A large frying pan is an essential kitchen tool. Whether you’re sauteeing, frying, searing or baking in the oven, a versatile pan can make a world of difference in cooking and preparing food.
The Viking 12-inch nonstick frying pan was an immediate hit in my kitchen. It has heft without being too heavy to manage. It’s durable, adaptable and a breeze during cleanup. Since getting it, I find I reach for it more than almost any other pan in my cabinet. It’s now a staple in everyday cooking.
Viking 3-Ply Nonstick Frying Pan, 12 Inch Review
Specifications
- Price: $99.95.
- Dimensions: 12-inch diameter cooking space; 20.25 inches long (with handle), 2 inches high.
- Weight: 3.3 pounds.
- Color: Blue interior, silver exterior.
- Warranty: Limited lifetime.
Pros
- No setup required.
- Hefty without heaviness.
- True nonstick — even with raised stainless steel grid pattern.
- Oven-safe up to 500 degrees.
- Dishwasher cleaning doesn’t impact integrity.
Cons
- Takes a while to come up to temperature.
- More expensive than similar options.
The Unboxing and Setup
I received my 12-inch frying pan as a sample for this review. It arrived securely packaged and was ready to use straight out of the box. I hand washed it before my first use, which took one minute to complete.
The Experience
For my first use, I seared some salmon — one of the quickest ways to see pan performance. The pan took longer to heat up than others I have of the same size, which I only discovered after I started cooking. I think it’s normal to get used to a new product or device, but I felt like this one took longer than my other pans of the same size.
I was worried about the raised metal pattern, as it seems like it could impact cooking. But it’s made so you can use metal utensils in the pan without worrying about scratching. I used wood, plastic and metal utensils over a couple of months and didn’t see any impact on the bottom: It still cooks like the first time I used it.
The sturdy stainless steel handle doesn’t get warm while on the burner, making it easy to hold onto, and the heavy bottom keeps the pan in place. Since my first use, I’ve fried chicken, sauteed vegetables, seared steak and simmered sauce. Through every use, the pan has been one of the most reliable things in my kitchen.
The Maintenance
I prefer to hand-wash all my pots and pans, but for the sake of research, I hand-washed and used the dishwasher to test how well it cleaned and its integrity after use. After each wash — either by hand or the dishwasher — the pan showed no signs of severe wear.
In the photo, the salmon marinade sticks to the pan during the cooking process. I purposely chose to cook with something sticky to see how it would hold up from initial cooking through clean-up. To date, I’ve never had an issue with food particles coming off the pan.
Aside from regular washing, there’s no other maintenance involved. It stores easily inside standard kitchen cabinets without any additional storage needs.
Viking 3-Ply Nonstick Frying Pan, 12 Inch Review
The Takeaway
The 12-inch Viking 3-ply nonstick is one of the best additions to my kitchen. It’s integrated seamlessly into cooking and meal preparation. With a $100 price tag, it’s more expensive than similar pans. But it’s proven more than worth it, as it still shines each time I take it out to cook.
