Expert Review: Hestan NanoBond Titanium Open Skillet

Published on 05/23/2023 · 5 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the skillet, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2023.
By Kitchen Expert Travis Hill

All photos courtesy of Travis Hill

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the skillet, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2023.

My take

I had the opportunity to test the Hestan NanoBond Titanium Open Skillet, which surpassed my expectations. It is truly stick-resistant stainless steel. This new NanoBond line from Hestan is a game changer. This innovative cookware combines stainless steel with titanium, giving it a stick-resistant surface. It is perfect for people who want a forever set of cookware but still miss their non-sticks; the stick-resistant alloy gives them the best of both worlds.

Eggs on electric range

About the product

  • Model: Hestan NanoBond Titanium
  • Product Type: 8.5 Open Skillet
  • Type of Cooking Surface: Stainless Steel Coated in Titanium
  • Handle Material: Polished Stainless Steel
  • Oven-Proof Handle: Yes

About me

  • Experience: Nine years of professional kitchen cooking experience

Test conditions

  • When I bought it: April 2023
  • Days tested: 90
  • What I’ve used it for: Sauté, Searing, and Basting
  • Foods I’ve found it best for: Eggs, Searing meat.
  • Cooktops I’ve used it on: Gas, Electric, Induction, Charcoal, Pellet
  • Cleaning routine: Dishwasher safe, but one only needs hot water and a towel. I recommend handwashing.

How it performs

Aesthetics
5/5
Durability
5/5
Ease of Cleaning
3/5
Ergonomics
5/5
Versatility
5/5
Weight
5/5

What I was looking for

I have been on a constant lookout for a pan with the tough longevity of stainless steel but a delicate surface for egg cookery. This pan has it.

Eggs and chili oil in the Hestan NanoBond on portable charcoal grill

Why I chose this cookware

The titanium coating makes it stick-resistant. I was looking at other hybrids, but to have everything I was looking for and not have to worry about another material and how it will react over time is a dream.

Food film after several cooks, with many different ingredients

What I love about it

  • Durability: The titanium coating makes the finish very durable and corrosion-resistant. This stainless steel, titanium-coated pan is metal utensil-safe and dishwasher-safe. Of course, there can occasionally be discoloring, but Hestan makes a cleaner that restores this pan to a sleek finish every time and offers a lifetime warranty.
  • Versatility: Amazing transition from searing a piece of salmon right into frying an egg. The egg glides smoothly around the pan, even after sears and sautés.
  • Features: The main feature here is, by far, the stick resistance that comes with the titanium coating and the flush inner rivets. Hestan also sends a package of cleaner and polish to restore the finish from any discoloration. The open skillets do not come with a lid, but the other pieces in the NanoBond sets do come with the same titanium-coated lids.
  • Aesthetics: A beautiful silver-grey finish gives an elegant but durable look and feel.
  • Weight and Size: This pan won’t turn on my hand, making it perfect for spooning sauces (the flared rims also greatly help) and removing food. It is incredibly lightweight, which comes in at 1lb 9oz.
  • Performance on Cooking Surfaces: The NanoBond skillet works on all surfaces—gas, electric, induction, and over-the-fire cooking. It cools down extremely fast. This pan uses every aspect of its creation to give a great performance. The stainless steel outside layers and the aluminum core provide great heat distribution and retention and the same time. And the titanium coating is the icing on the cake, allowing me to cook anything easily.
  • Handling: The handles are one of my favorite things about this pan. It has curved ergonomic, stay-cool handles cast separately from the pan to keep them cool. The true workmanship of the curves and comfort in these handles is truly amazing.
  • Quality of Materials: Truly stick-resistant and stays stick-resistant, with a lifetime coating. This pan will not oxidize, which gives it continuous shine and elegance.
  • Warranty: Lifetime warranty.

Applying the Hestan Cleaner

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Ease of Cleaning: The only issue that is preventing me from giving a full five stars across the board is the use of the cleaner, but that is just one extra step, and then any discoloration is gone, and the beautiful finish is restored.

After light scrubbing with Hestan cleaner and rinse.

Stick resistant showing off here with eggs

My favorite moment with this cookware

My favorite moment with this now mainstay NanoBond skillet was out at the sand bar along a local river, waking up to make breakfast for the family. I woke up, got the CHARCOAL grill going, and tossed it on the grate. I brought out the Hestan NanoBond skillet and wiped up eggs at a fast pace to feed some hungry kids, and there was no stick. After three rounds of butter, oil, and eggs, no stick.

Value for the money vs. other options

The whole set can come in pretty pricey, but there is nothing else like this out there that gives one the confidence to cook without what I call “Transition Frustration.” Hestan ProBond comes in at number two, right behind the NanoBond, and is a fantastic forever set. But the NanoBond is also a forever set that gives me so much more.

Final verdict

This is an absolute marvel. I have been using my Hestan NanoBond Titanium Open Skillet for a few months now, and it performs every time. I have used it on my gas stove, electric range, induction cooktop, and pellet grill/smoker. I take it with me when I travel (with me on every road trip) and have used it on my portable charcoal grill. I am committed to getting the full set and making this my forever set.

Travis Hill, Kitchen Expert
5.0
Travis Hill
Kitchen Expert
With over seven years in pro service and R/D Kitchens, I have tested every type of cookware and piece of cutlery there is. With great quality comes great results, and I can help find it!.Consider me your Personal Chef—so let’s get started!
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Written by:
Travis Hill, Kitchen Expert
5.0
Travis Hill
Kitchen Expert
With over seven years in pro service and R/D Kitchens, I have tested every type of cookware and piece of cutlery there is. With great quality comes great results, and I can help find it!.Consider me your Personal Chef—so let’s get started!

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