I Used Material’s Nonstick Frying Pan Almost Every Day for a Month — Here’s What I Found

I’m particular when it comes to the best nonstick pans. As a New York-based city dweller with a tiny kitchen, I’m forced to be picky about the cookware I add to my home setup. Being limited by space also means I can take my time testing cookware. I build my collection piece by piece instead of committing to an entire non-toxic cookware set at once.

As part of this philosophy, I recently tested Material’s The Coated Pan to see if it was up to snuff. The brand claims its pan lasts up to 37 times longer than its ceramic counterparts. Since I’ve gotten sick of replacing my nonstick pans every 2-3 years, I was excited to put this claim to the test.

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Material The Coated Pan

I’m no stranger to Material, a direct-to-consumer retailer beloved by Food & Wine editors for its consistently sleek and modern design and balance with functionality. We’ve tested many of the brand’s kitchen products, including chic steak knives and minimalist drinking glasses. I had a hunch I’d like The Coated Pan, but after testing it every day for a week straight, I didn’t expect to love it. This gorgeous pan has easily earned a coveted spot in my tiny New York kitchen. Here’s why.

From first impressions, I loved the look and weight of this pan. At 10.5 inches, it’s the perfect size for everyday cooking. It easily fits on my gas stovetop but can also be stacked in my kitchen cabinet or hung by the hole in its handle. I opt to leave it out on my stovetop since it’s so pretty. The Coated Pan comes in three colors: Mineral, Dune, and Sky — a cool new blue color that I got to test. This pale blue color is beautiful and calming.

True to the brand’s aesthetic, this pan has a clean and minimalist design. It’s the type of pan I’d want to hang on a wire pan rack or display prominently in an open shelving-style kitchen. It felt sturdy to pick up, but not heavy to move, which is another important part of my nonstick skillet criteria. My favorite part of this pan is the riveted stainless steel handle, which stays cool to the touch during cooking and makes the pan easy to pick up and maneuver from the stovetop to the counter or sink. 

Now let’s get into how it's made and — more importantly — how it performed. The pan has a 5-ply copper core with an aluminum and stainless steel outer and non-toxic stainless steel alloy coating. As someone who generally avoids copper cookware because of its reputation for being finicky to clean and prone to warping and scorching, I was skeptical about this pan’s partial copper construction. However, Material cracked the code, and I found this pan heats up quickly and evenly.

I was most intrigued about the nonstick coating, so let’s get into it. According to Material, their nonstick coating is made without PFOA, cadmium, and lead. This nonstick coating has been proven to last up to 37 times longer than ceramic cookware. I’m excited to test that claim in the long term, but for now, I’ve loved my first month using it. As someone who also does not love ceramic cookware (or having to replace my nonstick pan every 2-3 years), I’m excited to see how The Coated Pan fares over the next few months and even years.

In terms of its nonstick properties, it’s not so slick that my eggs practically slide out of the pan, but the protective nonstick layer does what it should. It prevents food from sticking and allows for easy release. It’s also a breeze to handwash, with no stuck-on bits and little, if any, oily residue. To note: This pan is dishwasher safe, adding more points for practicality. 

I’ve used The Coated Pan primarily to sauté vegetables like Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, and asparagus. I’ve had to use little to no olive oil to achieve nice even browning. This pan works beautifully for toasting a few slices of bread for grilled cheese or as an egg pan for weekend omelets and fried egg dishes. I’ve seared proteins like salmon fillets and chicken breasts in this pan and had to turn the heat down to avoid burning. It heats up almost shockingly fast and cooks evenly, but I would note that it performs best on low-to-medium heat. Remember copper is an excellent conductor.

If you’re curious about copper cookware but don’t want to commit to a full set, The Coated Pan’s 5-ply copper core is a smart place to start. I’m keeping this nonstick frying pan from Material in my permanent rotation.

More Material Kitchen Products We Love:

Material The ReBoard

Material The Soft Edge Turner

Material The Full Glass Set

Material The Forever Peeler

Material The Half Glass Set