About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the frying pan, which I was sent by the company to sample in October of 2022.

My take

I was pleasantly surprised about trying out the Anolon X 12-inch Hybrid Non-Stick Induction Frying Pan because it offered exactly what it advertised; a non-stick surface that cleans well with the searing power of a stainless steel grid that is also easy to clean. I’m often not a fan of non-stick cookware because it tends to not deliver on performance.

About the pan I tested

• Model: Anolon X Hybrid 12-inch Hybrid Non-Stick Induction Frying Pan
• Product Type: Induction Frying Pan
• Type of Cooking Surface: Ultra-durable, PFOA-free nonstick finish with a stainless steel mesh
• Handle Material: Stainless Steel
• Oven-Proof Handle: Yes

About me

• Experience: Over 15 years of cooking in professional kitchens across New York City, San Francisco, and Barcelona. I have purchased cookware for several projects throughout my career with the mindset of choosing pieces that outperform their promise.

Test conditions

• When I tested it: October 2022
• Days tested: 30
• What I’ve used it for: Chicken, bacon, hash browns, eggs, vegetables, squash
• Foods I’ve found it best for: Chicken, bacon, vegetables
• Cooktops I’ve used it on: Natural gas
• Cleaning routine: Hand-washed with warm water and a soft sponge

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking to see the performance of a stainless steel mesh with a non-stick surface. I had never heard of such a pan design and wanted to see how easy it would be to clean. Cleaning any stainless steel or enamel surfaces can take a bit of time depending on the item being cooked.

Why I chose this Cookware

I specifically selected this frying pan to test as a sample. I was very happy with the look and the feel of the handle. The stainless steel handle has a great shape and comfortable grip. I generally do not purchase non-stick pans and the boldness of designing a pan that would blend two opposite aspects in cookware felt very interesting to see and try.

What I love about it

• Durability: This pan cleans very well back to new/close-to-new condition after multiple uses. Though the pan mesh will have some residue stick unless washed right away.
• Versatility: The pan can handle stove-top cooking and in-oven cooking while conducting heat extremely well; offering great color and heating up quickly. It should not be used to reduce sauces, either tomato or other kinds, as it will inhibit the stainless steel mesh to make the sauces stick.
• Features: The stainless steel mesh plays a big part in getting better color on proteins as opposed to a traditional non-stick pan. But there isn’t a lid for this pan, so only dry cooking methods will suit it.
• Look: The look of the pan is beautiful and the added outside non-stick surface makes it easy to clean. Though it is definitely a kitchen-only pan, and not meant to be displayed.
• Size: The heavy weight translates to stability during cooking, especially when making a big meal.
• Performance on Cooking Surfaces: I only used the pan on a gas stove and oven. It heated up very quickly on medium flame (maker recommendation). Very even surface with heat reaching all edges of the pan.
• Ease of Cleaning: It is very easy to clean, which is impressive. It must be done right away for best results. For small pieces of residue that stick a bit more I would recommend a wooden spoon or rubber spat to go back and forth to release it. Soaking in warm water for a little bit helps clean the pan. It can take longer sometimes which means more items out in the open instead of being stored away.
• Applications: Chicken, pork, bacon, and hashbrowns sear very well. I would advise to not let high-sugar-content vegetables stay on the pan. Cleaning it right after is best to not let residue stick. Though it does not handle cooking eggs well.
• Handling: This pan had solid weight and stability on the stove. The handle is long which helps with using bare hands while stove-top cooking. It does limit oven space when roasting in the oven.
• Quality of Materials: The materials used are of great quality. They perform very well after a full month of cooking and washing the pan.
• Other: The bottom of the pan is made of a stainless steel surface which makes scrubbing the bottom with a coarser fiber sponge less daunting.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Weight: It is heavier than I anticipated a frying pan to be. I had to shift my expectation of a light, maneuverable pan to a more stationary style of cooking.
• Warranty: There is a limited factory warranty that covers the structure of the pan. Though it is limited to the build of the pan, and not to the cooking surface.

Favorite moment with this cookware

I tried cooking bacon and hashbrowns with the pan, which can easily stick on a stainless steel surface. The clean up was very quick with warm water and soap. Very helpful overall.

Value for the money vs. other options

The price tag on this pan far exceeds its performance and ease of use value. A similar pan that is more expensive is the 12-inch Hexclad Pan.

Final verdict

I enjoyed cooking with this pan a lot. It did what it was supposed to do and delivered multiple times again and again. It is a great buy for those who want less fuss when cleaning up and enjoy a product that will look as good as new for a long time.