Gotham Steel Review: Good, Great, or Garbage?

Gotham Steel is a popular brand of nonstick ceramic cookware. Gotham Steel is free of many toxic chemicals that people don't want in their cookware, and they put out great late-night infomercial ads where they abuse the pan with hammers and electric beaters--and still, the eggs slide right out without use of oil or butter.

But is it really "the last pan you'll ever need"? Find out here in our detailed review--and if those eggs really ARE sliding right out.

Gotham Steel Cookware Summary: Most people think it's garbage.

Best features: The nonstick works great when new; inexpensive.

Worst features: Pans are thin and heat unevenly; nonstick coating doesn't last very long.

Recommendation: If you are on a tight budget, these pans are an okay choice, but you can spend a little more and get much higher quality (we like GreenPan).

For more information on nonstick cookware and Gotham Steel competitors, see our articles Ceramic Frying Pans: Better than PTFE?, Ultimate Green Pan Review, ScanPan Review, and our look at GraniteRock/GraniteStone pans. 

You can also check out our complete guide to buying copper cookware, which might help you understand how Gotham Steel fits into the larger category of nonstick copper cookware.

Gotham Steel Cookware Options at a Glance

Most people think of Gotham Steel as the familiar copper-colored nonstick pans, but they actually make several cookware lines, as well as bakeware. Some of their large sets include both cookware and bakeware. They also make knives and small appliances (like air fryers and indoor grills). Here, we look just at the cookware. 

Most of the Gotham Steel lines have the familiar copper-colored, nonstick ceramic interior the brand is best known for, but they also make a couple of lines with a black nonstick surface that's slightly different. 

See below for details on information, our testing, and recommendations for each line. 

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Who Is Gotham Steel?

Gotham Steel is a brand name owned and manufactured by Gotham Steel, LLC. Gotham Steel cookware is also sold by the Emson company, famous for their As Seen on TV products.

Emson does not manufacture goods, but rather is an importer of foreign-made products sold in the American market. Gotham Steel cookware, bakeware, knives, and electronics are all made in China and sold in the US by Emson and by Gotham Steel LLC. 

Gotham Steel is well known for its late night infomercials, but the cookware is also sold on Amazon and at several other outlets including Wal-Mart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Home Depot.

Emson sells many well-known brand names, including GraniteStone. This accounts for the similar marketing strategies of GraniteStone and Gotham Steel, including sending a small egg/omelet pan with every purchase from their online store (although many reviewers say they never received the pan with their order, and they seem to have discontinued this practice). 

You can visit the Emson website here, the Gotham Steel website here and here, and the Gotham Steel store here.

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Are Gotham Steel Pans Good Quality? (The "Arbitration Agreement")

These pans get very mixed reviews on Amazon and elsewhere (more on that below), and overall, we consider the pans of mediocre quality: they are very thin and lightweight, which doesn't bode well for heating performance (this was borne out in our tests: the pans heated super fast, lost heat super fast, and had a lot of hot and cold spots). 

Some people may want a super light pan like this, though (for example, if they have ergonomic issues), so overall, you're going to have to decide for yourself whether these pans are good quality; there's a wide range of acceptable among the buying public.

But we do have one telling piece of evidence to share here, and that is the Arbitration Agreement that came with the pan. This is a long disclaimer that basically says if you buy the pan, you enter into an agreement not to sue the company for any reason. 

The company is essentially protecting themselves from lawsuits for false advertising. It's probably rooted in a class action suit brought against Gotham Steel some years ago for false advertising (they allege that the pans are not nonstick). You can read more about it here. 

The company has a right to try to prevent further action against them, but we think buyers should know about this Arbitration Agreement before buying. It is not typical of the small print that usually comes with cookware.

(And by the way, the Agreement that comes with the pan is probably meaningless: to enter into most agreements, the buyer has to sign it. If you've not signed anything, they probably can't stop you from taking whatever action you want--but you'd have to check the law in your state to be certain.)

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Do Gotham Steel Pans Contain PTFE?

No: The Gotham Steel website says all of their products are free of PTFE (the generic name for the Teflon® molecule). 

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What Are Gotham Steel Pans Made Of?

Most Gotham Steel cookware has an aluminum body that's sprayed with a nonstick ceramic coating. One of the lines, the Pro Anodized, is anodized aluminum (this is aluminum that's been treated to make it extremely durable).

The Pro Chef line has a tri-ply clad stainless steel body with an aluminum interior for heat transfer (i.e., stainless-aluminum--stainless). The nonstick ceramic coating is applied to the interior layer of stainless steel.

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What Is Nonstick Ceramic Coating?

To understand what nonstick ceramic is, you first have to understand the basics about nonstick cookware coatings in general:

There are two types--and only two types--of nonstick coating: PTFE and ceramic. They can both be reinforced with all sorts of materials including granite, titanium, and diamond dust, but the nonstick base is always PTFE or ceramic. If a company calls their nonstick cookware "titanium" or "granite" they aren't telling the whole truth, because those particles are only reinforcements to a PTFE or ceramic nonstick coating.

PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene, which is a long chain hydrocarbon molecule (that is, derived from petroleum). It has been used on cookware since the 1950s, and has gained a reputation for being unsafe. While there is some truth to that belief, it's complicated--and it's just as true that PTFE coatings are perfectly safe when used correctly. (See our article 10 Myths About Nonstick Cookware for more information.) 

Ceramic nonstick coatings came on the scene around 2007. Ceramic nonstick coatings are made from clay or sand, which is basically heated to melting and sprayed onto cookware, then baked to a hard finish (though it's a bit more complicated than that). The actual process used is called the sol-gel process (click the link to read more about it).

People see ceramic nonstick as a solution to the potential health and environmental issues with PTFE cookware; we'll discuss more about how accurate this is in the sections below. 

Original Gotham Steel cookware has a ceramic nonstick coating that's reinforced with titanium. Gotham Steel's new Diamond Platinum line is also ceramic nonstick that's reinforced with diamond dust. The reinforcements sit slightly above the nonstick coating, which helps protect it from scratches. The reinforcements can result in a smooth coating, as in the case of the Gotham Steel titanium ceramic, or a textured one, like the Gotham Steel Diamond Platinum. 

Note also that nonstick ceramic is a different substance than actual ceramic cookware like Corningware or Xtrema. It is also different than the enamel coating found on some cast iron cookware (like le Creuset). Nonstick ceramic coating is only found on nonstick cookware, and is sometimes referred to as "quasi-ceramic" because even though it's made from sand (like "real" ceramics), it's a completely different substance than that used in other, non-nonstick cookware.

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Is Ceramic Nonstick Safer than PTFE?

The best answer here is maybe (or probably if we're being generous).

PTFE Concerns

PTFE is perfectly safe when used correctly. However, at high heat--above about 490F--it begins to decompose, giving off fumes that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and be lethal to birds. (If you have a pet bird, you should not own any PTFE nonstick cookware.) 

PTFE cookware also used a compound called PFOA in the manufacturing process. PFOA is a nasty environmental contaminant, and is probably also a carcinogen. PFOA was outlawed in cookware in 2015, which is good. However, we don't have good knowledge of what it's been replaced with, and it's entirely possible (even likely) that the new material used is also dangerous. PFOS is the larger chemical family PFOA belongs to, so when cookware claims to be PFOS-free as well as PFOA-free, this is good--but we still don't know what they're using. Without full disclosure about this from cookware makers, it's impossible to say if it's safe--and therefore an ongoing concern. 

The truth is, though, that the PFOA (or similar chemical) is used up in the manufacturing process, so you are more likely to get PFOA (or similar chemical) from your drinking water than you are from your cookware. 

The environmental concerns are probably still real, and it's worth avoiding PTFE cookware for this reason alone.

Nonstick Ceramic Concerns

Nonstick ceramic coatings are made from inorganic materials (clay or sand), so they are very stable and non-reactive. At first glance, they appear to be much safer than PTFE. They are harder, can take more abuse, and will never release dangerous fumes no matter how high you heat them. But there is a health issue associated with ceramic nonstick cookware: titanium dioxide nanoparticles. 

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are microscopic particles used in the sol-gel coating process (which means that every brand of ceramic nonstick cookware has them). They have been associated with a number of health issues, including carcinogenic tumors. 

One important thing to note here is that these particles seem to release only at high heat--higher than most kitchen ranges can reach. Though this hasn't been verified, it's probably the case that nonstick ceramic cookware is safe to use under almost all conditions.

The evidence is still pretty new and more research is needed. But this is a compelling concern about nonstick ceramic cookware that people should be aware of. 

The environmental concerns associated with nonstick ceramic are less well known than with PTFE cookware, and most people assume it's a cleaner manufacturing process because there are no petrochemicals involved. The truth, though, is that we just can't say for sure. All mass manufacturing processes have a big carbon footprint and use up resources; there's just no way around that fact of modern life.

Ceramic nonstick cookware making might be a cleaner process than PTFE nonstick cookware making--but we can't say for sure that's the case.

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Is Ceramic Nonstick More Durable than PTFE?

Yes and no. 

Nonstick ceramic is a harder substance that resists scratching better than PTFE, so in that sense, it's more durable. It can also withstand high heat without breaking down or emitting dangerous fumes.

This would lead you to believe that nonstick ceramic will last longer than PTFE, right? But the evidence shows that the opposite is true: PTFE nonstick has a longer life span than ceramic nonstick.

The most generous estimate is that ceramic nonstick will last for about as long as PTFE, which is estimated to be 1-5 years. But in reality, ceramic nonstick loses its nonstick properties quickly. If you read reviews, you'll find many that say the nonstick coating lasted less than a year; in some cases, only a few months.

So even though ceramic nonstick is more durable than PTFE, it has, on average, a shorter nonstick life.

The good news here is that even if after the ceramic coating stops working, it's still safe to use--so you can continue to use it with butter or cooking oil without concerns about dangerous fumes (as you'd have with PTFE). Even chips and scratches don't render ceramic nonstick cookware unsafe, though they may be more likely to release titanium dioxide nanoparticles (we don't know that for sure, though).

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Is the Diamond Platinum Coating More Durable than the Original Gotham Steel Nonstick Coating?

Probably not.

Diamond is a harder substance than titanium, so you might be inclined to think that a diamond-reinforced coating would be more durable. 

In testing, though, it doesn't seem to be. The diamond-reinforced coating doesn't perform any better than the original titanium coating: it scratches fairly easily, just like the original Gotham Steel coating. Just as important, the nonstick properties aren't any better.

The main difference between the diamond coating and the titanium coating are that the diamond coating has a rough texture, while the titanium coating is smooth. Rough-textured coatings are a popular fad in nonstick cookware, but there's little to no evidence that they have better nonstick properties. They are considered to be more durable, but we aren't sure this is the case, either. 

In fact, we've seen little difference in performance, durability, or longevity between plain nonstick coatings and reinforced nonstick coatings, or smooth nonstick coatings and textured nonstick coatings. This is true regardless of what they're reinforced with (e.g., titanium, diamond, or granite particles). 

The reviews of Diamond Platinum support our testing results. They get some of the worst reviews of all the Gotham Steel products. This alone isn't conclusive evidence, but along with our testing, we're pretty confident when we say that Diamond Platinum is not any more durable than the original titanium ceramic Gotham Steel products, and it is not more nonstick, either.

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Why Should I Wash By Hand and Not Use Metal Utensils (If this Cookware Is So Durable)?

Durability is the holy grail that nonstick cookware makers have been searching for since there's been nonstick cookware. This is because nonstick cookware doesn't last: it's average life span is 1-5 years whether PTFE or ceramic (though in our experience, ceramic's useful life is even shorter, sometimes lasting less than a year).

Reinforcing nonstick coatings with tough materials does help to prevent scratching, which technically makes them okay to use with metal utensils. However, reinforcements don't prevent scratching. Metal utensils are still going to scratch reinforced nonstick coatings. 

Dishwasher detergent has tiny abrasive particles that are very bad for nonstick coatings--and titanium or diamond particles do not protect the coatings from these abrasive particles. 

So if you want your nonstick cookware to last, don't use metal utensils, and don't put it in the dishwasher. 

To support this statement, notice that, even though Gotham Steel claims that their cookware is metal utensil safe, the utensils they include with their sets are not metal--they're plastic. In fact, if you read the fine print on all nonstick cookware manufacturer's sites, you'll find that the vast majority of them recommend using plastic or wooden utensils and washing their cookware by hand (even though they make very different claims in their advertisements).  

Additionally, you should never use more than medium heat on your nonstick cookware. Heat kills nonstick properties faster than anything else, so using low heat will get you the longest life out of your nonstick cookware. (And yes, this is true for both PTFE and ceramic nonstick pans.)

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How Does Gotham Steel Compare to Other Copper Nonstick Cookware?

Gotham Steel is one of several popular, inexpensive brands of copper-colored nonstick ceramic cookware. Others include Copper Chef, Red Copper, Bulbhead, and Michelangelo, plus dozens of more lesser-known brands. All these brands are extremely similar, with the orange interior and stainless handles. Prices are all similar, as well. 

We haven't tested all of these brands, but we're pretty certain that they're all close in quality and performance. In fact, we suspect that many or all of them are made in the same factory in China; it's a common practice--called OEM, original equipment manufacturer--for companies to buy pre-made goods and put their logo on them. We see this in several of the products we review, including induction burners, sous vide immersion circulators, and vacuum sealers. If you've ever noticed striking similarities among different brands of products, you may be looking at OEM products. 

So is Gotham Steel higher quality than the others? It's the only one (we know of) that has titanium in its coating, so it may be slightly more durable nonstick. The build quality of the pans seems about the same across the board (even if they're not made in the same factory). 

Also: note that there is no copper in these inexpensive, copper-colored nonstick pans. Real copper is expensive, so if you want copper, you will have to look at a significantly higher price point. Check out our Copper Cookware article for more information on the types of copper (and copper-colored) cookware. 

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Are Gotham Steel Pans Recyclable?

Nonstick cookware of both types is technically recyclable, but most curbside recycling programs don't take nonstick cookware because it requires a special recycling process. You may be able to find programs in your area, or programs you can mail your old pans to. 

So the short answer is yes, as long as they're made of aluminum and/or steel--but check with your recycler before tossing a nonstick pan in the recycling bin.

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Do Gotham Steel Pans Work with Induction Cooktops?

The Original line of Gotham Steel do not work with induction cooktops. The rest of the lines are induction compatible.

However, it's important to note that many reviewers complained that some of the Gotham Steel lines did not work with their induction cooktops. We had no problems with the skillets we tested (they worked fine). We suspect that the problem is that the smaller pans are too lightweight for the cooktop to detect them, or possibly that there isn't enough magnetic stainless steel for the induction circuit to work correctly. 

If you have an induction cooktop, we recommend you avoid the smaller pieces of Gotham Steel cookware--but the 10-inch and larger skillets should be fine.

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How to Extend the Life of Your Gotham Steel Pan

The best way to extend the life of all your nonstick cookware is to use low heat, wooden or plastic utensils, and wash by hand. If you are careful to always do these things, your nonstick pans will last as long as possible.

You can also sometimes restore the slippery surface to ceramic nonstick pans by scrubbing them gently with an abrasive pad. Nonstick surfaces can get buildup that reduces their nonstick properties, so if you can reduce the buildup, you can make the surface slippery again.

This only works with ceramic nonstick; never use anything abrasive on a PTFE pan.

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Our Testing Results (Is Gotham Steel Really Nonstick?)

Gotham Steel claims you don't need to use any butter or oil with their pans.

We tested them to see if that held true.

Our tests were pretty basic: frying an egg and cooking a piece of fish (the two tasks that nonstick skillets are best for).

We used low to medium heat and silicone utensils for all tests. 

Eggs

Our first test was an over-easy egg without any butter or oil. The egg stuck to the pan pretty badly at first, then it eventually released naturally. Unfortunately, by the time it released, the egg was much more done than most people like their eggs. 

Scrambled eggs fared better, but there was some residue in the pan after cooking; they did not slide out like you see on the infomercial. 

A small pat of butter, about a teaspoon, made a huge difference. The over easy egg flipped right over and slid out of the pan. 

We cooked about 2 dozen eggs, and we noticed that even with butter, the eggs were sticking to the pan worse at the end than at the beginning.

We had similar results for the Diamond Platinum pan, but we found that the rougher texture made eggs stick more, not less, without any butter.

Fish

Fish also released naturally after it had cooked to a certain point--but when we flipped it over to finish it, it had overcooked, just like the eggs, if we waited until it fully released.

With a little bit of olive oil, the fish cooked very nicely.

The fish released a little more quickly on the Diamond Platinum pan, and did not get overcooked. 

Overall, we would call the nonstick properties of these pans mediocre. We found that using a small amount of cooking oil gave us the best results. 

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How to Buy Nonstick Pans (The Most Important Features) 

Here we discuss the things to keep in mind before you buy. 

Why We Recommend Buying Nonstick Skillets Only

Our first recommendation for buying nonstick cookware is to buy skillets only, and avoid buying entire sets.

We recommend this because nonstick cookware (both types) is notoriously short-lived; the average lifespan is 1-5 years. Many people replace their pans every year or every other year; this is just part of the cost of doing business with nonstick cookware. 

So, if you buy entire sets, you may have to replace several pieces of your cookware every year or every other year. This adds up, and you end up going through a lot of cookware. Even if you don't mind replacing your cookware this often, think of the landfill issue: it's a lot of waste, particularly when there are other types of cookware that lasts for decades (e.g., cast iron, carbon steel, and clad stainless steel).

Furthermore, skillets get the hardest use in your kitchen and usually require the most effort in cleanup: dry heat, lots of cooking oil, and searing/browning all take a toll on your skillet. So a skillet is the piece that benefits the most from a nonstick coating--as far as cleaning goes.

We also recommend that your nonstick skillet should not be your primary skillet; you should use a nonstick skillet for just sticky or delicate foods (such as eggs and fish). A nonstick skillet isn't a good option for many tasks that require high heat for best results (such as searing), and it isn't necessary for foods that aren't sticky or delicate (such as vegetables, burgers, chicken breasts, and more). 

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.

For these reasons, we don't spend a lot of time looking at Gotham Steel set options in this review. We do provide links, though, so you can check out the options for yourself.

If you do want to buy a set, here are a few tips:

• Buy a small set rather than a large set, then add pieces as you need to. 
• Pay careful attention to the sizes of the set pieces as they are often on the small side, especially with inexpensive brands like Gotham Steel.
• Make sure you'll use all the pieces in a set before you buy (otherwise you're just wasting your money).

Type of Nonstick

As we said, there are two types of nonstick: PTFE and ceramic. Make sure you're buying the type of nonstick you want. 

This can be easier said than done, because makers can bury that information below a mountain of marketing. This is especially true for PTFE pans, but it can happen with both types. 

For more information on figuring out what type of nonstick a pan is, see our article Nonstick Cookware: PTFE or Ceramic? A Comprehensive Guide.

Heating Properties

Since heating is arguably the most important characteristic of cookware, the heating properties of a pan are important to understand. In general, you want a pan that heats quickly and evenly (this is known as thermal conductivity), and hangs onto heat fairly well (this is known as heat retention). Both of these properties depend on two things: a pan's material (the base metal), and a pan's mass (i.e., thickness).

Gotham Steel pans are made of aluminum, which has a very good thermal conductivity rating. However, Gotham Steel pans are stamped aluminum. This is typically the thinnest (and least expensive) type of aluminum pan, as opposed to cast or forged aluminum, which is thicker (and usually not a lot more expensive).

Because Gotham Steel pans are on the thin side, they don't conduct heat as well as thicker aluminum pans do. The good news is that they heat very quickly; they just don't heat very evenly, so you'll see a fair number of hot and cold spots during cooking. (This is normal for very thin cookware.)

Heat retention is even more dependent on mass than thermal conductivity, so Gotham Steel pans rate poorly. They simply don't have enough mass to provide very good heat retention (because they're so thin). The good news is that this is less important for most cooking tasks than conductivity. For example, you need good heat retention for high heat searing, but you wouldn't use a nonstick pan for this, anyway (at least we hope you wouldn't). 

The Gotham Steel Pro Chef line is tri-ply clad stainless steel, so it actually has less aluminum than the other lines. (Stainless steel is a terrible heat conductor.) The encapsulated base makes up for this somewhat, giving it roughly similar heating properties to the other (all aluminum) Gotham Steel lines.

Overall, the heating properties of Gotham Steel pans are mediocre. They are certainly usable--but you will find better, more even, more stable heating at only slightly higher price points.

Build Quality and Durability

How well made is the pan? How long will it last? 

You want to look at what the pan is made of, how much it weighs, and what the lids and handles are made of. (Hint: stainless steel lids and handles are typically the highest quality.)

At the Gotham Steel price point, you can't expect stellar build quality. The thinness of these pans makes them very lightweight, so they can bend easily; we like the stainless handles, but they are also on the thin side, so not super durable.

Other than the Original line, all the Gotham Steel pans have an encapsulated base to make them induction compatible. This base also adds to the pan's durability, making it much less prone to warp than if they didn't have the extra base.

For an inexpensive pan, Gotham Steel has a few nice qualities, such as the stainless steel handle and the encapsulated base (found on all but the Original pan). If you have ergonomic issues and need lightweight cookware, Gotham Steel is a decent choice. But you can find more durable cookware out there--and again, for not a lot more. Any cast aluminum pan is going to be more durable and warp-resistant than any stamped aluminum pan (and still be fairly lightweight).

Pan Design

How does the pan feel in your hand? Is the handle comfortable and easy to stabilize? Does the lid fit well? Are the lid handles easy to grasp? Are they pans shallow or deep? Is it easy to get a turner into the skillet?

Do you like the looks of the cookware?

You often can't know all of these things until after you buy, but you should explore as many of them as you can. Gotham Steel cookware actually has a very nice design. The skillets have a good shape, with lots of flat cooking surface (some skillets have long sloping sides and a small amount of flat cooking surface). The sauce pans are deep but not too deep. The stainless steel handles are comfortable to hold and easy to stabilize. The lids fit well.

There are a few issues, such as water getting stuck in the lids. And again, the light weight, which you may like, but which isn't going to provide the best heating properties. 

For inexpensive cookware, Gotham Steel has a number of nice qualities, so much so that it looks like it's more expensive than it is. It's one of the best brands you can find at this price point. However, don't expect stellar performance or durability from this brand.

Value/Budget

Is the cookware a good value? Are you getting your money's worth? Does it have a good warranty?

What people consider a good value will vary, but we think that with nonstick cookware, you should buy cheap--but not too cheap. And, that you should buy often--but not too often.

We think this because you have to replace nonstick cookware every few years, and this is true even if you buy an expensive, clad stainless pan--so don't buy expensive clad stainless. Especially when an inexpensive aluminum pan works just as well (and in some cases better). 

But if you buy too cheap, your pans will be too thin and lightweight, and aren't going to have very good heating properties. This will result in uneven heating and scorching that can make cooking frustrating. 

Where you draw this line is up to you. While Gotham Steel is a low-end line, it might be just what you want, especially if you don't mind replacing your pan(s) every year. We think you could spend a little more and get a better performing pan--but if you don't want to do that, Gotham Steel could be a great choice.

About warranties: Some nonstick cookware has a "lifetime" warranty--but most of these warranties do not cover the nonstick coating.

Gotham Steel pans come with a 10 year warranty--if you register the pan after buying--but that may not mean a lot. Read more about the warranty below--or check out 1 star reviews on Amazon to see what we're talking about. 

Overall, Gotham Steel cookware comes at a fabulous price point--but don't expect it to last very long, and don't expect the company to cover anything but the most obvious manufacturer defects. And, remember the Arbitration Agreement we talked about above--a decent indication that this pan may not work as advertised.

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About Nonstick Cookware Warranties

Many nonstick cookware warranties sound better than they actually are. People may think that when the nonstick coating stops working, they'll be able to get a free replacement from the manufacturer.

This almost never happens. Most nonstick cookware warranties cover manufacturer defects and build defects, but not the nonstick coating--or if they do, the nonstick coating is covered for a shorter time than the rest of the cookware. GreenPan, for example, has a lifetime warranty on their cookware, but only a two year warranty on the nonstick coating.

Gotham Steel cookware has a 10 year warranty if you register the pan after buying, but this covers primarily manufacturer defects. Also, there are many, many complaints in the reviews about customer service being non-existent (not to mention that Arbitration Agreement that comes with purchase, mentioned above).

So nonstick cookware warranties in general are rarely as good as they sound.

More importantly, the Gotham Steel warranty might be worse than most: People who've tried to use their warranty return found that they had to pay for shipping. Gotham Steel wants you to pay $9.95 for shipping to return a pan, which is more than it would cost through the post office. This probably covers the investment they have in the pan, so you're actually just paying for the cost of a new pan. This isn't much of a warranty.

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What Do All the Mixed Reviews Mean?

The Amazon reviews on Gotham Steel are all over the place. Some people really love this cookware, and others say it's junk and hate it. (Most of the commenters on this review also hate it.)

It's possible that the positive reviews are fake, but Fakespot tells us this is not typically the case (more on this below). It's more likely that most of the positive reviews are from people who've only used the cookware a few times and aren't all that familiar with it, while the negative reviews are from people who've had it awhile and discovered its short-lived nonstick properties. It's also possible that some people just really like the cookware; they don't consider using butter or oil a nonstick fail, or they've somehow found a way to get the pan to actually not stick (e.g., using extremely low heat).

At Hiya.com, Gotham Steel gets an average rating of 1.5/5 stars. This is based on ratings and reviews from actual users, which you can click over and read for yourself. 

At Consumer Reports, Gotham Steel gets good reviews. They give it a 4 out of 5 points on everything except handle sturdiness--good release, good durability of the nonstick coating, even heating, and a 5 out of 5 for the stay-cool handle. These results are based on Consumer Reports testing, with no input from actual users (and they don't discuss long term issues with the nonstick coating, which we think is a big miss).

So as for the mixed reviews: we don't really know what to make of them. There's probably some deception going on on Amazon, and the conflicting information on the other sites is confusing. We think the difference is probably in the long-term usage: Hiya.com ratings are based on input from actual users, most of whom claim the pan lasted about a month and then started to stick. Consumer Reports ratings are based only on testing, which, if done only when the pan is new, could produce overly positive results.

We can say definitively that our research and testing has led us to conclude that Gotham Steel pans will perform adequately, but not greatly, and that we haven't done enough with them to say how long they'll last, though we think that's an important thing to take into account (and to pay attention to in the one-star reviews).

At this price point, we think they're probably exactly what you should expect. 

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About Fakespot (Our Secret Reviewer's Weapon)

We use a review analysis site called Fakespot to help us interpret Amazon reviews. Fakespot analyzes reviews, looking for evidence of deception and dishonesty, then it gives the reviews--not the product--a grade, from "A" to "F" and an adjusted star rating. We will often re-run a Fakespot analysis several times to make sure the grade is up-to-date.

Fakespot is looking only at the reviews of a product and not the product itself. So, Fakespot helps us understand how much we can trust a product's reviews. While it's possible--maybe even likely--that a product with a bad Fakespot grade is a bad product, we have to do more testing to determine if that's the case. A product could also be great and yet have many deceptive reviews. Fakespot can't answer that question completely; it can only point us in a direction and help us figure out what we need to look at.

Fakespot grades help us understand how trustworthy the ratings on a product are. They are just one factor we look at when determining a product's overall quality: they help us verify that our research and testing results are on the right track. 

Fakespot is free and anyone can use it. If you want a little extra reassurance when buying from Amazon, Fakespot is an excellent way to get it. Check out the site to find out more about what they look at and how they decide if reviews are trustworthy.

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Where Is the Best Place to Buy Gotham Steel Pans?

We think Amazon is one of the best places to buy because the pans there is a huge variety of options available and they ship quickly. Bed, Bath & Beyond also has a pretty good selection, but not as good as Amazon.

You can also buy from the Gotham Steel online store, but we don't recommend it. One option they offer is payment plans for big sets. However, this site has a reputation for long lead times on shipping, sometimes several weeks. And if you want to return a pan to the Gotham Steel store, you will be charged return shipping and handling.

If you have Amazon Prime, you have free shipping, free returns, and should receive your pan in less than a week. Even if you don't have Amazon Prime, you will receive your pan much faster than from the Gotham Steel store. 

Thus, we strongly recommend that you purchase Gotham Steel cookware on Amazon. 

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Gotham Steel Reviews: The Products

Here are our detailed reviews for each Gotham Steel product line.

Gotham Steel Original

See set options on Amazon

See 10" skillet color options

See square pan options on Amazon

See 10pc square set on Amazon

Features: 

• Aluminum body 
• Titanium ceramic nonstick coating
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• Available in several sizes, set sizes, and with Gotham Steel bakeware (see buying options)
• 10 year warranty (mainly on manufacturer defects).

NOTE: These pans are NOT induction compatible.

NOTE: These pans do not contain any actual copper.

Gotham Steel original cookware has an all aluminum body, a titanium ceramic nonstick coating, and a stainless steel, stay-cool handle. Tempered glass lids are sold separately for skillets, or a few are included in sets. (For more information on the ceramic nonstick coating, see the section above.)

Original Gotham Steel cookware is NOT induction compatible.

The original line also has several square pan options, including deep frying pans with deep frying baskets, and griddles. Gotham Steel bakeware is also aluminum with the original titanium ceramic coating.

You have several color options in the original line: red, blue, graphite (black), purple, and copper. They are not always available, and not all available in every piece.

Fakespot: There are a lot of different products on Amazon, and often several products on a page, so it's hard to interpret the Fakespot ratings, which range from "A" to "D", with most of them in the "B" category. This means that some of the reviews are trustworthy, and some of them aren't. If you're considering buying one of these products, we suggest you pay close attention to the negative reviews and to the detailed reviews, and less attention to the positive reviews, especially if they are only one or two sentences without any useful content. (We did notice that many of the positive reviews were from people who didn't mind using cooking oil or butter, and just assumed the pans had a life span of only a couple of years--so there's that, too.)

Heating: The aluminum body heats quickly and fairly evenly. It is a little on the thin side, so we did see some scorching in our tests. Overall, the heating properties were okay--not great and not awful--for how thin and light these pans are. When using these, you'll have to keep a careful eye on your food, but if you understand that, you will probably be satisfied with the heating performance of these pans.

Build Quality and Durability: The ceramic nonstick surface is fairly tough. It's hard to scratch and even when scratched is still safe to use. Unfortunately, the nonstick properties do not last very long, and most foods require some butter or oil in order for them to not stick even when the pan is new.

The stainless handle is sturdy and comfortable to hold. 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.

There is also no way to know what type of stainless steel Gotham Steel is using in these pans (they don't say), but we can assume it's not 18/10. It's probably 18/0, which is induction compatible (i.e., magnetic), so with long term use, you may see some rusting, pitting, and other corrosion. Although it's true that most stainless steel cookware has an exterior layer of 18/0 for induction, the quality of 18/0 can vary considerably. At this price point, we just can't expect great things from this cookware. 

Finally, Gotham Steel makes it sound as if the titanium ceramic coating is indestructible. The titanium reinforcement does provide some resistance to scratches, but if you want your nonstick coating to last as long as possible, don't use metal, wash by hand, and always use a low-to-medium heat setting when cooking with this pan. You might also consider not putting them in an oven set higher than about 300F.

Pan Design: The pan is nicely designed, with a good shape and a lot of flat cooking surface. The handle is easy to grip and comfortable. For an inexpensive pan, this pan is actually very nice to use--of course it would be better if food didn't stick to it (you pretty much have to use butter or oil to prevent sticking, even at low heat), but the cookware is light, pretty, and feels good in your hand.

Value: Excellent price point (even the 12-inch skillet is under $30), but you will probably have to replace these pans every few years. They come with a 10 year warranty, but many reviewers complain that customer service is practically nonexistent, so don't expect the company to replace your pan--especially if it's just an issue with the nonstick, as the warranty only covers factory defects). 

It's interesting to note here that many of the positive reviews on this cookware are from people who understand that these pans have to be replaced every few years and are okay with that. If you want a pan that lasts longer than that--or does not require the use of a cooking fat to prevent sticking of most foods--this is not the right choice for you.

Recommendation: Not bad quality for budget nonstick. They aren't very nonstick, though, so if you don't mind using butter or oil, and if you don't mind replacing them fairly often (at least every few years), these are a decent option at this price point. With Fakespot ratings all over the place, we suggest you read the individual reviews for the product you're interested in, paying most attention to the negative and most detailed reviews.

Buy gotham steel original cookware now:

Gotham Steel Pro Chef Stainless Steel

See skillet options on Amazon

See 10pc set on Amazon

Features:

• Clad stainless steel body (stainless-aluminum-stainless)
• Titanium ceramic nonstick coating
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Induction compatible
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• Available in several sizes, set sizes, and with Gotham Steel bakeware
• 10 year warranty.

This line has the same titanium-ceramic coating as the original line on clad stainless steel, meaning it has a stainless-aluminum-stainless body, with magnetic stainless on the exterior for induction compatibility (they do not say what the interior layer of stainless steel is, but it doesn't matter all that much because it's covered in the ceramic nonstick coating). 

This cookware IS induction compatible.

It's actually very pretty cookware. Because the exterior is stainless steel it has no color options. It is also not available in any square pan options, or in bakeware.

In addition to the aluminum in the pan body these pans have a disc bottom that ups the aluminum content under the cooking surface. This is a nice feature that greatly improves the pan's heating performance.

Fakespot: The Pro Chef Stainless line gets one of the best Fakespot rating of all the Gotham Steel lines, getting an "A" and an adjusted rating of 4 stars. This tells us that you can mostly trust the reviews (and not necessarily whether the product is actually good or not). If this is the case, we think the Pro Chef reviews are good, but not great (more on this in a minute).

Heating: The heating properties are similar to the original line. 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 (oil or butter needed). 

About induction: Because some of the smaller pans are very lightweight, they may not work on certain induction cooktops. Induction requires a certain amount of weight in order for the pan to be recognized. If you read in reviews that some pans didn't work on induction, it's likely the smaller pans for this reason.

Build Quality and Durability: The build quality is pretty good. The pans feel sturdy, even though they're lightweight, and the encapsulated base means there's a low possibility of warping (we tried to get the pan to warp with sudden temperature changes, but it didn't). A little bit more aluminum would provide more even heating, but at this price point, we don't expect that.

The handle is comfortable and feels sturdy. It's rounder than the handle on the original line, which makes it easier to grip with one hand. We wish the 12-inch skillet had a helper handle: even though it's very light, a helper handle is an essential aid when handling a large pan full of hot food.

As with the original, don't expect the nonstick coating to last very long, or even to work all that well when new. This isn't really a mark against the pan's durability, as this is the nature of nonstick ceramic coatings.

Also, note that with the titanium ceramic coating, you'd expect the nonstick to be practically indestructible, especially when these pans are marketed as being metal utensil and dishwasher safe (not to mention being hit smacked with hammers and scratched with forks and electric beaters). The titanium does provide some resistance to scratches, but if you want your nonstick coating to last as long as possible, you won't use metal utensils, you'll wash by hand, and you'll always use low-to-medium heat settings. 

The tempered glass lids aren't our favorite (we prefer stainless), and these have a flaw that's discussed in several user reviews: water gets stuck inside the rim and you can't get at it. This likely isn't a serious issue, but if anything besides water gets in there (stock, milk, etc.), it may result in problems; it may create buildup that could pose a food safety issue (bacteria or other pathogens).  

Pan Design: Pan shape is pretty much identical to the original line, so we like the good amount of flat cooking surface. Though we tested only the skillets, we can say that all the pieces have a good design that makes them easy to use, easy to wash, and look more expensive than they are. 

Value: As with the original line, the nonstick coating won't last, and didn't work all that well in testing when it was brand new. But the price is pretty hard to beat, so if you're in the market for a bargain nonstick pan, this is a good option.

Recommendation: If you don't mind using butter or oil and don't mind replacing the pans every few years (or maybe less), the price point is excellent. As with the original line, don't expect a lot from the 10 year warranty; many reviewers complained about nonexistent customer service. It will only cover defective pans, and not work for any issues with the nonstick coating.

Note that we prefer the Hard Anodized or the Hammered Copper, as both will heat a little better than the clad stainless. Fakespot tells us we can mostly trust the reviews on Amazon, so with 10% one star reviews and 78% 4- and 5-star, Pro Chef Stainless is really on the bubble for us (we like to see less than 10% 1-star and more than 80% 4-and-5-star).

BUY GOTHAM STEEL PRO CHEF STAINLESS STEEL:

Gotham Steel Pro Hard Anodized

See buying options on Amazon

See skillet at Wal-Mart

Features: 

• Anodized aluminum body
• Titanium ceramic nonstick coating
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Induction compatible
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• Available in several sizes, set sizes, and with Gotham Steel bakeware
• 10 year warranty.

This line of Gotham Steel has the same titanium-reinforced nonstick ceramic coating with an anodized aluminum body. Anodizing is a process that makes aluminum extremely tough (tougher even than stainless steel) and non-reactive. It darkens the aluminum, which is why these pans have a black exterior.

Other than the anodizing, these are pretty much identical to the original Gotham Steel line.

One nice feature is that this anodized aluminum is dishwasher safe (though we recommend hand washing your nonstick cookware to get the longest life possible out of it).

These pans have an encapsulated aluminum base, meaning that they ARE induction compatible.

You can also get this line with bakeware--but know that the bakeware is original Gotham Steel, not hard anodized.

Fakespot: The Fakespot ratings on the Pro Hard Anodized cookware are a little hard to interpret because of how they're listed on Amazon. All the products are on one page and they share a rating, but if you select different products, Fakespot will do a different analysis for each. The ratings range from "A" to "D" and the star ratings from 2 stars to 4.5 stars. The 91% 4-and5-star reviews and only 4% 1-star reviews sound impressive, but it's hard to say. When trying to decide if you want to buy, we suggest you pay more attention to the negative reviews than the positive reviews (and paying attention to the more detailed reviews than the one-sentence reviews). 

Heating: We found in our testing that of all the Gotham Steel lines, the anodized aluminum line performed the best. This is because of the aluminum body plus the encapsulated base that makes the pans induction compatible. Thus, these pans contain the most aluminum of any Gotham Steel line, so you'll see better, more even heating and a greater ability to hang onto heat than with the other lines. It's still not excellent, but at this price point especially, it's far from awful.

So, expect mediocre heating from the anodized line, with some scorching, cold spots, and, because they're thin, a fast temperature crash when you add cold food to the pan--but less than with the other Gotham Steel lines.

About induction: Because some of the smaller pans are very lightweight, they may not work on certain induction cooktops. Induction requires a certain amount of weight in order for the pan to be recognized. If you read in reviews that some pans didn't work on induction, it's likely the smaller pans for this reason.

Build Quality and Durability: This is also similar to the original line: not awful, just very lightweight (though they are pleasantly resistant to warping). The encapsulated base adds to the durability, making the pan thicker and more warp resistant, though it is still a fairly thin pan compared to higher quality disc-based cookware.

The handle is round like that on the stainless line. It's comfortable and easy to use to stabilize the pan.

As for the nonstick coating, it goes here just as for the other lines: Gotham Steel makes it sound like the titanium ceramic is indestructible, but it isn't. The titanium reinforcement does provide some resistance to scratches, but if you want your nonstick coating to last as long as possible, don't use metal utensils, wash by hand, and always use a low-to-medium heat setting when cooking with this pan. You might also consider not putting them in an oven set higher than about 300F.

The tempered glass lids aren't our favorite (we prefer stainless), and these have a flaw that's discussed in several user reviews: water gets stuck inside the rim and you can't get at it. This likely isn't a serious issue, but if anything besides water gets in there (stock, milk, etc.), it may result in problems; it may create buildup that could pose a food safety issue (bacteria or other pathogens).  

Pan Design: As with the other Gotham Steel lines, we like the pan shapes and find them well-designed for most tasks (though we only tested the skillets). All the cookware has great design and looks more expensive than it is.

Value: We couldn't find the Pro Hard Anodized cookware available as a single skillet, but you can get two large skillets--9.75" and 11.3"--for under $50. A 13 piece set goes for about $200, while in the original Gotham Steel you'll pay just $125 for a 15 piece set. Thus the Pro Hard Anodized is considerably pricier than the original, but still very affordable cookware. Don't expect the 10 year warranty to be honored unless a pan is defective out of the box; you won't be covered for any nonstick coating issues.

Recommendation: If you've got your heart set on Gotham Steel cookware, the Pro Hard Anodized is a good choice. It's more durable than the original and is going to provide better heating than the Pro Chef Stainless (for a similar price). As with the other lines, don't expect much from the 10 year warranty unless you get a pan that's defective right out of the box.

BUY GOTHAM STEEL pro hard anodized:

Gotham Steel Hammered Copper

See buying options on Amazon

See sets on Amazon

See 9.5" skillet w/lid on Amazon

Features: 

• Aluminum body (no actual copper)
• Titanium ceramic nonstick coating
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Skillets come with lids (tempered glass)
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Induction compatible
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• Available in several sizes, set sizes, and with Gotham Steel bakeware (see individual buying options and set buying options)
• 10 year warranty.

The hammered copper line is, we think, the prettiest line of Gotham Steel cookware, and it also gets some of the best user ratings on Amazon. It is an aluminum body with a hammered finish. It has an encapsulated base for induction compatibility (as well as better warp resistance). These pans are lightweight, and one of the best features is that the skillets come with a lid--you have to buy skillet lids separately for the other Gotham Steel lines, . 

NOTE: These pans do not contain any actual copper. 

Fakespot: The Gotham Steel Hammered Copper line gets a "C" rating on Fakespot and an adjusted rating of 2.5 stars. This doesn't mean they're junk, but it does mean that several of the reviews could be deceptive. It's not a total deal breaker, but it certainly helps to understand all the mixed reviews on this product.

Heating: With the encapsulated base, the Hammered Copper cookware performs similarly to the Pro Anodized line. This makes sense because the encapsulated base increases the aluminum content, so you can expect better performance, although still not stellar. In testing we had some hot and cold spots and the pans dropped in temperature significantly when we added cold food to the pans (which is to be expected from a thin, lightweight pan).

To summarize, the Hammered Copper performs better than the original Gotham Steel line, but there are better performing pans out there (and many for not a lot more).

About induction: Because some of the smaller pans are very lightweight, they may not work on certain induction cooktops. Induction requires a certain amount of weight in order for the pan to be recognized. If you read in reviews that some pans didn't work on induction, it's likely the smaller pans for this reason.

Build Quality and Durability: The build quality is decent. The pans are lightweight, yet they resisted warping surprisingly well. The handles are stay-cool stainless and round like on the Pro Anodized line, so they're easy to grasp and use to stabilize the pans (we really like the Gotham Steel handles).

The lightness is to be expected from an all-aluminum pan, but these pans are really light--so while they seemed surprisingly durable in testing, it's hard to say how long they'll last with everyday use. (We are not considering the nonstick coating here but only the build quality of the pan.)

The tempered glass lids are sturdy. We prefer stainless steel lids, but at this price point, it's exciting to get any lids at all. As with other Gotham Steel lids, some users complained about water getting trapped in the lids, between the glass and the steel rim. We didn't have that problem, but can see how it would be a frustrating issue to deal with (and if more than water gets in there, maybe even a bacteria/pathogen issue).

About the nonstick coating: Gotham Steel makes the titanium ceramic nonstick sound indestructible, but it isn't. The titanium reinforcement does provide some resistance to scratching, but if you want your nonstick pans to last as long as possible, do not use metal utensils, wash them by hand, and always use a low-to-medium heat setting when cooking with these pans. You might also consider not the pans in an oven set higher than about 300F, as well.

Pan Design: These skillets have a different shape than the other Gotham Steel skillets, and we love them. The skillets are shaped almost like a sauté pan: they have straight--not curved--sides, and they're slightly deeper than other Gotham Steel skillets. This means that while evaporation isn't quite as good (meaning that browning won't happen as quickly as in shallower skillets), you can fit a ton of food in these pans. These skillets have a really great general-purpose shape, and the inclusion of a lid makes them extremely versatile, as well.

We will caution you that the angled--rather than curved--sides on these skillets make them not great for an omelet pan; eggs are going to have a hard time sliding right out of the pan's steep sides, even if there's no sticking. It's also easier to slip a turner in a pan with curved sides. So if you're buying a nonstick skillet primarily for eggs, the Hammered Copper pans are probably not the best choice.

The rest of the pieces are pretty standard, with slightly tapered sides, but all the pieces have a functional shape with good handles and are easy to use (as well as nice to look at).

The tempered glass lids aren't our favorite (we prefer stainless), and these have a flaw that's discussed in several user reviews: water gets stuck inside the rim and you can't get at it. This likely isn't a serious issue, but if anything besides water gets in there (stock, milk, etc.), it may result in problems; it may create buildup that could pose a food safety issue (bacteria or other pathogens).  

Value: The 9.5-inch skillet (with lid) goes for about the same as an original Gotham Steel 12-inch skillet (without lid). This is about $30. This makes the Hammered Copper one of Gotham Steel's most expensive lines, but it's still very reasonably priced. While these pans tend to get the best reviews of all the Gotham Steel lines, remember that they have the same nonstick ceramic coating as other lines--so don't expect them to last any longer. 

Recommendation: This cookware is at a great price point, and the fact that the skillets come with lids make this our favorite line of Gotham Steel cookware; the Pro Anodized is going to be more durable, but this is prettier. If you don't mind that you will probably have to use oil or butter when cooking (because the nonstick isn't great) and replace the pans every few years, this is nice, affordable cookware. To reiterate, don't expect a lot from the 10 year warranty unless a piece is defective right out of the box.

BUY GOTHAM STEEL hammered copper:

Gotham Steel Stackmaster

See 10pc set on Amazon

See 10pc set w/utensils on Amazon

See 3pc set on Amazon

See 7pc set on Amazon (deep fry basket and steamer)

Features:

• Aluminum body
• 3 layers of titanium ceramic nonstick coating (black interior--not copper colored)
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Available in copper, black, and red exterior
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Induction compatible
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• Available in 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-piece sets 
• 10 year warranty.

The Stackmaster line has the same aluminum body and titanium ceramic nonstick coating as other Gotham Steel lines, with an encapsulated base for induction compatibility. These pans are designed for efficient storage, so they have slightly different shapes than the other Gotham Steel lines. They are available only in cookware sets (no sets with bakeware included). 

Fakespot: Stackmaster gets an "A" rating on Fakespot and an adjusted rating of 4.5 stars. This only means that you can mostly trust the reviews, and not that whether or not the product is any good. With an astonishing 90% 4-and5-star reviews and just 3% 1-star reviews, that's a pretty strong case that these are a decent product.

Heating: Very similar to the Pro Anodized line as the construction is similar. The encapsulated base is going to provide induction compatibility as well as better heating than the Original line.

These pans are very thin and lightweight, which means there's some scorching and a big temperature crash when you put cold food in a hot pan. But for the price, these pans provide decent heating.

About induction: Because some of the smaller pans are very lightweight, they may not work on some induction cooktops. Induction requires a certain amount of weight in order for the pan to be recognized. If you read in reviews that some pans didn't work on induction, it's likely the smaller pans for this reason.

Build Quality and Durability: Also similar to other Gotham Steel lines, which means these pans are very light yet the encapsulated base helps them to resist warping. 

The handles are flat, as on the Original Gotham Steel cookware (probably to help with stacking). We like the rounder handles on the other lines, but these are still comfortable and fit your hand--the flatness even makes them easier to stabilize with your arm or elbow than the rounder handles.

We can't tell if this is the same titanium ceramic nonstick coating as the copper-colored found on other lines. The three layers of coating sound impressive, but in our experience, the nonstick seems about the same as that on other Gotham Steel lines, which is to say that it's nonstick properties aren't that great. You will have to use oil or butter with most foods for best results--if you don't, you're likely to have issues with sticking food and messy cleanup.

Pan Design: These pans are wider and shallower than the other Gotham Steel lines. You may think that a cookware line designed to stack easily may sacrifice usability--but these don't do that. We actually love the shapes of these pans. The wide, shallow shape makes them easy to use and easy to wash. The skillets have very straight sides, which gives them a large amount of flat cooking surface. Even the 7 piece set, which has deep frying equipment, is deep, but still has a very functional design.

The 10 piece set can be stored in two stacks which are both about one foot tall. 

The tempered glass lids aren't our favorite (we prefer stainless), and these have a flaw that's discussed in several user reviews: water gets stuck inside the rim and you can't get at it. This likely isn't a serious issue, but if anything besides water gets in there (stock, milk, etc.), it may result in problems; it may create buildup that could pose a food safety issue (bacteria or other pathogens).  

Value: As with other Gotham Steel cookware, the value is exceptional. The 3 piece set goes for under $50, the 5 piece under $100, and the 10 piece varies by color from about $120-$180. The 7 piece deep fry set (pictured above) goes for about $80. The pieces are on the small side (that's an 8-inch skillet, 2.75-quart and 3.5-quart sauce pan in the pic), but still highly usable.

To compare, the Original Gotham Steel 10 piece set goes for around $100. So while the Stackmaster set costs more than the Original, it's still quite affordable.

Recommendation: It makes sense that the Stackmaster is only sold in sets. We recommend buying only nonstick skillets (mostly so you only have to replace one piece every few years), so we can't recommend this set, even though we like it overall and it gets fabulous ratings on Fakespot (which just means that you can mostly trust the user reviews of the product). But if you want a set of inexpensive nonstick and don't mind replacing it every few years, we really like the Stackmaster line--especially if your storage space is limited.

BUY GOTHAM STEEL stackmaster:

Gotham Steel Diamond Platinum

See buying options on Amazon

Features:

• Aluminum body
• 3 layers of nonstick ceramic coating reinforced with diamonds (black interior--not copper colored)
• Encapsulated base for induction compatibility and better resistance to warping
• Stay cool handles
• Oven safe up to 500F
• Induction compatible
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though not recommended)
• 10 year warranty.

The Gotham Steel Diamond Platinum is their newest line of cookware. Instead of titanium, the ceramic nonstick coating is reinforced with tiny diamond particles. This helps make the nonstick coating resistant to scratching, and thus metal utensil safe, though we do not recommend using metal utensils with any nonstick cookware if you want it to last as long as possible.

Is the diamond-reinforced coating an improvement upon the titanium-reinforced coating? Maybe, but probably not: it performed about the same in our testing--meaning that it wasn't very nonstick and required butter or cooking oil for food to slide out of the pan. The textured surface is the latest thing in nonstick cookware (you will also find it in many other brands of nonstick cookware, including the other Emson product GraniteStone), but in our testing, we haven't found that texture makes food stick any less; in fact, we prefer a smooth pan because it allows food to slide out easily.

What the texture does do is protect the delicate nonstick coating: the tiny diamond (or granite, titanium, etc.) particles sit above the nonstick surface and protect it from damage by metal utensils. It's more accurate to say the particles partially protect the coating; nonstick coatings are going to wear out no matter what you reinforce them with because heat destroys nonstick faster than anything else (except maybe outright scratching)--and heat is the one thing you can't avoid when using cookware. 

The price point also tells the story: the Diamond Platinum line runs roughly the same as the original Gotham Steel line--that likely means that it's about the same quality cookware.

Fakespot: The reviews on these pans get a "D" grade on Fakespot and an adjusted rating of 1.5 stars. That doesn't mean they're junk, it just means that the bulk of the reviews are suspicious.

Heating: We found the heating performance to be about the same as the rest of the Gotham Steel lines with an encapsulated base. Even with the added induction-compatible base, these pans are very thin. This means they heat very fast, but rather unevenly, and they also lose heat very fast when you add cold food to them. You can get used to using these pans, but there are definitely better options out there for not a lot more.

About induction: Because some of the smaller pans are very lightweight, they may not work on some induction cooktops. Induction requires a certain amount of weight in order for a pan to be recognized. If you read in reviews that some pans didn't work on induction, it's likely the smaller pans because they're too light for the hob to know they're there.

Build Quality and Durability: Similar to other Gotham Steel lines: these pans are very light so the build quality isn't great. 

We like the round handles on these--better than the flat ones on the Original and Stackmaster lines, though both styles fit the hand comfortably and are great for stabilizing. We didn't find them to stay cool, but no handles stay cool on a gas range (probably not the case on electric or induction). 

The nonstick coating seems about the same as that on other Gotham Steel lines that are reinforced with titanium rather than diamonds. Which is to say that the nonstick  isn't that great: we had to use cooking oil for foods not to stick. (And with the food sticking, cleanup wasn't terribly easy, either.)

Overall, the quality is mediocre and the pans aren't likely to last more than a few years; this is speaking only to the pan's build and not to the nonstick coating, which will probably last even less as long. That's to be expected at this price point.

Pan Design: We like the shapes of the pans, the handles, and the helper handle found on the larger skillet. The skillets are a great shape for most tasks. 

The tempered glass lids aren't our favorite (we prefer stainless), and these have a flaw that's discussed in several user reviews: water gets stuck inside the rim and you can't get at it. This likely isn't a serious issue, but if anything besides water gets in there (stock, milk, etc.), it may result in problems; it may create buildup that could pose a food safety issue (bacteria or other pathogens).  

Value: Running about the same price as the Original line makes the Diamond Platinum line super affordable. But don't expect them to last, and don't expect them to work without cooking oil. With the Fakespot grade "D" and the adjusted rating coming in at just 1.5 stars, these have the poorest rating of all the Gotham Steel lines. We think there are better options out there.

BUY GOTHAM STEEL diamond platinum:

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Gotham Steel Overall Pros and Cons

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Our Recommendation: Is Gotham Steel "the Last Pan You'll Ever Need"?

With its thin build and a nonstick coating that by most accounts doesn't last very long, Gotham Steel is not likely to be the last pan you'll ever need. Many people like the Gotham Steel products, and are okay replacing them every few years. We get that: these are pretty pans and the stainless handle is not only comfortable, but also gives these inexpensive pans a somewhat luxurious feel. 

If you want to spend as little as possible on nonstick cookware, the Gotham Steel products have some features that make them appealing. But we think that for not a lot more, you can get a more durable ceramic nonstick pan with better heating properties.

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Gotham Steel Pan FAQs

Do Gotham Steel Pans Contain PTFE (Teflon)?

No; all Gotham Steel cookware is PTFE-free.

Are Gotham Steel Pans Safe to Use?

Gotham Steel pans have a ceramic nonstick cooking surface. While generally considered safer than PTFE, there is not a lot of research about this relatively new nonstick coating, and some research suggests there may be some health concerns.

Are Gotham Steel Pans Good Quality?

You get what you pay for. Gotham Steel is priced at the low end of the cookware market, so you can expect the quality to be mediocre or even poor. Reviews of this brand are all over the place, but there are a lot of complaints about the nonstick surface and about how the pans perform (poor heating properties). 

How Long Do Gotham Steel Pans Last?

They can last anywhere from a few months to a few years before the nonstick coating quits being nonstick.

Are Gotham Steel Pans Easy to Clean?

Gotham steel pans are easy to clean, like all nonstick pans--at least until the nonstick coating quits being nonstick.

Where Are Gotham Steel Pans Made?

Gotham Steel pans are made in China.

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Final Thoughts on Gotham Steel Pans

Gotham Steel cookware is pretty much what you'd expect at this super affordable price point: thin and lightweight, with a mediocre build quality and a nonstick coating that works best with cooking oil added--and probably isn't going to last much more than a year, even with the most careful care. 

We hope this has helped you make up your mind about which cookware to buy. 

Thanks for reading!

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