Compare Non-Stick Pans
Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan 8-Inch scores higher on safety - here's why.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
This pan uses PTFE — the same core chemistry as traditional nonstick and a PFAS-class compound. Tramontina's own AB 1200 disclosure confirms PFAS are intentionally added. If avoiding PFAS is a priority, this pan is not a fit.
Viking explicitly discloses PTFE in the Hard Anodized Nonstick AB1200 filing. PTFE is FDA-approved for food contact. No safe level of PFOA established by EPA, but modern PTFE is made without PFOA.
Tramontina is more transparent than most: they publish California AB 1200 disclosures at the product page level, not just category level. That's a meaningful transparency step above the legal minimum.
Viking's AB1200 disclosure at clippercorp.com explicitly lists PTFE, FEP, and PFA for this product line — full chemical transparency.
This pan is safe in the oven to 400°F — below most PTFE competitors, which typically reach 500°F. If you regularly finish dishes in the oven above 400°F (roasting, broiling), you'll hit this limit. It's also a narrower buffer before the temperature range where PTFE fume risk increases.
500°F matches ATK's maximum safe-use ceiling for PTFE. Above this temperature, PTFE begins degrading and can release fumes. The 500°F rating means you can use this pan in any standard home oven.
Cast aluminum heats quickly and evenly, which is exactly what you want in a nonstick pan. It's why Wirecutter picks this as their budget top choice for gas and electric stovetops. The tradeoff is it's slightly less durable than hard-anodized aluminum over years of use.
Hard-anodized aluminum is electrochemically hardened to be 30% harder than stainless steel. It distributes heat evenly, preventing the hot spots that degrade PTFE coatings fastest.
Three-layer PTFE coating is solid for this price tier — enough to expect 3-5 years of use with proper care (no metal utensils, hand wash recommended). Not the most layers available in the category, but appropriate for the price point.
3-layer PTFE coating is the industry standard. Expected lifespan of 3-5 years with proper care (medium heat, no metal utensils, hand-wash).
This pan does not work on induction cooktops — Tramontina is explicit about it. If you have induction now or are considering switching, this pan won't work. There's no adapter that fixes this; you'd need a different pan with an encapsulated steel base.
Works on all cooktops including induction via a bonded stainless disc. WC notes higher warping risk vs. full-clad encapsulated pans on induction — use medium heat on induction.
At 2.05 lbs this is genuinely easy to use every day — light enough to flip with one hand, easy to pour from, and comfortable to hold for extended cooking. It's the lightest pan we tested in this category.
Viking doesn't publish the weight for this model. Neutral score applied.
The silicone-grip handle stays cool while cooking — no pot holders needed for stovetop use. The stainless steel core underneath won't loosen or degrade, unlike plastic handles. This is genuinely one of the best handle designs in the category at any price point.
Integral cast stainless handle allows full oven use up to 500°F. Heavier than riveted handles, which adds weight. Conducts heat — use an oven mitt.
Tramontina says it's dishwasher-safe, but Cook's Illustrated is clear: hand wash nonstick pans to protect the coating. Running this through the dishwasher regularly will shorten the life of the three-layer PTFE coating — and potentially void the warranty sooner than expected.
Listed as dishwasher-safe, but Viking recommends hand-washing to extend life. Expert consensus (CI, WC) is that dishwasher use degrades PTFE coating regardless of manufacturer claims.
A lifetime warranty on a $24.95 pan is exceptional. Tramontina covers manufacturer defects including coating that bubbles or flakes and loose rivets — the failure modes you actually worry about with nonstick. Hand wash it, use silicone utensils, and this warranty is genuinely meaningful.
Lifetime warranty covers coating and structural defects.
At $24.95 with a lifetime warranty, this is an exceptional deal for a PTFE nonstick pan. Wirecutter considers $30-$60 the ideal price range for this category — Tramontina comes in under the floor of that range while still delivering above-average durability.
WC's ideal nonstick price range is $30-60. $49.99 delivers hard-anodized construction and 3-layer coating at optimal cost.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You cook on gas or electric (not induction) and are comfortable with PTFE — this is Wirecutter's best budget pick and R3's highest-rated usability pan in the cohort.
Budget is a priority: at $25 with a lifetime warranty, the price-to-durability ratio is the best in this category.
You want the lightest pan in the cohort (2.05 lbs) with a stay-cool silicone handle for comfortable daily use.
You'll hand wash the pan — the lifetime warranty plus proper care is the formula for maximum coating longevity.
You accept PTFE chemistry and want a transparent brand that publishes AB 1200 disclosures at the product level.
You want the best PTFE pan at $50-60 — hard-anodized base, 3 layers, disclosed chemistry
You cook on gas, electric, or induction and want a versatile induction-compatible nonstick
You've accepted disclosed PTFE and want a brand with AB1200 transparency at this price
The main thing to know
PTFE coating confirmed — Tramontina's own AB 1200 disclosure lists Fluoropolymer/PTFE as intentionally added. The 400°F oven cap is also below the 500°F standard for PTFE competitors, limiting oven versatility and leaving a narrower buffer before fume risk increases. For families prioritizing PFAS-free cookware, this pan does not qualify.
PTFE pan — if you're PFAS-averse, this isn't the pan. For buyers comfortable with disclosed PTFE, the hard-anodized base and 3-layer coating make this a durable mid-range option at the right price.
Skip this if you...
You have or are switching to an induction cooktop — this pan explicitly does not work on induction.
You want PFAS-free cookware — PTFE is a PFAS-class compound and Tramontina's own AB 1200 page confirms it is intentionally added.
You regularly finish dishes in the oven above 400°F — the 400°F cap limits oven versatility and sits below most PTFE competitors.
You want a PFAS-free coating — this is PTFE (disclosed), not ceramic
You plan to use the dishwasher — hand-wash to preserve the PTFE coating regardless of the label
You need to know the exact weight before buying — Viking doesn't publish it for this size
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Non Stick Pans options at every price pointEvery Non-Stick Pans in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Tramontina and Viking across 3 independent criteria: Safety (66%), Efficacy (25%), Usability (9%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with Viking Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan 8-Inch - it scored 7.0/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Non-Stick Pans across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
