PanSpanEkco
Ekco 3-Piece Frying Pan Set (7.1, 7.9 & 9.4 IN) For all Stovetops, Dishwasher Safe - Lightweight Aluminum Skillets, Non-Stick & Riveted Bakelite Handle (Hippie Chick Red & Blue) PFOA & PTFE Free
Is the Ekco 3-piece frying pan set the right colorful starter set for everyday cooking in a small kitchen?
Yes, if you want lightweight nonstick skillets for quick meals and don't need large pans: the Ekco set comes in 7.1-, 7.9- and 9.4-inch sizes. The bright red-and-blue look gives a first apartment kitchen some personality, and the pans are compatible with gas, electric, ceramic and induction cooktops. I’d pick it for eggs, grilled cheese and small servings; for bigger meals or a more substantial pan, look at the SENSARTE or DELARLO sets below.
Also worth a look
SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillets, Swiss Granite Coating, 9.5+11+12.5 Inch
A roomier three-pan nonstick set, with cast-aluminum construction described as sturdy and not easy to warp.
DELARLO Whole Body Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan Set, 8”/10”/12” Cooking Pans
A stainless-steel 8-, 10- and 12-inch set for bigger cooking jobs and oven use.
From the Amazon listing
- ✓LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM FOR DELCIOUS CREATIONS: These 100% aluminum skillets are renowned for providing quick & even heating for delicious cooking. It has a nonstick coating & ergonomic Bakelite handles to make for a cool & secure grip!
- ✓NONSTICK COATING ENHANCES THE LIFE OF THE SKILLET: With your new EKCO 3-Piece Skillet set, food glides off effortlessly… Making cooking and cleaning easy! Great gift for the Holidays or a Graduate
- ✓FRY, SAUTE OR SEAR ON ANY SURFACE: Suitable for almost any cooktop (NOT Oven-Safe), it’s compatible with induction, gas, electric, coil, halogen & ceramic glass stovetops. It’s made of durable materials & designed to last a lifetime with proper care!
- ✓HEAT-INSULATED BAKELITE HANDLES TO PROTECT YOUR HANDS: We used heat-resistant handles with an ergonomic design to fit the shape of your hands for comfortable cooking. EKCO also made sure the pans were lightweight for easy transport & easy maneuvering!
Are these sizes enough for everyday meals?
They suit one-person portions and small batches better than cooking for a crowd. The smallest is handy for an egg or a quick single serving; the 9.4-inch pan gives you more room for a sandwich or a modest sauté. If you regularly cook for roommates, the SENSARTE set's 11- and 12.5-inch pans are the more practical sizes.
Will a lightweight pan work on a glass cooktop?
It can, but a light pan feels less planted than a heavier one, and any pan with a warped or uneven base can rock on smooth glass. Set it down rather than sliding it, and keep the cooking surface and pan bottom free of grit to avoid scratches. If a stable feel and resistance to warping matter most, choose the SENSARTE set: its cast-aluminum construction is described as sturdy and not easy to warp.
Can I use these on gas, and are they oven-safe?
The set is compatible with gas and the other common stovetop types, including induction. On a gas burner, keep the flame under the pan rather than licking around its sides toward the Bakelite handle. These pans are not oven-safe, so choose the DELARLO set if you want cookware that can move from stovetop to oven.
How do I keep the nonstick coating from wearing out?
Use low to medium heat for routine cooking, and reach for silicone or other non-scratch utensils instead of metal. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and sudden temperature changes, which are hard on nonstick surfaces. The pans are labeled dishwasher-safe, but I’d hand-wash them with a soft sponge to give the coating a gentler routine.
How they compare
Three colorful, lightweight nonstick pans for eggs, grilled cheese and small-kitchen cooking.
A roomier three-pan nonstick set, with cast-aluminum construction described as sturdy and not easy to warp.
A stainless-steel 8-, 10- and 12-inch set for bigger cooking jobs and oven use.
Who it suits
Buy the Ekco set if you’re outfitting a first apartment, mostly cook for yourself, and want three lightweight, colorful pans for simple breakfasts and quick dinners. It covers the basic small-to-medium skillet jobs without taking up the room of a set built around larger pans.
What you give up
- The largest pan is still only 9.4 inches, so cooking several portions at once will feel cramped.
- Lightweight aluminum is easy to maneuver, but it won't feel as substantial as the heavier DELARLO stainless set.
- Nonstick is convenient for eggs and cleanup, but it asks for gentler utensils and washing than stainless steel.
When another one is the better buy
SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillets, Swiss Granite Coating, 9.5+11+12.5 Inch: Choose the SENSARTE set if you want larger pans for roommates or batch cooking, or prefer cast aluminum that is described as sturdy and not easy to warp. It is also the better match if you want a gray nonstick set rather than Ekco’s bright colors.
DELARLO Whole Body Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Frying Pan Set, 8”/10”/12” Cooking Pans: Choose the DELARLO set if you want stainless-steel pans, need an oven-safe option, or would rather have 8-, 10- and 12-inch pans than Ekco’s smaller sizes.
You will also want
For a small kitchen, I’d prioritize tools that protect the coating and let you stack the pans without scratching them. A trivet is useful too when a hot pan needs to come off the stove.
Joyhalo 5 Pack Pot Holders for Kitchen Clearance | Cotton Made, Machine Washable, Heat Resistant Potholder, Hot Pads, Trivet for Cooking and Baking, Dark Blue
The dark-blue potholders are a useful extra for handling hot cookware, and their color pairs neatly with Ekco’s red-and-blue look.
Kitchen Utensil Set-Silicone Cooking Utensils-33 Kitchen Gadgets & Spoons for Nonstick Cookware-Silicone and Stainless Steel Spatula Set-Best Kitchen Tools, Useful Pots and Pans Accessories
Use the silicone cooking utensils with the nonstick surface to avoid the scratches metal tools can leave.
6 Pack Silicone Trivet Mat, Silicone Trivets for Hot Pots and Pans, Multipurpose Non-Slip & Heat Resistant Silicone Hot Pad for Kitchen Counter
Set a hot pan on a silicone trivet when it comes off the stove to protect your counter.
Handy Housewares Durable Non-Scratch Nylon Scouring Pads | Round All-Surface Cleaning Pads | Multi-Use Kitchen Scrubbers | Safe for Non-Stick Cookware | 8-Pack Random Colors
These non-scratch scrub pads make cleanup easier without reaching for an abrasive scrubber.
All-Clad Professional Pot/Pan Protector Set, Black/Gray, 3pc
Slip these pan protectors between stacked skillets to help prevent scratches in a tight cupboard.
Questions buyers ask
Are these pans dishwasher-safe?
Yes, they are labeled dishwasher-safe. For the longest life from the nonstick coating, I’d still wash them by hand with a soft sponge and mild dish soap.
Are the Ekco pans free of PFOA and PTFE?
Yes, the set is identified as PFOA- and PTFE-free. That answers those two specific chemical questions; it is not the same as a claim that a pan contains no chemicals at all.
Do lightweight aluminum pans wobble on a glass cooktop?
Light weight alone does not mean a pan will wobble, but a warped or uneven base can rock on a smooth cooktop. Lift pans instead of dragging them, and use a heavier set if you want a more planted feel.
Can aluminum pans scratch a glass electric stove?
The main avoidable risk is grit trapped between the pan and the glass, especially if you slide the pan around. Keep both surfaces clean and lift the pan to move it rather than pushing it across the cooktop.
Can I use the Bakelite handles on a gas stove?
Yes, the pans are compatible with gas. Keep the flame beneath the pan and the handle away from it; the pans are not for oven use.
Are these flat-bottom skillets for glass cooktops?
A pan should sit evenly on a glass cooktop. Check that each pan sits flat before cooking; if that detail is essential, choose a pan whose bottom profile is confirmed.
More in Skillets
If these three sets still miss the mark—perhaps you want a different size, handle style or cooking surface—browse the other frying-pan sets in the category to find a better fit for your kitchen.
