Shiny Metal Vs Non-stick Pan: Which Should You Get?

When you go into any well-stocked kitchen store, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the cookware options. For example, which pans are essential, and how do you tell?

To begin with, it all depends on your preferences. People who like their shiny metal pans will praise them while vilifying non-stick pans.

And vice versa: People who prefer non-stick pans will complain about how difficult a shiny metal pan is to maintain.

Shiny metal and non-stick pans may seem to be the same thing, but they are different, so you must know which kind of pan to choose depending on what you are cooking. So, what are the differences between shiny metal and non-stick pan?

Brief Summary: Shiny Metal Pan Vs Non-stick Pan

Area	Shiny Metal Pan	Non-Stick Pan
Durability	Shiny metal pans are more durable since there is no coating. When properly cared for, it may last a lifetime.	Non-stick pans are less durable since coatings wear down over time and will need to be replaced every three to five years.
Cleaning and Maintenance	A shiny metal pan may be more challenging to clean, but most dishes will not stick to the pan with ideal heat and oil.	A non-stick pan is much easier to clean, but you must practice extra care while cooking and storing to avoid damage.
Oven-Safe Temperature	Most shiny metal pan is broiler and oven safe up to 500°F or 600°F.	Because non-stick pans are not broiler-safe and overheating might harm the coating, oven-safe heat limits are often lower.
Cooktop Compatibility	All kinds of cooktops are compatible with a shiny metal pan.	Non-stick cookware is compatible with all cooktops except induction (there are some exceptions, such as the All-Clad HA1 collection, which is induction-compatible).
Safety	Shiny metal pans containing at least 16% chromium (as is the case with all current cookware) are entirely safe.	Despite initial concerns, all nonstick pans Manufactured after 2013 are free of PFOA (a potentially harmful chemical) and completely safe for use in the kitchen.

The Advantages of Shiny Metal Pan

Shiny metal cookware has become common in modern cookware for many good reasons. And it can maintain these conditions for years. However, before purchasing this cookware, there are several factors to consider.

The shiny metal pan is long-lasting. Unlike other kinds of cookware, Shiny metal will not:

• Chip
• Crack
• Stain 
• Rust

It will not discolor over time like a non-stick pan due to regular usage, but it may stain depending on what you cook. The shiny metal is ideal for sautéing, browning, deep-frying, or boiling.

Lower-quality, shiny metal pans will not last as long and will not cook as evenly as high-quality, multi-ply cookware sets. Tri-ply or 5-ply shiny metal cookware will make food cook evenly all over the pan, eliminating the need to rotate the pan.

Compared to cookware such as cast iron, shiny metal provides a similar effect while searing foods without the bulky weight. When you take up a shiny metal pan off the burner, you won’t feel like you’re ready to pop your wrist out of the socket.

Some shiny metal sets, like cast iron, can resist high heat, as high as 500 °F oven temperatures.

If you’re just interested in aesthetics, shiny metal cookware is the most appealing of all cookware materials. It has a broad variety of prices, from affordable to high-end, and a stylish appearance.

Purchasing shiny metal cookware is also a wise investment since it is less costly than other items with comparable performance. After years of usage, shiny metal will not seem burnt, rusty, or chipped.

As long as you take good care of it, it will always look nice and maybe a central focus in your kitchen.

LEARN MORE: Can You Bake a Cake in a Glass Pan?

The Disadvantages of Shiny Metal Pan

The word “shiny metal” is deceptive. Sure, it won’t stain if you never miscalculate the temperature on the stove. On the other hand, Shiny metal gets stained easily.

If you leave an egg on for too long, expect 10 minutes of hard scrubbing to remove the burned husk from your pan.

And, it is the most common problem with shiny metal cookware. It’s excellent for sautéing, browning, deep-frying, and boiling, but not for light meals.

Unless you use enough oil or fat or produce a temporarily nonstick surface, at least three foods should never be cooked in this cookware: eggs, tofu, fish, and lean meat.

You should be able to get rid of the burned food if you clean up instantly after cooking. Bar Keeper’s Friend may remove most stains on shiny metal pans.

If you don’t want to scrub for hours, Bar Keeper offers a powder that you can set and forget (for a while) that will do the job for you.

LEARN MORE: Can Copper Chef Pans Go in the Oven?

The Advantages of Non-stick Pan

Nonstick pans are pretty popular these days, but are they safe? To assist you in deciding, here are some of the factors you should consider before purchasing this popular cookware option.

A non-stick pan has a variety of advantages. The most apparent of which is that non-stick cookware sets are often affordable. Among the other benefits are:

• Food will not stick.
• Simple to prepare.
• Easy to clean.
• It consumes less frying oil.

You don’t need a cooking degree to master a non-stick pan. While not perfect (you must know how to cook), it is the most user-friendly kind of cookware.

This non-stick cookware is less likely to burn food when compared to shiny metal or even cast iron. Unless you let it burn like crazy, your food will not stay in these pans, making cleanup a breeze.

Non-stick cookware performs well on both gas and electric burners. Some non-stick cookware manufacturers (such as T-Fal) design their products with characteristics that ensure pans heat evenly.

When cooking with non-stick, you don’t need to use much oil or spray but a shiny metal pan may need a large amount of oil to prevent your food from sticking.

LEARN MORE: Can Calphalon Pans Go in the Oven?

The Disadvantages of Non-stick Pan

There has been much discussion regarding non-stick cookware being harmful due to Teflon.

On the other hand, today’s cookware is PFOA-free, which means it’s safer than the stuff your parents probably had in their kitchen.

When purchasing a non-stick pan, always double-check the product specifics, but you shouldn’t worry about consuming harmful components.

Of course, the toxicity in the old non-stick pan was caused by chipping and scraping, which is natural. Using metal forks and knives on a pan can scrape the surface.

Even your spatula might be too harsh on your pan, so use silicone tools to prevent scratching the surface when cooking.

Non-stick cookware, unlike certain shiny metal sets, is often incompatible with high temperatures. If you use the maximum heat setting on your stove, you may burn both your meal and pan to the point that you cannot wash it away.

And since it’s non-stick, you’ll be cleaning in the sink rather than simply dumping everything in the dishwasher.

Many non-stick sets are not dishwasher safe since doing so may cause the non-stick coating to wear away, undermining the point of purchasing non-stick.

LEARN MORE: Can You Put Butter in a Cast Iron Skillet?

Conclusion

If you’re a beginner chef, you’ll probably be better off with non-stick cookware. It’s easier to use, works on gas and electric burners, and is simple to clean.

On the other hand, Shiny metal cookware is the way to go if you know what you’re doing in the kitchen and have a gas stove. It saves money over time because premium shiny metal sets are made to last.

Furthermore, you can use most of the shiny metal to cook on the stovetop and in the oven, allowing you to prepare a wider variety of dishes in the kitchen.