Here’s the main thing I want to tell you: I am using this 12-inch skillet for dinner literally almost every night and it is awesome. It’s wider than my other pans, so I can comfortably cook 4-6 pieces of salmon or chicken. It has great browning and release properties. It’s PFAS free. It’s made in the USA. And I just really love it. I know (because people tell me!) that a lot of us enjoy the ease and maintenance of cooking with nonstick, but struggle to find a nonstick product that is well-made, stands the test of time, and is manufactured by a transparent and reliable brand that they can trust. Today is all about getting into the details of that! The Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware by Nordic Ware checks all of these boxes for me right now.
Nordic Ware bakeware is already a staple in so many kitchens – their gold-standard baking sheets are made in the USA and have somewhat of a cult following. And their Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware, new within the last year, is made specifically to address regulations in the state of Minnesota around use of PFAS. I’ve been using this cookware almost daily since I got my set a few months ago. Here are my 5 favorite things about it!
1. These Pans Are Incredible For Cooking Proteins.
To be clear, I use my Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware for everything – a pasta skillet, a one-pan chicken and rice dish, etc. But where I love them the most is for pan-frying and sautéing proteins. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a pan that makes it so easy get your proteins to golden, juicy perfection without fighting any sticking, under-browning, or over-cooking. They consistently give me a really nice browning on the exterior but allow the meats to release easily. YAY! While the outside has the ceramic nonstick coating, the base of the pan itself is made with aluminum which is why it sears and browns so evenly! I have never ever been a person who enjoys just sautéing a chicken breast in a skillet… until these pans. This Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware makes me truly love it. Shrimp, chicken, salmon, eggs, and tofu – all of them cook perfectly in these pans.
My Favorite Pan Sizes
I have literally all of the sizes of this line, and these are my two favorites:
the 8-inch skillet (the little “egg pan” that is perfect for cooking 1-3 eggs at a time) the 12-inch skillet (a wide skillet that works amazingly well for everyday dinners for 4-6 people)
I am using the 12-inch skillet for dinner literally almost every night. It is wide enough to comfortably cook 4-6 pieces of salmon or chicken and I just really love it for that. You can buy individual pans, but you can also buy them as a set – this set gives you three of the most-used skillet sizes (including my two favorites) all in one package.
2. These Pans Are PFAS / PTFE / PFOA Free.
PFAS is found in a wide range of products—fabrics, carpet, cosmetics, fast food packaging—and historically, stovetop cookware. In the state of Minnesota (where I live, and where Nordic Ware is headquartered), we have a new regulation that says that as of January 1, 2025, companies cannot make or sell products with PFAS, which is a family of chemicals that are considered “forever chemicals.” This includes cookware. Nordic Ware is a Minnesota company and has engineered the Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware to meet these new PFAS-free standards. I LOVE THIS. They are a leader in healthier nonstick cookware both in Minnesota and nationwide. So in addition to these pans just being really nice to use:
They are PFAS / PTFE / PFOA free. They use a Swiss ceramic coating (triple layered) to give the release properties of a nonstick. Because of the ceramic, they are healthier for our bodies. Because of the ceramic, they are better for the environment.
Find out more about why these pans really shine!
3. They Can Be Used On The Stovetop Or In The Oven.
I love versatility, and these pans are incredibly versatile. They can be used on the stovetop – ideally over medium to low heat – and they can also be used in the oven in temperatures up to 400 degrees. This stove-to-oven functionality is great for recipes like:
Baked Tortellini with Sausage Baked Shrimp with Feta and Grilled Sourdough Greek Baked Orzo
4. They Are Made In The USA By a Family-Owned Company.
There are only two companies that are making their cookware products right here in the USA – Lodge (Tennessee) and Nordic Ware (Minnesota). As a Minnesotan, I love that these pans are made not just in the USA, but specifically right here in our beloved home state of Minnesota! We had the opportunity to tour the Nordic Ware headquarters and factory, and I really love that in addition to being family-owned, they also have incredible transparency into their manufacturing process and facilities. You can even take a look and these pans being made in the factory here!
5. The Pans Are So Easy To Maintain.
You know I love low maintenance, and the Basalt Ceramic Nonstick Cookware is so easy to clean and care for. They do not stain and they rinse clean so easily! For washing: We just wash them like we do all of our dishes – with a soft soapy cloth or sponge. A quick wash, inside and out, in about 30 seconds, and they are good to go. I don’t put them in the dishwasher. For cooking: Keeping the heat at a medium temperature will also keep pans in pristine condition. I’ve found this also keeps the release properties at their best – when the heat is just right, with just a little bit of oil or butter, your fried eggs, chicken, tofu, or whatever you’re cooking should slide and flip easily! With both of these things in mind, this lovely ceramic cookware is designed to last for several years and gives you a safe option for nonstick cooking. Let me know if you have questions about these pans! I will answer myself or would be happy to connect with the Nordic Ware team! ♡ If you want to see more footage of the pans in action, you can check out the videos here! Thank you to Nordic Ware for sponsoring this post, and for doing great things in the cookware and bakeware world!
