ONLYPANS
The honest UK guide to cookware worth owning. Real recommendations for the way you actually cook — no jargon, no filler, just the right pan.
Every kitchen really needs just a few pans.
Forget the 15-piece sets gathering dust. These are the categories worth owning — and the exact pans we'd buy in each.
Which pan sounds like you?
How do you cook most nights?
The pans we’d actually buy.
A tight, opinionated shortlist per category — a best value, a step-up and a lifetime buy. Prices are guides; tap through for live Amazon pricing.
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never sways our picks. .
Everyday Pans
The one you'll reach for every single day.
ProCook Elite Tri-Ply Frying Pan
A British favourite that punches above its price. Even heat, oven-safe and built to last years, not months.
- Tri-ply construction
- Oven safe to 260°C
- Lifetime guarantee
Ninja ZeroStick Frying Pan 28cm
Genuinely long-lasting non-stick and a comfortable stay-cool handle. Great value for a busy kitchen.
- 10-year non-stick promise
- All hobs incl. induction
- Stay-cool handle
Circulon Total Hard-Anodised Frying Pan 28cm
Hard-anodised and metal-utensil safe, with Circulon's raised-circle non-stick that shrugs off scratches.
- Metal-utensil safe
- Hard-anodised body
- Induction compatible
Salter Marblestone Frying Pan 28cm
A wallet-friendly everyday pan with a forgiving marble-effect coating for fuss-free frying.
- Marble-effect non-stick
- Lightweight & easy
- Dishwasher safe
Lakeland 10-in-1 Tri-Ply Only Pan Pro
Lakeland's most versatile pan — fry, saute, steam, bake and serve from one tri-ply body with a PFAS-free ceramic non-stick.
- 10 ways to cook in one pan
- PFAS-free ceramic non-stick
- Oven safe to 200C - all hobs
Ken Hom 32cm Carbon Steel Wok
Traditional carbon-steel wok that takes fierce heat and builds a natural non-stick patina - the real deal for stir-fries.
- Carbon steel - seasons over time
- 32cm - feeds the family
- All hobs incl. induction
Lakeland Fusion 24cm Frying Pan
A light, fuss-free 24cm non-stick pan for daily eggs, veg and quick dinners - brilliant value.
- Non-stick, induction ready
- Light & easy to handle
- Great everyday value
Joseph Joseph Space 28cm Frying Pan
Clever space-saving design with a folding-friendly handle - a premium everyday pan for tidy cupboards.
- Space-saving design
- Durable non-stick
- Oven & induction friendly
Tefal Unlimited Frying Pan 28cm
Tefal's toughened non-stick with the famous Thermo-Spot heat indicator. The safe, no-fuss daily driver.
- Thermo-Spot heat indicator
- Induction compatible
- Dishwasher safe
Tower Good Food Hard Anodised Frying Pan 28cm
3.5mm forged body with a riveted steel handle — the sort of pan that quietly does everything.
- Hard-anodised aluminium
- 28cm
Tower Good Food Hard Anodised Multi-Pan 28cm
Deeper than a frying pan, shallower than a sauté — a flexible all-rounder for one-pan suppers.
- Hard-anodised aluminium
- 28cm multi-pan
Tefal Ingenio Titanium Anti-Scratch Frying Pan 28cm
Removable handle means it stacks, goes in the oven, and doubles as a serving dish.
- Aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm
Tefal Ingenio Emotion Stainless Steel Set 22/24/28cm
Stainless Ingenio with the clip-on handle — stackable, oven-proof, and properly versatile.
- Stainless (removable handle)
- 22/24/28cm set
Circulon Radiance Hard Anodized Frying Pan 28cm
The raised-circle base actually works — food releases where the circles are.
- Hard-anodised aluminium
- 28cm
Circulon Symmetry Hard Anodised Chefs Pan 28cm
Deep, flared and good-looking — a chefs pan that handles everything from risotto to fry-ups.
- Hard-anodised aluminium
- 28cm chefs pan
Salter Megastone Frying Pan 28cm
Mineral-infused coating that takes metal utensils and costs less than a cinema ticket.
- Forged aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm
Salter Easy Pour Marble Frying Pan 28cm
Pouring lip actually pours rather than dribbles down the side — a small thing that matters.
- Forged aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm
MasterClass Cast Aluminium Non-Stick Frying Pan 28cm
Cast aluminium gives cast-iron heat retention without the wrist strain.
- Cast aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm
Prestige Duraforge Induction Aluminium Frypan 25cm
Warp-resistant forged base and a price that makes replacing it painless.
- Aluminium with non-stick coating
- 25cm
Rachael Ray Create Delicious Deep Hard Anodized 10.25"
Deep walls and a PlatinumShield coating nine times harder than titanium — sturdy and useful.
- Hard-anodised aluminium
- 26cm
Ninja Extended Life Ceramic Frying Pan 28cm
Ceramic coating that survives 285°C and 5-year guarantee — the thoughtful Ninja, not the flashy one.
- Aluminium with ceramic coating
- 28cm
Tefal So Tasty Non-Stick Frying Pan 32cm
Big, cheap and cheerful — the pan you reach for when feeding a crowd on a budget.
- Aluminium with non-stick coating
- 32cm
Stainless Steel
For browning, deglazing and building real flavour.
Lakeland Tri-Clad 28cm Frying Pan
Family-size tri-ply stainless frying pan with a scratch-resistant PFAS-free non-stick - Lakeland's value answer to premium tri-clad.
- Tri-ply stainless steel
- Scratch-resistant non-stick
- Oven safe to 230C - 3yr guarantee
ProCook Professional Steel Frying Pan
Fully-clad tri-ply steel that responds fast and browns beautifully. Restaurant feel, home price.
- Full tri-ply body
- Oven & grill safe
- Lifetime guarantee
Stellar 7000 Sauté Pan
A UK stalwart. Heavy triple-base for stable heat and a roomy shape for one-pan dinners.
- Triple-layer base
- 25-year guarantee
- Induction ready
Lakeland Tri-Clad 24cm Frying Pan
Mid-size tri-ply stainless pan for 2-3 portions - even heat, metal-utensil-safe non-stick and induction ready.
- Tri-ply stainless steel
- Metal-utensil safe
- Induction ready - 3yr guarantee
Ninja ZeroStick Stainless Steel Pan
Stainless looks and durability with a helping hand from a slick, hard-wearing coating.
- Stainless exterior
- Hybrid non-stick interior
- All hob types
Lakeland Tri-Clad 20cm Frying Pan
The value entry to Lakeland's Tri-Clad range - a nippy 20cm tri-ply pan ideal for eggs, omelettes and single servings.
- Tri-ply stainless steel
- PFAS/PFOA-free non-stick
- Induction ready - 3yr guarantee
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Frying Pan 28cm
Fully-clad 3-ply steel from a heritage name — flawless browning and oven-safe to serious temperatures.
- Full 3-ply construction
- Oven safe to 260°C
- Lifetime guarantee
Tefal Jamie Oliver Cook's Classic Pan
Sturdy stainless with a heat indicator — a friendly, affordable way into proper steel cooking.
- Thermo-Spot indicator
- Induction ready
- Oven safe to 175°C
Lakeland Stainless Steel 24cm Frying Pan
Polished stainless pan for proper browning and pan sauces, with a non-stick assist for easier cleanup.
- Stainless steel body
- Induction ready
- Oven safe
Lakeland Tri-Clad Wok 28cm
Tri-ply stainless wok with a scratch-resistant PFAS-free non-stick - even heat for stir-fries and one-pan suppers.
- Tri-ply stainless steel
- PFAS-free non-stick
- Oven safe - 3yr guarantee
Lakeland Tri-Clad 18cm Saucepan
Handy 18cm tri-ply saucepan for sauces, grains and greens - even heat with no hot spots.
- Tri-ply stainless steel
- Induction ready
- 3-year guarantee
Lakeland Tri-Clad 20cm Saucepan
Roomy 3.3L tri-ply saucepan for stocks, pasta and big-batch sauces, built to last.
- 3.3L tri-ply stainless
- Induction ready
- 3-year guarantee
Samuel Groves Classic Tri-Ply Frying Pan 28cm
Made in England since 1817, 3mm tri-ply, and backed by a pan-for-life refurbishment scheme.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 28cm
Samuel Groves Classic 3-Ply Sauté Pan 26cm
Deep-sided sauté with the same British tri-ply build and lifetime refurbishment promise.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 26cm sauté
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauté Pan 24cm
Tight-lidded sauté that deglazes beautifully and carries the Le Creuset lifetime guarantee.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 24cm sauté
Le Creuset 3-Ply Plus Shallow Frying Pan 30cm
The Plus line adds a wider base for searing — a big pan that browns evenly without hotspots.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 30cm
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Sauteuse 28cm
Shallow, wide sauteuse that moves from hob to oven to table without flinching.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 28cm sauteuse
ScanPan Impact 26cm Frying Pan
Danish-made 18/10 stainless with a thick impact-bonded base — even heat for the money.
- 18/10 stainless
- 26cm
ProCook Gourmet Uncoated Stainless Frying Pan 28cm
Fully clad tri-ply at a forged-aluminium price — the sensible entry point to stainless.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 28cm
Tefal Comfort Max Stainless Steel Frying Pan Set 24/28cm
Two pans with Thermo-Spot and riveted handles for less than a single premium pan.
- Stainless
- 24/28cm set
Tefal Logics Stainless Steel Frying Pan 28cm
Induction-ready stainless with a thick base and a price that doesn't require a sit-down.
- Stainless
- 28cm
Prestige Made to Last Uncoated Stainless Frying Pan 29cm
Simple, uncoated, induction-friendly stainless that does the job and asks for nothing.
- Stainless
- 29cm
Prestige SS Platina Popular Fry Pan 26cm
Impact-forged base for even heat at a budget price — a no-frills workhorse.
- Stainless
- 26cm
nuovva Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan Set 20/28cm
Two fully clad tri-ply pans for the price of one — cheap enough to justify the gamble.
- Tri-ply stainless
- 20/28cm set
Cast Iron
Buy once. Hand it down.
Le Creuset Signature Skillet 26cm
The icon. Enamelled cast iron that goes hob-to-oven-to-table and looks the part for decades.
- Enamelled — no seasoning
- Lifetime guarantee
- Oven safe to 260°C
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 26cm
Pre-seasoned, brilliant value and near-indestructible. The one most chefs actually recommend to start.
- Pre-seasoned
- Superb heat retention
- Oven & open-flame safe
ProCook Cast Iron Casserole 24cm
Enamelled Dutch oven for slow braises, stews and no-knead bread. Le Creuset feel for far less.
- Enamelled cast iron
- Hob & oven safe
- Lifetime guarantee
Le Creuset Round Casserole 24cm
The definitive enamelled Dutch oven — braises, stews and no-knead bread, hob-to-oven-to-table for life.
- Enamelled — no seasoning
- Oven safe to 260°C
- Lifetime guarantee
Lodge Cast Iron Griddle Pan 26cm
Ridged cast iron for proper char lines on steaks, halloumi and veg — indoor grilling that lasts decades.
- Pre-seasoned
- Ridged for char marks
- Oven & open-flame safe
STAUB Cast Iron Fry Pan 26cm
French-made enamelled skillet that sears hard and wipes clean — no seasoning ritual required.
- Enameled cast iron
- 26cm
STAUB Cocotte Round Casserole 24cm
A heavy lidded pot that holds heat for hours and outlasts the kitchen it was bought for.
- Enameled cast iron
- 24cm casserole
Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Skillet 10.25"
25% lighter than classic Lodge, pre-seasoned three times so it behaves from day one.
- Cast iron (triple-seasoned)
- 26cm
Chasseur Round Enamelled Casserole 24cm
Double-enamelled French casserole at half the Le Creuset tax, with the same self-basting lid.
- Enameled cast iron
- 24cm casserole
Victoria Seasoned Cast Iron Frying Pan 30cm
Flaxseed-seasoned, generous pour spouts, and costs less than a round of drinks.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 30cm
Victoria Cast Iron Round Skillet 10"
Double-loop handle skillet that moves seamlessly from hob to oven to campfire.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 25cm
Backcountry Iron Wasatch Skillet 10.25"
Smooth-machined cooking surface and flaxseed pre-season — a proper skillet for not much money.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 26cm
Tramontina Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 30cm
Wide, flat and honest — a big skillet that does steaks and cornbread without complaint.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 30cm
Denby Pavilion Blue Cast Iron Casserole 26cm
British-made enamelled casserole with a 10-year guarantee and proper heat retention.
- Enameled cast iron
- 26cm casserole
VonShef Cast Iron Skillet 10"
Cheap as chips, comes pre-seasoned, and survives anything you throw at it.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 25cm
VonShef Cast Iron Griddle Pan 10"
Ridged base that puts char marks on meat and funnels fat off to the side.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- 25cm griddle
VonShef Reversible Griddle Pan
Flat one side, ridged the other — a two-in-one that covers most griddling jobs.
- Cast iron (pre-seasoned)
- reversible griddle
Non-Stick
Delicate food, effortless clean-up.
GreenPan Barcelona Frying Pan 28cm
Thermolon ceramic non-stick — no PFAS, no PFOA. Healthy cooking with a premium, weighty feel.
- Ceramic (PFAS-free)
- Oven safe to 220°C
- Induction compatible
Tefal Ingenio Non-Stick Set
Clever removable handle means pans nest, stack and go oven-to-table. Small-kitchen genius.
- Detachable handle
- Oven safe (handle off)
- Space-saving nesting
Ninja Foodi ZeroStick Pancake Pan
Low sides and a genuinely slick surface for flawless pancakes, crêpes and omelettes.
- Ultra-slick surface
- 10-year non-stick promise
- All hobs
Ninja ZeroStick Ceramic Frying Pan 28cm
PFAS-free ceramic non-stick at a friendly price — healthy cooking without the premium sting.
- Ceramic (PFAS-free)
- All hobs incl. induction
- Oven safe to 260°C
Scoville Neverstick Frying Pan 28cm
A UK favourite with genuinely durable non-stick and a comfy soft-touch handle. Cracking everyday value.
- Durable non-stick
- Soft-touch handle
- Dishwasher safe
ScanPan Haptiq 26cm Frying Pan
Danish-made premium pan with an exceptionally tough, metal-utensil-safe non-stick - a genuine forever pan.
- Metal-utensil-safe non-stick
- PFOA-free Stratanium+
- Oven safe - lifetime feel
Circulon Style Hard-Anodised 28cm Skillet
Hard-anodised skillet with Circulon's raised TotalR non-stick system - tough, metal-safe and long-lasting.
- Hard-anodised body
- Raised non-stick, metal-safe
- Induction ready
Lakeland Stone Forged 28cm Wok
Stone-effect non-stick wok that releases food easily and wipes clean - great value for stir-fries.
- Stone-effect non-stick
- 28cm - big capacity
- Induction ready
Simply Lakeland 28cm Frying Pan
A dependable 28cm non-stick everyday pan at a wallet-friendly price - eggs and fry-ups made easy.
- Non-stick, induction ready
- 28cm family size
- Brilliant value
Prestige Thermosmart 24cm Fry Pan
Non-stick pan with a heat indicator that shows when it's ready to cook - takes the guesswork out of frying.
- Heat-ready indicator
- Non-stick, induction ready
- Everyday value
GreenPan Valencia Pro Hard Anodised Ceramic 28cm
Diamond-infused ceramic that's metal-utensil safe and PFAS-free — the ceramic pan that lasts.
- Hard-anodised aluminium with ceramic coating
- 28cm
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 30cm
Stainless hexagons plus non-stick valleys — sears like steel, releases like coating, lifetime warranty.
- Tri-ply stainless with hybrid non-stick
- 30cm
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan 10.5"
Looks the part, ceramic-coated, and actually sticks to its no-forever-chemicals promise.
- Aluminium with ceramic coating
- 27cm
Caraway 12" Non-Stick Ceramic Stir Fry Pan
High-sloped walls for tossing — a stir-fry pan that doubles as a generous everyday skillet.
- Aluminium with ceramic coating
- 30cm stir fry
Samuel Groves Tri-Ply Non-Stick Frying Pan 29cm
British tri-ply body with a non-stick interior — the best of both worlds for delicate frying.
- Tri-ply stainless with non-stick coating
- 29cm
Stellar 6000 Hard Anodised Non-Stick Frying Pan 26cm
Tough hard-anodised body, oven-safe to 260°C, and a 10-year non-stick warranty.
- Hard-anodised aluminium with non-stick coating
- 26cm
Stellar 6000 Hard Anodised Stir Fry Pan 28cm
Deep stir-fry with a helper handle — proper Stellar build at a sensible price.
- Hard-anodised aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm stir fry
ScanPan CS+ Frying Pan 28cm
Five-layer construction with Stratanium+ — a premium non-stick that earns its keep for years.
- 5-layer stainless with Stratanium+ non-stick
- 28cm
ScanPan Classic Induction Frying Pan 28cm
Danish-made with a proper Stratanium coating — the mid-range ScanPan that's hard to beat.
- Aluminium with Stratanium non-stick
- 28cm
Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Anodized Stir Fry Pan 28cm
Warm earthy handles, shatterproof lid, and a coating that releases eggs without fuss.
- Hard-anodised aluminium with non-stick coating
- 28cm stir fry
MasterClass Can-to-Pan Ceramic Frying Pan 28cm
Made from 70% recycled aluminium and PFAS-free — a genuinely green pan that works.
- Recycled aluminium with ceramic coating
- 28cm
Prestige Nadiya x Prestige Nesting Frypan Set
Nadiya Hussain's nesting set — space-saving, universal lids, and surprisingly good non-stick.
- Aluminium with non-stick coating
- 24/26cm set
MasterClass Ceramic Non-Stick Eco Frying Pan Set 24/26/28cm
Three ceramic pans for under £50 — a cheap way to kit a kitchen without the nasty chemicals.
- Aluminium with ceramic coating
- 24/26/28cm set
The honest UK guide, and why you can trust it.
OnlyPans is run by UK home cooks who were tired of confusing cookware reviews. We research the market, cut through the marketing, and only feature pans we’d genuinely put on our own hob. Here’s how that works.
Independent by design
We pick pans on merit alone. A brand can't pay to appear here, and commission never decides what makes the shortlist — if a cheaper pan is the better buy, it's the one we recommend.
Judged on how they cook
Every pan is weighed on the things that matter in a real kitchen: heat performance, durability, non-stick longevity, oven and induction compatibility, and honest value for money.
Transparent about money
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through one we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. It never changes your price or sways our picks.
"The right pan doesn't make you a better cook. It just stops getting in your way."
Four things nobody tells you before you buy.
Match the pan to the heat
Gas, ceramic, induction — they don't all play nicely with every pan. Induction needs a magnetic base; check the box says 'induction compatible' before you buy.
Weight is a feature, not a flaw
A heavier pan holds its temperature when cold food hits it, so you get an even sear instead of a sad steam. Thin, cheap pans warp and scorch. Heft is quality.
Non-stick is a consumable
Even the best coating wears out in a few years. Never use metal utensils, never crank it to max, and never put it in the dishwasher if you want it to last.
Buy fewer, better pans
One great frying pan, one stainless sauté and a cast iron will out-cook any 15-piece bargain set. Spend the set money on three pans you'll keep for life.
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