Smeg frying pan

• Read our full guide to the best non-stick frying pans

How easy is the Smeg frying pan to use?

The pan is relatively quick to heat up, taking just two and a half minutes to reach the temperature we were looking for. We did notice the frying pan made a slight popping sound as it was heating up and cooling down, but Smeg assured us that it’s a common effect when two different materials with differing properties are exposed to heat. This can also occur depending on the type of hob you’re cooking on; we tested the pan on gas, so the direct heat may have contributed to this. Rest assured though, the popping noise has no effect on the performance of the pan.

The frying pan has high, slightly curved walls ideal for tossing and for making big batches of soupier foods, like our tomato & mascarpone risotto.

The handle is long and comfortable to hold. It features indented lines running the length of the handle and it is hollow. This is not just a design feature, as it also allows water to run freely after washing, rather than gathering and sitting stagnant. We did notice that the handle gets a little warm towards the pan-end, though.

This pan, like the rest of the range, is dishwasher-safe, though thorough cleaning wasn't needed as nothing stuck to the pan.

Results

We tested the pan using two simple recipes: American pancakes and a basic omelette.

The non-stick coating is exceptional. When cooking American pancakes, the roughcast non-stick surface gripped the batter as it fell into the pan and stopped it spreading too thin. Each pancake was evenly cooked and browned, wherever we placed it in the pan. The browning was consistent and free from patches on both sides.

We used butter when cooking a basic omelette, not to stop the egg from sticking, but to add flavour. We found the pan responsive to changes in temperature and enjoyed a fluffy, well-cooked omelette.

Conclusion

This frying pan is a fantastic all-rounder: non-stick, comfortable handle, reassuringly weighty and a nice design. While this frying pan comes at a high-end cost, for committed cooks and those looking for a pan to stand the tests of time, this is a worthwhile investment.

It’s versatile too; able to go from hob to oven with no real restrictions on temperature.

The colours available are a great starting point, though we’d like to see Smeg branch out and offer the variety that they do for their iconic fridges.

• Available from Smeg 24cm (£99), 26cm (£109), 28cm (£119

Read our first look review of the full Smeg cookware range

Specifications

Diameter (cm): 24, 26, 28
Height (cm): 8.4, 8.7, 8.8
Non-stick: Non-stick PTFE
Materials: cold forged aluminium
Induction compatible: yes
Dishwasher safe: yes
Oven safe: yes, up to 250C

Frying pan recipes
Frying pan filo tart
Pan-fried salmon
Pan-fried rib-eye steak
Pan-fried sprouts and crunchy chorizo crumbs
Pan-fried potato gnocchi
Paneer and chickpea fry
Pan-fried sea bass with ratatouille and basil
One-pan egg and veg brunch

This review was last updated in June 2021. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.