As an avid home cook with a cabinet full of ceramic pans, friends are always asking me for advice on nonstick cookware. Lately many want to know — is Equal Parts worth the hype and price tag?
After testing out several of their stylish pans for the past year, I can definitively say Equal Parts is high performing but imperfect. Read on for my detailed review from an owner‘s perspective.
Overview of Equal Parts
Equal Parts makes ceramic nonstick cookware and kitchen tools in trendy colors. They are part of Pattern Brands, founded in 2019 to "bring joy back to cooking at home."
The line features a small but solid set of pans in materials considered safer and more eco-friendly than traditional nonstick. They also look fabulous on the stove and deliver exceptional nonstick ability.
But with premium price points hovering around $70 for a single fry pan, are Equal Parts pans worth buying? I took them through extensive testing to find out.
Equal Parts Lineup
- Fry pan
- Essentials pan
- Sauce pan
- Baking sheet
- Cookware sets
- Knives
- Utensils
- Cutting boards
Pieces available in Dusty Rose, Sage Green, Gray, Blue and Cream. Sets come in coordinated colors.
My Rating: 4/5
I fell in love with the beautiful design but have some durability concerns long-term. For the cost, I expected pots and pans to last years longer even with regular use. Their stellar nonstick ability still makes it worth the splurge for me.
Build Quality and Materials
With its speckled colors and minimal design, Equal Parts cookware does make a gorgeous addition to any kitchen. While lightweight, pans feel high quality thanks to:
- Aluminum core – promotes quick, even heating
- Stainless steel base – resists warping
- Ceramic nonstick – easy release surface made without PTFEs or PFOAs
- Riveted stainless handles – provide a sturdy grip
They managed to make pans that heat and brown foods evenly while still staying relatively lightweight at around 3 pounds each. The ceramic coating is also purportedly durable enough to withstand metal utensils.
My Experience
I was impressed right out of the lovely gift box. My Dusty Rose fry pan felt perfectly balanced and clearly well-made. The speckled finish hides inevitable cooking stains too.
Over time though, fine scratches started showing on pans from regular use. I religiously hand wash them but occasionally use metal tongs which likely contributes to wear. After daily cooking for a year, visible scratch marks tarnish the once pristine nonstick surface.
Cooking Performance
As a longtime cast iron and stainless steel pan user, I was skeptical that ceramic could match their flash frying and searing ability. But Equal Parts delivers impressively high heat performance.
The combination of aluminum core and steel base allows pans to evenly distribute heat up the sides. This leads to consistent browning whether stir-frying veggies or frying eggs. Food also releases from the ceramic incredibly easily without needing butter or oil.
One notable advantage over traditional nonstick is that Equal Parts claims you can use metal utensils. I still try to be gentle but the occasional scrape with tongs hasn‘t ruined the finish yet.
My Experience
These pans have become my daily egg pan because nothing sticks to the ceramic. Over-easy eggs slide right out with no oil or butter needed.
Compared to my old scratched up Teflon, Equal Parts cooks eggs faster and more evenly. I also don‘t have to crank the heat to high for a good sear on chicken or fish.
My one complaint is that pans don‘t retain heat well off burner. I preheat on medium-low but still struggle with keeping omelettes warm or pancakes cooking through.
Heat Retention Comparison
| Cookware | Heat Retention |
|---|---|
| Equal Parts Ceramic | Poor |
| Copper | Excellent |
| Cast Iron | Excellent |
| Stainless Steel | Moderate |
Easy to Use and Clean
Aside from their good looks, Equal Parts pans deliver outstanding convenience thanks to the slipperiness of ceramic. Foods slide off the smooth golden surface, and spilled sauces wipe up effortlessly.
The material also allows for a pretty hands-off cooking experience. You don‘t have to hover over pans, worrying food will fuse to the bottom without ample oil.
Cleanup is similarly easy for day-to-day cooking messes. Burnt cheese from mac and cheese lifted off with minimal scrubbing.
Downsides are that ceramic remains prone to staining from highly pigmented foods. My Essentials Pan got lightly tinted orange after making an aromatic turmeric stew.
You also must hand wash them to keep the finish looking shiny and new. Harsh dishwasher detergent can degrade ceramic over time.
My Experience
I find Equal Parts pans very low maintenance for regular cooking tasks like frying eggs or searing chicken. Sauce remnants and sticky pie fillings that usually require soaking wipe away cleanly.
However, the pans stain permanently if you accidentally scorch food. My Cream Fry Pan still has faint brown marks along the bottom edge from where vegetables roasted too long.
While the cleanup is simple, I dislike having to hand wash expensive pans every night. To prevent scratches, I have to treat them more delicately than the other dishes.
How Durable Are Equal Parts Pans?
Any ceramic cookware requires extra care compared to indestructible cast iron. But Equal Parts seems to chip and scratch more easily than other ceramic brands I‘ve owned.
Within 6 months, all my pans developed faint metal utensil marks despite religiously using wood or silicone spoons. Parts of the nonstick surface have worn down, exposing the speckled aluminum below.
Most ceramic brands advertise "metal utensil safe" finishes, but that doesn‘t mean they should mar or scratch this quickly. My GreenLife pans still look flawless after 3 years.
I reached out to customer service about the excessive wear. As these are considered cosmetic issues, they would not provide a replacement or refund.
My Experience
I gently hand wash but do occasionally use metal tongs to flip. After a year of near daily use, all Equal Parts pans have visible scratches.
The bottom edges seem most vulnerable, as dragging utensils over the curved lip leaves permanent marks. There‘s also chipping along the rims likely from cutting food against the pan.
While purely cosmetic damage, it still disappoints me given how carefully I treat them. I expect any $70+ pan to withstand normal cooking tasks for several years without showing this level of wear.
How Much Do Equal Parts Pans Cost?
For a mid-size fry pan, you‘ll invest around $70. Larger essentials pans creep up towards $100+.
And the minimal 4-piece cookware set still totals a staggering $325. So investing in Equal Parts cookware represents a significant luxury spend.
On one hand, the brand does thoughtfully source eco-friendly and non-toxic materials. So you avoid ingesting harmful chemicals through cooking.
But at these prices, the ceramic should prove extremely durable with a near diamond-grade hardness. Yet based on my experience, that‘s not necessarily the case.
Price Comparison – 8" Ceramic Fry Pan
| Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Equal Parts | $69 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GreenPan | $60 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GreenLife | $47 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Caraway | $75 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
GreenPan and GreenLife cost less while netting higher average reviews. Even the popular Caraway commands less for a comparable fry pan.
So far Equal Parts fails to justify spending over competing ceramic brands with better owner satisfaction.
Available Discounts
- 10% off The Cookware Set
- Sign up for emails and receive special discounts
How Do Equal Parts Pans Compare?
We‘ve already touched on pricing differences between top competitors. But how do Equal Parts pans actually perform against other ceramic cookware?
During my initial research, it seemed Equal Parts, Our Place, and Caraway dominated the new wave of ceramic nonstick pans.
While Our Place offers outstanding versatility with their hybrid Always Pan, I didn‘t love the deep sides for quick egg frying. So I focused on comparing Caraway and Equal Parts head-to-head.
Caraway vs Equal Parts
Both Caraway and Equal Parts share strong similarities – slick ceramic coating, colorful speckled exterior, induction capable base etc.
For the most noticeable difference, take a peek at the handles. Equal Parts features a classic steel handle while Caraway opts for a unique hollow design to stay cooler.
In testing, I actually prefer the standard handle on Equal Parts for better leverage and control tossing food. But the Caraway skillet felt slightly heavier and more premium.
Performance-wise, they cooked eggs and meats flawlessly. The Equal Parts skillet reached higher temps quicker. But Caraway maintained heat better off-burner.
For the money, I‘d say they both deliver outstanding nonstick ability. But Caraway edges out in build quality and heat retention.
The Winner
In my experience, Caraway ceramic pans match Equal Parts cooking ability but win on durability. Their innovative handles also solve a common pain point with nonstick skillets.
Considering their close similarities and cost, I‘d likely choose Caraway over Equal Parts going forward. Their heavier nonstick construction seems to better withstand daily use.
That said, both remain solid investments for upgrading to nontoxic cookware. I don‘t regret purchasing Equal Parts as their performance continues to impress. Just wish they held up longer given the premium price tag.
Common Questions About Equal Parts Pans
Over the past year of testing, I‘ve gotten lots of questions from friends considering Equal Parts. Here‘s what they most often want to know:
Are Equal Parts actually nonstick?
Yes! Their ceramic coating allows even delicate foods like eggs and fish to release perfectly intact. It‘s been a total game changer having a pan that nada sticks to.
Can you use metal utensils?
Technically yes but I don‘t recommend it. The occasional scrape won‘t ruin them but repeated harsh contact scratches the coating.
Do Equal Parts pans stain?
Unfortunately yes. My Cream Essentials Pan got light turmeric staining after a curry dish. Any pigmented sauce risks permanently discoloring the light finish.
How long do they last?
So far my pans have held up fine to daily use but have cosmetic scratches and staining. Compared to my $30 GreenLife pans that still look new after 5 years, I expected the expensive Equal Parts to last longer without showing wear.
Are Equal Parts oven safe?
Yes, their pots and pans withstand up to 450°F oven heat. I regularly start dishes on the stovetop then finish cooking meatloafs or veggie bakes in the oven.
Can you put Equal Parts pans in the dishwasher?
No – the harsh detergents can degrade the ceramic over time. You must hand wash them which I find to be a hassle, especially with eggs sticking in all the crevices.
Do Equal Parts pans work on induction stove tops?
Yes, they work great on my portable induction burner. The stainless steel base allows the pans to heat up quickly and evenly on all stovetop types.
Final Verdict
While not perfect, I really enjoy cooking with my Equal Parts pans. They offer excellent nonstick ability and help me cook healthy egg breakfasts regularly.
For the premium price though, I do wish they stood up better to daily wear and staining over the past year. At nearly $100 per pan, I expect pristine ceramic condition for at least 3 years.
If cooking convenience outweighs budget for you, Equal Parts still delivers outstanding performance. Just don‘t expect the ceramic to last decades without care. Based on my experience, I suggest hand washing and avoiding metal utensils as much as possible.
For me the nonstick ability and trendy speckled colors still justify the cost. But those wanting ultra-durable ceramic for less should also consider Caraway or GreenLife.
Have your own thoughts after testing Equal Parts at home? Let me know in the comments!
