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Are HexClad pans worth the money and hype?
This is the first time I have written a product review on the website, but as I know many of our readers are keen cooks, I wanted to give my feedback on the HexClad pans I purchased. I have been cooking with the pans for three months now, so here are my early impressions.
1 Purchase
I took the plunge with HexClad when I saw an offer for a three-pan set with over 30% off the list price. This was August 2024. We had a kitchen refit planned for September and fancied new pans for the kitchen and our new induction hob. I thought the kitchen would be completed in early November, but it turned out it was mid-December before I could get my hands on the new pans.
The set comprised of
20cm Hybrid pan and lid
30cm Hybrid pan
Hybrid Deep Saute pan 32cm
Total price £320.00 inc delivery
Once you place the order, expect more information and emails on how to take care of your prized possessions and register your pans for the lifetime guarantee.
2 Unboxing
As unboxing is a thing these days, I will describe the packaging. It has to be said that the pans are well-packed. Each pan’s outer packaging is a standard brown card box; once inside, you are faced with a smart HexClad box; when you have worked out how to open that box there is your pan, well nearly as each pan is wrapped in a drawstring bag, open the bag a there is a gleaming HexClad pan.
3 Cooking
Before you can start to cook with the pans, you need to season each pan first; basically, this involves washing in warm, soapy water and dry. Then place on a medium-low each and thinly coat the interior of the pan with cooking oil; heat for 2-3 minutes and your pan is ready to use.
So, for the fun part, cook with HexClad pans. I tackle the Hybrid pans first. These are slightly deeper frying pans but also work well with sauces, and I’ve used the 30cm pan as a Wok. The pans heat up quickly and give a nice sear to meat and vegetables. My wife recently cooked pancakes in the 20cm pan, and she loved the even cooking and the non-stick properties of the pan.
I love cooking eggs in the 20cm hybrid, I actually now cook fried eggs with the lid on as it saved flipping the egg and cooking the top side perfectly and quickly. I’m guessing I use one of these pans most days. I would say they cook food slightly quicker than my previous pans but this might also might be as much to do with the new hob as well as the pans.
Onto the big pan, this one I’ve not used as much as it is big and I’m usually only cooking for two, however when I have used it works well, I think I’ve used it for a couple of slow-cooked dishes like beef bourguignon, and I did make a curry in the pan for a family gathering, it called a deep saute pan and can be used for a variety of dishes, but for me it will be for occasional use due to its size.
All the pans have a substantial, high-quality feel without being overly heavy. A while back, I purchased two Le Creuset frying pans, but they were too heavy and took too long to heat up, making them impractical for everyday use.
4 Cleaning
One off the biggest plus point is the non-stick capabilities of the pans, which make cleaning so easy. Although they are dishwasher-proof, I find it easier to rinse of with warm, soapy water. So far, nothing has stuck to any of the pans whilst cooking, and cleaning is super easy; the glass lids are the hardest to clean and require a little more effort to remove smears.
5 Final thoughts …
Ok, I’m guessing the main barrier to buying HexClad is the price. It’s likely that their marketing expenses and high-profile endorsements contribute to the product’s cost. However, despite the price, these pans are exceptional after three months of use. The lifetime guarantee is also a significant selling point. However, if the cost puts you off, check their website or sign up to their mailing list, as they have lots of regular offers that offer big savings.
I will order a lid for my 30cm hybrid pan as I think it will make it even more flexible and could be used for a hob casserole dish.
Did I have any grumbles? I noticed a slight blemish on my 30cm hybrid pan and sent a picture to the help centre. They took a few days to respond, but when they did, they responded well and said it was normal and would not affect performance. Now, the blemish has virtually disappeared.
I’m going to get a silicone or plastic turner utensil for frying. Although metal utensils will not damage the pans they can scrap on the raised metal hexagons on the base of the pans.
I have been using my new pans for three months and am very happy with them. I will provide a further update on them after 12 months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below
HexClad Website
