ScanPan Review: A Detailed Look at ScanPan Nonstick Cookware

Read our statement about Teflon and PTFE cookware

ScanPan is a premium brand of nonstick cookware sold at a premium price. Is it worth it? Does it hold up longer than other nonstick pans? Can you really put it in the dishwasher and use metal utensils?

Our detailed ScanPan review will answer your questions about all the ScanPan lines.

ScanPan Summary

ScanPan is high quality nonstick cookware made in an environmentally conscious factory out of 100% recycled aluminum. It still has many of the environmental issues of PTFE cookware, but it's better than most. We can't promise that it will last longer than other brands--though it probably will, it's hard to say for how long--but we think the environmentally conscious manufacturing practices make it a step above other nonstick brands.

If you have the budget and want nonstick skillets, ScanPan is a good choice.

The ScanPan Nonstick Lines at a Glance

This table show's ScanPan's nonstick lineup and features. We tested skillets only because we believe nonstick is only necessary for skillets. However, this review applies to all ScanPan pieces.

ScanPan also makes stainless and copper cookware, which we did not review.

Sur la Table (SLT) and Williams-Sonoma (WS) both have exclusive ScanPan lines comparable to their main lines but with small design differences (e.g., different handles or lids). We grouped similar items to help you understand the differences among the lines. 

You can also find some "exclusive" SLT and WS lines on Amazon, as well as discontinued lines. If you find discontinued ScanPan pans (not listed here) at a discounted price, they're probably a good deal if you're in the market for premium nonstick.  

All ScanPan nonstick pans share these features: 

• Made from recycled aluminum
• PFOA free 
• Made in Denmark
• Metal utensil and dishwasher safe (though ScanPan recommends hand washing and using non-metal utensils)
• Oven safe to 500F
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. 

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About ScanPan (And Their Pioneering Environmentalism)

From the ScanPan website:

ScanPan is a family-owned business based in Ryomgaard, Denmark, which exports to more than 50 countries worldwide. ScanPan A/S is one of the world's leading producers of PFOA-free nonstick products and has manufactured high-quality Danish cookware for over 3 decades. Deeply anchored in tradition, using sound techniques of craftsmanship, ScanPan creates timeless yet functional tools for any modern kitchen. Research and development are an integral part of ScanPan's business, which is why we are proud to say that we lead the way in innovation and technology that enable us to produce the best cookware products possible for our customers. Since 1956, ScanPan's squeeze-cast aluminum products with our patented ceramic titanium surface have represented the core of our cookware business. To maintain the highest quality control possible, all of our nonstick products are manufactured in our own factory in Denmark.

While a lot of that sounds like marketing jargon, it's true that ScanPan led the cookware industry in "environmentally progressive" cookware. They use 100% recycled aluminum in all their pans, which greatly reduces the effects of cookware manufacturing on the environment: according to their website, using mined aluminum creates almost 200 pounds of waste, while using recycled aluminum creates just 7.5 pounds of waste. 

ScanPan also led the nonstick cookware industry in banning the use of PFOA. PFOA is a dangerous environmental hazard that does not break down easily and contaminates soil and water throughout the world; it is also a probable carcinogen. PFOA has been banned from use in cookware in the US since 2015, but ScanPan stopped using it way back in 2007. 

(Note that "PFOA-free" does not mean "PTFE-free." It just means manufacturers are using a different chemical on their PTFE pans. A pan is only free of PTFE if it says "PTFE-free" or "PFOA- and PTFE-free.")

From Amazon: 

Scanpan Cookware has always been PFOA free, but the negative publicity that PFOA and, by extension, PTFE had received over the last few years, had caused Scanpan to work closely with their suppliers to find a substitute for PFOA that is biodegradable. Scanpan received patents on PFOA-free technology in 2007 and has been producing Scanpan Classic and Scanpan Professional with this new process since spring 2007. With their new Green Tek technology, there is no PFOA used at any stage of the entire process, resulting in a "clean and green" nonstick PTFE compound, the production of which no longer uses chemicals that could have a negative impact on the environment.

ScanPan makes their cookware at their own factory in Denmark and exercises strict quality control over the final product. The quality is evident in every ScanPan product.

Unfortunately, ScanPan cookware does contain PTFE, and the PTFE cookware industry has contributed a large amount of PFAS contamination to the world's water supply; without knowing more specifics, it's impossible to say that ScanPan isn't still doing that to some extent (they probably are). We love that ScanPan is made in an environmentally conscious country by an environmentally conscious company, but the PFAS chemicals used to make PTFE cookware are still not good for the environment. 

The upshot: If you must have a nonstick pan but want one made by a company that has incorporated some environmentally conscious practices, ScanPan is one of the few choices on the market. It's more expensive than most other nonstick, but even if you don't want to pay more for a pan that may or may not outlast other brands (more on that below), you might be willing to pay more for ScanPan's more ethical business practices and environmentally conscious manufacturing standards. 

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Do ScanPan Nonstick Pans Contain PTFE?

Yes, they do.

You may have to dig a little to find this information, but ScanPan does use PTFE in their nonstick cookware.

ScanPan uses a proprietary nonstick coating called Stratanium and a newer version of it for some of their products called Stratanium+. Both contain PTFE. 

What Is Stratanium®? 

Stratanium and Stratanium+ are ScanPan's patented nonstick coatings. According to ScanPan's website:

• Stratanium´s main features include multiple layers of non-stick coating, including small and large, hard particles that interlock with thermally sprayed layers to reinforce the non-stick coating.
• Layering this way makes it possible to increase the total thickness and get 30% better non-stick effect; 30% increased toughness and durability; while also improving the non-stick abrasion, and overall lifetime by 30%. 
• The result of this unique layering combination offers an outstanding cooking performance.

According to ScanPan, Stratanium is a ceramic titanium coating. Though the site lacks technical details about Stratanium, we believe that it's a hybrid PTFE-ceramic nonstick coating reinforced with titanium. We also believe that the ceramic and the titanium both serve to make the PTFE coating stronger, possibly making it last longer than other types of PTFE nonstick.

However, based on the pan's appearance, performance, and use-and-care instructions, we believe that ScanPan is basically PTFE nonstick cookware.

Here's ScanPan' diagram of Stratanium, from their website:

This is a great example of marketing-speak that appears to convey important information, but actually says very little. (What are the "small particles" and "large particles" made of? What purpose do they serve?) The vagueness here also suggests to us that the primary material is PTFE. Why? Because that's largely how PTFE-coated cookware is marketed today: they skirt around the PTFE component, saying as little as possible about it.

Like many other makers, ScanPan also says what isn't in the cookware, which in this case is PFOA and PFOS. While PFOA has been outlawed in nonstick cookware since 2015, ScanPan led the industry when they quit using PFOA back in 2007. As it's a nasty environmental hazard and probably carcinogen, that's a really good thing.

PFOS is a chemical related to PFOA, but our research indicates that it is not used in cookware manufacturing, so we're not sure why ScanPan lists it here. 

We contacted ScanPan to ask for more specific information on Stratanium, but they didn't reply.

It's too bad, because ScanPan and other makers of PTFE cookware have a large market of people who want their product. These people understand the issues with PTFE and opt to use it anyway--which is perfectly fine, because when used properly, PTFE is safe. (It's the manufacturing practices that cause problems.)

Is Stratanium Better than PTFE? 

If Stratanium is PTFE cookware, then the question becomes, has ScanPan actually created a better PTFE? A more durable, longer-lasting nonstick coating?

The answer seems to be yes--but a guarded yes. In our testing, both the Stratanium and the Stratanium+ performed well, but only long-term use will tell the real story. Reviews are mixed, and though mostly positive, the few negative reviews are similar to those for other nonstick cookware: the short duration of the nonstick properties, and even a few complaints about bad customer service (i.e., not honoring the lifetime warranty).

With less than 10 percent of reviewers complaining about the nonstick properties, plus the amazing fact that some people say they still love their pans after several years of use, we conclude that Stratanium is probably longer-lasting than nonstick coatings found on other brands of cookware.

How much longer lasting is hard to say, though, because of the huge variations in reviews. We suspect the difference is in how the pans are cared for. Despite ScanPan's claims that their pans are safe for use with metal utensils and dishwashers, these are both PTFE killers. And the worst PTFE killer of all is high heat.

Many of the people who left poor reviews say they treated their pans well, though. So it's hard to say why some skillets last, and some don't. We wish we had years to test the pans, but we don't.

This much we do know: If you treat your nonstick pans with love and tend to cook on low to medium heat, they'll last longer than nonstick used with high heat, metal utensils, and dishwashers--but this is true for any brand of PTFE cookware. 

What Is Stratanium+?

Stratanium+ is a new version of Stratanium that ScanPan calls "commercial grade," meaning that it's tough enough for restaurant kitchens and that it will produce "professional" results like  other nonstick pans can't: superb crispness and browning, plus excellent release properties. 

Like the original Stratanium, ScanPan doesn't share a lot of details about what it's made from.

Reviewers seem to concur that Stratanium+ is excellent. Though there aren't a lot of ratings for the Stratanium+ products yet, they get highly positive ratings. 

In our testing, we thought it performed about the same as the original Stratanium, which is to say, about like any new PTFE pan. But the surface is a little rougher, which helps with browning. 

We should also say here that we're not entirely sure what ScanPan means by "commercial grade" in relation to Stratanium+. Nonstick coatings aren't graded as consumer or commercial grade, so this is most likely a marketing term. (We could be wrong about this, but we haven't been able to find any other makers of "commercial grade" nonstick pans.)

Haptiq, CS+, Techniq, and Pro S+ have Stratanium+ nonstick coating.

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So, Is ScanPan Cookware Safe?

Because ScanPan nonstick pans do contain PTFE, you should consider them to have the same concerns as other PTFE pans. The main concern is high heat, which breaks down PTFE into toxic substances that give off toxic fumes. These fumes can cause flu-like symptoms in humans and are lethal to birds.

PTFE begins to break down right around 490F, so you should exercise care to not let your pans get hotter than this, ever. It's fairly easy for a pan to get that hot if heated on a high flame, especially if empty--so you really do have to be careful about this.

You should even avoid repeated use at temperatures close to 500F. Repeated heating to temperatures above 400F will take a cumulative toll on PTFE. 

You should also care for ScanPan nonstick as you would care for any PTFE pan, which we talk about in more detail below. (Yes, this is true even though ScanPan claims all their cookware is metal-utensil- and dishwasher-safe.)

If you follow all the use and care instructions, ScanPan nonstick cookware is completely safe. PTFE is an inert, non-toxic substance that won't harm you as long as it's not heated to its breaking point. Also, ScanPan cookware contains no PFOA, a toxic substance that was once used in the manufacturing of PTFE cookware but was outlawed in 2015. (More about this above in the What Is Stratanium? section.)

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Is ScanPan Better for the Environment than Other Nonstick Cookware?

In some ways, ScanPan is environmentally conscious: they use recycled aluminum and have a manufacturing plant that is extremely efficient. This is great.

However, because ScanPan contains PTFE ("Teflon"), it is still contributing to the PFAS forever chemicals being dumped into the world's water supplies. It's doubtful that ScanPan has their own PTFE plant, so they're buying the product from a company like Dupont (aka Chemours) or a Chinese manufacturer (where most PTFE products are made today). Since there are no EPA regulations on these chemicals--and since the replacement for PFOA, GenX, has similar properties--they are still being dumped into the water. 

ScanPan is better than most, but in reality, any association with PTFE means they are polluting the planet (even if indirectly).

If you want to read more about nonstick cookware, see our article What Is PFOA? A Guide to Nonstick Cookware Chemicals

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How Is ScanPan Different from Other Nonstick Cookware?

Since ScanPan is vague about the composition of their cookware, it's hard to say exactly how it differs from other nonstick cookware. As we said, the 5 layer design seems to be a hybrid of PTFE and ceramic nonstick, with titanium added for strength. This blend does seem to strengthen the nonstick coating. 

Stratanium+ is a newer and supposedly more durable version of Stratanium, and while it has a visibly rougher texture than the original Stratanium, we did not notice a huge difference in performance--and use and care instructions are the same as for the original, as well. The biggest difference was in the price: Stratanium+ cookware is more expensive than original Stratanium cookware.

Titanium is a common component of nonstick cookware, found in both PTFE and ceramic brands. For more information, see our article The Best Titanium Cookware. 

The million dollar question, though, is, "Does ScanPan last longer than other nonstick brands?" And the answer, for the majority of people, seems to be yes. While there are complaints among users of the nonstick wearing out in a couple of years or less, there are far fewer of them than there are for most other nonstick brands.

In addition to the nonstick coating, ScanPan is well made cookware. It's cast aluminum (like other top-end nonstick brands like All-Clad), and it's thick enough to provide excellent, even heating. The pans feel good in your hand, like quality products. They're definitely a cut above most less expensive brands of nonstick cookware. 

They also make a couple of 5-ply clad stainless lines with 3 interior layers of aluminum, which is a great cladding configuration that provides both durability and even heating.

Even if you find that it doesn't last longer than other brands of nonstick that you've owned, using ScanPan products is a pleasure because of their solid, well-built feel--but it's up to you whether or not this justifies the higher cost.

The Classic series has a special handle attachment that makes the cooking surface free of rivets--a nice feature in any piece of cookware: 

However, if you have a gas stovetop, we suggest you buy a skillet with a stainless steel handle. The bakelite on the Classic series won't hold up well to a gas flame.

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How to Care for ScanPan Cookware

You should care for a ScanPan skillet as you would care for any PTFE pan. That is:

• Don't use aerosol cooking spray (it breaks down the PTFE)
• Don't use metal utensils
• Don't use high (or even medium high) heat, especially when the pan is empty
• Wash by hand.

Yes: even though ScanPan advertises their nonstick cookware as dishwasher safe, their website suggests that you wash by hand. And many reviewers say they take all the precautions they take with other nonstick cookware: no metal utensils, no high heat, no cooking spray.

If you follow these use and care instructions, your ScanPan nonstick skillet is probably going to outlast other brands.

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How to Extend the Life of your ScanPan Nonstick Skillet

Following the use and care instructions above are the best way to extend the life of your nonstick skillet, but here's a list that's a little more specific:

• Always cook on heat set no higher than medium. Never use high heat.
• Do not preheat an empty nonstick pan for more than a couple of minutes, especially on a gas or induction stove: some burners can reach 500F or higher in less than 5 minutes.
• Do not use metal utensils, even though ScanPan says it's okay to do so. They will ruin the nonstick surface faster than wood or silicone utensils.
• Always wash by hand. Do not put in dishwasher even though ScanPan says it's okay to do so. Dishwasher detergent contains abrasives that are bad for the nonstick coating.
• Do not use aerosol cooking spray. The aerosol propellant reacts with the PTFE and causes it to degrade.
• Do not put a nonstick skillet in the oven, especially at temps above 350F. Yes, 500F is when PTFE begins to break down, but repeated heating to temps close to this will take its toll. We suggest that if you want your nonstick pan to last, avoid putting it in the oven altogether.
• Avoid rapid temperature changes as they can cause warping. For example, let your pans cool to room temperature before washing. And never run water into a hot pan.
• Do not use abrasive cleansers or scrubbing pads on the nonstick surface--they can scratch it.

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What to Look for in Nonstick Pans: A Buying Guide

Buying nonstick cookware is like buying other cookware. You should look at heating, durability, stability, design, price, and warranty. 

Here, we look at these issues in general and also look at how ScanPan measures up.

Heating

Since the purpose of cookware is to heat food, the heating properties are probably the most important consideration when buying (at least, assuming a pan is safe and non-reactive). Good cookware heats evenly and quickly and will hold heat for a fair amount of time. Poor cookware has hot and cold spots that cause food to heat unevenly. If you've ever used a pan that doesn't heat evenly, you know how frustrating it is to have food that's barely warm on one side of a pan while it's almost burning on the other. That is not what you want.

One of the easiest ways to tell if a pan has good heating properties is by its thickness/heft/weight. Thicker, heavier pans have more mass, so they hold onto heat better than thin pans, and they hold heat more evenly. This is true whether that material is copper, aluminum, cast iron, or something else. 

ScanPan cast aluminum pans have terrific heating properties because they're thick enough to hang onto heat and distribute it evenly. Their clad stainless isn't quite as good simply because there isn't as much aluminum (yes, even though it's typically more expensive). However, the 5-ply construction with three inner layers of aluminum is better than most brands of clad stainless.

For all these reasons, ScanPan nonstick gets 4.5 stars in the heating category.

Durability

Durability also matters because a cookware's durability will determine how long it will last. This is less important for nonstick cookware, because people know going in that the nonstick coatings don't hold up over time the way clad stainless, cast iron, and copper cookware do (true even for a premium brand like ScanPan).

Heft/weight adds to durability like it does to heating performance: heavy cookware is more durable and usually better made than lighter weight cookware and is less prone to warping. So the heft of ScanPan cookware is excellent. 

However, people who want nonstick cookware are always searcing for the Holy Grail: a nonstick coating that lasts. We can't give ScanPan a perfect score here because the PTFE in the coating means it won't last at long as stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel (all of which will last for several decades). 

However, ScanPan is probably going to last longer than most nonstick cookware if you take good care of it. We give most PTFE cookware two-three stars for durability, but we give ScanPan 3.5. You can bump that up even higher if you're okay with nonstick cookware that lasts longer than average (though nothing near more durable pans like stainless and cast iron).

You also want to look at handle attachment and lid design, which are both good on ScanPan cookware--though we prefer stainless lids for increased durability.

Stability (Safety)

Stability refers to a cookware's reactivity. For example, bare cast iron reacts with acidic foods and can give them an off, metallic taste. Cast iron also rusts easily if not thoroughly dried after washing. For these reasons, cast iron gets a low rating (2 stars) for stability (although when seasoned, cast iron becomes quite stable).

PTFE nonstick cookware (ScanPan) is stable when used properly. It is an inert substance that won't react with food of any type as long as it's not heated above about 490F. At this temperature, PTFE begins to break down and can give off toxic fumes.

In fact, PTFE can start to degrade at temps as low as 390F.

So when used properly, PTFE cookware gets 5 stars for stability. But when used improperly, it gets 1 star. We averaged the two and gave ScanPan a 3 star rating for stability.

If you're certain that you and everyone in your household will always use ScanPan cookware properly and never overheat it, you can bump this rating up to 5 stars--but you must be absolutely sure before you do so because of the dangers of overheating PTFE cookware.

Design

Design refers to both the usability and the looks of the cookware. This is the most personal category, as one person's perfect pan might be another person's nightmare. You should have an idea of what you like and why before you buy.

Design includes handles, lids, rivets (or lack thereof), pan shape, and overall aesthetics (buy pans you find attractive if you want to get the most pleasure out of using them).

Shape: For skillets, pan shape is one of the most important considerations: do you like a pan with short, steep sides and a lot of flat cooking surface, like this ScanPan ProIQ skillet:

Or do you prefer a pan with longer, higher sides and less flat cooking surface, like this Anolon Nouvelle Copper skillet: 

Overall, we really like the design of ScanPan skillets. They provide a good amount of flat cooking surface, which is what you want for most tasks you'd use a skillet for (e.g, eggs, pancakes, hamburgers, chicken breasts, etc.). ScanPan skillets feel roomy and open, and it's easy to keep an eye on your food. The main reason for this is that ScanPan skillets are pretty shallow. Most of them have sides that are 2 inches tall.

This design has both pros and cons. The pros of a shallow skillet are:

• Easy to get a turner in to flip food
• Easy to do the "chef shake" to flip food
• Liquids evaporate quickly, which is exactly what you want when browning food.

The cons of a shallow skillet are:

• Grease can splatter out of the pan more easily
• The skillet can't hold as much (of certain foods) as a taller-sided skillet of the same size
• It isn't safe for deep frying.

There's no right or wrong answer; it's just about your preferences and how you cook. Like a lot of people, you may want both a shallow skillet for some of your cooking tasks and a deeper skillet or sauté pan for others. There isn't a pan on the planet that does everything well, but we find that shallow-ish skillets with a lot of flat surface offer the most versatility and perform the best for most frying tasks.

Curved lip: Some skillets also have a curved lip for drip-free pouring. None of the ScanPan products have a curved lip. Even so, pouring liquids from them wasn't too bad--we tested both water and cooking oil, and while there was some dripping down the side, it was comparable to skillets with a curved lip (like All-Clad D3).

Handles: The ScanPan handles are all pretty good, meaning they're easy to grip and use to stabilize the pan. However, since handle designs differ a bit among the different ScanPan lines, you may want to read reviews to get a feel for how people liked (or hated) the handle. And also remember that, while some handles get a lot of hate (looking at you, All-Clad!), you can adapt to almost any handle design, even if it's not your favorite.

Lids: Most ScanPan lids are made of glass and stainless steel. Only the Professional lids are all stainless. It's great that they offer both, though we prefer stainless lids for their durability. Note that you do not have to buy the lid for the pan you get: as long as the lid size fits the pan size, and ScanPan lid will work with any pan. So if you own a Classic skillet, for example, you can buy a Professional lid for it; or whatever lid you prefer.

Note also that skillets do not generally come with lids, so if you want a lid, you'll probably have to buy one separately. This is true for all skillets and not just ScanPan. Having said that, there are a few buying options below that include lids. Do the math before buying to figure out which is the best deal: lid included, or buying the lid separately. Check prices on different sites too to make sure you get the best deal.

Nonstick Properties: When buying nonstick cookware, you also have to consider the nonstick properties. While it is our belief that most PTFE is similar in performance, ScanPan's Stratanium is different. In our testing, we loved how ScanPan nonstick surfaces cooked, browned, released food, and cleaned up. Once again, we can't guarantee that this will last, but while it does last, it's truly excellent nonstick.  

ScanPan skillets are some of the nicest and best-designed nonstick skillets on the market. For all of these reasons, we give ScanPan skillets 4.5 stars for design. But remember: design is the most personal category, and just because we like a pan doesn't mean you will. Make sure to take a look at the handles, lids, pan shape, and overall aesthetics before you buy to make sure  it's something that will work for you. 

Weight: Weight can be an important consideration. Heavier cookware almost always performs better than lighter cookware because the added heft improved heating evenness and retention. We often recommend that people buy the heaviest cookware they can comfortably handle--true for clad stainless, cast iron, and carbon steel.

However, with aluminum cookware, that isn't necessarily the case. Aluminum is much lighter than stainless steel, so even though aluminum nonstick pans usually weigh less, they generally perform better than clad stainless nonstick pans (because, more aluminum). This is yet another reason to go with the aluminum ScanPan rather than the clad stainless steel.

If you have ergonomic issues, then you should definitely stick with the aluminum cookware.

The ScanPan aluminum cookware gets high marks for being lightweight yet still conducting heat well. 

Price

It might be unfair of us to give ScanPan such a low rating in this category, but the simple truth is that these pans are expensive, and there's no certainty that you'll get more longevity out of them than you will from less expensive nonstick pans.

For that reason, we give ScanPan only 2.5 stars for price.

Having said that, you are paying more for a premium product, which is as it should be. ScanPan uses recycled aluminum and is made in Denmark (not China), both positive attributes. It's also extremely well made cookware that's a pleasure to use and care for. So if you're willing to pay more for a premium product--even if the nonstick coating may or may not last longer than that of less expensive brands--than you can bump our rating up.

Warranty

All good quality cookware should have a warranty of at least 30 years, and preferably a lifetime. ScanPan cookware has a lifetime warranty. But the really important aspect of the warranty is: Will the company actually honor it?

If you read through ScanPan product reviews, you'll find that some people had trouble getting their warranty honored. ScanPan was unresponsive or refused to replace a pan that had lost its nonstick properties, even though people claimed to have followed all use and care instructions.

Yet there were others who had pans replaced with no questions asked. 

So where does that leave us?

Cookware is typically covered for manufacturing defects, not for wear and tear. Very few nonstick makers will honor a warranty when a pan loses its nonstick properties, and it's unrealistic to expect them to.

ScanPan will absolutely honor the warranty for manufacturing defects. So we give them a decent rating. But if you have issues with the nonstick coating, it's harder to say what will happen.

If you're concerned about this, you should read through the Amazon reviews--particularly the one star reviews-- and decide for yourself where ScanPan falls on the warranty issue. It's a hard thing to pinpoint because people's experiences vary so much, so you should decide for yourself what your comfort level is. 

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How We Tested ScanPan Skillets

To test nonstick skillets for the ScanPan review, we fried eggs, seared steaks, and cooked fish. We cooked all the food on low to medium heat and used only silicon utensils (because this is how we would actually use the skillets at home).

The big question for most people is probably: Do you need oil or butter with a ScanPan?

Eggs did best with a little bit of butter. Without fat, they wanted to stick a little, particularly to the Stratanium+, which is a rougher surface than the original Stratanium. Eggs did release on their own eventually, but by the time that happened, most people would consider them overcooked. 

Both steaks and fish released from all the ScanPans beautifully. We even got a decent crust on the steak, though nothing like what you can do with screaming hot cast iron.

None of our testers noticed a significant difference between Stratanium and Stratanium+ except with the fried eggs as mentioned above. For this reason, our recommendation is to go with a Stratanium pan, as they are less expensive than the Stratanium+ pans. (Having said that, the Stratanium+ pans get a lot of love from reviewers.)

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Review: ScanPan Classic/Classic Induction/ES5 Skillet

Here's the ScanPan Classic (left) and the ScanPan ES5 for Sur la Table (right):

See ScanPan Classic skillet on Amazon

See all ScanPan buying options on Amazon

See ScanPan Classic skillet at Sur la Table

See ScanPan ES5 skillet with lid at Sur la Table 

See ScanPn ES5 skillet without lid at Sur la Table

ScanPan Classic is the pan that started it all. One of its best features is the smooth, rivetless cooking surface, which is a really nice feature if you hate how gunk can build up around the rivets on most cookware. The only drawback is the bakelite handle, which is simply not as durable as stainless steel. If you have a gas stove or like to put skillets in the oven, we suggest you pick a model with a stainless handle.

We also love that the Classic comes in both induction and non-induction. Even if you don't have an induction cooktop, we recommend considering the induction model because the stainless disc on the bottom is going to add to the pan's durability. Unfortunately, the price of the Classic Induction is a little higher. But if you're in the market for a premium nonstick pan, an extra $20 or so may not matter to you. 

ES5 is Sur la Table's exclusive version of the Classic Induction with a different handle; we won't say it's better because ergonomic preferences are different for everyone. But we do think it's prettier. All ES5 cookware is induction compatible. You can get the ES5 with a lid or without.

Our Rating: ScanPan Classic is better than average nonstick and we love the rivetless cooking surface, but we take points off for the bakelite handle, which isn't as durable as stainless steel. We don't give any nonstick 5 stars because of inherent lack of durability, but we rate ScanPan higher than most other nonstick brands.

Price Alert: You'll probably find the prices at Sur la Table lower than on Amazon. Be sure to check both sites to make sure you get the best deal.

Features

Cast aluminum body

Stratanium nonstick coating

Patented spring-lock Bakelite handle

Rivetless cooking surface

Oven safe to 500F

Glass/stainless lid (sold separately)

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

If you love the idea of a cooking surface with no rivets and don't mind the bakelite handle, ScanPan Classic is a good choice. Since it comes in both induction and non-induction options, you can get the one that suits your needs. 

ScanPan ES5 is essentially a Sur la Table version of the Classic Induction series with a different handle. You may find the prices lower on ES5 than on the Classic line on Amazon.

Not recommended if you have a gas stovetop or plan on using the pan in the oven frequently; the bakelite handle won't stand up to the heat.

BUY SCANPAN Classic/classic induction ON AMAZON:

BUY SCANPAN classic (ES5) AT SUR LA TABLE:

buy scanpan es5 with lid at sur la table:

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Review: ScanPan Professional/Pro S5  Skillet

Here's the ScanPan Professional skillet (left) and the ScanPan Pro S5 skillet (right):

See ScanPan Professional skillet on Amazon

See ScanPan Pro S5 skillet at Sur la Table

The ScanPan Professional is a Classic skillet with a stainless handle instead of a bakelite handle. If you go with Sur la Table's Pro S5 version, you even get the patented handle attachment with no rivets on the cooking surface, and it's usually less than the ScanPan Professional prices on Amazon.

Note that both of these pans have the original Stratanium coating, which is a little smoother than the new Stratanium+ found on a few other models. We found no difference in performance between the two coatings, and the Stratanium pans cost less than the Stratanium+ pans. There may be a difference in longevity, which we can't really test for, but with all the positive reviews on the Stratanium products, we think you'll be happy with one of these. 

We also like that this is ScanPan's only pan with an all stainless lid instead of a glass-and-stainless lid. Stainless lids are more durable and lighter weight, so we prefer them. Of course, you can buy any ScanPan lid and it will work, as long as you get the right size for your pan.

Finally, don't make the mistake of thinking that this skillet is made for professional kitchens because of the name; there's no such thing as professional-grade nonstick cookware. Having said that, it's a nice skillet and if you want a quality pan with a lifetime warranty and don't need induction compatibility, the Professional or Pro S5 are good options. 

We tested the Professional pan, not the ES5, but results should be identical. Out of all the ScanPan nonstick skillets we tested, this one was probably the overall favorite. Which is a little ironic, because this pan got the lowest review rating of all the pans that had reviews. The Pro S5 got better ratings on Sur la Table, and so was more reflective of our experience with this pan.

Our Rating: ScanPan Professional is better than average nonstick and we love the rivetless cooking surface on the Pro S5 (the Sur la Table version). We don't give any nonstick 5 stars because of inherent lack of durability, but we rate ScanPan higher than most other nonstick brands. The tougher-than-average nonstick plus the excellent build quality and stainless steel handle that make these skillets more enjoyable to use than most other nonstick brands, so we give it a 4-star rating.

Price Alert: You may find the prices at Sur la Table lower than on Amazon. Be sure to check both sites if you want to get the best deal. (And remember, the Pro S5 doesn't have rivets!)

Features

Cast aluminum body

Stratanium nonstick coating

Hollow stainless handle (rivetless cooking surface on Pro S5)

Oven safe to 500F

Stainless lid (sold separately)

NOT induction compatible

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

If you like the ScanPan Classic but want a stainless handle--which we recommend for gas stove tops--the Professional and Pro S5 are both good choices. Sur la Table's Pro S5 version even has the rivetless cooking surface, and is usually priced lower than the Professional model on Amazon. Note that neither of these pans are induction compatible. Of the two, we definitely recommend the Pro S5 over the Professional.

BUY SCANPAN professional ON AMAZON:

BUY SCANPAN PRO s5 AT SUR LA TABLE (recommended):

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Review: ScanPan Pro S+/TechnIQ Skillet

Here are the Pro S+ skillet (left) and the TechnIQ skillet (right):

See the ScanPan Pro S+ skillet at Sur la Table 

See the ScanPan TechnIQ skillet at Williams-Sonoma 

See the ScanPan TechnIQ skillet with lid at Williams-Sonoma 

These are basically the ScanPan Professional and Pro S5 (see above) updated with the new Stratanium+ nonstick coating, plus a few other small design differences. The Williams-Sonoma TechnIQ has a radically different handle design than other ScanPan skillets and a flat, squarish minimalistic look. We prefer TechnIQ's flat handle to the hollow handle on other ScanPan skillets--all of our testers found it easier to grip and stabilize the pan. 

Our Rating: ScanPan Pro S+/TechnIQ is better than average nonstick. We don't give any nonstick 5 stars because of inherent lack of durability, and while Pro S+/TechnIQ are well made and tougher than other nonstick brands, the new Stranium+ coating is, in our opinion, overpriced. We like the stainless handles, but prefer the Pro S5 above with the original Stratanium and rivetless cooking surface for a significantly smaller investment. To summarize, we took points off for the high price, the fact that the Stratanium+ didn't really distinguish itself in our testing, and because there's no option for a rivetless cooking surface.

Price Alert: As of this writing, the prices are the same on both sites, but always check to make sure you get the best deal.

Features

Cast aluminum body

Stratanium+ nonstick coating

Hollow stainless handle (Pro S+)/flat stainless handle (TechnIQ)

Oven safe to 500F

Stainless/glass lid (sold separately--Sur la Table)

NOT induction compatible

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

If you want the new Stratanium+ coating and don't care about induction compatibility, both the Pro S+ (at Sur la Table) and the TechnIQ (at Williams-Sonoma) are good options. We prefer the handle on the TechnIQ skillet; it's a little easier to stabilize, especially when your hands are wet. Otherwise, they're pretty much identical pans that cost the same, so buy the one you prefer. Note that the 11-inch Pro S+ costs less than the smaller Pro S+ pans, so at about $80, is a great deal.

BUY SCANPAN Pro s+ skillet at sur la table:

BUY SCANPAN techniq skillet set AT williams-sonoma:

BUY SCANPAN techniq skillet with Lid AT williams-sonoma:

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Review: ScanPan CTX Skillet

See ScanPan CTX skillet on Amazon

See ScanPan CTX skillet at Williams-Sonoma

The ScanPan CTX is a 5-ply clad stainless steel pan with inner layers of aluminum and a Stratanium nonstick coating. Because it's clad stainless, it is induction compatible. It's a pretty pan with the excellent build quality typical of ScanPan cookware. 

Our Rating: ScanPan CTX is better than average nonstick with an excellent build quality and great heating properties. We don't give any nonstick 5 stars because of inherent lack of durability, and we take points off for the clad stainless construction of the CTX and for the high price. If you've read any of our other articles about nonstick cookware, you know that we strongly recommend buying cast aluminum rather than clad stainless. Cast aluminum is less expensive, and it typically has better heating properties (because, more aluminum). So even though this is very nice pan, the clad stainless construction seems like overkill to us--despite the lifetime warranty, the nonstick coating isn't likely to last anywhere near as long as a clad stainless pan with a stainless cooking surface. Thus, we deduct points for both the clad stainless construction and the price, getting CTX a 3.5 star rating. 

Price Alert: As of this writing, the prices are the same on Amazon and Williams-Sonoma, but always check to make sure you get the best deal. 

Features

5-Ply stainless/aluminum body

Stratanium nonstick coating

Brushed exterior

Induction compatible

Hollow stainless handle

Oven safe to 500F

Vented glass/stainless lids (sold separately on Amazon, or get the Classic ScanPan lid at Williams-Sonoma)

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

The ScanPan CTX is a really nice pan, but we do not recommend buying nonstick cookware in clad Toggle_titlestainless. If you need induction compatibility, we recommend you go with the ScanPan Classic Induction or better yet, Sur la Table's ES5. They're both less expensive and offer better heating properties, and, in the ES5, a rivetless cooking surface.

BUY SCANPAN ctx:

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Review: ScanPan Pro IQ Skillet

See ScanPan Pro IQ skillet on Amazon

See ScanPan Pro IQ at Sur la Table

The ScanPro IQ skillet is the induction compatible version of the ScanPan Professional/Sur la Table's Pro S5 skillet reviewed above. It has a cast aluminum body, stainless steel handle, and standard Stratanium coating like the Professional skillet, with a stainless steel disc added to the bottom so it works with induction cooktops.

Our Rating: Like all ScanPan cookware, the Pro IQ skillet is better than average nonstick with excellent build quality, so it starts at 3.5 stars. We don't give any nonstick 5 stars because of inherent lack of durability. As nice as this pan is, if you need induction compatibility, we recommend you go with the ScanPan Classic Induction or better yet, Sur la Table's ES5. They're both less expensive and offer better heating properties, the same nonstick Stratanium coating (not Stratanium+), and the ES5, has a rivetless cooking surface. 

Price Alert: As of this writing, the prices are the same on both Amazon and Sur la Table, but you should check both to make sure you get the best deal.

Features

Cast aluminum body w/stainless base for induction

Stratanium nonstick coating

Induction compatible

Hollow stainless handle

Oven safe to 500F

Vented glass/stainless lids (sold separately)

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

The ScanPan Pro IQ skillet is a beautiful, well-built pan, and we prefer the cast aluminum over the clad stainless construction even for nonstick cookware--but you can get induction compatibility in the Classic Induction or Sur la Table's ES5 for a lot less. 

BUY SCANPAN Pro IQ:

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Review: ScanPan HaptIQ/CS+

The HaptIQ and CS+ are the basically the same skillet with small differences in design but the same basic construction. Here's the HaptIQ (left) and the CS+ (right):

See ScanPan HaptIQ skillet on Amazon

See ScanPan HaptIQ skillet at Sur la Table

See CS+ skillet at Sur la Table

The HaptIQ skillet is identical to the CTX skillet, reviewed above, but wit Stratanium+ coating. The CS+ is Sur la Table's in-house version, though they also sell the HaptIQ.

HaptIQ/CS+ has 5-ply clad stainless construction with three interior layers of aluminum sandwiched between clad stainless. The cooking surface has Stratanium+ nonstick coating. The HaptIQ/CS+ is induction compatible. 

Like all ScanPan products, the pan is well built, pretty, and has a solid, expensive feel.

Our Rating: Because it's basically the same pan as the CTX, we give it a similar rating. It gets an above average rating for being superior to most other brands of nonstick cookware, but we take points off for the clad stainless construction, for the high price, and for the fact that Stratanium+ didn't impress us all that much in our testing. That gets the HaptIQ/CS+ a 3.5 star rating.

It's not that this isn't a lovely pan, because it is. We just think it's overpriced for a nonstick pan and that you're better off going with cast aluminum: it's less expensive, and it's going to provide more even heating (because it has more aluminum than a clad stainless pan). 

Price Alert: As of this writing, the prices are about the same for the HaptIQ Amazon, Sur la Table, and Williams-Sonoma, but always check every site to make sure you get the best deal. Also note that the 11-inch skillet is the best buy at $99--even less than the smaller skillets! This is true for both the HaptIQ and the CS+ lines.

Features

5-Ply stainless/aluminum

Stratanium+ nonstick coating

Polished stainless exterior

Induction compatible

Oven safe to 500F

Hollow stainless handle

Glass/stainless lid (sold separately)

Lifetime warranty

Made in Denmark.

Recommendation

We don't generally recommend clad stainless nonstick cookware because cast aluminum is cheaper and has better heating properties, and the HaptIQ/CS+ pans are no exception. They're gorgeous pans, but if you need induction compatibility, the Classic Induction or ES5 are better options at a lower price. With one exception: the HaptIQ 11-inch skillet is a steal for only $99--though we're not sure if that price is promotional or if it will last. If you want the look of clad stainless, the HaptIQ is a great deal.

Buy scanpan haptiq :

buy scanpan CS+ at sur la table:

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Summary: ScanPan Nonstick Skillets Pros and Cons

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Final Thoughts on ScanPan Nonstick Cookware

We hope this ScanPan review has helped you decide if ScanPan is the nonstick cookware for you.

ScanPan makes excellent quality cookware, but it's more expensive than most other nonstick brands. We like the pans because they're well built and a pleasure to use, but only time will tell the true story about the Stratanium® nonstick coating. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, but there are enough complaints about the nonstick not lasting more than a year or so for us to recommend exercising caution if you're considering ScanPan.

We love that ScanPan is an environmentally conscious company that uses recycled aluminum and were the first ones to stop using PFOA way back in 2007. And, that these pans are made in Denmark by a family-owned company. They still have many of the environmental issues of PTFE cookware, but they're better than most.

If these features matter to you, then the higher price is well worth it.

Thanks for reading!

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