Our Table Frying Pan Reviews: The Best Affordable Nonstick Pans

Adriana Lindsey November 25, 2023 1 0

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You’ve been dreaming of fried eggs that sizzle and slide, pancakes that flip with ease, and stir-fries that stir-fry without sticking. You want nonstick cookware that won’t break the bank or fill your home with toxic fumes. You crave kitchen gear that makes cooking a joy instead of a chore. Enter the affordable nonstick pan, your new best friend in the kitchen. We tested dozens of budget-friendly frying pans to find the ones that deliver nonstick nirvana without nasty chemicals or a nasty price tag. Read on for our recommendations for the best affordable nonstick pans that will transform your stovetop cooking and have you high-fiving your breakfast eggs.

Table of Contents

Introducing the Our Table Frying Pan

The Pan That’s Here For a Good Time, Not a Long Time

You want a pan that gets the job done without demanding your firstborn in exchange. Enter the Our Table frying pan, the life of the kitchen party that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

This pan knows you’ve got places to be and eggs to fry stat. With its slick nonstick coating, you’ll be whipping up omelets, flipping pancakes, and sautéing stir fries faster than you can say “pass the hot sauce.” The aluminum construction ensures even, rapid heating, so you’ll be eating in no time.

No more scrubbing away at stuck-on messes; cleanup is a breeze thanks to the nonstick wizardry. A quick wipe with a sponge or paper towel, and you’re done.
The comfy silicone handle stays cool to the touch, so go ahead and get cookin’ without the oven mitts.
At just 1.5 pounds, this pan is lighter than your ex’s new fling. And when the cooking’s done, it nestles neatly in your cabinet without eating up all the space.

The Our Table frying pan gets the job done without the drama. It’s the pan-European equivalent of your fun friend who’s always up for casual drinks and laughs but draws the line at helping you move. Affordable, low-key, and down for whatever—just how a frying pan should be. Now, who wants pancakes?

Our Table Frying Pan Review: Durability and Performance

When it comes to durability, these affordable frying pans can take a beating. Our top picks are made of hard anodized aluminum or stainless steel, so they can handle high stovetop heat without warping.

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Anodized Aluminum: Nearly Indestructible

The anodized aluminum pans on our list are virtually indestructible. Anodization creates an electrochemical reaction that hardens the surface of the aluminum, making it extremely durable. These babies can go from stovetop to oven (up to 400 F) without issue. They’re also non-reactive, so you can cook acidic foods without worrying about the pan breaking down.

Scratch-resistant and built to last, anodized aluminum is a solid choice if you’re looking for a pan that can stand up to daily use and abuse. The only downside is that anodized aluminum isn’t nonstick without a coating. But with some oil or nonstick spray, you’re good to go.

Stainless Steel: Scratch-Resistant but Requires Oil

Stainless steel pans are extremely durable and long-lasting. They heat evenly and are non-reactive, so you can cook anything in them. Stainless steel can handle high heat without warping and is dishwasher safe. These pans will likely become family heirlooms.

The catch is that stainless steel isn’t naturally nonstick, so you’ll need to add some oil. But with a little fat and some patience to build up the seasoning, a stainless steel pan will become nicely nonstick over time. Stainless steel may show some scratches, but that won’t affect performance. If appearance is a top priority, go with an anodized aluminum pan. Otherwise, you can’t beat stainless steel for durability.

Our Table Frying Pan Cooking Results

So how did these affordable frying pans actually perform in our kitchen? We’ll give it to you straight. No holds barred. The unvarnished truth.

Our Table’s 10-inch Frying Pan

This pan heated evenly and browned foods nicely. Its nonstick coating lived up to the hype—eggs slid right out without hesitation. We subjected it to the “fried egg test,” and it passed with flying colors. No sticking whatsoever.

However, its handle did get extremely hot, even when used over medium heat. We recommend wearing an oven mitt or gripper to avoid minor burns. Unless you enjoy juggling a hot pan between your hands like a circus act, that is.

This pan was also a bit heavy and unwieldy for its size. Not ideal if you have limited stovetop space or a small kitchen. On the upside, its heft means it retains heat well, which helps when searing meat and veggies.

Our Table’s 8-inch Frying Pan

Compact but surprisingly roomy, this little pan is ideal for cooking for one or two. It heats quickly and cooks evenly, making it ideal for scrambling a few eggs or sautéing a handful of greens.

Its petite size makes it easy to maneuver and store. However, the nonstick coating seems a bit delicate and may not last as long with frequent use and washing. We noticed some minor scratches after a few months of regular cooking and cleaning. For light or occasional use, it should hold up fine. Just be sure to hand wash and avoid abrasive scrubbers to keep the nonstick coating intact.

In the end, both of these budget-friendly frying pans performed admirably and should meet the needs of most home cooks looking for an affordable, nonstick option. As with any nonstick pan, handle with care, avoid high heat and abrasive cleaning, and re-season regularly to maximize its lifespan. If you follow these tips, you’ll be whipping up fried rice, omelets, and hash browns for years to come.

Cleaning and Maintenance of the Our Table Frying Pan

Now that you’ve seasoned and cooked with your Our Table frying pan, it’s time for the not-so-fun part—cleaning up. But don’t worry; with a little care and maintenance, your nonstick coating will last for years.

To clean your pan, simply wipe it out with a soft sponge or nylon scrubber and hot, soapy water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, scrubbers, or steel wool, which can damage the nonstick coating. For stuck-on bits, fill it with water and dish soap and let it soak before scrubbing. Once clean, rinse and dry with a kitchen towel or paper towel. Never put your Our Table pan in the dishwasher, as this can lead to a dull, scratched finish.

When drying, take care not to gouge the nonstick coating with utensils or the edge of the pan itself. Store the pan unstacked to prevent scratches. If scratches or cuts do appear in the coating, avoid using metal utensils when cooking, as these can snag and rip the coating further. Minor scratches won’t affect performance, but if there are numerous scratches, it’s best to replace the pan.

To keep your Our Table pan in tip-top shape, re-season it every few months or if food starts to stick. Wipe 1 teaspoon of vegetable, canola, or flaxseed oil over the entire pan with a paper towel. Place upside-down in an oven at 350 F for about an hour. Let it cool, then wipe away excess oil with a paper towel. Your pan is now seasoned and ready to sauté, sear, and fry like new!

With proper care and maintenance, your Table frying pan should provide years of nonstick cooking performance. But if it ever loses its slip or food starts clinging like an overzealous ex, it may be time to invest in a replacement. After all, few things are more frustrating than wrestling with a stubborn pan when all you want is an omelet.

Our Final Verdict: Is Our Table Frying Pan Worth It?

So, after all is said and done, should you drop your hard-earned cash on the Our Table frying pan? If you’re tired of your eggs sticking to the bottom of the pan and want a durable nonstick pan that’s easy on the wallet, we say go for it.

This pan hits the sweet spot of high performance at a low cost. The ceramic nonstick coating works like a dream, releasing foods effortlessly without leaving a sticky mess behind. And unlike certain unnamed toxic coatings (cough, Teflon), the Our Table pan’s ceramic is PTFE- and PFOA-free, so you can cook without fear of noxious fumes.

The aluminum construction ensures even, rapid heating, whether you’re searing scallops or sautéing spinach. And though it’s not the heaviest pan, it still has enough heft to get the job done. The handle stays cool to the touch, and the pan is oven-safe to 400 F, so you can finish cooking in the oven or keep food warm after stovetop cooking.

For the price, the Our Table frying pan over-delivers. While more expensive brands may last a bit longer or have slightly better nonstick performance over time, this pan will serve you well for several years with proper care and use. For casual home cooks who want an affordable, versatile, eco-friendly nonstick pan, the Our Table frying pan is a no-brainer.

If we had to find a downside, it’s that the nonstick coating may start to deteriorate after a couple of years of heavy use. But at such an attractive price point, you can consider it a consumable and simply replace the pan. Overall, the Our Table frying pan punches above its weight class and has earned a spot in our kitchen tool arsenal. We think it’ll earn a spot in yours too.

Conclusion

So there you have it, you now know how to upgrade your kitchen and cookware arsenal without dropping half your paycheck at the designer kitchen store. While copper pans and handcrafted Japanese knives are nice to look at, a good nonstick pan that gets the job done for under $30 is really all you need. Stop making excuses, throw out that old scratched-up pan you’ve been clinging to for far too long, and treat yourself to an affordable nonstick frying pan that will actually make cooking more enjoyable. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Now enough reading, get to shopping – your new favorite pan is waiting!