Hexclad wants me to shut up and pay them $25,000 

Nothing says "I stand by my product" like filing a cease & desist against an independent reviewer making factual statements about my product.

America's Test Kitchen had it at the bottom of their Do Not Recommend list.

I would like to add that I have been a big fan of Gordon Ramsay for years, but I think he sold his soul to Hexclad for a lot of money. What a pity.

HexClad went from a brand I'd consider, to one I definitely would not. Thanks for enlightening us as to what kind of company they are! Subbed.

The people I trust for cookware information--America's Test Kitchen, Jed and others--are not impressed by Hexclad (to put it mildly). ATK even included it in their "Worst Gear for 2023" List and called Hexclad "shockingly bad" and a "total dud."

The fact they would rather use lawyers to try and shut people up than proving their products work, tells you all you need to know about these fraudsters.

Exactly! I'm an engineer and when working in aerospace I worked on rocket hardware that we coated with teflon for lubrication of moving parts. I know the properties, and like you said, all teflon coatings wear out - it's the nature of the material. With pans, there is no magic about the application of the coating pattern: smooth, dimpled, hex , whatever! The key to longevity is a) proper manufacture in the first place and b) user care during use - avoid high heat, avoid metal scrapers, practice proper cleaning. I've tried expensive pans - All-Clad was junk and very pricey. Tried to get warrantly replacement and they said no, the failure was your fault. About 7 years ago I bought some Vollrath pans (aluminum pan with teflon coating). They've actually performed very well and I continue to use them to this day. High price and paid celebrity spokesman doesn't make the pan great. I recall a tv commercial for some nonstick pan with an unusual pattern (not sure if it was Hexclad) that even said their special pattern would make food taste better - I laughed and laughed and laughed at that outright lie.

Too bad there isn't an avenue to counter sue corporate bullies who use the law to intimidate.

My husband purchased the whole cookware set for me in 2020. Over $1,000. They are GARBAGE! I can't use 2 of the pans at all. The pots are still useful but, not better than any $12 pot from Walmart. Very disappointed.very happy to see your review and I agree with everything you said. I wish I'd seen this before we bought this horrible cookware.

Hexclad is about to experience the Barbara Streisand Effect.

Don't EVER "...shut up..." Jed, you are speaking the truth... and it is very much appreciated!!!

You are 💯 in the right. Thank you for all your honesty!

to answer the question, no way. admire your ethics and commitment to nontoxic cookware materials a lot, especially after watching this.

Keep on! You are just being honest and that is never violation of anything.

HexClad is just as crappy as all the other non-stick pans. The only differences are the hex gimmick and Gordon Ramsey

I work for a cookware shop and have learned so much from your videos. I'm always trying to gently steer customers away from Scanpan and other nonstick options but some people cannot be deterred. I know I'll see them again in several months or so when they "have to" replace their pan (with another nonstick pan - argh!). Fortunately there are also plenty of people who will listen to the science and reconsider their choices. Thx again for the education.

They are crap i bought it years ago since it’s endorse by GR and gave it away after a month; everything sticks even after you follow instruction! Ty for standing your ground and we’re with you!!! You and Uncle Scott are my go to for cookware now and got rid of all my non stick cookware.👍

Thank you for your great reviews! I appreciate your honesty and integrity.

I’ve been following you for the last few weeks and your videos are so helpful, thank you!! I believe your observations are accurate and trust your advice.

I bought a set in 2021 from Costco. I returned it after 2 days. I thought it was pretty. I’m sticking with my stainless steel.

If they had Gordon Ramsey bark at you to cease and desist, it would make a great commercial for your wares.

My biggest worry is why they applied a non-stick coating on the outside of the pan? I have a gas stove and i can just imagine what fumes it can produce everytime the bottom is burned and id like to stay away from this. Also no non-stick coatings last a lifetime. Any coatings in fact. Solid material - yes. Coatings - no. They know themselves very well that a non-stick coating wears off, if it wasn't - they wouldn't need a honeycomb design to protect it. Protect it from accidental scratches, but if you dont babysit the pan and place it daily in a dishwasher - the coating will be destroyed fast

I remember buying a bundle of hexclad pans from Costco, convinced it was durable from the demonstrator; but returned them a day later after finding out they were using PTFE. Hexclad has NO stable ground to defend themselves against the claims that it will not become garbage once that junk inevitably starts to degrade. Their lifetime warranty is an absolute joke, and basically forces customers to NOT use the device at all in order to maintain it anyway.

I have a similar pan design called Black Cube that has worked just fine for 5 years. I had a delamination issue with one pan and they replaced it. The problem hasn't reoccurred. It's not the non-stick wonder claimed in commercials but I use it 3 times a day on occasion and think it works well.

Ok. Bought mine a few years ago. Used the pans nearly every day since. Have had zero issues. Will it wear out? Sure, everything does. But they’ve lasted far longer than any other non-stick pan I’ve had.

I bought the full set of Hexclad at Costco and the nonstick part started flaking off in the first month on two of the pans. They were promptly all returned for a full refund.

I agree with the Ronny's comment. Ramsay is endorsing Hexclad but he can't be serious. Here in the UK, Ramsay is not has strong as he was a few years ago. He has opened many lower end burger restaurants that just use his name. He is not as big on TV as he used to be. Hex makes unrealistic marketing claims that are over the top. I would be curious to see of they could justify any of these 'last almost forever' claims, as they would not have a basis in fact. I would get a good lawyer to write back and tell them that their claims are without merit and impossible to prove. Please be careful as Hex would have a decent legal fund. I used to buy commercial grade non-stick with stainless 'flakes' embedded in the coating, hence toughening up the surface slightly. The pans did not last longer, they just resisted scratching from metal implements. There is no free lunch (as they say in physics). Coated pans just fail from regular use. Heating/cooling cycles. In my experience, 100, 200, or 500 depending on coating. They have a finite life and don't end gracefully. Once they are done, they are done and need to go to landfill or recycle. Even if Hex has a pattern and have taken steps to reduce 'scratching', they are still a coated pan. There are quite a few other videos out on this cookware now. Not all of them kind. Good luck. I changed up my cleaning/post seasoning routine (learning to read the pan) and now I am getting non stick eggs every time from my De Buyer. I don't need non-stick at all any more. I am going to cook a little fish just to prove it.

Out Hexclad "non-stick" coating came off after about a year of use. Everything you said checks out with our own experience with the product.

About 20 years ago I bought a set of Calphalon nonstick pans and they didn't even last as long as cheap ones. I don't know if they have improved and I never plan to find out.

Jed, I'm sure lawyers would pick apart your statements and separate opinion (eg. "...is garbage...") from fact (eg "...will fail...") I'm sure once they do that Hexclad's lawyers will see they have an uphill, probably insurmountable, battle trying to make their case. They are probably just doing damage control (which is actually kind of a compliment to you, that you have enough of an impact to get noticed!) and trying to bluff you. I'm an engineer, multiple college degrees and 38+ years of experience. Long before I ever saw/heard your opinion on the product I formed my own opinion on it. That is, at the end of the day it is just another non-stick. It has a neat design trick of raised metal ridges to somewhat protect the non-stick coating from physical damage from utensils. From a design standpoint it is an interesting balance - enough protection to nominally allow use of metal utensils without immediate noticeable damage, but not so much metal exposed that it becomes a sticking problem. However, even those thin metal ridges will wear down, and through normal use utensils will still make contact with the non-stick coating (just less often). The net result is that their design trick will improve the longevity of the non-stick surface, but only so much. As for the non-stick coating itself, maybe they have a variation on the typical non-stick compounds, maybe that improves its physical toughness and chemical longevity, or maybe not. It appears to be an "in family" formula. They are not claiming that their coating is completely different than other non-stick, even admit it has PTFE in it. If it was something completely new and different, it probably would have taken a long time to get FDA approval - and they would no-doubt be marketing it as a "breakthrough" or otherwise trying to distance it from other non-stick. (eg. how ceramic coated cookware does) Well, good luck, and if any of Hexclad's lawyers happen to be reading this - I don't own any Hexclad, never have, never will. (at least any non-stick). My stance on this is based on my own reasoning (as outlined above) and was formed before I ever saw/heard Jed's take on it. Even if Jed had said "This stuff is great!" I wouldn't be looking to buy it - I'm just no-longer interested in non-stick, period. Heck, Gordon Ramsay says "This stuff is great!" and I'm still not interested.

waiting for Streisand effect

Yeah, they got me with their "Lifetime Warranty" promise - which is useless, since it ONLY applies to 'manufacturing defects.' Damn you Ramsay.

I watch your videos. From Australia. The last piece of relevant cookware I bought was a 10" carbon steel frying pan (ok, skillet to you). I paid AUD28 for it, brand new, at my local (rural city) catering supply store. I seasoned it up just fine using your non-smoke oven method. I thank you for the service you provide and I am grateful to you for your videos imparting your knowledge and advice.

I bought a small hexclad piece in 2020. I’m fine with it, but it’s not the best non-stick pan I’ve owned. I later purchased a wok from another company from Korea that also has a laser-etched design, is also lightweight, and also is hybrid non-stick/stainless steel. It was much less expensive and cooks far, far better than my little hex-clad pan. I love that wok. My husband even loves the wok, and he hates pretty much every other piece of cookware available on the market (he hates the hex-clad pan). We use that wok and three cast-iron pans at home. That’s it. Now, as for PFAS, in particular PTFE (which is the product that Hex-Clad uses for its non-stick surface), sadly, it honestly doesn’t matter. Polymers are in almost everything we touch in daily life. Your computer circuit board? PTFEs. Your iPhone charger? PTFEs. You use Gore-Tex products when skiing or cycling? ePTFEs. Your car? PTFEs. Valve oil for your saxophone? PTFEs. Surgical devices and other medical equipment? PTFEs. Your plumbing? PTFEs. Your laser printer? PTFEs. Factories where your food is processed? PTFEs. YOUR FUCKING DENTAL FLOSS? MADE WITH PTFEs. I could go on, and I haven’t even started with PET, HDPE, LDPE, PVC and other plastics. Like Elvis, it’s everywhere.

Well done Jed. I find your videos to be among the most credible. One of the things you do best is to cut through the marketing focus on features and bring the discussion back to value in cooking performance. It hardly comes as a shock that first thought from a company who doesn't mind skirting the edge of truth to consumers would be to use scare tactics when called out on it. Next up: "Titanium Always Pan® Pro" ?????

I bought Allclad anodized non stick. I haven't had any issues out of them for years.

When I first moved out I went with stainless steel to avoid the other toxic options - it was awful to cook on (admittedly I have no clue what I’m doing). Ended up getting a cast iron pan, had someone season it for me, and it has been amazing!

i here admit to being hooked and reeled into the SCANPAN "scam". and after they refused to replace it "because it was no longer available..." i got a much cheaper, lower-grade replacement that cracked and peeled within a year. never again. carbon steel and cast iron for truly hard cooking.

This is why I primarily use cast iron cookware, with years of seasoning on it. I would like to have a carbon steel pan and wok at some point as well. I have some non stick, but I understand they're a consumable item, like the brake pads on your vehicle.

We support you Jed! Keep on fightin' the good fight!

I have two 12 inch Wearever saute pans. I bought the first one in 2007. The nonstick is starting to fail, but its still very usable. I bought Wearever because those are the pans I've seen in commercial kitchens morw than any other. There's a reason for that.

Sometimes the truth hurts, especially when it contradicts expensive marketing. Glad you have the experience and resources to stand up to their nonsense.

What do you recomend. Should I go all carbon steel? Anyone have a good brand? I am an above average home chef. I bought them from Costco and love them so far. If they fail, I get to take them back to costco no questions asked.

Never heard of Hexclad before but just the fact they tried to gag you with Lawyers tells me I should avoid them at all costs.

Can u try the new our place titanium pan? Looks like a hexclad dupe, but they swear it's non stick, it just has a titanium layer on top

Your original Hexclad video saved me from an expensive mistake, which when I actually took the time to think about, I have personally witnessed time and time again, non-stick pans I have purchased turned to garbage after a year or two of moderate use. The proof was right in front of my eyes, but for some reason, how Hexclad markets, I had the feeling that this time, it would be different. But the reality is, that they are no different from other pans that use non-stick coatings. So, I ordered a Victoria Signature skillet, based on your other videos, and I'm grateful for access to the information you have provided us.

Keep fighting evil companies! Never bought a Hexclad product and now I never will. Thank you :D

I bought and used it. Hex clad is definitely not non stick. It seems to be made for searing meat, but food decidedly sticks to it. Expensive, used once or twice and tossed.

Well, I don't own anything non-stick other than well seasoned cast iron and carbon steel. They work and have worked for a long time. I don't need to use plastic implements to work with them, I can just use a metal or wood implement and not waste a single thought on what I use. If I scratch my "non-stick" coating, I just re-season the pan, problem solved. Just because they put little metal nipples above the coating doesn't make the coating any better - it simply defers mechanical damage for a while but does nothing to heat problems. If a company has to use a cease and desist letter it already tells you they know you're right but it cuts into their profits. My stainless pans are all non-stick - if I get them to the right temperature before dropping my food in. So in essence it's a temperature control game and that is true about cooking in general. So people should learn to control temperature first and then they don't need a pan that let's you skip temperature control. If you can't control your temperature properly, a crutch like a non-stick pan is the least of your issues.

Sorry to hear that. SHAME on them, and it calls for boycott. Hexclad did NOT exist or have 30 years of INSIDE and hands-on experience, that is seen in your videos worldwide as you have been doing. We are with you, and just keep rockin' the best advices you offer to everyone FREE. Thanks for your videos, Jed.

They have just driven the final nail through their own coffin 🤭

I think that you should double down and do a demonstration that proves your hypothesis. Don't let them shut you up

You should be more insulted that they only think your "influence" only was worth $25k in reputation damage. How many sets of hexclad is that, 50 or 60 full sets? They probably got a bill from the attorney they used for over $1k just to write you the stupid letter. LOL

I bought the pans set at Costco for somewhere around $350. The guy doing the demonstration made it look real good. After seasoning, the pans several times to use them, I found them to not even be nonstick whatsoever. So now I have expensive pans that I don’t really use that much. What really makes me angry is The food sticks to the bottom! No matter what I do this happens. I wish I would have known this sooner to prevent me from buying it.

I've been using some old castiron pans, a #3acastiron tiny thing, and some very old glazed clay pots. The clay pots work great for open fire cooking. I just put them directly on the hot coals and it works great.

I think you’re entitled to your opinion and have the freedom to express it JUST LIKE Hexclad. I hope you will remain unintimidated by their scare tactics. Thank you for the services you provide and for freely sharing so much of your insight and expertise in the world of cooking. Yours is one of my top go-to channels for reliable, no nonsense info.

I saw the video title and wanted to say that....oh wait you already said it in the first 2 seconds of the video :D. Yep, if they do that you are on the right path, seen this bullshit play from companies whenever they know they're in the wrong and also losing, that it's became a second nature for me. Continue what you do man you're a honest man and that's why I'm watching your videos.

I'm wondering if Hexclad used Canadian or American lawyers to write that nastygram. I'm guessing American. Can they sue a Canadian citizen in civil court? Would they attempt to extradite you? I can imagine them petitioning a high court judge for extradition papers: "Your Honor, we need to sue him in the USA because he called my client's pans garbage." Any judge would toss the lawyers right out.

Hi Jed, Can you please make a video on the very recent product recall of the updated version of the Matfer Bourgeat black steel carbon steel skillets (not all models) due to apparently unsafe levels of toxic metals found in the steel, which was found based on lab results from some French food safety agency??... I recently ordered the new black steel but luckily the model I purchased which is the 28cm is not one of the recalled models. Edit: My 28cm arrived and it turns out to be included in the batches for recall. There was a typo error in the serial number on the source that I viewed. As far as I know, all of these pand are recalled!

Yeah, I've replaced most of my "non-stick" cookware with cast iron. I might need to reseason it occasionally, but I can reseason it. I looked at hexclad and some of the others and nothing said "this will last over 5 years", so I can either buy cheap stuff to replace in 5 years or get some cast iron and season it a couple times a year. Cast iron is working out pretty well.

Buy quality stainless for the majority of cooking. Buy one cheap non-stick and use it until it stops non-sticking then throw it away.

Welp I will NEVER PURCHASE A SINGLE “HEXCLAD” product! How about that ? And I am a skillet junkie! I think I would drop this frivolous claim YESTERDAY! I stand with COOK CULTURE!

The rock brand cermamic pan lasts me about 1.5yr using it almost daily. I have my antique Farberware for cooking not so sticky stuff.

Good on you mate. If Hexclad is so confident about their product, let their product prove you wrong. Over the last year I’ve started using cast iron cookware and have learnt a lot from watching your videos. Planning on getting into carbon steel cookware too. Keep up the great job that you are doing. Thanks for all the valuable information.

I bought a Hexclad set. They were great for the first year. After about 3 years, the entire set has held up except 1 pan. The smaller pan did not hold up at all. I threw it out of the fear of cooking with it. Yes they will break over time. I regret buying the set. Now, I’m still able to use the rest of the pans, but I will not be replacing them in the future. I’ll be investing in stainless steel and cast iron. The ease to clean is real. My suggestion is to own 1 or 2 hex clad pans. They are useful for a few dishes.

I have always liked a quality stainless steel pan with copper bottom. never had one wear down or wear out. the cheap aluminum pans coated with whatever Always wear out!

I've been debating buying hexclad because my Ninja pan has scratches... but this has convinced me to not do so. I've been slowly swapping out pieces with stainless steel, cast iron or some other material that isn't non stick. I guess I'll just have to get my skills up so I don't ruin them. Trying to figure out what to replace my ninja forever pan (or whathever it's called) with. Cast iron is just too heavy for me to use regularly. I've never used carbon steel, so perhaps I'll give that a try.

I saw the hexclad at a show and I listened carefully to the salesman. Sounds great, so I bought a full set. I was skeptical when I bought it, and things just did not add up. It seemed like the salesman was splitting hairs, “contains no Teflon”, but what looks like a duck, walks, like a duck, quacks like a duck, I didn’t use any of them and took the set back. This was well before your video, I am glad you are testing, and offering an honest review. I’ve learned, any pan is non-stick if used properly. It is all about temperature.

I was never going to buy their products to begin with, but now I have even more reason not to buy from them.

Kudos to you sir! Don't cave to the scammers and bullies. I appreciate your honesty and commitment to all of us for our benefit. 😊

Jed, I’ve known you for a while, and have come to verify and trust your reviews, and I FULLY TRUST, 💯 %, and stand by your videos. PERIOD. We have come to trust and rely on your content. Please stay and stand your ground, and DO NOT BUDGE.

I bought into the marketing and bought a pan. It gets daily use and has done for almost 2 years. It's got regions in the pan that aren't non-stick anymore. You're right, the non-stick does wear out.

This video had a Hexclad ad at the beginning of it. That's hilarious.

I got a hexclad pan for Christmas and its terrible. Everything sticks. I hate it.

You always remember your first scare tactic C&D letter. Mine was in 1996. I wish I would have saved it to frame and have on my wall, and then do a yearly video about it - you know, to give the company lots of publicity and help others form their own opinions.

Talk about a Streisand effect… never heard of them before this and now I’ll 100% NEVER be buying their products based on them hitting you with a cease and desist on a review

You are entitled to give your opinion about Hexclad. All non-stick coatings wear out and peel off, this is simple chemistry and material science. Personally, I would tell them to f*** off!

559 shirt? Are you from the area?

Carbon steel with a proper patina is just as ' non stick'. The advantage though is that it can redone when necessary.

I'm not sure about the laws in Canada, but in the U.S. a person cannot be successfully sued for defamation by making statements of opinion; you can only be successfully sued for defamation for knowingly making false statements of fact.

I always use cast iron, or stainless steel. My wife likes nonstick. Since I have noticed the short life span of nonstick, I buy relatively cheap skillets from a restaurant supply store and watch it for wear. They have performed better than most “nice” nonstick skillets we owned in the past.

Nice work 👍 It seems that "when her knickers are in a twist"... .. the loudness volume should be twisted counterclockwise... Quickly, solidly, and for a long time...

Thanks to Jed, I got rid of non-stick and went stainless steel with Demeyere 7-ply. After learning how to dial in the heat with Jed's guidance and a little practice for non-stick cooking, there's been no looking back. Don't think the test of time and use will be on Hexclad's side.

I have yet to find a non-stick coating that works any better than a well seasoned carbon steel pan.

I've seen a few of your videos, but this one earned a like and subscribe. I'm down to one non stick pan, when it wears out, I'm done with non stick. Maybe it's replacement will come from you. Thanks!

I'm well-versed in U.S. libel law (broadcasts on television, radio, RU-vid, etc. fall under libel law, not slander law, because they are recorded), but you're in Canada so ... I don't know. However, in the U.S., Hexclad's claim would be considered laughable. It's tantamount to a film producer sending a cease-and-desist letter to a movie reviewer who gave his film a bad review. Hexclad's only possible argument -- and it's not a good one -- could be that you are serving as a de facto agent for Hexclad's competitors. This could be argued -- probably unsuccessfully -- if you do not carry Hexclad's products in your stores (and I don't know if you do). Thus, the argument could be that you are using your RU-vid presence to steer consumers away from Hexclad and toward the products you carry. I don't see that argument being ultimately successful, but I could see them at least getting a foot in a courtroom door with that argument.

Thank you so much.

Other than a Le Creuset Dutch oven, well seasoned cast iron is basically all I use and it’s all nonstick.

Can you talk about the current news related to some Matfer’s defect product line?

Hexclad is looking to explore the Streisand Effect.

I don't even need to watch this guy's video. I wouldn't buy Hexclad based on the fact that if they need to sue over someone's opinion, then the emperor isn't wearing any clothing.

I just placed a $500 order with Darto for my physician group last night, as they are having a 2 for 1 pre-sale right now. Sorry Hexclad, not everyone is a Gordon Ramsey shill. Happy Cook Culture subscriber here, and I have really appreciated your educational videos on CS/CI care -- they have been foundational to my experience as a cook and BBQer. Thank you, Jed, for your work.

I abandoned nonstick cookware many years ago. I almost always only use stainless steel. On rare occasions, I'll use cast iron. Neither ever wears out.

Cease and desist is absurd but after 2 years of ownership of hexclad they look nearly brand new and work as advertised Cooking an egg has to be heavily seasoned (oiled/buttered) pan. I bought mine from Costco and Costco has a ridiculous return policy so we bought them and have absolutely no regrets- seems pricey when I bought them and they are NOT a typical non stick. Every other non stick pan we’ve bought, starts to look worn out in 18 months and we replaced them every 2-3 years But you’re welcome to your opinion and you do t have to buy them but they’re hands down the best pans we’ve ever owned

Time to go watch your Hexclad video again!

I bought a couple of Scan Clads............. They lasted just over a year. I went to carbon steel........... so beautiful now years later. Thank you Jed.

I have one piece of HexClad. It’s about two years old and has held up well. However, it was never, and has never been nonstick. Try the fried egg test and you’ll see. Frying breaded cutlets and the like is not something I’d ever do again in this pan. Like many here, I assume, I have a cookware addiction. I have pieces from many manufacturers and every type of surface that I know of. I wouldn’t add any additional pieces HexClad to my collection. The fact that they have a goon threatening you is disgusting. I will make sure I go out of my way to say a “vehement” no to anyone who asks me if they should try this brand. Keep up the good work.

Fight on brother. You're allowed an opinion.

Your video review was great keep up the good work.

I just buy a new 30 euro non-stick pan every 3-4 years. I’ve come to accept that non-stick pans are a disposable item. They will wear out, either through scratches or thermal degradation/delamination (so I got it too hot, or repeated heat cycles cause enough fatigue (teflon and metal heat up and cool down at different rates) that the coating disintegrates). And that’s still cheaper than buying hexclad.