Adding durability and longer life to your non stick cookware seems like a no-brainer. But, it can be hard to tell which cookware products offer a real advantage and what’s clever marketing.
I’ve spent hours analyzing the best titanium cookware and over a decade cooking in professional kitchens. And today, I’ve picked three options that use titanium in a way that provides real-world benefits and are worth considering for your home.
In This Article
Best Overall: Tfal Ultimate Hard Anodized Aluminum Titanium Reinforced
T-fal is one of the most well-known and widely used options when it comes to non-stick cookware. After all, they were the originators of the Teflon non stick pan.
With the Ultimate series, they’ve added titanium to their non-stick coating, making it longer lasting and more resistant to scratches.
The body of this cookware is constructed from hard-anodized aluminum. This provides you with the fast and even heating qualities of plain aluminum but in a more durable and non-reactive package.
Anodization makes these pans less likely to bend and warp, and you don’t have to worry about acidic ingredients causing any rust or discoloration.
T-fal’s titanium-reinforced nonstick cooking surface gives you the food release you would expect from an industry leader and adds even more durability.
You should still never use metal utensils directly on the cooking surface, but when treated well, this set should last you a long time.
The riveted, silicone-coated handles don’t necessarily exude style and class. But, they are comfortable and can be used in the oven up to 400 F. And, the tempered glass lids are safe in the oven up to a respectable 350 F.
T-fal has always been a go-to brand for all things non stick. It’s not the top-of-the-line option, but it’s incredibly functional and it won’t break the bank. And that’s a good place to be for non stick cookware.
What we like
- Inexpensive
- Hard anodized aluminum is durable and conducts heat well
- Oven safe up to 400 F (w/glass lid up to 350 F)
What We don’t
- Doesn’t exactly look like high-end cookware (then again, it’s not)
- Titanium reinforced non-stick is still susceptible to scratching when m
Best Value: Saflon Titanium Non Stick Cookware w/Wok
The Saflon titanium nonstick cookware set offers a perfect entry point into titanium cookware. But, it does have its limits.
The pots and pans are built from heavy-gauge forged aluminum. This is important because aluminum is one of the best heat conductors that you’re going to find. That means when you’re cooking, your pan is going to heat up fast and evenly, and it will adjust to temperature changes quickly.
Now, aluminum is a great heat conductor but it’s not extremely durable. That’s why a heavy gauge option like this is a good way to go. The thicker material adds much-needed durability but still remains lightweight.
On top of the aluminum body is Saflon’s “QuanTanium” non-stick coating. This is a three-layer cooking surface that uses titanium for increased durability and scratch resistance.
That means you get exceptional food release, and Saflon claims it will outlast a plain Teflon, granite, or ceramic coating.
The soft-touch stay cool handles are comfortable to hold, but they also seem to be the biggest downside that many owners have found. I’ll explain.
The handles are attached to the outside of the pan without the use of rivets. That means there’s nowhere for food to get stuck on the inside of the pan. That’s the good part.
The bad side is that there have been several instances where the handles began to melt at the point where they are attached to the pan.
Because the soft handle material has a relatively low melting point, it also means that this set is not meant for oven use. It is dishwasher safe, but hand washing is your best bet to help extend the life of the nonstick coating.
If you plan on using your pan in the oven, you’ll have to look elsewhere. But, for an entry-level option, the Saflon titanium nonstick is a solid consideration. Plus, the set includes a very useful wok (one of my favorite pieces of cookware).
What we like
- Inexpensive
- The included wok is a nice addition
- Very responsive to te
What We don’t
- Some owners had issues with the handles melting
- Not safe for oven use
Best Upgrade: Zavor Noir Titanium Ceramic Non Stick Cookware
Zavor is most well known for making one of the best stovetop pressure cookers around. But, their Noir titanium-based nonstick cookware is a unique, high-performance line, that’s as attractive as it is functional.
First of all, the look of the Noir series is stunning. As the name implies, it’s completely black except for the contrasting stainless steel knob on the tempered glass lids.
The cookware is constructed from thick, cast aluminum with a stainless steel base plate. The cast aluminum heats quickly and evenly while keeping weight down so they are easy to maneuver around the kitchen.
The stainless steel base makes this cookware compatible with any cooktop, including induction. Plus, it adds an additional level of durability and protects against warping.
The Fusion Titanium non-stick coating provides impressive food release and is very resistant to scratching. Plus, it’s safe to use at higher temperatures than most of the competition.
The unique, removable handles may take some getting used to, but they do serve a purpose. The silicon-wrapped handles are comfortable and look great. But, in order to take advantage of the 550 F oven-safe rating, they must be removed.
That’s an impressive heat rating for nonstick cookware, but the pans can be a little awkward to hold when the handles are detached. When the handles are in place, the pots and pans are still oven-safe, but only to 302 F.
And, if you’d like a splash of color with your cookware, the handles and grips can be replaced with brightly colored options.
All in all, the Zavor Noir cookware set has impressive cooking specs and high-end looks. It’s a great option if you look to go from stovetop to oven, as long as you can remember to remove the handles first.
What we like
- High-end design and feel
- Oven safe to an impressive 550 F
- Induction compatible
What We don’t
- Expensive
- Handles must be removed for high-heat oven and dishwasher use
Runners Up: Two Specialty Titanium Options
100% Titanium For Backcountry Cooking: Snow Peak Multi-Compact Ultralight Titanium Cookset
The Snow Peak trek titanium cook set isn’t designed for home use. Instead, this is cookware made specifically for camping and backpacking. While it may seem out of place on this list, it’s actually the only option made entirely from titanium. That makes this Snow Peak set insanely lightweight and impressively strong.
Now, this isn’t nonstick and you won’t get very even heating, but when you’re outside and miles from civilization, that’s probably not a major priority.
A Stainless Steel Upgrade: Scanpan CTX Stratanium Non-Stick Stainless Steel Cookware
At about $1000, this set is much more than most people are ever going to spend on nonstick cookware, myself included. But, this is one of the very few options that pairs the durability and look of stainless steel cookware, with a titanium non-stick cooking surface.
Overall, Scanpan CTX is an impressive-looking and performing line of cookware. But, keep in mind that no matter how good the coating is, the nonstick properties will degrade and need to be replaced eventually.
Buyers Guide: Choosing The Best Titanium Cookware
Size & Types Of Pan: Some Pieces Are More Useful Than Others
Titanium non-stick cookware is available in just about every shape and size that you would ever need. But, there are some pieces that really take advantage of the durable nonstick cooking surfaces while others may be less useful.
A frying or saute pan is often where sticking occurs the most. Think items like eggs, fish, and stir-fries. So having a nonstick coating on this style of pan can be a huge benefit.
On the other hand, having a nonstick coating in a large soup pot is probably less useful. More often than not you’ll be cooking with more liquid so sticking should be less of an issue.
Pan Material: Weighing The Pros And Cons
Aluminum
The most common pan material that you’re going to come across when looking at titanium non stick cookware is aluminum. Aluminum is an excellent cookware material because it’s one of the best heat conductors around.
That means it’s going to heat up quickly and evenly throughout the pot or pan. And, on top of that, it’s relatively inexpensive.
The downside to aluminum is that it isn’t the most durable choice, which can lead to warping and bending. To avoid that, go with a heavy gauge option, or one that is hard anodized.
Hard anodized aluminum has been put through a chemical process. This makes it more rigid and will help keep it from reacting with acidic ingredients.
Stainless Steel
There are a lot fewer choices when it comes to stainless steel-based cookware, and it’s almost always more expensive than the aluminum options.
Another downside to stainless steel is that it’s not nearly as good at conducting heat as aluminum. That’s why you’ll often find pans that have a stainless steel exterior, paired with an aluminum core.
Stainless steel has the advantage of being extremely durable. So you don’t have to worry about bending or warping, plus it won’t rust or react with acidic ingredients. And, because most stainless steel-based cookware is magnetic (unlike aluminum), it can also be used on induction stoves.
Coating: Titanium Adds Durability But Still Won’t Last Forever
The biggest downside to nonstick cookware is that it lacks durability. Even some of the best options can still easily be scratched with metal utensils or damaged when exposed to high heat.
Adding titanium to the recipe can create a more durable coating without any real downside. But, while the addition of titanium can make the cooking surface last longer, it doesn’t mean you can treat it like a stainless steel or cast iron pan. And it still won’t last forever.
You should still never use metal utensils. And, even if the cookware is “dishwasher safe”, hand washing with a soft sponge will go a long way in extending the life of the non-stick surface.
Oven Safe: Useful But Not Always Necessary
Cookware that can seamlessly go from stovetop to oven can be very useful. Especially when cooking proteins, grains, and casseroles. My T-fal and Zavor picks are both good options if you’ll be utilizing that technique.
But, if you’ll only be using your titanium cookware for things like eggs, stir-fries, and pasta, then it probably won’t be a feature that you use that often. If that’s the case, then options like Saflon are good considerations.
Dishwasher Safe: Even If You Can, You Probably Shouldn’t
While most cookware these days are technically dishwasher safe, I always recommend hand washing as much as possible.
The dishwasher is a very harsh environment. They’ll expose your cookware to harsh chemicals, temperature extremes, and other dishes or metal utensils. All of those things are going to cause unnecessary wear on your cookware and can quickly diminish the nonstick cooking surface.
What You Can Expect To Spend
Non-stick cookware covers a huge range of prices. And while titanium-reinforced options tend to cost a bit more, they still don’t need to break the bank.
My T-fal and Saflon picks are great examples of high-quality options that are still very affordable. The sets both cost around $150, but you can easily find an individual pan for $20-$30.
The Zavor Noir is a good example of the more expensive options. The set costs over $200, and for the higher price you get better heat tolerance and a better-looking product.
My Recommendation
There’s a good reason that you almost always find T-fal on lists for the best nonstick cookware. With or without titanium.
They’ve been making nonstick cookware for longer than anyone else, and it really shows. Their Ultimate series, reinforced with titanium, offers the best bang for the buck and I think is the way to go for this type of cookware.
The Zavor Noir is another great option. It costs a bit more, but it looks a lot nicer and can be used at higher temperatures than most of the competition, making it a very versatile choice.
FAQs
What Is Titanium Cookware?
There are two ways titanium is used in cookware. Pure titanium cookware is used for camping and backpacking because it’s incredibly lightweight and very strong.
More commonly though, titanium is used to reinforce the strength and durability of the nonstick cooking surface. All without adding additional weight or additional chemicals.
How Does Titanium Cookware Work?
Titanium is used in the making of certain non-stick coatings as a way to add more durability and scratch resistance. Each manufacturer has a proprietary “recipe” for making their nonstick cooking surfaces.
That makes it difficult to find out how much or in what way the titanium is added. But, in cooking applications, titanium cookware functions about the same as non-stick options that do not contain titanium.
The benefit is that they are less susceptible to scratching and flaking.
Is Titanium Cookware Safe To Cook With?
Titanium itself is a very stable material that is safe to cook with, even at high temperatures. But, it’s important to remember that titanium is just one ingredient that goes into a nonstick cooking surface.
So, the addition of titanium into a piece of cookware is safe. But each pan is different, and it can be worthwhile to find out what chemicals were used in the particular cookware that you’re considering.
There is some debate about the safety of certain compounds used in nonstick cookware, specifically in Teflon-based pots and pans. For more on that, we have a great article on the difference between Teflon and non-Teflon-based non stick cookware.
Do Professional Chefs Use Titanium Cookware?
Titanium can add some durability to nonstick cookware, but it’s still prone to scratching and is not meant for high-heat cooking.
So, you may find it used for very specific duties like eggs or crepes, for example, but it’s really not built for the demands of a professional kitchen.
Instead, professional kitchens are usually stocked with stainless steel and carbon steel cookware. These are built for high heat and can be abused without looking any worse for the wear.
