# HexClad pans are not worth the money

> The celebrity-backed cookware costs a fortune but won't last any longer than cheap nonstick alternatives.
- Title: HexClad pans are not worth the money · Bon Appétit | Shortify
- Summary: The celebrity-backed cookware costs a fortune but won't last any longer than cheap nonstick alternatives. HexClad pans degrade just like any ceramic nonstick…
- Keywords: hexclad, cookware, nonstick pans, gordon ramsay, ceramic nonstick, hybrid cookware, kitchen equipment, product review, stainless steel, cast iron, all-clad, oxo
- Source: Bon Appétit — https://bonappetit.com/story/hexclad-cookware-review
- Author: Wilder Davies
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:17:47.831+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: hexclad, cookware, nonstick pans, gordon ramsay, ceramic nonstick, hybrid cookware, kitchen equipment, product review, stainless steel, cast iron, all-clad, oxo
## HexClad is everywhere now
Gordon Ramsay invested $100 million in 2024. The brand floods the internet with targeted ads and influencer partnerships.
## Nonstick has serious downsides
It has a short lifespan and prevents people from learning proper cooking technique. There are better alternatives.
## The hybrid cookware concept
HexClad has raised stainless steel peaks and ceramic nonstick valleys. The peaks supposedly protect the coating from metal spatulas.
## Bold claims about durability
HexClad says its pans combine stainless steel performance, cast iron durability, and nonstick convenience. They claim the products last a lifetime.

> HexClad products are made to last a lifetime.
## Fresh out of the box
The pans work well initially. Chicken sears nicely, crepes and pancakes release easily, though eggs sometimes leave residue.
## The saucepan is annoying
The textured surface makes whisking custard or béchamel irritating. The whisk repeatedly snags on the texture.
## Customers complain about sticking
Internet forums are filled with complaints about eggs sticking after just weeks or months. A year-old set showed the same problems.
## All ceramic nonstick degrades
Repeated heating causes fractures in the brittle coating. This increases friction and reduces nonstick qualities over one to two years.

> The act of cooking itself will cause any ceramic pan to deteriorate over time.
## You have to season it
HexClad says you must season the pan with neutral oil over medium heat. This is the exact thing people buy nonstick to avoid.
## You can't actually season it
True seasoning only works on cast iron or carbon steel. Neither stainless steel peaks nor ceramic valleys can develop a proper seasoning layer.
## Stainless steel won't hold seasoning
The smooth surface and chromium oxide layer prevent polymerized fat from bonding. Any buildup just makes the pan stickier.
## Same work as better pans
If HexClad requires the same prep as stainless steel or cast iron, there's no point buying it over those more durable materials.
## The price is outrageous
A 12-inch HexClad pan costs $179. An All-Clad stainless steel pan costs $160 and has decades of proven longevity.
## Cheaper alternatives exist
Oxo, GreenPan, and Zwilling all make cheaper textured pans. Or just learn to cook with stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel.

> Don't blow big money on a pans that won't last.
## Key takeaway

HexClad pans degrade just like any ceramic nonstick cookware, but cost far more and require the same maintenance as durable alternatives like stainless steel or cast iron.