want to buy whole sets of nonstick, we understand; a lot of people do. But you can save yourself quite a bit of money, reduce landfill waste, and compromise very little when it comes to cleaning by buying only nonstick skillets. Our first recommendation for buying nonstick cookware is to buy skillets only, and avoid buying entire sets.
That means only using silicone or wood utensils and handwashing as much as possible. Saying that you can’t scratch the surface of a nonstick pan, even if it’s ceramic, is a very bold statement. Your best bet is to search the manufacturer’s website for extra pots and pans that are compatible with its stackable collection. E. Mishan & Sons, the company behind Gotham Steel and Granitestone, sells its Stackmaster series under both brand names in a range of materials and combinations.
Now that you know more about the brand, I’d like to share some insights on what reviewers and home publications are saying about the brand. The exterior also scratches easily and picks up stains that are hard to remove. First, I poured two cups of cold water into the Gotham cuisinart knife Steel pan. Then, I set it on the stove and turned the burner to the highest setting. When I poured oil or cracked an egg in the center of the pan, it immediately moved to one side and wouldn’t stay in the center. I cooked everything from eggs and vegetables to meat and fish.
Most lids have slightly domed glass, although the Stackmaster Collection is designed with flat glass to make it more stackable. For some reason, it is not directly across from the main handle. Many collections utilize a triple non-stick coating (Original, Cast-Textured, and Stackmaster). The logo is centered on the bottom of the pan, etched into the aluminum.
But again, the goal is to keep the pan in the best shape as long as possible. While these pans are technically metal utensil-safe due to their super-strong titanium reinforcement, the non-stick ceramic coating does not completely prevent scratching. A lot of pans claim to be non-stick, and Gotham Steel claims their pans are so non-stick that cooking oil and butter aren’t necessary. But the quality of non-stick surfaces can vary widely among brands. Gotham Steel pans are supposed to have excellent food release, be safe for metal utensils, and have none of those nasty chemicals people try to avoid. We found the heating performance to be about the same as the rest of the Gotham Steel lines with an encapsulated base.
Whether handling heavy or delicate foods, the right tongs make a huge difference. At a slightly higher price than Gotham Steel, the major benefit offered by Copper Chef is the induction useability. Whether that’s important to you will be a major deciding factor here.