Construction

HexClad is a beautifully constructed cookware set. Right off the bat, the hexagonal print on the interior and exterior caught my eye long before I noticed the other intricate patterns that lined the cookware’s surface. The cookware is dark-hued, with a glow from the polished stainless steel.

The pieces feature a tri-ply construction, with an outer magnetic stainless steel layer, an aluminum core, and a hybrid interior with both nonstick and stainless steel etching. The metal-clad gives the cookware increased strength and good heat distribution. The ferromagnetic exterior also allows for induction ability.

I found the handles to be ergonomically designed–thick, rounded, and medium-sized. They are very comfortable, and I rarely say that about medium-sized handles. They also feature a deep cutout where the handle joins the body via dual rivets. This has been instrumental in keeping the handles cool, which is more than I can say for most brands that promise the same.

The pieces in this collection also come with flared rims made of pure stainless steel. They help in the easy pouring of food and provide a decent resting place for the cookware’s domed lids. The lids also come with stainless steel handles and rims; they have been the source of ridicule for their seemingly cheap construction–I’ve seen better, and I will also trade the food monitoring of glass lids for the heat efficiency of stainless steel lids.

I’m pleased with the set as it forms a natural stack due to the limited variety of pieces, and the reducing dimensions of the existing ones. The hybrid exterior and interior keep the nested pieces from scraping the bottom-placed piece. I also like that the pieces were not completely flat–the curved edges allowed me to use the large pans on smaller-sized burners while retaining the same level of heat efficiency.

Coatings

The interior is quite interesting. From photographs, you can’t tell what’s going on with the hexagonal print. I was, therefore, quite curious to see and feel what they described as a raised steel surface over nonstick that quite clearly was different from Anolon X’s SearTech. From the interaction, I can describe the surface as holographic. The steel seems to rise in 3D fashion, creating a continuous raised barrier over the nonstick–hence the metal safe.

The stainless steel is laser etched onto the nonstick to form hexagonal rings that hover over the lower-situated nonstick ‘valley.’ In fact, I read a claim somewhere by HexClad, and they say that the laser etching process is so complex they couldn’t find a reliable factory in the US. This is their explanation for the company’s factory base being in China (but right down from iPhone’s factory–a hilarious but clever thing to say).

Right under the rim is another interesting but less pronounced pattern that I’d thought was plain stainless steel when I first saw it online. Turns out HexClad designed the ring in a herringbone pattern to keep up with aesthetics. It looks nice but is not really functional. Alternatively, the exterior features a plain stainless steel ring, a herringbone pattern ring in the middle and the rest is the hybrid surface, with the HexClad logo and some manufacturer’s info on the base.

Performance

The purpose of the hybrid surface is to give the cookware the best of nonstick and stainless steel when cooking. Does this actually work? First of all, my biggest fear going in was the numerous reports that said the nonstick’s function was abysmal. At its price tag, that is not money you want to hard-wash down the drain. However, the manufacturer does give a disclaimer to season the pan–a step that a lot of people either skip from ignorance or conduct inefficiently.

I followed my sure-proof method–avocado oil, rim to rim, cranked the heat up to 525℉, and waited till it reached smoking point. Now, you can follow your preferred method and repeat the process should you wish. Recognizing that the surface has stainless steel also lets you know that heating on high will lead to sticking. 

I prepared all sorts of meals on my pans and was especially pleased to see my eggs slide with a little bit of oil. I went in with my salmon, and on low heat and with a bit of oil, I was able to get it evenly cooked without breaking. My chicken breast cooked just as well without the need for oil, though it left quite the glaze and needed significant nudging to flip. I sizzled some shrimp and managed to get a good brown on them, but searing a piece of beefsteak was not as efficient as with a fully stainless steel pan. 

Durability

Cooking was fun, and I hope the pan retains its food release. However, we know that nonstick degrades. And despite the lifetime warranty guarantee, HexClad has not been around long enough to make large claims on lifetime assurances–the technology patent was filed in 2016.

Other than that, the brand does an excellent job of preserving the integrity of the cookware’s surface. The raised stainless steel parameter keeps the recessed nonstick safe enough for use with all kinds of utensils, including metal utensils. I even tested out my electric mixer, and I’m happy to report that it did not leave any superficial or other markings.

The cookware does discolor along the edges–as most stainless steel does, and this, despite me seasoning it. HexClad claims that we can use the abrasive side of our scouring pads and even steel wool scrubbers. I was somewhat worried that this would not work, or rather, would work so well that it would destroy the nonstick–the stainless steel shield stole the show once more. 

While it took way more effort than I appreciated to scrub the discoloration off, the nonstick remained intact. This display of resilience goes a long way in making a case for HexClad’s durability. The cookware is dishwasher safe, but I’d advise sticking to handwashing to preserve the nonstick. And, you might need to get a tough scouring powder to keep the grime from ruining the aesthetics, but it definitely feels like this newcomer might have the bite to back its bark.

Stovetop Compatibility and Oven Ranges

The cookware is compatible with all stovetops, including induction tops. The entire set is oven-safe up to 500°F. This is lower than full stainless steel cookware because of HexClad’s nonstick element. The glass lids will also tolerate limits of about 300°F. I figure it is lower than standard because of the plastic ring that serves as a pad between the lid handles and the glass–users have reported that the plastic rings melted right off with no amount of significant heat.

Price Range

The cost of HexClad cookware is premium, and the prices both compare and vary slightly with established brands like All-Clad and Hestan. Compared to the closest competitor, the Anolon X collection, the price difference was near-insignificant. The pieces don’t compare apples to apples in size, but you can tell there’s a higher markup on HexClad offerings.

Available Set Options

HexClad comes with a few set options, and most pieces sell as open stock. However, the variety is restricted to pans, pots, woks, and a griddle. Below are the options available:

• 7-Piece set: 12″ Pan w/ Lid – the foundation of the gourmet cook’s toolkit, 10″ Pan w/ Lid – the perfect size for everyday meals, 8″ Pan w/ Lid – the essential sauces and sides pan, 12″ Wok 
• 13-Piece set: 12″ Pan with Lid, 10″ Pan with Lid, 8″ Pan with Lid, 12″ Wok, 2-QT Pot with Lid, 3-QT Pot with Lid, 8-QT Pot with Lid
• Hybrid pan in different sizes: 12’’, 10’’ and 8’’
• Hybrid wok with lid: 12’’
• Hybrid wok without lid:12’’
• Hybrid wok with two short handles and lid: 14’’
• Hybrid griddle 12’’
• Hybrid deep saute pan/ chicken fryer with lid: 7 qt
• Hybrid pots with lids: 1 qt, 2 qt, 3 qt, and 8 qt
• Starter bundle: 10’’ pan with a lid and 1qt hybrid pot with lid
• Specialty bundle: 7 qt hybrid deep saute, 14’’ wok, and 1 qt hybrid pot, each with a lid