Selecting the best pans for your gas stove can be incredibly complex. If a pan with the wrong materials and/or quality levels is chosen, the following may happen:
- Pan may warp and lose its shape
- The food may not cook evenly due to inconsistent heat distribution
- The look of the exterior of the pan may become damaged from the heat
Choosing the Best Pans for Gas Stoves can be tricky but this guide is here to help.
To help our readers navigate the selection process, below is a detailed guide:
Best Pans and Cookware for Gas Stoves (Top 4 Pans and 4 Cookware Sets)
Top rated pans for Gas Stoves
1) All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-ply Bonded Cookware, Sauté Pan with lid, 3 quart
All Clad is known for high quality cookware. This sauté pan is loved by many chefs and food review sites (and its fry pan version is great for cooking fish).
Pros:
This is a tri-ply pan (three separate metal layers are bonded together — two layers of stainless steel that sandwich a layer of aluminum) that is fully clad (the layers go all the way around the plan, not just the bottom.
The aluminum allows for fast heat conduction, while the stainless steel’s slower heat conduction helps distribute heat evenly across the pan.
Plus, this pan is dishwasher safe.
Cons:
All Clad pans are not cheap. Most of the pans are over $100+ (this one is nearly $200).
2) The Stone Earth Pan by Ozeri (10″ fry pan)
This is a high quality pan that is also budget friendly.
Pros:
You will have to seriously try to get food to stick to this pan. (Note: See “Con” section for type on seasoning).
While its German stone coating sometime makes people wonder about this pan, this pan is highly safe since it is free from harmful chemicals such as PFOS and PFOA .
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate or Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid) have been linked to causing the following health issues in humans:
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disease
- Liver damage
- Cholesterol concerns
- Changes in blood pressure during pregnancy
- Health problems with fetuses, babies, and children
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disease
- Liver damage
- Cholesterol concerns
- Changes in blood pressure during pregnancy
- Health problems with fetuses, babies, and children
Cons
This pan requires seasoning (here is a great video on how to season a pan) to help create a super non-stick surface.
Another ding against this pan is that there have been complaints about uneven heat distribution. Check out the below review from an Amazon reviewer:
“This pan is definitely nonstick and super easy to clean! The big issue here is the heat distribution. The pan doesn’t heat evenly so cooking can take longer as pieces on the left side of the pan don’t cook at the same rate as everything else. Even frying foods, for some reason the left side of the pan fries slower. My other IKEA brand skillet doesn’t have this issue. This pan is certainly better quality than my IKEA one. I do enjoy using it but the inconsistency is disappointing. I wouldn’t purchase this again or recommend it.”
Lindsey Silver – Amazon Reviewer
3) Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (12″ pan)
Every kitchen needs to have a cast iron skillet or pan. Cast iron is a versatile cookware material that works well on multiple cooking surfaces.
Pros
Lodge Cast’s Cast Iron Skillet is not only durable and long-lasting but it can also be used on any cooking surface, including gas stoves.
If you’re looking for a pan that will give you even heat distribution and prevent sticking, then a cast iron skillet is the way to go.
Just make sure to season your pan properly before using it.
Cons
The cons to cooking with a cast iron pan are that it can be heavy and difficult to maneuver.
As was mentioned in the “pro” section, please note ALL cast iron pans need to be seasoned before use. If you don’t season your pan, the food will stick and it will be difficult to clean. Plus, you are increasing the risk of rust if the cast iron pan is not seasoned.
4) Mauviel – M’Heritage Copper Round Pan (8″ with a Bronze Handle)
Pros
In 1830, in a Normandy village by the Mont-Saint-Michel, Mauviel was founded. Mauviel pans and cookware are known for their exceptional quality. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty, so you can be assured that you will have this pan for life.
It conducts heat well and can cook food evenly over gas burners, just like aluminum. It reacts with acidic chemicals and scratches easily, just like aluminum.
Cons
Beware! At only 8-inch pan is definitely on the smaller side. Before purchasing this pan, use a measuring tape to ensure that you purchase a pan that is ideal?
Copper pans typically are more expensive than aluminum and stainless steel plans. Additionally, copper pans tend to react with acidic food (leading to a slight taste of copper being transferred over to the food.
Copper pans tend to scratch more easily leading them to be less durable.
Top rated Cookware Sets for Gas Stoves
1) Rachael Ray’s Cucina Nonstick Cookware Set (12 Piece Set)
Pros
Rachel Ray cookware is quality cookware at a very reasonable price. This set includes 8 pieces and is made from Hard-Anodized Aluminum.
Cons
Unfortunately, this set is not dishwasher safe. If you’re cooking a large meal and don’t want to hand wash everything, it is not something to overlook.
2) All-Clad Brushed D5 Professional Grade 5-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set (10 Piece Set)
Pros
All-Clad is a tried and true brand. This is a dishwasher friendly set of cookware that can also be used on many different types of stoves. Gas, electric, and Since not all cookware can be used on induction, this is a major pro for this set. Move and have a different stove? This cookware set will travel with you and last a lifetime.
This set includes 7 pieces and is made from stainless steel.
Cons
This cookware set is on the pricier side (around $500) so if you can find a set on sale, snag it ASAP. You also get less pieces in this cookware set than say the Rachel Ray set above.
3) Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set (10 Piece Set)
Pros
Cooks Standard has an incredible technology known as impact bonding that allows the pan to evenly heat throughout. This is essential when cooking on gas range. And let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than a pan that heats unevenly.
This set includes 10 pieces and is made from stainless steel.
Cons
Some reviewers complain that the lids for this cookware do not fit as tightly as some other higher-end brands.
4) GreenLife Soft Grip Collection Ceramic Cookware Set (16 Piece Set)
Pros
This set from GreenLife includes 16 pieces and is made of Ceramic, PFAS Free Nonstick, Aluminum, and Bakelite Handles. This cookware set is also non-stick and also environmentally friendly. Their non-stick coating produces 60% less carbon emission than comparable cookware on the market.
You also get a ton for an extremely reasonable price and comes with a steamer which many cookware sets do not.
Cons
Since these pots and pans have a non-stick coating, you’re not going to get a great sear on food such as steak.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations When Purchasing the Best Pans for your Gas Stove
Heat Conductivity
Any pan that you cook with should have excellent heat conductivity. Without great heat conductivity, food can be cooked unevenly.
Heat Distribution
Another key factor to consider is how the heat distributes throughout the pan. For pans that have a smooth surface, such as aluminum, heat tends to distribute quite evenly. However, pans with a textured surface may have hot and cool spots.
Durability
Pans that are made with durable materials, such as stainless steel, will last longer than those made with less durable materials.
In general, pans made with aluminum or copper are less durable than those made with stainless steel. However, if you take care of your pans properly, they can last for many years.
Lid Material
If the pan/cookware that you select comes with a lid, then the material of the lid is also important to consider since the lid must be both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Glass lids are great because they allow you to see the food as it cooks without lifting the lid and releasing heat. Stainless steel lids are also a good option because they conduct heat well.
Cladding (including the ONE thing to Avoid!)
Great stainless pans tend to be fully clad pans (a multiple layer pan where two layers of stainless steel sandwich a layer of aluminum).
Tip: Avoid pans with only clad bottoms!
Avoid pans that only have clad bottoms (meaning that they only have a stainless steel/aluminum/stainless steel layered disc attached to the very bottom of the pan). Pans with only clad bottoms have trouble distributing heat in a consistent manner.
Price & Budget
Of course, price is always a factor to consider when purchasing any cookware. Prices for a single pan can range in price from $20 to even more than $200! That is why it’s important to find a quality pan that balances your budget and cooking needs.
Top Cookware Materials for Cooking on a Gas Stove
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pans typical have an outstanding ability to transition from the stovetop to the oven, durability. Plus, they won’t wear out like a non-stick pan. Additionally, stainless steel pans won’t react to acid while cooking more acidic dishes, so you can prevent food that tastes metallic.
Having said that, excellent stainless steel pans tend to be fully clad (meaning that they have constant layers across the entire cooking surface including the pan itself). Pro tip: Ensure that the pan that you purchase, is fully clad.
Ceramic
Ceramic pans have a non-stick surface made of minerals and color pigments is ceramic. It is more durable and less likely to scratch than Teflon.
Compared to traditional cookware, ceramic pans provide better heat dispersion and resistance to mechanical damage.
Aluminum
Aluminum can heat up quickly and cook food evenly because of its extremely high thermal conductivity of 205 W/(m/K). Additionally, aluminum cookware is reasonably priced, light in weight, and long lasting.
Cast Iron
Pans made of cast iron are heavy and take longer to heat up, but they retain heat very well. This is ideal if you want to cook something slowly or keep food warm.
Copper
Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, second only to aluminum. It heats up quickly and evenly, making it a great material for pots and pans that is being used on gas cooking surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gas and electric stove when it comes to cooking?
Electric stoves use metal heating components to heat up the surface, allowing for heat to be distributed more evenly. However, electric cooking surfaces take longer to get hot. Gas stoves are great because they heat up instantly (allowing for easy use of multiple burners). However, gas stoves tend to be less energy efficient than their electric counterparts.
Can You Use Any Cookware for a Gas Stove?
Yes, you can us any cookware on a gas stove. However, depending on the materials and the quality of the pan or pots, a gas stove might cause the cookware to warp or lose its shape, cause inconsistent heat distribution leading to unevenly cooked food, or damage the exterior of your cookware.
Why Does Cookware Warp on a Gas Stove?
Pans warp on gas stoves to the rapid heating and cooling of the cookware. For example, dunking a hot pan in cold sink water is shocking the material of the pan, raising the chances that they pan warps. When a pan is hot, the metal molecules are expanded, applying cold water to the pan quickly constricts the molecules of the pan.
Why is my gas stove making my pots black?
When gas stove turn pots black it is usually due to one of three reasons. 1) The flame might be too hot, 2) Gas stove is producing soot due to improper burning (have a technician check out your stove since there is a risk of carbon monoxide, and 3) Due to incomplete oxygen combustion (if your flame is not blue this is the case. Again have a technician investigate).
Are ceramic pots good for gas stoves?
Pots and pans made of ceramic cook incredibly well on gas stove. Ceramic pans tend to be incredibly durable and versatile. As a result, they can be used on almost any burner, including gas and electric stoves.
Can you use a stainless steel pan on a gas hob? Is stainless steel good for gas stoves?
Stainless steel pans are a great option for gas stoves because they conduct heat well and are durable. However, stainless steel pans can be more expensive than other types of pans.
Can you use non-stick pans on a gas stove?
Yes, non-stick pans work incredibly well on gas stoves. However, you will have to keep in mind a few things.
- Choose a non-stick pan that is made up of high-quality human and environmentally friendly materials.
- Remember that since the food doesn’t stick to the pan, it is incredibly hard to sear any meat. You’ll also find that it’s more difficult to get a nice, even browning on your food. So if you’re looking to impress with perfectly seared scallops or a beautifully golden chicken, stick to pans without non-stick coatings.
Related Posts – Best Pans for Cooking Fish
Looking to cook fish? Then we highly recommend you to check out our post where we analyze the top pans for cooking fish.
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