The sizzle of a steak in a hot pan is a sound of promise, but when that pan comes with a Michelin-starred chef’s endorsement, the expectations are sky-high. Gordon Ramsay’s partnership with HexClad has produced some of the most talked-about cookware on the market, but it also comes with a premium price tag. The central question for any serious home cook is simple: Does the performance justify the cost?
To find out, we moved beyond the marketing claims and put this hybrid cookware through a series of rigorous, hands-on tests. This review provides an in-depth analysis of its performance, its target audience, and whether it’s a worthwhile addition to your kitchen equipment collection.
The Verdict in Brief: Why Trust Our Review?
After 15 hours of searing, sautéing, and scrambling, we found Gordon Ramsay’s HexClad cookware offers a unique blend of nonstick convenience and stainless-steel searing power. Still, it’s not the perfect fit for every kitchen. It excels at developing a fantastic crust on meats and provides surprisingly good food release, though it requires a different approach than traditional nonstick.
My name is John Siracusa, founder of Hell’s Kitchen Recipes. From my experience testing dozens of pans, I can say HexClad’s heat distribution is among the best in the hybrid category. This review is based on that direct, hands-on experience.
How We Tested This Cookware
In our test kitchen, transparency is key. To push this cookware to its limits, we designed a multi-stage testing protocol to simulate real-world kitchen demands:
- Searing Test: We seared thick-cut steaks to assess crust development, a key part of recipes like a classic Beef Wellington, and to check for evenness of heat distribution.
- Nonstick Test: We fried eggs and flipped delicate pancakes using minimal butter to evaluate the hybrid surface’s food release capabilities.
- Durability Test: We used a metal fish spatula and metal tongs during cooking, as the brand claims it’s safe to do so, to check for surface scratching or damage.
- Cleanup Test: We deliberately left a sugary glaze to cool in the pan before washing by hand to test how easily residue is removed.
Understanding HexClad’s Hybrid Technology
The core of this cookware is its patented surface. It’s a combination of stainless steel “peaks” and PFOA-free nonstick “valleys.” The nonstick coating is made without PFOA, a chemical that has faced regulatory scrutiny. Think of it as having the searing power of a cast-iron skillet and the easy cleanup of a traditional nonstick pan, all in one. The steel peaks handle the heat and browning, while the recessed nonstick valleys provide easy food release.
In the Spotlight: The HexClad 6-Piece Set
- HexClad’s patented Hybrid technology features a laser-etched hexagonal nonstick surface that combines both stainless-steel and our TerraBond ceramic...
- A size for all cooking occasions, our Hybrid 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch pans offer the ultimate in versatility in cooking when it comes to frying,...
- Tri-ply construction with an aluminum core for quicker even heating, it’s safe to use on any home cooktop or stovetop, including induction. HexClad...
The most popular entry point for most buyers is the 6-piece set, which includes the 12-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch frying pans, each with its own tempered glass lid. This configuration covers the majority of daily cooking tasks, from a single egg to a family-sized meal.
Hands-On Performance: The Kitchen Test Results
Searing and Heat Distribution
This is where HexClad truly shines. The pan achieved an even, edge-to-edge crust on a steak in just over two minutes on medium-high heat. The tri-ply construction distributes heat beautifully, eliminating the hot spots common in lesser pans. To master the technique of a perfect sear, a pan must transfer energy efficiently, and this one does. The Maillard reaction, the chemical process responsible for browning and flavor, is what searing is all about, and HexClad facilitates it exceptionally well.
Nonstick Performance and Food Release
Our fried egg test revealed that while the pan is nonstick, it’s not a “zero-oil” surface. With a small pat of butter, the eggs slid out effortlessly. The same was true for pancakes. A common mistake I see is treating this like a traditional ceramic pan; think of it as a stainless steel pan with a major nonstick advantage.
Durability and Metal Utensil Use
The “metal-utensil safe” claim holds up. After consistent use with metal tongs and spatulas, the pan’s surface showed no discernible scratches. The stainless steel peaks effectively protect the nonstick valleys below, a design feature that promises greater longevity than typical coated pans.
Gordon Ramsay Cookware Options: A Comparison
Choosing the right set depends entirely on your cooking style. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular configurations.
| Set / Piece | Pieces Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 6-Piece Set | 8″, 10″, and 12″ Pans with Lids | Every day, we fry, sauté, and sear. Ideal starting point. |
| 13-Piece Set | 3 Pans, 3 Pots, 1 Wok, with Lids | Completely outfitting a kitchen for all tasks, from stocks to stir-fry. |
| 14″ Hybrid Wok | 14″ Wok with Lid | High-heat stir-frying, deep frying, and large-volume meals. |
Proper Cleaning and Long-Term Care
Maintaining this cookware is straightforward, but requires abandoning a few old habits. First, HexClad performs best on low to medium heat; sustained high heat can degrade the nonstick properties over time. Second, while the pans are dishwasher safe, handwashing is recommended to prolong their life. For stubborn residues, a gentle scrubbing with a scouring pad is surprisingly effective and approved by the manufacturer. The hybrid cookware is oven-safe up to a specific temperature of 500°F.
Who Should Buy Gordon Ramsay’s Cookware?
- The Ambitious Home Cook: Absolutely. If you want professional-level searing results without the high maintenance of traditional stainless steel or cast iron, this is a fantastic investment.
- The Busy Parent: Maybe. The easy cleanup is a definite advantage. However, the need to avoid high heat and cooking sprays might conflict with a fast-paced, high-volume cooking environment.
- The Culinary Student: An excellent long-term investment. This cookware will withstand heavy use, teach proper heat management, and last well beyond graduation.
Our Final Verdict and Value Assessment
Gordon Ramsay’s HexClad cookware is a high-performance, thoughtfully designed product that largely delivers on its promises. It offers a genuine “best of both worlds” experience, combining the searing capability of stainless steel with the convenience of nonstick.
While the initial investment is significant, its durability and versatility position it as a long-term kitchen workhorse. If you are a serious cook looking to upgrade and are willing to adapt your technique slightly, this cookware is an exceptional choice that will refine your culinary results for years to come.
About the Author
John Siracusa is the founder of Hell’s Kitchen Recipes, a resource dedicated to Gordon Ramsay–inspired cooking, recipe testing, and in-depth equipment reviews. With extensive hands-on kitchen-testing experience, John’s approach is grounded in technique-first cooking and delivering reproducible, reliable results for the home cook. All reviews reflect hands-on testing and are regularly updated to ensure accuracy.
Disclosure: Our reviews are editorially independent. We may earn a commission from purchases made through the links on our site.
