Titanium, used in everything from dental implants to aircraft, is as strong as it is light. This should make it ideal for cookware.
But all is not what it seems. Most “titanium” cookware only has a small amount of the metal. Do you still get the benefits of titanium?
What makes the best titanium cookware?
Is titanium even safe to cook with?
Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more! Before we start, here is my list of the best titanium cookware sets and pans:
- T-fal C561SC Titanium Advanced Nonstick Cookware Set – Best Titanium Cookware
- Saflon Titanium Nonstick Cookware – Best For Customer Service
- Gotham Steel Professional Ceramic Titanium Cookware – Best Ceramic Titanium Cookware
- Cuisinart 54C-11R Advantage Ceramica XT Cookware Set – Best Budget Titanium Cookware
- Ecolution EUCP-1208 Endure Titanium Ceramic Easy Clean Pots and Pans – Best Copper Titanium Cookware
- Michelangelo German Titanium Cookware (Sauté and Skillet) – Best Titanium Pans Set
- Lixada Camping – Best Completely Titanium Cookware Set
Contents
Why Consider Titanium?
What is Titanium Cookware?
Let’s be clear, titanium cookware is usually titanium infused rather than pure titanium. This titanium makes the cookware, or at least its surface, tougher.
Titanium is an expensive metal, and it isn’t great for cooking with due to its inefficient heating properties. In some ways, it reminds me of stainless steel cookware. The biggest difference between titanium and stainless steel cookware is the weight. Titanium is much lighter than stainless steel.
But aluminum is also light, so you have other options if you need something easy to handle.
If well done, you can get a titanium surface, which is far more scratch-resistant than other cookware. Scratch resistance is one of the biggest advantages to titanium.
(If you are looking for really durable pots and pans then consider cast iron cookware, but beware–they’re more work! See my guide for more.)
Unalloyed Titanium Cookware
Pure titanium cookware is mainly used for backpacking. This is because they are virtually indestructible and incredibly light. I’ve mainly focused on titanium-coated cookware in these reviews.
Titanium cookware sets normally have aluminum bodies for a pan with a titanium nonstick coating, or a titanium ceramic coating. So in reality, when people refer to titanium cookware, they’re really referring to titanium nonstick cookware.
I have, however, also included a pure titanium camping cookware set to round things out. Check out my guide to campfire cookware if you’d like similar options.
PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the active ingredient in Teflon. Having researched it, I believe PTFE is safe if used correctly. Not everyone agrees though.
Most titanium-reinforced nonstick cookware doesn’t have PTFE. I’ll highlight for you any cookware that does, in case you believe it makes a difference.
Is Titanium Safe?
Titanium is an inert metal that is commonly implanted inside the body. So it’s unlikely to be dangerous.
In cookware titanium is even safer. Simply put titanium, as used in cookware, is an inert non toxic metal.
What I can’t say is whether every surface is completely harmless. Remember the surface isn’t, normally ,only titanium but a blend of materials. This is why I’m so comfortable with PTFE – it’s actually been tried and tested over decades.
That said, cookware finishes in the US are regulated by the FDA. They are also regulated in other countries by the relevant authorities. So, as long as you buy from a reputable manufacturer, your cookware should be safe.
Best Titanium Cookware
Which titanium cookware is the best is really something that depends on the other materials used in its construction.
It also depends on your kitchen and what you are looking for. I will pick a personal favorite, but read all the titanium cookware reviews here to find the best one for you.
Best Titanium Cookware Sets and Individual Pans
T-fal C561SC Titanium Advanced Nonstick Cookware Set – Best Titanium Cookware
This 12-piece cookware set comes with a good selection of titanium pots and pans. It does include two utensils so it’s really 10 pieces, though these should be enough for most people. This set has a couple of fry pans, two covered saucepans, a covered sauté, and a Dutch oven with lid.
T-fal offers something called a “Thermospot” in the middle of the pans which helps stop sticking. The idea is that you wait for it to turn all red before adding food. Nonstick works better when you preheat the pan, and this spot tells you when it is warm enough. I have a T-fal pan and don’t use this as I just add oil and wait for small bubbles to appear.
I also enjoy the silicone-covered stainless steel handles for comfortable, heat-free handling.
What I like the most about this set is that it is decent quality titanium cookware at an affordable price. These pans should last a good few years, which makes this a bargain!
Pros:
- Metal utensil safe – in theory!
- Vented glass lids help contain the mess
- Dishwasher safe
- Excellent value – complete cookware set at affordable price
- T-Fal Thermospot tells you when pan is ready to cook with
- Oven safe to 175 °C (350°F)
Cons:
- Contains PTFE, if that concerns you
- Not induction compatible
- 175 °C (350°F) isn’t enough for the oven
- Pieces are on the small side, especially the stockpot
- Bottom of the pan shows burn marks easily
- Quite easy to dent the lids
Saflon Titanium Nonstick Cookware – Best For Customer Service
This 14 piece cookware set has titanium pans for every occasion.
Although not every pan has a lid of its own, two pairs of pots and pans “share” lids. Lids are great for reducing mess, but in truth you do use them less on frying pans. This “lid sharing” with the saucepans is a good compromise.
The titanium coating, though not the cookware itself is made in England. The body of the cookware comes from Turkey.
There are some reports of outstanding customer service. This is a good sign, and makes life easier if something goes wrong. It gives a lot more confidence when buying these products.
But … outstanding customer service is normal for small companies. Will it last as Saflon gets bigger?
In the end what I like about this cookware is the convenience. It’s easy to clean up, it’s versatile with a great range of pots and pans, and it lasts.
Saflon, founded in 2002, is fairly new on the market. Time will tell how long this titanium cookware set lasts. It could be a great buy, but it is a little bit of a gamble.
Pros:
- Rubberized handles – cool touch and easy to grip
- PTFE free
- Dishwasher safe
- Several reports of outstanding customer service
Cons:
- Expensive end of the price range
- Keep the handle away from heat / flames of a gas stove
- Not induction compatible
- Not oven safe
Gotham Steel Professional Ceramic Titanium Cookware – Best Ceramic Titanium Cookware
When you have pans that look as nice as these ones do, it has advantages and disadvantages. Yes it’s nice to be able to show off your pans to visitors, or admire them yourself. But if you need to buy another pan for any reason you have a tricky choice. Either you have to buy the same brand and model, or your pan collection takes on a patchwork look.
Why do these pans look so nice? Primarily, because of the use of ceramic as well as titanium.
This is robust high-quality titanium ceramic cookware. The stainless steel handles are cool-touch but also allow you to use them in the oven up to 500°F (260°C).
The biggest downside is that they are prone to scratching. You need to be careful with them. Don’t use metal utensils and be careful stacking them.
I like this set, but for me the whole point of titanium coating is for it to be stronger. That is, it should be more scratch resistant and harder to damage. These pots and pans are more “ordinary” in terms of scratch resistance. It just doesn’t feel like we are getting the benefits of titanium!
Pros:
- Very well presented
- Vent holes in lids – stops mess
- Induction compatible
- dishwasher safe
- Oven safe up to 260 °C (500°F)
- PTFE Free
- Excellent quality – should last
- Strong body
Cons:
- On the slightly pricier end of the range
- Lid handles can get hot
- Prone to scratching
- Some pans don’t have lids
If you like the idea of ceramic more than Titanium, check out my guide to the best ceramic cookware, or if you like this brand see my Gotham Steel Reviews article
Cuisinart 54C-11R Advantage Ceramica XT Cookware Set – Best Budget Titanium Cookware
For budget cookware, these titanium non stick pans are surprisingly well designed. I especially love the tapered edge which makes pouring easier, and will minimize mess.
Since Cuisinart supply a steamer insert this set of pans has pretty much everything I would need.
Unfortunately they aren’t especially versatile – they are only oven safe to 175 °C (350°F) and aren’t dishwasher safe.
There are reports of the pan’s non-stick properties fading over time as well.
Although a great price, these pans don’t feel like titanium to me. Titanium should be more durable and last longer. I think of this as an ok ceramic coating which might have a few titanium atoms in it.
These are a good budget choice if you can’t afford anything better. But I would recommend considering a higher quality option.
Pros:
- Tapered edges to make pouring easier and minimize mess.
- Oven safe to 175 °C (350°F)
- Includes steamer
- Vent holes in lids
- Affordable price
- PTFE Free
Cons:
- 175 °C (350°F) isn’t enough for most oven uses
- Not dishwasher safe
- Nonstick property degrades after a year or two
- Pans can discolor over time
Ecolution EUCP-1208 Endure Titanium Ceramic Easy Clean Pots and Pans – Best Copper Titanium Cookware
This cookware set is priced in the middle of the range and seems like it is of ok quality. I’m not very comfortable with it though, as there are reports of it losing its nonstick properties after only a few months.
This might be related to the manufacturer’s instructions around dishwasher use. It is dishwasher safe but the manufacturer recommends light oiling after repeated washing.
This is a good deal for decent cookware, but only if you are confident you can care for this cookware well enough to preserve its nonstick properties.
Personally I’d be a bit wary of it.
Pros:
- Oven safe to 190 °C (350°F)
- PTFE free
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- 190 °C (350°F) is a little low for oven use
- No frying / sauté pan with lid
- Slight bow in center of pans means food flows to the side
- Prone to “losing” nonstick properties after a heavy use
Michelangelo German Titanium Cookware (Sauté and Skillet) – Best Titanium Pans Set
Michelangelo is a german brand known for making high quality cookware. You can expect to pay more for this sort of quality.
At the time of writing, I was unable to locate a full Michelangelo German Titanium Cookware set.
Depending on your needs one option could be to buy these two pans. Frying / Sauté pans are the cookware that takes the most abuse. These pans could be great everyday pans – they would cover about 60-70% of my cookware requirements alone.
Or maybe more – the covered deep sauté pan is big enough to use as a saucepan in its own right.
This is pretty good quality cookware. If these two pans are enough for you consider getting just them and saving some money over a full cookware set.
Pros:
- Excellent quality – long lasting
- Attractive looking
- Dishwasher safe
- Oven safe to 230 °C (450°F)
- PTFE Free
- Both pans have lids – contains splashback
- Vent holes for lids to help prevent mess
Cons:
- Handle can get hot to touch
- Reports of sauté pan’s bottom warping
- Are two pans enough?
Lixada Camping – Best Completely Titanium Cookware Set
Pure titanium cookware is very strong and very light. As a downside it’s quite expensive and not the best metal at heating food.
This makes titanium ideal for backpacking, and Lixada has produced a great set to take with you.
These aren’t big and are more of a one person pot. In fact the 750ml (3 ⅛ cups) isn’t even as big as advertised, as it is only able to contain 700ml (just over 2 ⅞ cups). But, it does mean they take less room in your backpack.
The pure titanium makes them virtually indestructible meaning they can take a beating.
If you are a family driving to your campsite you should look for something else. I suggest cookware made of stainless steel. But, for a single person backpacking these are ideal.
Pros:
- Folding handles that lock into position
- Fit everything inside bigger pot – minimizes space needed
- Light and hard to damage – throw in a backpack
- Vent holes in lid
Cons:
- Expensive for a couple of pots
- Lid isn’t tight fitting
- Smaller than advertised, which was already small
Best Titanium Cookware Sets
I would choose the T-fal C561SC Titanium Advanced Nonstick Cookware Set. It is very affordable, it should last a long time and it’s easy to use.
It’s a shame the oven safe temperature is so low, but that is definitely a nice to have.
The number of pieces of cookware, and the fact there is no problem putting this in the dishwasher makes this set very versatile.
If you have an induction stove, or you are concerned about PTFE this isn’t the cookware for you.
Otherwise this is a fantastic deal.
