What pan (no non stick) for pancake?

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I read non stick pans are eventually contaminating the food, so I am trying not to use my very only one anymore.
However, there are some foods I am struggling with, such as pancakes.
What type of pan do you use to cook them? Or what technique not to let them stick?

You can make crêpes in the oven (pour a thin layer of mixture onto a butte red/oiled céramic or Pyrex dish and bake until golden - you can do as many at a time as dishes fit in your oven.)

Otherwise stainless steel pan should be fine, maybe start with Américan or Japanese style pancakes as they’re smaller so easier to flip.

If you don't use non stick, you just need to season your pan before use.

I keep one non stick crepe pan that only used for pancakes, never anything else. I use cast iron for all other frying and for almost all my cooking. My favourite cast iron pan is non stick now from use, I fry eggs in it with no problems. I know ideally I wouldn't use the non stick at all but it's so seldom used and I hang it to store it so it won't get damaged by other pans etc, only use wooden utensils to protect the coating and will dispose of it if I notice any wear/damage. I tried stainless steel in my father's but didn't like it but apparently I wasn't using it right, I might get a small stainless steel one and practise so I can switch to it for pancakes (husband really likes them so I make them every few months).

A seasoned cast iron pan.

I have stainless steel pans. Use plenty of oil and expect the first one to stick a bit but then they're ok after that.

This.

Or for viewers in Scotland, one of these. A cast iron girdle

Great thread! Ive bought what i thought was a cast iron pan from tesco but after making several steaks in it now looks like its completely burnt and at risk of rusting. Can anyone recommend a good cast iron pan that can take daily steak grilling?

Also, I'm just hearing about the 'griddle' for the 1st time, can they be used for steaks as well and do they wear from burning?

@LadeOde you need to season cast iron pans. I have a saute pan that is over 25 years old, it's used for steaks, roasts, one pan meals, etc. BBC has a guide.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-season-cast-iron

I use a cast iron frying pan. Seasoning doesn't have to be all complicated! I just rubbed it with a very thin coat of butter and shoved it face down in a hot oven several times. If it starts to stick again (tomatoes strip the seasoning) I do it again.

My next kitchen purchase will be a cast iron omelette pan, so lower sides.

Again, a well seasoned cast iron pan that never sees detergent. Always wiped out and hot water only. Sometimes, not even that. Just leave it until the next time.

I put my cast iron in the dishwasher 😅 but I take care of it by seasoning and I've had zero issues for almost a decade - I think it's staub. I don't use it for crepes though but everything else I do on it. There's some YouTube videos how to season, mine came with instruction booklet, I can take pic if need be. I do have one non stick for crepes as its lighter but I do see the concern. Although non stick has to reach a certain temperature to be bad for you and I'd assume it never has but maybe I'll try checking in the future. I don't know if pancake making would reach that temperature but now this has me thinking.

@soupmaker Thanks so much. I ashamed to say i've never seasoned it. Never even heard of seasoning.

My attempt at pancakes were a disaster last night. And thinking maybe i should get a girdle. Hence going on a MN search.

Currently having major regrets of letting my Grannies going to landfill. It looked rusty and I was too young to know better.
I'm sure my Mums old neighbour (the Queen of pancakes) had one too.

Do they really make a difference?
Have you seen any modern versions?

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/feb/28/best-pfas-free-frying-pans

Oh @Needspaceforlego I'd be gutted if I'd thrown it too. I think of all the rusty cast iron that'll have been junked when all it needed was a good clean and re-seasoning. I have a cast iron skillet which I bought over 25 years ago which I use all the time for all sorts. You can do pancakes on a skillet.

Cheap Cast iron 8 inch pan for everything!

TBH I don't even think my Mum or Auntie had a clue how to season it either.
But yes there must be tons of cast iron in landfill, from back in the day when everything went into the same bin bag.