This Italian Cookware's Nonstick Skillet Is a Kitchen Game Changer—Here's Why

As much as I love my cast iron skillet for baking saucy shakshuka and searing juicy steaks, I know some tasks are best left to a nonstick pan. It's the only tool to flawlessly cook delicate fish, fluffy omelettes, and golden pancakes without needing a chisel to clean up afterward. But while most nonstick skillets start out slick, it can be a challenge to find a reliable pan that will last as long as cast iron.

Until recently, I just accepted nonstick skillets' shorter lifespans were part of the tradeoff for fuss-free cleaning. Sardel's durable nonstick pans, however, have changed my mind.

The direct-to-consumer cookware company's stainless steel has already earned approval from professional chefs, and its Italian-made nonstick pans are equally impressive. Crafted from five layers of metal, including an aluminum core and stainless steel overlay, the pans can handle temperatures up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit without warping and are oven-safe.

But what really makes the cookware so special is a stainless steel-infused coating that's reinforced with a unique honeycomb pattern. Both the material and design give the pan coating extra strength and resilience compared to traditional nonstick materials. Plus, it's PFOA-free, so you don't have to worry about chemicals hurting you or the environment.

I've tested the 10-inch skillet in the normal course of my daily cooking: frying eggs for breakfast, sauteing shrimp for dinner, and toasting nuts to add extra dimension to my banana bread. The pan heated evenly and quickly, and it released food with just a slight tilt or stir. I was genuinely surprised by how easily food slipped out of the pan for serving.

I also found the hollow heat-resistant handle comfortable to hold and the pan not too heavy for my wrists while flipping dishes like pancakes. Most importantly, cleaning the cookware was a breeze. I didn't even need to scrub out baked-on cheddar from a particularly messy grilled cheese sandwich.

Sardel's nonstick pans come in two sizes—10 inches and 12 inches—and work on all stovetops, including induction, gas, electric, and glass. And while the starting price point of $90 is a bit higher than traditional brands, consider the amount of money you'll save when you don't have to buy new nonstick cookware every year.

Best of all, right now, Food & Wine readers can save 10 percent on the pans by using the promo code FOODANDWINE10 at checkout. Shop at the links below, and you'll have a new favorite in the kitchen, too.

10-Inch Nonstick Skillet

To buy: $81 with code FOODANDWINE10 (originally $90); sardelkitchen.com

12-Inch Nonstick Skillet

To buy: $99 with code FOODANDWINE10 (originally $110); sardelkitchen.com

See what else I swear by.