Eggs are one of the first meals I ever learned how to cook. I was never able to get them to taste very good, but as a youngster, I never really cared. I was just proud of the fact that I cooked my own breakfast.
My favorite pan for eggs? It’s the Green Pan Paris at Amazon.
But after the novelty of being able to make my meals in the morning finally wore off, I quickly realized that I needed to figure out how to make these things taste better.
The search for a better egg
I started by adding multiple slices of cheese, then I tried salt and pepper, and host of other spices that had no business being in an egg. Eventually, I got the seasoning down. During this era of experimentation, I realized, if I want to cook delicious eggs, I needed to use the right cookware.
The right pan for eggs
Making your food isn’t just about the stuff you put in it. The tools you use to cook your eggs is just as important. Today, we will look at three pans I feel are best for making restaurant-quality omelets (or any other style of egg).
Green Pan Paris 10 Inch Ceramic Pan
Ceramic nonstick pans are quickly becoming the ideal surface for cooking when you need something nonstick. They are easy to clean, dishwasher safe and best of all, there is no reason to worry about scratching the Teflon coating off (because there is no Teflon coating).
Here’s my favorite, the Green Pan at Amazon.
Healthier cooking
This ceramic pan lets you use less cooking oil, cooking spray, or any other type of nonstick ingredient, resulting in a healthier meal. It is extraordinarily durable and can be used in the oven as well as your stovetop.
No harmful chemicals
It is manufactured without PFAS and PFOA, which are synthetic chemicals that can seep into your food if your pan gets too hot, making this pan safer than any that has been sprayed with a Teflon coating.
Superb warranty
Another huge plus of this skillet is that it comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
Should you get this pan?
Ceramic cookware is among the most versatile kitchen equipment your money can buy. But the amount of money you need to purchase one may be more than what some people are willing to pay.
On the flip side, these are highly durable so your investment will last. They distribute heat evenly, and the nonstick properties are not nearly as volatile as Teflon pans.
Cuisinart Contour Hard Anodized 8-Inch Skillet
If you don’t want to spend the big bucks on a ceramic skillet, then this is a good purchase for you. It is made of hard anodized aluminum that distributes heat quickly and evenly, reducing hot spots and giving you an even cook throughout the pan.
Reinforced non-stick
It has an excellent non-stick coating that is reinforced so that it doesn’t begin to come off when exposed to high temperature. This offers you excellent durability and versatility. Non-stick is a must for cooking eggs and in this pan, perfectly sized for an omelet, the egg slides right off.
The pan is oven safe for temperatures of up to 500º F.
Should you get this one?
Again, this is a good choice for those who do not wish to spend extra money on ceramic pans. It is significantly safer than most Teflon coated non-stick pans because it is reinforced, so it will last longer before the surface begins to scratch. But the surface will eventually begin to scratch, at which point, unfortunately, you can’t cook with it. But up until that point it is a useful little pan.
All Clad Non-Stick 8 and 10 inch fry pan set
This is a 2-pan set with 3-ply bonded-metal construction skillet with 18/10 gauge stainless steel and an aluminum core. It gives you excellent heat distribution, tremendous searing, and browning of anything you throw on the pan. The non-stick will release a perfect egg dish every time.
See the All Clad set for yourself at Amazon.
Cool-touch handle & dishwasher safe
Its stainless steel handle will remain cool to the touch when used on the stovetop, and the pan is oven safe for up to 500º F. And, rare for non-stick, it’s also oven safe.
Solid brand reputation
All-Clad is one of the premier brands in cookware, and you can be sure that this pan will last you for decades, provided you give the proper care that it needs. If you do happen to have an issue with the pan, the American-based company offers a limited lifetime warranty and will replace any defective pan free of charge.
Should you buy this one?
These pans will be great for omelets. Or an egg over easy. Or scrambled with cheese. Or… you get the point. Getting two pans means you can pick if it’s going to be a large or small kind of breakfast day.
The price tag of this set is definitely on the high end of cookware. But you get premium material with premium results that will last you a lifetime. You’re also getting two pans.
Wrap – Up
Have you ever wondered why restaurant omelets taste so much better than the ones you make at home?
Well, nine times out of ten, it is because they use commercial grade equipment to cook their food. If you want restaurant-quality food, then you need to get restaurant-quality equipment.
The pans in here will all do just fine. But if you want the best results, I would go with the Green Pan. The safety and consistent non-stick properties make it a winner in the egg cooking department.
Curious about that butter?
Find out how Long Butter Lasts in the Fridge.
Additional Resources
- The Incredible Egg – Cooking School: Different Ways to Cook Eggs
- NYT Cooking Guide – How to Cook Eggs
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Nathan M. and Jeffrey W.
Alexis DeAnda is a food fanatic, library card user, and cast iron hunter, in that order. She has been cooking for anyone that will taste it ever since her mom let her make doughnuts on Saturday mornings at the age of 7.