This is our Scanpan reviews for home cooks in 2021.
Scanpan Classic 11 Piece Cookware Set is the best overall set for your kitchen. It’s versatile and very durable cookware that performs exceptionally well when cooking. It includes everything you could need: a frying pan, covered sauté pan, covered saucepan, covered dutch oven. However, if you don’t need a cookware set, you’ll find Scanpan pan reviews in this article as well.
When I was working as a chef in Copenhagen, Denmark, we used some Scanpan products. I have to say; even in a bustling environment where pans are used multiple times a day, these Scanpan pans performed great.
But anyway, let’s take a look at our Scanpan reviews.
Our 8 Best Scanpan Pans and Cookware Sets
- Scanpan Classic 11 Piece Cookware Set (Best Overall Cookware Set)
- Scanpan Classic Nonstick 9.5-inch Stir-Fry Pan (Best Stir-Fry Pan)
- Scanpan HAPTIQ 12.5-inch Wok (Best Wok Pan)
- Scanpan Classic 3pc Pan Set (Best Versatile Pan Set)
- Scanpan, Black Classic 2 Piece Fry Pan Set (Best Budget 2 Piece Frying Pan Set)
- Scanpan HaptIQ Stainless Steel-Aluminum 11 Inch Fry Pan (Best Large Frying Pan)
- Scanpan Professional 8-Inch Fry Pan (Best Small Frying Pan)
- Scanpan Classic Covered Saute Pan (Best Saute Pan)
Scanpan Reviews in 2021
Here are our eight Scanpan reviews in 2021.
Scanpan Classic 11 Piece Cookware Set Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lids: Yes
- Set includes: 10.25” Fry Pan, 2.75 QT Covered Sauté Pan, 1.25 QT Covered Saucepan, 2 QT Covered Saucepan, 3.25 QT Covered Saucepan, 6.5 QT Covered Dutch Oven.
Scanpan Classic 11 Piece Cookware Set is an excellent all-around set. Yes, it has some drawbacks, but it’s still a fantastic cookware set that would make any home cook happy. Read along to find a full review.
This Scanpan Classic set is made from aluminum which has a few benefits. Pots and pans are lightweight. It gives you more confidence, especially when cooking in a 10-inch frying pan. Tossing food is easy, and it’s not difficult to hold this pan with one hand. Another great benefit of having aluminum cookware – it’s an excellent heat conductor. Food cooks evenly, and cookware reacts to temperature changes immediately.
Build quality is good. The only complaint I have is that the handle on the saute pan is a bit loose. Other than that, lid knobs and overall built quality seem to be good.
I haven’t had any warping issues, and I couldn’t find anyone complaining about the same issues online. Some cookware brands and especially nonstick cookware, have warping issues. I think it’s important to address that because many home cooks use cookware on glass top stoves. Uneven bottoms on cookware can scratch glass top stoves.
Scanpan pans and pots in this set have truly unique nonstick properties. I have no issues with food sticking to the surface. It has an exceptional release. It cooks evenly thanks to aluminum and retains heat well, even though I was not expecting great heat retention. And to top it off, you can use very little or no oil whatsoever to cook.
One thing to keep in mind is to try to avoid cooking on high heat. This cookware does not withstand high temperatures, as well as stainless steel cookware does. Use low to medium heat for the best performance and to avoid damage to the nonstick layer.
Most home cooks will be happy to hear that this cookware set is oven-proof up to 500°F. However, suppose you have an induction stovetop. In that case, I have to disappoint you, but this set is not compatible with an induction cooktop.
Lids seal the pots and pans well without letting too much vapor come out. Though glass lids can shatter easily so keep in mind to be extra careful with them.
When it comes to maintenance, it’s easy to clean pots and pans in this set. Food doesn’t stick, and the excess oil comes off easily. Just make sure you wash it well otherwise, the next time you use it, food can stick when cooking. There’s a guide at the end of the article suggesting how to take care of Scanpan cookware, so I recommend you to take a look at it.
Pros
- Excellent value for the money
- Exceptional release
- Durable
- Great design
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Comfortable handles
Cons
- Handles build quality could be better
Scanpan Classic Nonstick 9.5-inch Stir-Fry Pan Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lid: No
This 9.5-inch Nonstick Scanpan Classic Stir-Fry Pan could be an excellent addition to your cookware. It’s on a heavy side. It doesn’t have a lot of flat surface, but it’s a fantastic pan for stir-frying.
This stir-fry pan is made from 100% recycled aluminum. However, most home cooks would think that aluminum is light; therefore, a pan should be light. But no. This pan is heavy. Tossing food with one hand in this Scanpan Classic stir-fry for some home cooks can be challenging.
Overall, the build quality is solid. Scanpans patented Stratanium nonstick coating, in theory, should last a while. However, I started to notice small scratches on the interior surface. They do not affect cooking performance.
For a nonstick pan, it’s a durable pan. However, you should know that most nonstick cookware is not as durable as a stainless steel one. The only thing you can do to make this pan last for a while is to make sure you take good care of it.
The handle is comfortable and solid. Also, this pan has no rivets on the inside of the pan. It makes it easy to wash, but I’m concerned about how long the handle will last without coming loose.
The cooking performance on this Scanpan is impressive. Thanks to aluminum in this pan, the heat distribution is excellent. Heat retention is also great, which is good to have in a stir-fry pan. One thing to keep in mind is that this pan does not have a lot of flat surface. It’s great for stir-frying, but if you want to cook steaks or eggs for a whole family, it’s not the best option.
This pan is also oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But if, to be honest, you’re not going to be using this feature in a stir-fry pan.
Worth mentioning it comes with no lid. Considering you’re going to be using this pan for stir-frying, the cover is unnecessary most of the time.
Cleaning doesn’t take much effort. It’s easy to clean and maintain.
Pros
- Amazing nonstick properties
- PFOA free
- Great heat distribution
- Retains heat well
- Good build quality
Cons
- Heavy
- Not compatible with induction
Scanpan HAPTIQ 12.5-inch Wok Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: Yes
- Come with lid: No
If you’re looking for well built, durable, and most importantly, well-performing Wok pan, look no further. This Scanpan HAPTIQ 12.5-inch Wok would be a great addition to your kitchen.
Made from aluminum and a mirror-polished stainless steel exterior, this Scanpan Wok pan is sturdy and heavy. The stainless steel riveted handle is thick and comfortable to hold, which disguises that extra weight.
Build quality feels premium on par with the very best Wok pans. Every tiny detail on this Wok pan is carefully crafted, from the helper handle to the Stratanium+ nonstick interior.
A 5-layer clad aluminum construction makes this pan sturdy and durable. I haven’t noticed any flaws so far. Some Wok pans I used before had warping issues, not this one, though.
The cooking performance is outstanding. This pan has an excellent heat distribution. It reacts to temperature changes instantly. Also, due to a 5-ply construction, this Wok pan has excellent heat retention.
If the pan is full, there’s a helper handle to help you pick the pan and navigate around the kitchen. Most wok pans don’t have a helper handle and in my opinion, they should.
Cleaning this pan is easy. Because the nonstick surface performs so well, there’s no need to use much oil, which makes it easy to wash. Other than that, even though it’s dishwasher safe, I would recommend washing it by hand. It’s not a cheap pan, and you wouldn’t want to damage that amazing nonstick surface.
Pros
- Premium quality
- Durable
- Amazing nonstick surface
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with induction
- Oven safe
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Scanpan Classic 3pc Pan Set Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lids: Yes
- Set includes: 10.25-inch french skillet and 4 Qt. deep saute pan with interchangeable lid
This 3-Piece Scanpan Classic Cookware Set is all you need when it comes to pans. It’s versatile, durable, and an excellent value for the money.
Both saute pan and a french skillet are made from aluminum. Both feature a Stratanium nonstick surface, and both pans are heavy. Most nonstick cookware is lightweight in comparison to Scanpan, but that’s great as it makes these pans feel premium.
The build quality is excellent. Stratanium nonstick cooking surface is rigid though I wouldn’t use metal utensils as they can still damage the surface. I’ve started to notice some small scratches on the interior surface, but they do not affect cooking performance.
I like how these pans perform both on gas and electric stovetops. Thanks to aluminum, heat conductivity is excellent. Pans react to temperature changes fast, and food cooks evenly.
The interchangeable lid sits nicely on both pans, creating a good seal. The lid itself is pretty heavy, but I wish it were a stainless steel one.
Both a saute and french skillet can withstand high temperature, and both are oven safe up to 500°Fahrenheit. It’s a great feature to have because it makes these pans more versatile.
Maintenance is easy. It doesn’t take much time to clean them. Since they have such a tremendous nonstick surface, there’s no need to use much oil. However, keep in mind that do not dip your hot pan into cold water as it may damage the nonstick coating.
Pros
- Versatile
- Oven safe
- Great build quality
- Amazing nonstick surface
- PFOA-free
Cons
- Not compatible with induction cooktops
Scanpan, Black Classic 2 Piece Fry Pan Set Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lids: No
- Set includes: 10.25-inch fry pan and 8-inch fry pan
Scanpan, Black Classic 2 Piece Fry Pan Set is an excellent value for the money cookware. 10.25-inch and the 8-inch frying pan complement each other well. The smaller one is a perfect choice for omelet frittatas and other breakfast goodies. While the bigger 10.25-inch fry pan offers more versatility.
Both pans are made from aluminum, and they are PFOA-free. Scanpan is using Stratanium nonstick coating. In short, it’s their patented nonstick technology that is durable and performs exceptionally well. The 8-inch fry pan, even though it’s aluminum, it’s heavy for its size. Also, keep in mind that lids are sold separately.
Overall the build quality is good. The cooking surface is rough to the touch, and I noticed it starts to develop small scratches. You can’t avoid scratches even with the most premium nonstick cookware brands. Cooking performance is not affected by these minor scratches; only deep ones can be damaging.
I’m not so sure about the handles. Without rivet heads on the interior, it makes it easier to clean. Still, time will tell how reliable those handles are.
Frying, searing, braising, or deglazing these Scanpan pans will handle it with ease. Nonstick coating performs well. Heat distribution is impressive. I haven’t had any issues with food sticking to the cooking surface.
Both pans are oven-safe. The smaller 8-inch pan is excellent for breakfast meals. I like to finish my omelet in the oven.
I’ve noticed that handles tend to get hot on the gas stove.
Cleaning these pans is easy. However, don’t use the dishwasher to clean them. Cookware should be washed by hand only.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Great cooking performance
- Versatile
- Oven safe
Cons
- Handles tend to get hot on a gas stove
- Heavy
Scanpan HaptIQ Stainless Steel-Aluminum 11 Inch Fry Pan Review
- Material: Aluminum with a polished stainless steel exterior
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: Yes
- Come with lid: No
This Scanpan HaptIQ Stainless Steel-Aluminum 11 Inch Fry Pan is one of the best 11-inch pan you can buy. It works on all stovetops, including induction. The versatility, build quality, and cooking performance makes it a fantastic value for the money.
Made from aluminum and polished stainless steel, this pan looks great. The Stratanium+ nonstick surface is rough to the touch and performs well when cooking. The handle is made from stainless steel and is thick. And yes, this Scanpan HaptIQ is heavy, heavier than most nonstick cookware.
Build quality is premium, taking into consideration how much this pan costs. The handle is tight and feels sturdy. One issue though the bottom of the pan is discolored after a month of use, and it’s hard to clean it off.
A few small scratches appeared on the interior surface, but you can’t avoid that with nonstick cookware.
Aluminum offers an even heat distribution. I’ve used it both on a gas stove and an induction cooktop, and it performed well. It responds to heat changes instantly, and be aware not to use it on a high heat as it may damage the nonstick coating.
The lid is sold separately, and it’s a shame because I can’t use this pans full potential. This 11-inch Scanpan Frypan is also safe for stovetop to oven dishes. If you want to sear a steak or a fish and finish it in the oven, this pan is excellent for that.
Cleaning the interior surface is easy. The polished stainless steel is harder to maintain. I couldn’t get rid of that annoying brown stain, and also it attracts fingerprints. Even it’s dishwasher safe, clean it by hand instead to prolong the lifespan of the pan.
Pros
- Build quality
- Great design
- The handle has a nice grip
- Performs well on all stovetops
- Great heat conductivity
Cons
- The bottom is discolored
- Stainless steel exterior is hard to keep clean
- Heavy
- The handle can get too hot for some people
Scanpan Professional 8-Inch Fry Pan Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lid: No
Every home cook needs a small pan in their kitchen, and this Scanpan Professional 8-Inch Fry Pan would be a great addition to your cookware.
This 8-inch Scanpan is a small and sturdy pan. The build quality seems excellent. The handle is attached well to the pan. The Stratanium nonstick surface is more durable than on some other cookware brands.
After using this pan for a while, small scratches appeared. They do not affect cooking performance. You’ll have to deal with it because the nonstick coating is prone to scratching. If you don’t like these scratches, I have an article on how to fix a scratched nonstick pan.
Cooking with this small 8-inch frying pan is a pleasant experience. Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor; therefore, everything cooks evenly. The pan reacts to the temperature changes quickly. The Stratanium nonstick coating prevents food from sticking, so even inexperienced home cooks will enjoy using this pan.
The stainless steel handle is comfortable to hold. I noticed it tends to get hot when using it on a gas stove, so keep a dry towel nearby because you may need it.
This 8-inch pan is easy to clean. Be aware to let the pan cool before you wash it. Dipping the pan into cold water right after you finished cooking may damage the nonstick coating.
Pros
- Amazing nonstick properties
- Easy to clean
- Great heat distribution
- Durable
Cons
- Handle gets hot
Scanpan Classic Covered Saute Pan Review
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lid: Yes
This Scanpan Classic Covered Saute Pan is an excellent addition to a kitchen. It’s so versatile. You can cook so many different dishes. Yes, this pan is similar to a frying pan; however, you’ll be surprised how often you’re going to use it daily.
This 10.25-inch Saute pan is sturdy and durable. The Stratanium patented nonstick coating seems to hold up nicely. Yes, some scratches already appeared after a month of use, but they do not affect cooking performance.
The handle feels tight and well attached to the pan. However, as I mentioned earlier, I have some concerns about the durability of these handles on Scanpans. Yes, having no rivets on the interior makes this pan easy to wash, but how will it hold up after five years or so? Only time will tell.
The lid is reinforced with a stainless steel rim for better durability and sits tight on the pan.
The cooking performance is excellent. Aluminum provides a perfect heat distribution. Meats and vegetables cook evenly both in the middle of the pan and around the corners. Vertical sides are ideal for dishes with loads of liquid.
I use this pan to heat leftover curry or stew for the whole family as it’s big enough to do that. It would be difficult to do that in a frying pan.
The lid creates a perfect seal, and of course, it’s included with the pan. Often when purchasing a frying pan or a skillet, you’ll have to buy the lid separately.
One thing I’m missing on this saute pan is a helper handle. It makes it so much easier to carry an entire pan of food when there’s a helper handle.
Cleaning and maintaining this pan is easy. The nonstick coating prevents food from sticking; therefore, it takes two minutes to clean this pan. Be aware not to use dishwashers even if the manufacturer suggests otherwise. It’ll help to protect the nonstick coating from damage.
Pros
- Versatile
- Durable
- Great build quality
- Amazing heat distribution
Cons
- Missing a helper handle
- Heavy
Guide to Buying Scanpan Cookware
When selecting cookware for your kitchen, you’ll need to pay attention to the things listed below.
Heat Conductivity
Considering heat conductivity is important because it’s a major factor in how well your cookware performs.
Some metals perform better than others. For instance, copper is one of the best heat conductors; however, stainless steel is the worst.
Heat conductivity is responsible for even cooking and heat distribution.
To get the best performance from cookware, pick one made from aluminum or copper.
Nowadays, cookware brands use more than one layer of metal sheet to extract the most performance. It also keeps the cookware price low. For example, most stainless steel cookware has a layer of aluminum. It compensates for the lack of stainless steel heat conductivity.
Here’s a table of metals and how well they conduct heat.
| Metal | Thermal Conductivity [BTU/(hr·ft⋅°F)] |
| Copper | 223 |
| Aluminum | 118 |
| Brass | 64 |
| Steel | 17 |
| Bronze | 15 |
Scanpan is using aluminum to make their cookware. A nonstick layer is their patented Stratanium+ coating technology. It consists of five layers in which hard particles and wave-like layers interlock to reinforce the nonstick layer.
Reactivity
If you use your cookware daily, I recommend you to choose your cookware wisely. Some metals react to certain types of food differently. When acidic food such as wine, tomatoes, or citrus juice comes into contact with aluminum or copper, it releases metal into food.
Scanpan pots and pans are non-reactive, meaning you can cook any food you like. They are using PTFE which doesn’t react with acidic ingredients. However, PTFE can break if heated above 500F. When exposed above this temperature, it can release toxic fumes.
Durability
Durability depends on two main factors: material and build quality. Nonstick cookware is not the most durable cookware you can buy. Typically it will last around five years if you take good care of it. Stainless steel cookware, on the other hand, is one of the most durable.
Some cookware brands have issues with warping or handle coming loose. It happens because of poor build quality.
In this regard, Scanpan is durable cookware. The build quality is excellent. Their patented Stratanium technology seems to enhance the durability of the cooking surface.
Maintenance
If you’re looking for easy to clean and maintain cookware, then nonstick is your best option. It’s easy to clean and doesn’t require any additional maintenance like seasoning.
For example, cast iron and ceramic cookware require a lot of maintenance. You’ll need to season it at least once every four to six months, and it’s difficult to clean because you can’t use a dishwasher and dishwashing soap to clean it.
Take a look at our articles on how to clean and season cast iron and ceramic cookware. To get an idea of how time-consuming it can be for some home cooks, especially if you don’t have much time to spare.
One of the most significant benefits of having nonstick cookware is that its low maintenance. Most are dishwasher safe, even though I do not recommend doing that. Leftover food comes off easily. Most of the time, it’s enough to wipe it with a paper towel, and the pan or pot is clean.
Talking about Scanpan cookware, both pots and pans are very easy to clean. A nonstick surface provides excellent nonstick properties meaning food doesn’t stick at all. Most of the time, I use a paper towel to wipe excess grease and give it a quick wash with a dash of dishwashing soap.
Warranty
Most nonstick cookware doesn’t get a lifetime warranty. Usually, the lifespan of nonstick cookware is short. On the other hand, stainless steel is much more durable. It doesn’t have a nonstick surface. It’s not prone to scratching. It can withstand high temperatures better than nonstick cookware. So most premium and budget-friendly stainless steel cookware offer a lifetime warranty.
Scanpan, unfortunately, doesn’t offer a lifetime warranty. You can get a full refund within 30 days of receipt of your order.
Features
Ideally, you would want to have the most versatile cookware. But what makes versatile cookware? First oven-safe feature. Second dishwasher safe. The third is compatibility with an induction stovetop.
It’s hard to get a pan or a pot that has all the features. In my honest opinion, having oven safe is essential because it allows you to utilize cookware in so many different ways. Frittata is one of those breakfast dishes that require to be finished in the oven.
If you have an induction stovetop, please make sure that a pan or a pot is compatible with the induction cooktop.
Most Scanpan cookware items I reviewed in this article are dishwasher and oven safe. However, not all of them are compatible with an induction stovetop.
Is Scanpan Cookware Safe to Use?
Yes, Scanpan cookware is safe to use. It’s non-reactive cookware which means when it comes into contact with acidic food – it does not release any metals. It’s also PFOA-free. You can read more about PFOA.
Why Should You Choose Scanpan Cookware?
Here are a few reasons why you should choose Scanpan cookware. First, even though it’s not as cheap as some other cookware brands, it still is an excellent value for the money. The build quality is fantastic, and the cooking performance is as good as you can get.
Pans and pots are light which makes them easy to handle around the kitchen. By far, the biggest feature of this cookware brand is its nonstick surface. Stratanium+ nonstick cooking surface has a unique textured surface. It makes a pleasant experience to cook foods that tend to stick easily.
Worth mentioning Scanpan is a Danish brand, and Denmark is well known as an environmentally cautious country. I’ve been working as a chef in Copenhagen, and trust me; they are obsessed with recycling. And on that note, I have to mention that Scanpan uses recycled aluminum to make their exceptional cookware.
Also, it’s PFOA-free cookware. In fact, they went PFOA free in 2008, seven years before the international regulation banned using this material in cookware.
How To Care of Scanpan Cookware
Here’s a quick guide on how to take care of your Scanpan pots and pans.
Most Scanpan products are dishwasher safe; however, I highly recommend washing your cookware by hand. It has a few benefits when you wash it by hand. First, you’ll prolong the lifespan of your cookware. Second, the nonstick surface is easy to clean. It takes only a minute to clean your pan or pot by hand rather than wait for half an hour or an hour for a dishwasher to clean.
Here’s what you need to clean Scanpan cookware:
- Soft sponge
- Dishwashing soap
- Paper towel or clean, dry cloth
A step by step guide on how to clean Scanpan cookware
- Remove any excess oil or food from the pan or pot using a paper towel.
- If it’s hard to remove stuck-on food and oily residue, soak your cookware in hot water and wash it 5 minutes later. Otherwise, use lukewarm water with a dash of dishwashing soap and give it a good wash using a soft sponge.
- Leave it to dry. Remove excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
Remember immersing a hot pan in cold water can damage your pan. Please wait until it cools down to room temperature; only then wash it.
Using abrasive scrubs can damage a nonstick layer. Scanpan cookware is scratch-resistant. But, I would still avoid using steel wools, abrasive scrubs, or metal utensils. It can damage the Stratanium coating.
It’s very easy to wear down a nonstick layer if you don’t take good care of it.
And last but not least, if you want to enjoy all the benefits of a nonstick layer, make sure you clean it properly. If you do not remove oil properly the next time using your cookware, you may notice that food sticks to the surface. That’s because you haven’t cleaned your cookware correctly.
Our Verdict
Scanpan Classic 11 Piece Cookware Set would be my go-to option since it’s an excellent value for the money. It’s also durable, effortless to clean. The Stratanium nonstick coating performs exceptionally well compared to similar cookware sets in a similar price range.
