9 min readWe’ve reviewed Quince suitcases, Quince linen sheets, and Quince sofas, so it was only a matter of time before we explored another big category in the Quince home world: cookware. Our team has a few avid home cooks on staff, so we thought it would be appropriate for them to sauté their way through the collection and share their findings.
If you’ve been wondering about the quality of Quince’s pots and pans, this is your chance to get unfiltered answers. All of our testers live in New York City, where square footage is limited, so if we’re welcoming a new piece into our small kitchen, it has to pass all of our tests. See which cookware you should add to your own chef-worthy arsenal, ahead.
Quick Verdict: Which Quince Cookware Is Actually Worth Buying?
If you need one pan to do it all—from sauteéing to frying to toasting to making sauce to steaming your veggies—we recommend Quince’s Ceramic Nonstick Sauté Pan first. Three out of our five editors initially selected to test this and, after using it for weeks, had nothing but praise for it.
However, if your curiosity is getting the best of you, scroll ahead to see how we liked the other ones we cooked with: the Stainless Steel Frying Pans, Stainless Steel Saucepan, and the Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan.
Ceramic Nonstick Sauté Pan
Pros
- The raised pan walls keep your food from spilling out
- Pan is not heavy to lift and cook with
- It's easy to clean
- It holds and makes enough food whether you live alone or with a partner
- The stainless steel handle does not get hot while you cook
- The lid has a steam vent
Cons
- The smaller loop handle on the pan gets pretty hot while you're cooking
- The handle of the lid will heat up a bit over time
| Sizes | 5-quart |
| Material | Made from an aluminum body with a stainless steel induction bottom and stainless steel handle |
| Does It Have Nonstick Coating? | Yes, and the coating is PTFE, PFOA, cadmium, and lead free |
| Stove Compatibility | Compatible with all cooking surfaces, including induction stovetops |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 500º F |
What Our Editors Are Saying
“I use this pan at least once a day. I don't have any countertop appliances, so this pan has become my toaster, rice maker, and steamer. It has completely replaced my other saucepans due to its versatility and phenomenal nonstick coating, too. A good nonstick pan is a must-have in my kitchen since I cook a lot of Lebanese food that has stuck to my ‘nonstick’ pans in the past.” —Maggie Haddad, contributing social media editor
“My first impressions right away are that it’s truly nonstick. When I cook something like scrambled eggs in my other ‘nonstick’ pans without oil, it’s moderately easy to clean, but there's always a little residue that sticks to the pan. When I scrambled an egg on the Quince pan and scooped it onto my plate, the pan literally looked like it had just been washed because every bit of food scraped off so easily, and there were no burnt bits. I like to be able to move my food around with one hand, and the pan is light enough to do so.” —Bianca Bonetti, social media editor
“We use this pan if we're cooking for two, so it has seen its fair share of vegetables, both frozen and fresh. They cook very well and very evenly on this ceramic pan, and I like that we can use the lid to cover everything, especially if we want the veggies to thaw faster. I’m a vegetarian, but my spouse, who eats meat, has cooked chicken and salmon in this ceramic pan too, and while he often sets off the fire alarm when cooking chicken, he hasn't since using this! My cats and I appreciate that.” —Meghan Shouse, digital editor
What They Cooked With This Pan
The pan is perfect for making a large portion of Mujaddara.
A big batch of chicken and broccoli fit for meal prepping.
No cheese got stuck to the pan in the making of a grilled cheese.
This is your one-and-done pan. Our editors have made everything in this, including a large batch of Mujaddara (a Lebanese rice-and-lentils dish), fried eggs, spicy vodka pasta, veggie stir-fries, and salmon. Basically, this cookware can handle anything you throw into it for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“I have been using the sauté pan at least twice a week to cook my larger meals. The two uses I enjoy most are shallow frying and spaghetti dishes,” Bonetti adds. “I love that it’s large enough to fry an entire pack of chicken in one go, whereas before I would have to split it up into two batches [when I used my other pans]. I can prep the components for a spaghetti dish, such as shallots or pancetta, in the pan, then incorporate my al dente pasta and cooking water all in the same pan without any overflow. The pan is wide and tall enough to actually boil spaghetti in without breaking the pasta.”
Is the Ceramic Nonstick Sauté Pan Easy to Clean?
You can’t stick this pan in the dishwasher as it’ll wear down the material, so all of our editors hand-washed the pan, but with zero complaints.
“This pan has been a dream to clean. When I accidentally burned some barbecue sauce in the pan while making chicken, I was worried I'd have to spend a lot of time scrubbing it clean. After a short soak in hot, soapy water, the burnt bits melted right off the nonstick surface. I was a bit worried that the light exterior color would pick up stains, but that hasn't been an issue yet,” says Haddad.
“I handwash all of my cookware, and this pan has been very easy to clean. I just use basic Dawn dish soap and a normal sponge. If my husband has cooked chicken, I typically let the pans soak a bit to loosen everything up, which works perfectly,” adds Shouse.
Is this Pan Worth Buying?
All three of our editors say YES. The nonstick pan, which we’re calling the “everything pan,” is versatile and affordable. If you have limited storage space, this cookware can pull double or even triple duty, eliminating the need for other pans, so you can ditch your other pieces for good.
Stainless Steel Frying Pans
Pros
- The pans heat up quickly and evenly
- Cheese and other typically sticky ingredients don't stick to the pan
- Dishwasher safe but easy to clean by hand as well
- Has an ergonomic riveted handle that doesn't get hot
- Free returns within 365 days
- Neither feels too fancy to use everyday nor too cheap that it'll get ruined
Cons
- Potential dealbreaker: the nonstick coating on the interior pan contains PTFE (aka Teflon)
| Sizes | 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch |
| Material | Made from five layers of stainless steel and aluminum |
| Does It Have Nonstick Coating? | Yes, it contains PTFE (aka Teflon) |
| Stove Compatibility | Compatible with all cooking surfaces, including induction stovetops |
| Oven Safe | Yes, up to 450º F |
What Our Editors Are Saying
“The first thing I noticed about my Quince set was how hot it got, and how quickly. With my Quince pans, the low-med settings served just fine for sautéing my favorite veggies and getting a nice crisp on pieces of chicken. I noticed that when I was making quesadillas, even when the cheese melted off the tortilla and into the pan, it didn't burn or stick. Plus, the handle remained cool to the touch, so I didn't need to cook with an oven mitt on.
The fact that these pans are dishwasher-safe was their biggest draw. I've lost so many great pans to my laziness around cleaning. My 10-inch pan fit in the dishwasher just fine, but the 12-inch had some trouble fitting, so I washed it by hand. That said, it was super easy to clean. I had made a creamy mushroom sauce and watched it glide off the pan with little urging. That nonstick factor really helps with any stubborn food bits.” —Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie
“I am not someone who can confidently cook on straight stainless steel surfaces—I'm a nonstick kind of gal. However, my spouse prefers it. So, I thought it was the best of both worlds when I saw Quince had a stainless steel pan with a nonstick surface! It's very light and was easy to handle, and the nonstick part lives up to its name. I've cooked mainly frozen and fresh vegetables on it without anything burning, and the heat distributes evenly across the pan on my gas stove.” —Meghan Shouse, Digital Editor
What They Cooked With This Pan
McKenzie says her 12-inch pan was too big for everyday cooking on a small electric cooktop, so she reserved it for her meal prep on Sundays. The 12-inch pan is great for pasta and big batches of stir-fry, while the 10-inch pan is suited for eggs and bacon. Save your sauciest recipes for the Ceramic Sauté Pan, as it has higher walls to contain any overflow—these frying pans are better for sauteeing veggies.
“I've used this pan maybe four or five times in the past two weeks. I start by putting some olive oil in the pan, heating it up, then adding the produce. I've not had any issues with my veggies burning; they typically get a nice char as long as I don't crank the heat,” adds Shouse.
Is the Stainless Steel Frying Pan Easy to Clean?
Both our editors say the frying pans were easy to clean. They can even go directly in the dishwasher, so if you’re feeling lazy, you can stick them in and not worry they’ll come out ruined. If you’re handwashing, don’t use abrasive sponges, steel wool, scouring pads, oven cleaners, bleach, or other strong abrasive cleaners that can damage the pan's surface.
Is the Frying Pan Worth Buying?
Yes, with the caveat that these frying pans are great for amateur cooks and/or someone who doesn’t cook frequently. The overall stainless steel pans may not hold up as well to constant wear and tear, especially if you like to make complicated recipes daily. “The one downside I noticed is that after my first cook, a dark, burnt spot formed on the underside of my pan,” McKenzie notes. “I was surprised to see it marked that fast, and was able to take down some of it while washing. But if you're cooking every night for a large family, you might see some wear and tear quickly. The ease of cleaning, nonstick surface, and even heating all make it a great set, though.”
5-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
Pros
- The saucepan holds up well to weekly use for active cooks
- Heat distributes evenly
- The handle feels ergonomic and doesn't get hot to touch
- Made in Italy
- Dishwasher safe
- Free returns within 365 days
Cons
- The handle is longer than others so it may take you time to get accustomed to it
| Sizes | 2-quart, 3-quart |
| Material | Made with five layers of stainless steel and aluminum for even heat with a satin finish exterior |
| Does It Have Nonstick Coating? | No |
| Stove Compatibility | Compatible with all cooking surfaces, including induction stovetops |
| Oven Safe | Up to 500º F |
What Our Editors Are Saying
“I've been in the market for new saucepans for a while. My old pans had hot spots that led to uneven, unpredictable cooking, and the handles would get extremely hot, making them hard to handle, especially when they were full of sauce.
The stainless steel saucepan has been quite a boon! Not only is the heat distribution very even, but it also retains that heat very well. I've been able to sear meat and temper spices without it sticking to the bottom of my pan. The handle is quite long, feels ergonomic, and doesn't get hot to the touch, which makes it very easy to maneuver and move the pan around, particularly when I have to move it on or off the heat quickly.” —Soumi Sarkar, Digital Designer
What They Cooked With This Saucepan
Sarkar used this saucepan about three to five times over the last couple of weeks to make rice, noodles, daal (a lentil soup), and chili. “I would say that I am a fairly active home cook. I cook most days of the week—my roommate (who's also one of my closest friends) and I take turns with cooking dinners throughout the week, and we usually come together to make fun, more complicated meals over the weekend,” Sarkar adds.
Is the Stainless Steel Saucepan Easy to Clean?
Yes, this saucepan is easy to clean. “I don't have a dishwasher, so I'm always handwashing my pans and, therefore, am always looking for pans that are actually easy to clean,” Sarkar says. “I usually just let this [and Quince’s Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan] soak with a bit of soap and hot water for a bit, which has, so far, easily tackled anything that was a bit more stubborn. Beyond that, I've just gone over them with a sponge and a nice wipe down.”
Is the Stainless Steel Saucepan Worth Buying?
Yes, the stainless steel saucepan is durable and cheaper than its counterparts. “I know many people, including me, who have long struggled with stainless steel cookware, often finding it impossible to get them to cook uniformly or not have food stuck to them. Let me tell you: the pan you have really does matter!” Sarkar says. “A good stainless steel pan not only distributes heat well but also retains it, which is essential for getting hot enough to cook your food with ease. This pan has been an addition to my pantry, and it doesn't hurt that it's at a far lower price tag than some of its more famous competitors!”
Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan
Pros
- Great for one-pot meals
- Can handle all types of foods and ingredients
- The nonstick coating is nontoxic and doesn't contain Teflon
- Has ergonomic handles that don't get hot
- Can go in the oven
- Free shipping and free 365-day return policy
Cons
- The nonstick part of this saucepan might not wear down well over time
| Sizes | 3-quart |
| Material | Made with an aluminum body with a stainless steel induction bottom and stainless steel handle |
| Does It Have Nonstick Coating? | Yes, and the coating is PTFE, PFOA, cadmium and lead free |
| Stove Compatibility | Compatible with all cooking surfaces including induction stovetops |
| Oven Safe | Up to 500º F |
What Our Editors Are Saying
“This has been a great addition to my daily dinner plans over the last few weeks, and is especially a treat on a weekday for that one-pot meal. I don't have to worry about the chemicals in traditional nonstick cookware like PFAs and Teflon, while getting all the benefits of a nonstick cooking surface. The depth of the pan means I can not only cook off my meat or vegetables in it, but also glaze off the residue and use it to make a sauce, or cook my carbs in it with ease,” —Soumi Sarkar, Digital Designer
What They Cooked With This Saucepan
She has used the ceramic nonstick saucepan to make pasta sauces, one-pot meals like the chicken shawarma and rice in the photos, fish curry, and even a butterscotch sauce. Sarkar notes that she’ll use the stainless steel saucepan more like a traditional pot—think boiling water, making sauces and jams, etc, while the ceramic saucepan can function as that and more, including sautéing.
Is the Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan Easy to Clean?
Yes. Similar to the ceramic satué pan, you can’t put this in the dishwasher, but Sarkar notes that handwashing has been a breeze so far.
Is the Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan Worth Buying?
Yes, especially if you don’t want to cook with stainless steel saucepans. “This saucepan is multifunctional and versatile,” Sarkar says. “It's a treat to go between food types with it, like from searing to saucing to braising in the oven, which really helps with those one-pot meals, especially.”
However, she is worried about the durability of the nonstick coating on this compared to the stainless steel saucepan (that doesn’t have a coating), saying, “I’m worried about the quality of nonstick and how hard it'll be to clean down the road. I've had the Quince Nonstick fry pans for a while, and I already need to use a lot more elbow grease than I'd like to clean them off, and I don't like how they hold on to food. I’m worried about the same for the saucepan down the line.”
