T-FAL

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends T-FAL

33 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  What BIFL mistakes have you made?

  This has been my biggest issue with this page. For example, I’m sure All-Clad pots and pans are great, but the price is too much for most people I know, while my T-Fal stainless steel set for under $200 has been going for years and years and looks like new. Additionally, I have an IKEA TV stand for $200 and it’s been perfect for years.

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• #2Dec 30, 2025

  I never want to buy cookware again

  5 years of daily use for our Cuisinart French Classic tri-ply stainless pots and pans, still perfect and should outlast me. A couple are in the dishwasher right now. We can afford All Clad, but why? These perform perfectly, feel good in the hand, and look great. Our only non-stick is an 11 inch T-fal crepe pan that we only use for eggs, only with silicone utensils, and only hand wash. (Stuff just slides right off - it's slick!) Might be their highest grade of teflon, with a thick, heavy, very flat base. Still looks and performs like new after 2 years. Don't know if it's BIFL but thanks to high quality plus babying it, should be around a long time. And we love its performance with omelettes etc.

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• #3Dec 23, 2025

  Is T-Fal brand a good BIFL?

  Shoot, I'm seeing bad reviews for Tfal. But I purchased my set in 2010. Hand wash only. It's 2025 and I'm still using them now.

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• #4Dec 1, 2025

  About to buy the most expensive set of pots and pans in my life

  I was debating a new set this holiday season too, I ended up going with the TFal Stainless Steel TriPly set @ Costco for $180 on sale. 13 pieces, sealed, rolled edges, it was too good of value to pass up.

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• #5Nov 5, 2025

  Dishwasher Safe Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

  My t-fal set from walmart has been going strong for about 15 years now

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• #6Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  I have a T-fal set from 2012 that has been great, they are only now on their last legs.

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• #7Nov 2, 2025

  What's the best cookware you've ever had?

  I got a T-fal ceramic coated jumbo cooker so far it's been pretty good. Just as non-stick as Teflon. I always only use wood utensils in these so hopefully it will last a long time without getting chipped. It's easy to clean even very sticky sauce comes off with hot water + paper towel rubbing.

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• #8Nov 1, 2025

  What's your frying pan for life?

  I use a 12" Lodge and an Argentinian Darto n27 carbon steel pan. The Lodge, my mom bought in 1979 when she was preggers with me. It's heavy, but legit perfection. As is the Darto. Super good quality and gives a seer like only carbon steel can. We also employ a full set of D3 All-Clad that was a wedding gift. 10/10 would recommend. Also,also... I do keep a 12" T-fal non stick I simply replace every few years as needed. It's cheap. I don't mind replacing it when it gets worn.

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• #9Oct 3, 2025

  What is the best kitchen gadget under $100 that you own?

  I will live and die by this opinion: really good tongs. Think metal, strong spring, no locking mechanism. You don’t want them to bend or twist out of shape, or fail every few months. I use fully metal ones because I use stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans. And I have several pairs of them. I regularly use 2 or 3 a meal. I recently bought a fancy ass bbq and realized I no longer have ‘hot hands’, so I’m looking for good long handle tongs. The other gadget makes me feel ashamed…one was a gift and I willingly bought a 2nd one. It’s the Jamie Oliver spice shaker thing-in place of a mortar and pestle for dry spices. It looks like a matryoshka doll. You drop in your spices, add the ceramic smasher ball, slide the lid in place & shake the living daylights out of it. Voila, fragrant herbs & spices. I like the thing so damn much I bought a 2nd one at a thrift store, bnib, for when the 1st one dies. I have visceral hate for that man. But here we are.

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• #10Sep 5, 2025

  T-fal Nonstick Pan – worth it, or guaranteed landfill in 2 years? 🍳

  Tfal is a good for the money nonstick pan. However you should avoid cooking in PFAS coated cookware as much as possible because the coating is bad for you. It's ok to have one of these just for eggs but you should never take it over medium heat, you should never use metal utensils in it, and you should throw it out and get a new one every two years at the latest even if it looks ok. Better to switch to carbon steel for your nonstick needs. It's not as nonstick but it's close, the maintenance isn't that bad, and they are true lifelong pans.

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• #11Sep 4, 2025

  What frying pans are we buying? Tired of nonstick pans that only last 6 months.

  Stainless steel with heavy/thick bottoms is the easiest to maintain and clean. My mom still has the set I grew up with, t-fal I think, and besides some color fading of handles from the dishwasher, it's perfect. I got a set of kitchenaid ss pans with beefy silicone handles and see through glass lids for a wedding gift almost 30yrs ago and everything looks like it just came out of of the box! If you go ss, never salt the water until after the water boils or you'll get pitting on the bottom insides. I do like having cast iron around for some things too but the ss is just such easy cleanup that I always reach for it first.

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• #12Sep 4, 2025

  Are there any nonstick pans that do NOT do this?

  Nah, it's the pan. Those copper surface nonstick pans are garbage; if you get it too hot ONCE it completely ruins the coating and will do this every time. I had a couple, and both of them would act in the exact same way. My older T-Fal pans never would.

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• #13Sep 4, 2025

  Are there any nonstick pans that do NOT do this?

  No nonstick is for life. T-fal is a good brand that’s inexpensive and widely available. Price is important since you need to throw it away as soon as it gets scratched or starts sticking. You can also learn to cook eggs in a well seasoned carbon steel or cast iron pan, but you have to use oil/butter even if it’s well seasoned.

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• #14Aug 10, 2025

  any good resuable kitchen towels?

  I buy the T-fal Premium Waffle Dish Cloths, they seem reasonably durable, aren't super expensive and absorbent. They also look nice.

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• #15Aug 7, 2025

  Best pot and pan set for a new homeowner?

  Allclad D3 large pot side handles, medium pot long handle, deep skillet with lid, skillet. Le Cruset - 8Qaurt enamelled cast (oven pot for breads/roasts). Any larger and it gets pretty heavy for most people. Don't hate, cheap ass t-fal no stick, buy on sale for like 20-30 bucks (I buy 1 every 3-4 years), keeping 2 on hand, this is my pan for guests to use who suck with waiting for the Allclad D3's to heat properly before food.

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• #16Aug 3, 2025

  What’s the pan everyone needs that’s BIFL?

  If you're not like a professional chef. Anything that is cast-iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel should last you decades if maintained. For stainless steel I like tri ply pans with an aluminum core, I feel like they heat more evenly and are more responsive than pure steel pans. From my experience the biggest point of failure in a pan is the handle. Plastic and wood handles tend to get Grody and fall apart after a couple years. So I like to look for something with metal handles that look well attached to the pan. Unfortunately most nonstick don't last a lifetime. I know it's not good BIFL advice but if you do need a nonstick pan, I would get something from a brand like Tfal or Tramontina and replace every couple years. I get a good 3-5 year out of the Tramontina Professional line of non stick pans. Also, it might just be me being crazy but I do think they last longer if you don't machine wash them.

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• #17Jul 9, 2025

  Important Kitchen Essentials?

  I respect your view, but we have had very different experiences. My ex wife worked at Williams-Sonoma, and my kitchen gear started off as high end. As it fails, I replace it with cheap stuff. So, my experience is the opposite of the usual progression The cheap stuff is not only as good, it's often *better.* The handles around my Wusthof knives are mostly cracked around the rivets. Some have fallen off. The steel itself holds a poor edge, and must be resharpened constantly, even with moderate use. These were $1,200. My Walmart set (second cheapest) has seamless, molded handles that I could probably use to drive a nail without breaking. The steel isn't highly polished, but it holds a better edge. They're not great, but they're fine--and frustratingly, they're better than the Wusthofs. I can't stand my All Clad pans. They take forever to heat up, and while this helps them sear, it hardly matters, because I lose the seared surface because it sticks to the pan. Yes, I use oil, I perform the "water drop test," and I have thoroughly cleaned and polished my pans. I even tried seasoning one in the oven like cast iron. This ruined it, but that was my fault for doing something not recommended. They stain, they scratch, they stick, and they get that rainbow coloration when heated. Most frustrating is that half of them warp when hot, so that the bottom bows out and it won't sit flat on the stovetop. One arrived with faulty handle rivets, so that the handle has a wobble. I replaced the pan that I ruined with a T-Fal, I think it was. It has thin stainless walls, but a thick and sturdy base. It has none of the All Clad problems, though I don't know why. It has a glass lid with an insulated handle that doesn't burn me. The lid probably isn't oven safe, but the only pan that goes in the oven is cast iron (also overrated, except for this purpose). The T-Fal was $20. Not every premium brand is bad, but it's hard to think of one that works better than a cheaper option. If a premium product is 10x more expensive than a mainstream brand, it better work 10x as well, last 10x as long, or be 10x more enjoyable to use.

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• #18Jul 7, 2025

  Crock Pot, Instant Pot, Pressure cooker

  >what’s lasted you the longest That would be my T-Fal pressure cooker, about 35 years.

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• #19Jun 7, 2025

  What is your most unintentional BIFL item?

  My indestructible T-Fal electric kettle

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• #20May 7, 2025

  So is there really no non-stick pan that is safe to use as long as it isn’t chipped?

  My suggestion for health and happiness either: - just learn to cook on good stainless steel pans (it’s not hard once you learn), OR - cook on non-stick pans and plan to replace them every 1-2 years For years I could not cook my eggs like I liked them on stainless steel. So I had a T-Fal small skillet I used every day just for eggs, and three it out every year and got a new one. I did eventually find a creator on TikTok, who had a video on cooking eggs on stainless steel. I applied his technique, and now there are no non-stick pans in my house.

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• #21May 4, 2025

  Looking for the best electric kettle that won’t break the bank + long lasting!!!

  We had a glass one, which replaced a plastic one. When the glass broke we got a metal one - T-FAL brand. We have had it sine 2015. We have very hard water, so I occasionally run it with vinegar. It is easier to clean than the glass. We use it everyday at least 5x. We got it at our local hardware store that has a small housewares section. Aesthetically, it is not super pleasing, but I will take the fast boil and durability.

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• #22Apr 12, 2025

  hex clad pots/pans worth the price?

  Sounds like carbon steel would be a good option for you. And maybe a regular t-fal nonstick on the side if you have space and need *really* nonstick for certain things. Hexclad sucks.

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• #23Apr 7, 2025

  Best Cooking Pans Now? Recommendation?

  I have a set of Calphalon stainless I bought in 2008 that have been all over the world with me. Best pans ever! My husband gave me some Cuisinart copper-clad pans that are about 12 years old that are in great condition, as well. I like my Lodge cast iron pans better than my Griswold; however, my 10-year-old Lodge cast iron enamel dutch oven already has pits and discoloration in it--probably my fault. Do not get a green pan--not worth the hype. I have a T-fal nonstick that we bought about five years ago. It is still holding up well, but I think there is a definite shelf-life for nonstick pans.

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• #24Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I have a Tramontina 12pc set from Costco plus a 12" skillet also from Tramontina. They all work well, no warping and even heat distribution. I have an induction stovetop. I rarely use the 3qt saute pan or 8" skillet. What I don't like about the sauce pans is that the lips are not rounded, but squared off. It makes pouring anything out of them messy. Also, the 1qt sauce pan has a small diameter bottom and tall sides, making stirring difficult. I bought the set when we got the induction stove and needed to replace every piece of cookware minus one in the kitchen 30+ years worth in a hurry. If I were in the same situation again I'd get the Costco Cuisinart or All Clad D3 sets. If I had more time I'd buy individual pieces. I have also purchased a 10" ceramic nonstick skillet and 12" ceramic nonstick saute pan. Nonstick is great when you need it, but PFOSs and PFOAs are not, hence the ceramic. Note that the nonstick doesn't last, even treating them with kid gloves and non metal utensils, and they tend to warp, so don't buy expensive ones because you'll be replacing them in a year and a half or less (I consider anything over $70 expensive). As others have said, get a 14" carbon steel wok with a lid and learn how to use it. You'll be glad you did. Get a set of cast iron and/or carbon steel skillets. By a set I mean 8" and 10" each at a minimum, and 12 inches of you need the real estate. One last thing. I really missed my stovetop pressure cooker. I don't have counter space for an instant pot, so I finally replaced it with a T-fal Clipso 8qt. I love it. It cooks at 12psi - the same as an instant pot - but heats up much more quickly. The billions of recipes out there for the instant pot are a straight one to one, no conversion needed. I'd have entertained an instant pot but already have a slow cooker, and I don't want anymore Teflon in my life.

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• #25Feb 4, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I have a Tramontina 12pc set from Costco plus a 12" skillet also from Tramontina. They all work well, no warping and even heat distribution. I have an induction stovetop. I rarely use the 3qt saute pan or 8" skillet. What I don't like about the sauce pans is that the lips are not rounded, but squared off. It makes pouring anything out of them messy. Also, the 1qt sauce pan has a small diameter bottom and tall sides, making stirring difficult. I bought the set when we got the induction stove and needed to replace every piece of cookware minus one in the kitchen 30+ years worth in a hurry. If I were in the same situation again I'd get the Costco Cuisinart or All Clad D3 sets. If I had more time I'd buy individual pieces. I have also purchased a 10" ceramic nonstick skillet and 12" ceramic nonstick saute pan. Nonstick is great when you need it, but PFOSs and PFOAs are not, hence the ceramic. Note that the nonstick doesn't last, even treating them with kid gloves and non metal utensils, and they tend to warp, so don't buy expensive ones because you'll be replacing them in a year and a half or less (I consider anything over $70 expensive). As others have said, get a 14" carbon steel wok with a lid and learn how to use it. You'll be glad you did. Get a set of cast iron and/or carbon steel skillets. By a set I mean 8" and 10" each at a minimum, and 12 inches of you need the real estate. One last thing. I really missed my stovetop pressure cooker. I don't have counter space for an instant pot, so I finally replaced it with a T-fal Clipso 8qt. I love it. It cooks at 12psi - the same as an instant pot - but heats up much more quickly. The billions of recipes out there for the instant pot are a straight one to one, no conversion needed. I'd have entertained an instant pot but already have a slow cooker, and I don't want anymore Teflon in my life.

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• #26Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  I have a Tramontina set from Costco plus a 12" skillet also from Tramontina. They all work well, no warping and even heat distribution. I have an induction stovetop. I rarely use the 3qt saute pan or 8" skillet. What I don't like about the sauce pans is that the lips are not rounded, but squared off. It makes pouring anything out of them messy. Also, the 1qt sauce pan has a small diameter bottom and tall sides, making stirring difficult. I bought the set when we got the induction stove and needed to replace every piece of cookware minus one in the kitchen 30+ years worth in a hurry. If I were in the same situation again I'd get the Costco Cuisinart or All Clad D3 sets. If I had more time I'd buy individual pieces. One last thing. I really missed my stovetop pressure cooker. I don't have counter space for an instant pot, so I finally replaced it with a T-fal Clipso 8qt. I love it. It cooks at 12psi - the same as an instant pot - but heats up much more quickly. Recipes for the instant pot are a straight one to one. No conversion needed. I'd have entertained an instant pot but already have a slow cooker, and I don't want anymore Teflon in my life.

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• #27Feb 3, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  This. I have used my Calphalon pots and my Lodge skillet regularly for 20-25 years now and all of the pieces look new. I’d recommend Calphalon tri-ply in either a small set or just get a 3-3.5 qt. pot (for pasta or to hold a steamer basket) and a 1qt pot (I use this all the time for reheating soup, melting butter for popcorn, etc,), a 10” Lodge skillet, and an 8” or 10” T-Fal non stick pan (for eggs, etc.). It is helpful to find a casserole dish that you like as well, HIC makes nice ones that are inexpensive and often rated for broiler use. Also, pick up a container of Barkeeper’s Friend powder to keep the Calphalon shiny and beautiful.

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• #28Feb 2, 2025

  What brand / type of pots & pans are worth investing in as a young adult?

  Cast Iron or 18/10 stainless steel (double walled bottom with aluminum core). Steel will be pricier, but if you choose well, it will last decades. T-fal, calphalon, both have good stuff. Macy’s Tools of the trade used to have some great options but all locations near me have gutted their kitchenware departments. Buy one piece at a time. All you need is a saute pan, a stock pot and a sauce pan. Buy the largest you can reasonably afford. Cast iron get a dutch oven and a skillet. Dutch oven can be used in the oven or on stove top if for example your oven malfunctions, as well as outside at a campfire.

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• #29Jan 8, 2025

  Sandwich maker with solid closing mechanism?

  So. I hear your obsession with doing nonplastic for closing. And if that is really your deal breaker you should look for cast iron ones that you use on the stove. But, if you hear me out. I want to say tefal snack collection. Bonus is you can make waffles in it as well. I've had mine for 8 years. Arguably I take good care of it, and don't overstuff my sandwiches, and if it is overstuffed, I gently will it to close before even making the closing mechanism keep it sealed tight.

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• #30Jan 6, 2025

  Pots and pans that last?

  Another option is the French brand T-Fal. They make very good steel pots and pans with copperized bottom, that last a long time.

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• #31Jan 2, 2025

  Stainless steel cookware recommendations?

  Teflon doesn’t last forever since the coating is a wear-item, so I generally recommend buying a decent but cheap nonstick for when you need it, and going high quality on the rest. I buy a basic 12” nonstick pan from the restaurant supply store, and they last for years. Either get one of those or a T-Fal or Oxo - or any decent quality and comfortable-to-hold nonstick from Homegoods/Homesense/Marshalls/etc. $30ish or under. Spend on the cookware that’ll last - stainless, cast iron, carbon steel, etc. but never spend more than a basic amount on any nonstick pans.

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• #32Dec 5, 2015

  Redditors, what do you regret?

  The [T-fal E93808](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GWG0T2?colid=3LOL6MP6WIUUY&coliid=I3M4P1NQX80UIQ&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl) is the America's Test Kitchen choice for [The Best Teflon Skillet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJKDD6E7M0). They do some pretty holistic testing on their [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxAS_aK7sS2x_bqnlJHDSHw) channel, kind of like BIFL cooking cooking edition.

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• #33Dec 5, 2015

  Redditors, what do you regret?

  I don't understand how people can ruin their teflon pans so easily. I use my pans multiple days a week and they last for years and years. One of my pans is a hand me down from my mom. It's nothing special, just a T-FAL pan. It has to be a teenage pan by now.

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