Anolon Advanced French Nonstick Skillet

This 12-inch pan’s hard-anodized aluminum construction delivered the kind of heat conduction you’d expect from a high-quality, traditionally surfaced fry pan. It browned pork chops as well as a traditional pan did, and the nonstick properties were flawless. This is a substantial pan, with 3-inch-high sides, which make it feel more suited to containing a simmering sauce than slipping out an omelet. It is the deepest nonstick skillet we reviewed (issue #97, pp. 36-67) The one downside: This pan is oven-safe to no more than 400°F; the others are safe up to 500°F.

The Anolon Advanced French nonstick skillet weighs 4 lb. It sells for $69.95 at Cutlery and More.