Is HexClad worth it?
HexClad's hybrid cookware combines the benefits of non-stick, stainless steel and cast iron, and has even been endorsed by Gordon Ramsay – but is it worth the hype?
Hybrid cookware isn't a new invention, but the reason you might have heard of it is probably because of HexClad. Founded in 2016, the brand has become best known for producing pots and pans with 'hybrid design technology', combining the convenience of non-stick, the searing performance of stainless steel, plus the lasting toughness of cast iron. In fact, chef Gordon Ramsay rates it so highly that he now owns a chunk of the business.
As well as frying pans, griddles and woks, other products include Damascus steel knives, chopping boards, salt and pepper grinders, and a trio of mixing bowls – but most of them don't come cheap, with prices starting from £114 for a one-litre saucepan (the smallest size available).
With this in mind, buying any piece of HexClad cookware might feel like a hefty investment, so how do you know if it's worth the hype – and more importantly – the cost?
Here at Good Food, our reviews team has put a range of HexClad products through their paces in our Test Kitchen, weighing up criteria like ease of use, quality of build, safety features, recipe results, and – when it came to pans – supreme temperature control. That means we know exactly which items offer good value for money, and how HexClad's frying pans and woks compare to others on the market.
Jump to:
- Is HexClad worth it?
- What is HexClad made of?
- How long do HexClad pans last?
- How to season HexClad
- Where can I buy HexClad?
Is HexClad worth it?
Weighing up whether HexClad is worth the cost really comes to your budget and what you want from your cookware. It goes without saying that if you use the item every day (or at least every few days) and care for it properly, you'll get far better value for money long-term. Here are some factors to consider before you buy:
- HexClad offers a lifetime warranty on all its cookware
- A range of pan sizes are available, from frying pans to large saucepans and woks
- Prices tend to be more expensive than other brands, ranging between £114 and £229 for cookware
- Our testers rated the non-stick performance of the pans and sharpness of the knives
- The cookware is dishwasher-safe, oven-safe and metal utensil-safe
- Pans need to be seasoned with oil before use, though not every time
- All the products come with comfortable, ergonomic handles
- HexClad advises against using the pans on a high heat, which means they can be slow to cook with
What is HexClad made of?
HexClad is probably best known for its hybrid cookware, which is built using the brand's own patented hybrid design technology. Made from an aluminium core and magnetic stainless-steel exterior, the pans are able to conduct heat rapidly and evenly, minimising hot spots so you achieve more consistent results.
Perhaps the most recognisable part of HexClad's pans is the laser-etched hexagonal ridges that appear on the surface, which have non-stick valleys in between to prevent ingredients from sticking. All the pans are compatible with gas, electric and induction, and are oven-safe to 260C.
How long do HexClad pans last?
HexClad says its pans are designed to last a whole lifetime, which is backed by the manufacturer's lifetime warranty for defects. However, it does make clear that the warranty doesn't cover damage incurred by improper care or use – so it's worth making a note of the care and cleaning instructions advised by the brand.
How to care for HexClad pans
Technically speaking, HexClad pans can go in the dishwasher – but high temperatures and powerful detergents can affect the non-stick performance, so try to wash with warm, soapy water instead whenever possible.
Sticking can occur when the pan heat is too high, which is why HexClad is keen to emphasise that a low-to-medium heat is all you need. For burnt-on food or tougher stains, the brand suggests leaving the pan to soak for 10-15 minutes and using a steel wool sponge to lift any residue.
How to season HexClad
Even though HexClad pans are non-stick, the brand recommends seasoning the surface with oil during the first few weeks of use – as you would with a cast iron pan.
To do this, heat the pan at a medium-low level, spread a teaspoon of oil around the interior, and leave this for a couple of minutes before adding your ingredients. Once you get into the rhythm of using the pan, you won't need to do this so often – as the pan will rely on the fats from the food you're cooking to re-season itself.
Top-rated HexClad products
HexClad The Essential Japanese Damascus steel knife set
- Available from Hexclad (£359), Amazon (£359)
Star rating: 5/5
Set contains: Chef's knife (20cm), bread knife (20cm), santoku knife (18cm), utility knife (13cm), paring knife (9cm), honing steel (23cm)
This quality knife set features five blades that are forged from Japanese Damascus steel, each with a striking wave pattern, as well as a robust honing steel for sharpening. We found them super precise in test, and the pakkawood handles are well balanced, comfortable and smooth. The knives are packaged neatly in magnet-sealed boxes with a microfibre cloth for polishing, and the entire set comes with a lifetime warranty. Read our full guide to the best knife sets.
Available from:
HexClad Hybrid Pot six-piece set
- Available from Hexclad (£299), Amazon (£399)
Star rating: 5/5
Set contains: 1.8l pot with lid, 2.8l pot with lid, 7.5l pot with lid
Our testers found these pans a joy to use, producing soft caramelisation when simmering onions on a low heat in just 20 minutes. They're also impressively quick to react to temperature changes, and when cooking porridge – which is notoriously difficult to clean – there was no sticking and the pan only needed a quick rinse.
The pans are very good looking, each made with a shiny, heavy-gauge stainless steel exterior and HexClad's signature laser-etched hexagon design on the inside. They're also metal utensil-safe, but do need seasoning before use – though not every time. Read our full guide to the best pan sets.
Available from:
HexClad 30cm griddle pan
- Available from Hexclad (£139) and Amazon (£111.20)
Star rating: 4.5/5
This commercial-grade griddle pan is sleek, robust and versatile, and can even withstand metal utensils, the oven, and the dishwasher. Like the rest of HexClad's cookware, it has hexagonal stainless steel ridges etched across the surface, with powerful non-stick underneath, though you'll still need to season the pan before use. We were impressed with the large stay-cool handle and excellent conductivity, making the raising and lowering of the temperature precise and fast. Our American pancakes in particular were fluffy and golden, sliding effortlessly from the pan once cooked.
Available from:
HexClad Hybrid frying pan
- Available from HexClad (from £129)
Star rating: 4.5/5
This frying pan is built with HexClad's signature hybrid technology, merging stainless steel and non-stick, while the need to season it – albeit not every time – brings us into cast iron territory. It's sturdy, cooks well and comes in four sizes (20cm, 25cm, 30cm, and 35cm), and you can buy a matching lid for an additional cost.
It should only be heated at low to medium temperatures, which means it takes a while to heat up and cook. On the plus side, we found the handle stayed cool throughout the entirety of our test, and American pancakes and omelettes slipped from the non-stick surface with ease.
Available from:
HexClad 30cm Hybrid wok
- Available from Hexclad (£139), Amazon (£134.53)
Star rating: 4.5/5
Available in three sizes (25cm, 30cm, and 35cm), we found the HexClad wok is the ideal shape to toss ingredients in, and the stay-cool handle is comfortable, too. Wok cooking is all about cooking quickly and at high temperatures, and this model does fall short as the brand advises only using a medium heat – there was notable absence of wok sizzle, so our pad Thai recipe took much longer than expected. With this in mind, it's perhaps a better introductory model for anyone new to wok cooking.
Available from:
Where can I buy HexClad?
All of HexClad's cookware is available to buy directly from its website, and you can also find products available via Amazon.
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