The Chef's Choice Pan

This is a chef-favorite for so many reasons! And here's why you shouldn't use other cookware.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get is; what pans should we buy? Or, what is your favorite pan to use? 

Many of our chefs swear by HexClad pans and I will tell you a few reasons why.

• The lifetime warranty! It's unusual and amazing for a nonstick pan to offer that, so you know they're special.
• It is nonstick because of the design, not from Teflon so you don’t have to worry about chipping.
• Does not require much oil, if any, when cooking and food truly does not stick.
• Their solid weight gives the pans good heat distribution, meaning food will cook evenly. The weight also makes it less likely to spill if bumped into.
• You can use metal utensils on the pan! 

Overall, the pans feel good in your hand and the surface are of the bottom is generous and true to advertised size. You will get a nice even crust when searing meat with some oil in the pan. Cooking food with a little oil spray helps everything cook evenly with out charring or burning. Pans are oven proof and work nicely in the oven.

Find HexClad Pans here!

The Hidden Risks in Cookware Coatings & Materials
As chefs, we care deeply about what goes into our food — but it’s just as important to pay attention to what it’s cooked in. Not all cookware is created equal, and some materials or finishes can actually release harmful substances into food, especially when heated to high temperatures or scratched.

Over time, those exposures can add up. Some cookware coatings and glazes have even been linked to cancer-causing compounds or other long-term health risks.

Nonstick Coatings and “Forever Chemicals”
Nonstick cookware is loved for convenience — but many traditional nonstick pans are made using PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), sometimes called “forever chemicals.” These compounds are extremely persistent in the environment and the human body.

When overheated, nonstick coatings can break down and release fumes or toxic byproducts — and once a pan is scratched or damaged, small flakes of coating can end up in your food.

Even products labeled “PFOA-free” or “nontoxic” may still contain other PFAS compounds, so transparency from cookware brands matters more than marketing claims.

What This Means for Everyday Cooking
While everyday cooking exposure is much lower than what scientists study in occupational or industrial settings, chefs know that cumulative exposure matters — especially when cooking daily for clients and families.

At Whole Health Everyday, we emphasize clean, safe kitchens and informed choices. The tools you use are part of that commitment to wellness.

Safer Choices for Your Kitchen
Here are our chef-approved ways to minimize risk while keeping your food delicious and safe:

1. Avoid overheating nonstick pans. Never preheat them empty — use low to medium heat and never let them smoke.
2. Replace scratched or flaking cookware. If a pan looks worn, it’s time for a new one.
3. Choose safer materials. Opt for cast iron, enameled cast iron, high-quality stainless steel, or borosilicate glass.
4. Cook acidic foods in glass or enamel, not bare metal or aluminum.
5. Use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching coatings.
6. Don’t store food in cookware, especially acidic dishes. Transfer leftovers to glass containers.
7. Seek out brands that disclose materials and testing — transparency is key.

Our Takeaway
​Healthy cooking starts long before you season or sauté — it begins with safe cookware choices. The right pan doesn’t just make food taste better; it ensures that every meal you prepare supports your health, not risks it.

As chefs, we’re passionate about knowing our tools inside and out — and that means choosing pans that align with the same high standards we bring to our ingredients and recipes every day.

Find HexClad on Amazon