It’s no secret that many home cooks are shifting away from using non-stick pans and swapping for healthier alternatives like HexClad pans. I’ve been using “better-for-you” pans for several years now (and won’t ever go back to my old pans). Though I firmly believe everyone should switch, tossing pans that still function well can be tough for some. Moms can be stubborn, especially those with an “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mindset.
I’ll admit, breaking up with non-stick pans is a process. First, it comes with some denial, as those pants have probably served you well for years. Yet, if you’re a home cook using your frying pans nearly daily, it’s 100% worth the switch. Here’s why the Hexclad 6-piece frying pan set is the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the cooking mom (and the one who refuses to throw away their old frying pans).
Free from forever chemicals
While your mom’s old pans might visually look fine, a series of invisible chemical reactions takes place every time she cooks something. Recent research suggests that traditional non-stick pans leak what’s known as “forever chemicals” into your food, which remain in your body forever.
These chemicals, sometimes referred to as PFAS compounds, can lead to adverse health risks with prolonged exposure. Of course, there’s no way to know if forever chemicals are present in your pans with the naked eye. However, if your mom uses old pans, there’s almost a 100% chance chemicals will be in there forever. Even though she may not realize it, switching to healthier pans is essential for regular home cooks to limit exposure to these toxic chemicals.
Unlike traditional non-stick pans, HexClad’s pans use a proprietary TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating, which is PFAS-free, to ensure a better cooking experience. I love that this brand verifies its non-stick results using a third-party lab known as Light Labs. Right from the brand’s website, you can see that the pans have passed various tests that detect forever chemicals.
The best starter set
The HexClad 6-piece Hybrid Set makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift if your mom is anything like mine and refuses to part with her old pans. While she might not splurge on herself, she won’t be able to pass up this set when gifted it. HexClad offers a variety of different sets that come with a combination of both pots and pans. However, I think the 6-piece frying pan set makes the perfect introductory set for the home cook.
Unless your mom frequently makes homemade sauces or soups, she’ll likely use frying pans more often than large stock pots. You can always add additional pieces (or as future birthday or holiday gifts to her collection). One thing I love about this 6-piece set is that it includes a great mix of frying pan sizes, each with an appropriately sized cover. The eight or 10-inch frying pans are perfect for making scrambled eggs or an omelet, whereas the 12-inch pan is great for searing chicken or steak. You’ll notice hexagonal steel ridges on each pan that work well for searing power. It’s also nice that these pans can be washed in the dishwasher, giving your mom more time to relax and less time spent washing dishes.
