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Woks & Stir-Fry Pans:
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I've used a T-Fal professional near daily for five years now. I don't put it in the dishwater and I don't use metal utensils on it, but other than than I don't follow any other precautions. It stills works like new.
It's not Teflon. Teflon wouldn't last a week in restaurant service. It's one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Tramontina-80114-535DS-Professional-Restaurant/dp/B009HBKQ16/
The coating is much tougher and can withstand metal utensils.
Non-stick pans usually have a short life as in a couple of years. Do not spend a lot on a non stick pan. Your price point of what you might call acceptable to replace every couple years might be different from everyone else is. I would suggest something like the Tramontina Pro nonstick . Thick aluminum walls with a removable handle for placing in the oven. An alternative would be to visit a restaurant supply store and buy a no frills non stick pan. Try to find a non stick pan with as thick of walls as you can, you still want an even heating pan.
I like this one, it's the one America's Test Kitchen reccomends
Why are you looking for so many sizes of non-stick, do you cook everything on non-stick?
You. Whore. Get yourself a real deal commercial nonstick I’ve got some that are a decade old. I take care of them, hand wash, store with rags, no metal. They’re cheaper at Costco.
I've used cast iron woks and they actually do work well. For example, this one. Sure it's heavy, but as someone who uses a cast iron Dutch oven once to twice a week on average, I have no issues lifting it--I also have a 12 inch cast iron skillet that doesn't weigh that much less than the wok and I have no issue lifting it with one arm with food in it. I get that it's not for everyone, but it does work. A steel one is more practical, though, at least IMO.
Just...don't make eggs in it. Also don't force yourself to use a pan...I love my carbon steel, but nothing beats teflon for eggs, and I've had this pan for mostly eggs and its going 3 years strong with daily use (only using silicon or wood spatula and no hard scraping) with no signs of getting less non-stick or having the coating peel or decay.
So much on this sub is like "ohhh look at my egg test" but its just BS posturing. Carbon steel is great for hot and fast searing, over a grill, over a campfire, stir fry, etc. They're great, but they're not egg pans IMHO.
Edit: like I'm not trying to pre-heat a f*cking pan to make eggs in the morning when I can barely even see cause I'm so squinty, and just need to put something in my stomach fast to stabilize the coffee.
I found this at value village for maybe $9. Was a little old but I scrubbed and reseasoned it. It’s the same brand kenji recommends actually which gave me the confidence to pull the trigger in the store. You could also check out the wokshop for accessories and knives
I’m almost certain it’s this one. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AQSWMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7A0BTDW60ZQ7GEG9ES7F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
300$ is top of the line stuff, you should be able to find stuff under 100$ pretty much everywhere. Have you checked Amazon, Walmart or similar? For example I have a no name SS from Macy's I bought almost 15 years ago and it cooks perfectly, still in pristine shape. I think I paid like 30 bucks for it.
Otherwise if you want a one size fits all nonstick pan to hold you over, Cook's Illustrated rated T-Fal their top pick. It's 26 bucks on Amazon US. It's a great pan!
You want a 14" carbon steel wok, with a flat bottom and a Cantonese style helper handle. This is pretty much what you are looking for if we're sticking to Amazon.
This is a case where cheaper is often better. If you're paying much more than $30 online, or $20 in a Chinese grocer or restaurant supply shop, you're being ripped off.
J Kenji Lopez says this one and he has never steered me wrong - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001VQIP4?tag=serieats-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=5123492%7Cne8212c747e6d48a8b251e5a2f987c6ec15
Looks like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KENOTK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I bought one last year, and I've barely touched any other pan since. I still use my cast iron for frying, but once I got this properly seasoned, haven't touched anything different.
So here's my actual wok, I'm not sure how into cooking you are, but woks are like cast irons and have to be taken care of and you have to season it yourself. It's a great product though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001VQIP4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Other than that I'd recommend watching Kenji's video on a wok burner. This is just a crappy one from a market.
Best pans I've ever had. They've lasted the longest too. Normally I find them at Homegoods or TjMaxx but they're pretty cheap on amazon. There's no sense in paying more than you have to.
Cook’s Illustrated highest rate carbon steel pan isn’t riveted. Amazon link
There is a t fal non stick pan on Amazon. It's cheap and has an overwhelming amount of reviews.
Vollrath is also a good name that can be found at a kitchen supply house. Our kitchens at work use exclusively Vollrath and the chef said they replace their non stick about once a year. Which being used in a commercial kitchen is pretty impressive.
I prefer my carbon steel pans over cast iron. Cast iron is more brittle and can break. You will almost always see tons of carbon steel in commercial kitchens. It’s lighter and can take a real beating. They don’t have any kind of nonstick coating to flake off and get into your food. However, you do need to learn how to properly season and care for the pan (there are tons of YouTube videos on this). If you don’t learn how to create and maintain the nonstick surface, you’ll just be frustrated and think there’s something wrong with the cookware. If you take the time to learn, you will never waste your money on nonstick pans again.
I have been absolutely delighted with my latest carbon steel pan. Matfer Bourgeat 62005 frying pan,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KENOTK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The consensus among reviewers is the Tramontina pro 10 inch nonstick skillet is the best:
https://www.amazon.com/Tramontina-80114-535DS-Professional-Restaurant/dp/B009HBKQ16
The price at Amazon is insane (because of Covid?) since this is more than Costco's normal price for the two piece set that includes the 8 and 10 inch skillets.
Right now Costco only has the 14 inch Tramontina pro skillet in stock, but it is still less than what Amazon wants for the 10 incher:
https://www.costco.com/tramontina-proline-14-inch-fry-pan.product.100365411.html
You should be able to find the 10 inch Tramontina for under $30, and there are almost identical models from Volrath and Nordic Ware, under your price point.
I believe this is the wok Kenji Lopez-Alt recommends. Assuming you have a fairly standard western style kitchen, anything that is carbon steel, roughly 2mm thick, and flat bottomed should work. A local restaurant supply store, asian grocery store, etc may have something suitable for a bit cheaper.
Totally agree. Their nonstick coatings are trash. Scanpan too, which is even pricier. I since moved to T-Fal pans recommended by America's Test Kitchen and they are amazing for a couple of years. I'm on my 4th with zero complaints. OXO is supposed to be good too, with less tendency to dome in the middle.
Also, there's a grade above these two pans' coatings. T-Fal Platinum is a level higher but doesn't seem like the better-made pans are using it yet.
I don't think it is better than your ceramic pan imo, but a "Carbon steel" is functionally the same as cast iron, but can be made much lighter. This is also the style of pan common in restaurants.
This is the one I have. It only costs $40 and it does the job wonderfully. I have been having a great time with it.
I just bought a couple Tramontina skillets and they are great. However, I can't tell you how long they'll last. They're extremely non-stick thus far (maybe 2-3 months)..
https://www.amazon.com/Tramontina-80114-536DS-NSF-Certified-Professional/dp/B009HBKQR0?th=1
Regardless of brand, non-stick is always going to need to be replaced every few years with use. Think about buying a few pieces that are lifetime purchases and for non-stick pan, just get something cheap, well rated expecting to be replaced.
Example:
Replace every 2-3 years Non-stick 10" pan: Tramontina 80114/535DS Professional Fry Pan, 10"
Buy it for life set: Tramontina 8-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad is comparable to All-Clad, but only the Tri-Ply Clad. Tramontina makes other types including a set at Costco that is not as good.
Heat over medium with a half tablespoon of butter, add eggs, cook, slide out onto plate, wipe pan with a paper towel and done.
I recently bought this pan on the strength of a Cook's Illustrated review of carbon steel pans:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KENOTK/
I love it, it has all the characteristics I want in a pan. It's lighter than my 12" Lodge cast iron pan but sears as well, and the long handle makes it easy to work with. I use it for everything, I pretty much only get the cast iron out when I need a second pan now.
This is the pan, I bought it based on the recommendation of Cook's Illustrated:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KENOTK/?th=1
It's still only a few months old, but it has quickly become my favorite pan. It was worth every penny, it performs well and I doubt I will ever have to replace it.
Allclad d3 stainless has become my new “nonstick” and is what I recommend regularly.
This one specifically and it will become a family heirloom.
If you just have to have an actual nonstick, get a cheap one one. They all last about the same time before you end up chunking them for a new one, and is the reason I ONLY use mine for heavy sugar or super sticky stuff.
I just got this one last month, and after 2-3 uses, it's great! I cannot, however, tell you how long it will last, but it has 4 1/2 stars with 15,000 ratings...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009HBKQ16?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1
All-Clad D3 Stainless Cookware, 12-Inch Fry Pan with Lid, Tri-Ply Stainless Steel, Professional Grade, Silver, Model: 41126 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUF5K8W/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_EBR620DM7DBVTHD13YB9. Also. Go to Marshalls and get non stick skillets for stuff like fried rice and eggs. I got an all clad non stick from Marshalls for 16 bucks.