Quick summary:Nice non-stick pan that feels beautiful in the hand and works great.High-quality product."Jack of all trades, master of none" would be my current opinion of this pan.
So there is definitely a place for it in my kitchen, and it is actually still my most-frequently-used pan.
After more than 2 years, it appears that while the non-stick properties do degrade somewhat after the first 6-9 months or so of regular use, it is very durable once in that state.The degraded non-stick Beka pan is still much better than a worn-out Teflon pan, and much easier to clean up than a stainless steel pan.So far it has handled high-temperature cooking well, which Teflon and lesser ceramic pans cannot do.
Original review:
I wanted a non-"Teflon" ceramic-coated non-stick pan since I occasionally accidentally overheat my pans, which destroys "Teflon" (generic name:PTFE)Most "Teflon-free" nonstick pans use the same exact chemical as Teflon (PTFE), just manufactured by a company other than Dupont, so "Teflon-free" nonstick is almost always a marketing trick unless the coating is ceramic (several expensive non-stick pan-makers are guilty of misleading marketing to the point of fraud because the products are virtually the same as $30 pans).But most ceramic-coated nonstick pans use a thin layer of non-stick ceramic on top of anodized aluminum, which isn't hard enough so the brittle ceramic coating cracks quickly.Such pans typically only last a few months.
I was originally going to buy a Beka Vita pan due to the stainless steel construction (harder, plus I don't want aluminum leaching into my food), but when I read up on PEO aluminum I realized that Beka had made the correct decision in using that material for its higher-end product.
The key to this product which sets it apart from the competition is Plasma Electrolytic Oxide Aluminum, which provides a hard enough under-layer to prevent the ceramic coating from rapidly flaking off like competing products.PEO Aluminum is harder than steel and won't leach into food unless the ceramic coating is mostly destroyed to the point that you'd probably throw the pan away anyway (I would not use non-coated anodized aluminum cookware, or non-hardened aluminum cookware).PEO Aluminum is basically a super-thick anodized aluminum oxide coating, dozens of times thicker than cheaper anodizing processes, which means that the surface is extremely durable by comparison.
Aluminum oxide ceramic is otherwise known as sandpaper grit very hard stuff and a good choice for binding another ceramic to a metal pan.
I'll be using this primarily to cook eggs nearly every day.
UPDATE 12/31/2011:New Year's eve and the pan is still working fine.I have treated it as carefully as I would treat a cheap Teflon pan (no metal utensils, hand washing) and it's rewarded me with working well.
UPDATE 1/1/2012: Apparently, you are not supposed to use non-stick spray with non-stick ceramic pans the spray can ruin pans.They are not compatible.I found this out after reading someone else's review of non-stick ceramic cookware.Not an issue for me because I never liked the thought of spraying silicone on my food...Nothing magical in those cans, so I just use a bit of oil instead and pass on the other chemicals.
UPDATE 3/4/2012:Well, the non-stick properties of this pan appear to have gone south somewhat.That is unfortunate.I was hoping that it would last longer and I always treated it with care, but it's full non-stick properties ended up lasting about as long as any other non-stick pan I've ever used.It's still a decent pan and it looks OK and the ceramic layer appears intact, but it doesn't really behave like a non-stick pan anymore.Considering that the non-stick properties of the ceramic coating apparently will not last for years, probably it would make sense to use the cheaper stainless-steel product.
UPDATE 1/17/2013:I'm still using this pan daily and have been treating it rougher (searing steaks on high, using plastic scrub pads, etc...) and it hasn't gotten any worse over the past year.Perhaps this heavily-used pan is not as non-stick as a new Teflon pan, but after an initial degradation in the non-stick qualities over 6 months, it does seem to be quite durable.
After much research which revealed that pretty much ALL the eco friendly non-stick ceramic brands are having issues after a few months of use, i decided on this (until very recently) 5 star rated, but quite expensive pan.
So far, so good. I have only used it 4 times so far, for eggs and veggie burgers. It is VERY non-stick...almost too non stick when it comes to frying eggs. It is difficult to get the spatula to flip them. (i know whitewhine.com right? ha!) But no complaints so far. It seems well made and durable as far as i can tell. DOES feel good in the (stays cool) hand, as one reviewer mentioned.
A couple notes: 1) don't expect the outer enamel to be glossy. It's not...it's very much matte finish. Something to do with the eco friendly process they employ. i don't want the outside to get marred, so im being super careful with it. 2) don't use a Scotchbrite type pad on the bottom of the pan (or probably anywhere else). the bottom is the hardened aluminum. i thought it would be harmless to scrub the glue from the sticker off with the Scotchbrite, but it scratched it a lot. No biggie since it's only the bottom...just letting you know. i love the 9.5 inch size i got. Very versatile. Bottom line is the Bialetti, the Earthpan, etc...NONE of them are getting consistent reviews...way too many failings after fair bit of use. This seems to be the only exception and it IS a good looking pan. i'm sorry the one user had a problem, but like the commenter said..it's probably because of the use of cooking sprays that caused it. This pan is a pretty penny, but when it comes to eco friendly ceramic non stick, it's clear that you get what you pay for. If i have any issues, i will be sure to update. one more note. Scanpans..which also get great reviews..are only PFOA free..and not PFTE free as well.
More comments due to recent reviews: 1) don't use on high heat no matter what the advertisement for it says. the instructions say to use no higher than medium-high heat, which is sufficient for just about anything. 2) don't use cooking spray--instructions state this as well--these two things could be causing issues for some people 3) the product has a THREE YEAR warranty on the non-stick..and is the only eco friendly one who has this. I.E. you really can't go wrong! mine has had no issue so far.
Buy Beka Cookware Chef Eco-logic 100-Percent Bekadur Ceramica Non-Stick Fry Pan Now
I bought this over Thanksgiving when it was cheaper on a Lightening Deal.
I took care of it/handled it according to the instructions, but after 2 months of moderate use (2-3 times a week) marks started showing up on the coating, without me having ever used any kind of steel wool or non-nonstick approved tools. I never put it in the dishwasher, never used nostick spray, never put water in it when it was hot, prepared it before first use according to instructions, etc...Now the nonstick surface is not working at all anymore, stuff sticks to it and it won't clean anymore. Basically have to throw it away now.
Don't buy, terrible quality, stops working after a few months. I bought some WMF nonstick skillets now, I hope they work better. I also use some Calphalon non-stick cookware and it works great.
Update: I tried to contact Beka through their US website in regards to warranty and they absolutely ignored my request for information.I had been searching for a non-stick pan for quite a while now. I have owned a few All Clad non stick pans which work....for a while. They tend to lose their non stick properties in less than a year and need to be replaced. Also, I have been reading about the possible health risks of eating off or cookware using teflon. Not only is it a possible carcinogen when heated, it is harmful to the enviroment and the workers who make these pans.
In my food blog reading, I came across a review for the Beka ceramic finish non stick pan. It is made in an eco-friendly manner, causing minimal damage to the enviroment and does not expose its workers to the dangers of teflon production. Not only is it responsible, it works! The degree of non-stickiness far exceeds my All Clad pans, the finish seems to be more durable than teflon (you do not see any scratches from utensils), and clean up is simply easy. I have recommended this pan to many friends already. I am very happy with this purchase!
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Aside from knowing it's eco-friendly, this pan feels good in the hand. The surface (much like an enamel or ceramic surface) is much smoother than traditional non-sticks and it cleans up like a breeze. Haven't tried the dishwasher yet, but it is dishwasher safe and looks like it. After a week of daily multiple uses I have to say it was worth every penny. HIGHLY recommend.
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