Viking PureGlide Pro Nonstick Skillet Review

I disposed of my PFAS-coated cookware years ago, replacing my cheaply made pots and pans with reliable stainless steel, sturdy cast iron, and slippery ceramic-coated aluminum. Of the three, I reach for my nonstick skillets most often, preferring their easy-to-clean interiors on busy weeknights. I’ve even gotten used to the fact that such convenience comes at the cost of durability. Despite my only using silicone kitchen tools and wooden cooking utensils, their delicate ceramic coatings inevitably scratch or flake after a year or two of hard cooking, and I’m forced to buy a new set. 

This longevity issue didn’t feel like such a big deal to me until I learned that Viking had plans to launch a nonstick pan that’s as durable as cast iron. Knowing this would likely change the cookware game forever, I acquired a skillet months ahead of the drop. Dozens of dinners later, I can confidently report that it lives up to the hype. 

Now that the PureGlide Pro line has officially landed on Amazon’s digital shelves — and with a limited-time discount, no less — you can finally bring home a piece of this magic, too. My suggestion? Run, don’t walk. 

Viking PureGlide Pro Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan 

What sets this Viking pan apart from other nonstick pans is its titanium surface. One of the most commonly used metals in the biomedical engineering space for its strength, lightweight nature, and biocompatibility, titanium is highly prized in cookware for these same reasons. Since it’s a poor conductor of heat when compared with other metals, Viking sandwiched an aluminum core between a titanium interior and a stainless steel exterior to create a pan capable of searing with the best of them. 

Even so, Jeff Malkasian, president of retail brands for Viking, suggests setting the flame no higher than medium when using the brand’s PureGlide cookware. “Because the metals transfer heat so well, less heat is needed to achieve the same results,” he wrote via email. “When the pan gets too hot, food will sear and scorch, effectively burning it onto the pan and making it much harder for the food to release from the surface. High heat will essentially negate the nonstick performance.” 

Malkasian also called out the skillet’s impressive durability and strength during our back and forth. When I pointed out that many brands advise against using metal utensils with their cookware, he replied that it’s because they employ coatings that are easily scratched. The PureGlide Pro line, on the other hand, has no coating. The interior is simply a layer of titanium, not a thin film of ceramic or, perish the thought, toxic Teflon. And because the titanium Viking used is “approximately three times stronger than stainless steel” — the material from which most metal kitchen utensils are made — the surface can’t be scratched by an errant scrape of a fish spatula.  

I can personally attest to the pan’s durability and nonstick properties. I’ve made everything from stir-fried mushrooms to fried eggs and roasted salmon over the months I’ve tested this skillet, and it hasn’t scratched once. Despite some minor discoloration from the time my husband cranked the heat up to high when I wasn’t there to supervise him, it looks as good as it did on the day I got it.  

Now that I know it’s possible for a pan to be PFAS-free, tough as nails, and slippery enough to fry eggs when following the brand’s cooking guidelines, I can’t imagine using anything else. Viking’s PureGlide Pro line has opened my eyes to the possibilities of smarter, safer cookware — and I like what I’m seeing.     

Shop More Nonstick Pans at Amazon

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Mini Fry Pan 

Our Place Large Always Pan 2.0 

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Frying Pan 

Misen Carbon Nonstick Frying Pan 

OXO Enhanced Nonstick Ceramic Skillet 

At the time of publishing, the price was $143.