SCANPAN REVIEWS – CTX, STRATANIUM, CLASSIC & PROFESSIONAL FRY PANS

Scanpan Classic Nonstick Fry Pan

Design:

At 10-1/4 inches, this is a standard sized frying pan with a medium-length handle and steep sides. The pan is heavy and well balanced, with no rivets to interrupt the flow of the ingredients.

Except for a small steel throat where the handle attaches to the skillet, the pan is black all over, making it easy to spot if the rest of your cookware has metal tones.

Materials:

Scanpan is notorious for including a nonstick coating on their squeeze-cast aluminum cookware, and their classic pan continues the trend. Known as "STRATANIUM," the trademark nonstick finish is PFOA free. Like many similar glazes, it requires little to no oil, but it's also strong enough to withstand the punishment of metal utensils.

Usability:

It is entirely oven-safe and capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 500 degrees. Because of its high, steep sides, we think it's a great fit for omelets or frittatas. The quality nonstick surface is also a great partner for pan-seared fish.

Since the base of the pan is so thick, it can be used on any type of cooking surface. It also resists warping, so if you have a ceramic or glass stovetop, you're bound to appreciate its qualities.

As we mentioned above, there's no need to "baby" the surface with wood and silicone utensils. Unlike some nonstick finishes, this one isn't prone to denting or scarring from the use of metal implements. That said, we would recommend taking as much care as possible if you opt to use metal-tipped tongs or spatulas.

Cleaning:

The STRATANIUM nonstick surface does more than cut down on the amount of oil needed for browning—it also makes cleanup a breeze.

Because the material is crafted for endurance, this pan can easily go into the dishwasher. If you do opt to wash it by hand, any stubborn particles should slough right off under gentle pressure from a scrubbing brush or abrasive sponge.

Scanpan Professional Nonstick Fry Pan

Design:

This 8-inch pan is outfitted with a long stainless steel handle, which is attached to the main component via a pair of rivets. The handle is tapered so that it's thicker at the end to allow for a firmer grip.

The sides of the pan are medium-high, with gently sloping sides. Black in color, it has a sleek appearance and a low profile for easy storage.

Materials:

While the handle and rivets are composed of smooth stainless steel, the main component features the squeeze-cast aluminum construction that Scanpan is known for. Likewise, the nonstick coating carries the "STRATANIUM" label, meaning that it requires very little seasoning but is durable enough to withstand metal utensils.

All of the materials used in the construction of this pan are PFOA-free. The unit is also dishwasher safe.

Usability:

The core of this pan is well constructed, with a thick plate that resists warping at high temperatures. Because it's oven safe at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it works well for recipes like bone-in chicken breast that need to be pan-seared and then finished in the oven.

However, note that its diminutive size means that it's best reserved for times when you're cooking for just one person.

You can use the Scanpan Professional Fry Pan on just about any surface, but it's especially well-suited to glass and ceramic stovetops. No seasoning is required before first use. The superior nonstick coating also means that very little butter or oil is needed for sautéing, although you might choose to add a dab or two for flavoring.

Cleaning:

It earns high marks in this category thanks to its "STRATANIUM" nonstick surface. While it's dishwasher safe, it responds well to just a few swipes with an abrasive sponge and a good rinse using hot water. For best results, make sure the pan is thoroughly dry before returning it to its storage space.

Scanpan CTX Stratanium Fry Pan

Design:

The Scanpan CTX is a 12-3/4 inch frying pan with a riveted steel handle and a black nonstick interior. Thick, gently sloping sides give way to a generous cooking surface. Overall, this is a heavy and attractive unit, designed to handle a myriad of different cooking applications.

We think the handle is relatively short for a pan of this size, but otherwise, the design is well thought out.

Materials:

For the CTX, Scanpan advertises a recycled aluminum core with its trademark Stratanium ceramic titanium nonstick coating. Its 5-ply construction allows for superb heat distribution.

Both the handle and exterior are composed of 18/10 stainless steel. All of the materials are PFOA-free and dishwasher safe.

Usability:

The extra-thick bottom and overall sturdy construction of this pan make it a good fit for all cooking surfaces. It's even induction-ready, which sets this model apart from Scanpan's more basic offerings. Heat retention and distribution are excellent, although we wish the handle extended further from the base of the pan.

Similarly, although the materials are dishwasher safe, it's probably better to wash this one by hand if you expect it to hold up to a lifetime of frequent use.

The CTX is oven safe at temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also broiler safe, making it a great choice for melted cheese dishes that need a quick browning before they're served. We especially appreciate its generous size, which can accommodate recipes meant to serve 4-6 people.

Cleaning:

Thanks to its hardy nonstick coating, the Scanpan CTX is exceedingly easy to care for. Just douse it with plenty of hot, soapy water, give the surface a good scrubbing with an abrasive sponge, and rinse well.

If time is short, you can put the pan in the dishwasher, but most of the debris is likely to come off anyway when you give it the preliminary rinse.

Scanpan CTX Stainless Steel Covered Chef’s Pan

Design:

This 12-3/4 inch covered saucepan resembles a flying saucer from Jules Verne-era science fiction. Low-slung, with two riveted half-moon handles built into the sides, it's pleasingly heavy and well-balanced.

The lid features a glass center, allowing you to peek at your ingredients during the cooking process. The circumference of the lid has the same stainless steel finish as the saucepan itself. 

Materials:

Like the majority of Scanpan's offerings, the CTX Covered pan features a pure aluminum core. The stainless steel exterior makes it instantly recognizable as well as durable. The interior features the same ceramic nonstick coating that distinguishes it from the competition.

As we mentioned, the lid is composed of stainless steel and glass, with a steel handle to match the ones located on the sides of the pan. All the materials are PFOA-free, in addition to being dishwasher safe.

Usability:

While this pan would have plenty of uses on its own, the included lid only serves to boost its standing in the versatility department. Whether you're looking to fry a few pieces of chicken, sauté a batch of mushrooms, or simmer a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce, this pan will get the job done. It can even pull double duty as a baking pan for fruit cobbler or apple crisp.

The twin handles make it simple to transfer this unit from the stovetop to the oven. The glass lid comes in especially handy when preparing dumplings or other steamed dishes. Scanpan's CTX products are induction-ready and suitable for use on all cooking surfaces. Thanks to its low profile, storage is easy.

Cleaning:

The ceramic nonstick surface cleans up easily with the aid of an abrasive sponge and a hot, soapy sink. The steel exterior and handles might require a heartier scrubbing if any ingredients have adhered to the surface. All of the components are dishwasher safe, but we would recommend taking care with the glass lid.

Scanpan HaptIQ Nonstick 2-Piece Frying Pan Set

Design:

Three pans are included in this set: an 8-inch and 10.25-inch model. All are virtually identical save for the size, with gently sloping sides, nonstick interior, and a black finish.

The well-proportioned, sleek handles are made of 18/10 stainless steel, with only two thin bands of metal connecting them to the pan element.

Materials:

Both of these Scanpan HaptIQ pans are constructed of 5 layers of recycled squeeze-cast aluminum and stainless steel. The ergonomic stainless steel handle is riveted for a firm grip.

The titanium nonstick interior is Stratanium Plus, the highest-grade surface from the manufacturer. The Plus comes from the unique haptic surface, allowing for even better food release than the standard Stratanium. The materials are all PFOA- and PFOS-free, and suitable for use in the dishwasher.

Usability:

These pans are as heavy and durable as Scanpan's other premium offerings, bringing commercial-grade qualities to your kitchen.

The 8-inch unit is great for omelets, while the 10.25-inch is just the right size to make 4 fried eggs sunny-side-up. The larger skillet also works well for pastas and other sauced dishes.

Since all the pans are oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be moved from the stovetop to the oven with ease.

We like to flip the pan frequently while sautéing vegetables and stir-fries, and the weight of these pans add the feeling of perfect control to these maneuvers.

These pans are suitable for use on any type of cooking surface, including induction.

Cleaning:

Scanpan advertises this set as being dishwasher safe. Nevertheless, we would recommend washing by hand as often as possible to preserve the unique ceramic nonstick coating. The process shouldn't take too long, especially if you wash the pans as soon as possible after cooking.

The set contains: