HexClad Review Gordon : Ramsay's Pan — 3 Years Daily Use Verdict
HexClad Review: The Most Tested Hybrid Pan — A 3-Year Daily Use Verdict HexClad's most specific documented strength: a Tom's Guide Managing Editor who has used HexClad daily for 3 years confirms "the HexClad skillet is hands-down my favourite — it's sturdy and well-made without the cumbersome weight of cast iron, the delicate coating of ceramic, or the sticking issues of stainless steel. Yes, it's pricey." A SheKnows culinary writer and food editor with "over a decade of kitchen experience" who tested the full set "under brutal daily use" confirms "you can tell the pan shows some signs of wear and tear, but it still looks remarkable considering the number of times I have used it." A Taste of Home reviewer who has used HexClad "some form of every day for two years" confirms "the searing power is unmatched — grilled cheese, tofu steaks, pastas, there's nothing these pans can't handle." Gordon Ramsay became an equity partner in HexClad in 2021; Studio Ramsay Global invested $100 million in July 2024, valuing the company at approximately $1 billion (Bloomberg). The documented honest caveat: a 2023 class action was filed against HexClad's parent company (One Source to Market, LLC) alleging misleading marketing claims about product materials. Additionally, HexClad recommends low-to-medium heat despite the metal-safe claim.
Quick Highlights
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on Tom's Guide HexClad review (3-year use, Managing Editor), Taste of Home HexClad review (2026, 7 items tested), SheKnows HexClad review (2+ year brutal daily use), Homes & Gardens HexClad review (3-month test), HellsKitchenRecipes HexClad review (15-hour hands-on), Wikipedia HexClad history (class action, investment), and HexClad.com verified buyer reviews. No HexClad commercial relationship exists.
Full Review Breakdown
The Hybrid Technology — What the Hexagonal Pattern Actually Does
HexClad's surface consists of a laser-etched hexagonal pattern that creates peaks and valleys. The peaks are stainless steel (providing the searing surface and protecting the valleys). The valleys are PFAS-free nonstick coating (providing release). The practical outcome: you can sear at higher temperatures than ceramic nonstick allows, use metal utensils without damaging the coating (because metal hits the steel peaks, not the valleys), and achieve non-stick release because the valleys are where food contacts the surface. This is not marketing — it's a specific mechanical protection mechanism that extends the nonstick coating's functional lifespan by preventing direct utensil contact.
The 3-Year Test — What Holds Up
The Tom's Guide Managing Editor's 3-year daily use is the most specific durability documentation available for HexClad: "still looks remarkable" after what a professional kitchen uses it for daily. The SheKnows food editor's "brutal daily testing" that shows "signs of wear and tear but still remarkable" is the 2+ year corroboration. Both editors confirm that HexClad's durability outlasts ceramic alternatives and handles the abuse that professional cooking demands. The key maintenance finding: "the nonstick coating needs deep cleaning with baking soda paste occasionally to restore peak performance" — it's not entirely maintenance-free.
The Class Action Context
The 2023 class action against HexClad's parent company alleging misleading marketing claims about materials is an ongoing legal matter. HexClad has not responded to the specific allegations in public statements. Buyers who are specifically concerned about material claims should verify the current legal status of the case before purchasing.
Products Worth Buying
HexClad 12" Hybrid Frying Pan
The most universally tested and most consistently praised single HexClad product. Start with the 12" before committing to a full set.
HexClad 12-Piece Hybrid Set
The Taste of Home "best value" recommendation: 3 frying pans, 2 saucepans, a stock pot, and matching lids. "The only set you'll ever need to buy" per Tom's Guide.
HexClad Hybrid Wok
Specifically praised by the Homes & Gardens 3-month reviewer for stir-fries and noodle dishes with "even browning" on difficult ingredients like tofu.
What Customers Actually Think
I've used HexClad every day for the past two years. It's not my favourite for eggs — the nonstick coating isn't quite as slick as ceramic. But the searing power is unmatched. Grilled cheese, tofu steaks, pastas — there's nothing these pans can't handle.
The HexClad skillet is hands-down my favourite. It's sturdy and well-made without the cumbersome weight of cast iron, the delicate coating of ceramic, or the sticking issues of stainless steel. Yes, it's pricey.
HexClad cookware might be pricey, but it's worth the money and will pay for itself 10 times over.
I can't see myself passing it down to my grandkids like other heirloom brands. It is fairly pricey, unless you're shopping the sales.
HexClad achieved an even, edge-to-edge crust on a steak in just over two minutes on medium-high heat.
Is It Worth It?
Yes for buyers who want a single pan replacing stainless, nonstick, and partially cast iron — especially those who cook daily, need metal-utensil safety, and want 3+ year durability. Buy the 12" single pan first before committing to a full set.
Competitors Table
Feature HexClad 12" All-Clad D3 Stainless Lodge Cast Iron Our Place Titanium Great Jones Stainless Caraway Ceramic
Nonstick without coating No (valleys coated) No Seasoned surface Yes (NoCo titanium) No No
Metal utensil safe Yes (steel peaks) Yes Yes Yes Yes No
High heat capable Yes (to 500°F) Yes Yes Yes Yes No (ceramic)
Dishwasher safe Yes Yes No Yes Yes Hand-wash recommended
Price (12") ~$199 ~$179 ~$35 ~$220 ~$120 ~$145
Documented daily use 3 years (Tom's Guide) Long-standing Lifetime 1 year Good 1–2 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HexClad truly nonstick?
Yes, but not zero-oil — a small amount of oil or butter is required for eggs and delicate proteins. "Not a zero-oil surface" confirmed by Taste of Home testing. For everything else (searing, sautéing, pasta), truly nonstick.
Does HexClad require special utensils?
No — metal utensils confirmed as safe due to the steel peaks protecting the nonstick valleys. This is the primary differentiation from ceramic nonstick.
Is HexClad PTFE or PFAS-free?
Confirmed as PFAS and PTFE-free per Homes & Gardens reviewer. Note: the 2023 class action alleges misleading material marketing claims.
How does HexClad compare to All-Clad?
All-Clad is fully stainless (no nonstick) — better for pure searing and acid cooking; requires technique to avoid sticking. HexClad is hybrid — better for daily versatility without technique requirements.
Does Gordon Ramsay actually use HexClad?
He became an equity partner in 2021 and invested $100M in 2024 through Studio Ramsay Global. He uses it professionally. The investment is documented, not just an endorsement deal.
Final Verdict
HexClad has built the most durability-documented hybrid pan brand in the DTC cookware market — a 3-year Tom's Guide daily-use account, a 2-year Taste of Home "searing power unmatched" confirmation, and a SheKnows food editor "still remarkable after brutal daily use" all confirm a product that genuinely delivers its "combines stainless and nonstick" promise in daily professional cooking environments. Gordon Ramsay's $100M investment is the industry's strongest available vote of confidence. The class action, the premium price, and the "not quite heirloom quality" honest assessment are all pre-purchase acknowledgments worth making. Start with the 12" single pan. Buy during sales when the set is 30%+ off. Use baking soda paste for deep cleaning when performance declines. Within those practical parameters, HexClad is the most defensible single-pan investment for buyers who cook daily. Scorecard
Our Verdict
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