Hestan NanoBond Titanium All-in-One Pan 3.5 Quart - Induction Cooktop Compatible Nonstick Skillet - Perfect for Sautéing, Frying & Cooking Family Meals

OK, if you are reading this your are wondering how anything this expensive could really be worth it. So here is my initial take on my first experience with owning Hestan. I love cooking, do a lot, and I've probably had 20 or more brands of cookware over the last 25 years, some cheaper, some expensive. When it comes to non-stick cookware we found it actually best to buy cheaper / name brands such as Farberware or Good Cook - and after 2 years when the surface starts to come apart, buy a new one. All non-stick surfaces fail, period. I've bee looking to upgrade my stainless to a new multi-ply and after reading about Hestan Nanobond Titanium I decided to try. Right out of the box you think "Wow - that's one beautiful pan! I'm not sure I want to even use it!" It has a unique silver beauty that changes with the light from very light to shades of dark. The inside surface is really, really slick, much like the non-stick; certainly naturally slicker than regular high grade stainless. So I put this all purpose pan to the full bore torture test of searing at high temps, sauces, some confectionary stuff, various sautees, stir fry, broiling, etc, etc. I was totally impressed with how this pan cooks: heats quickly, cooks evenly, much easier to control on my gas range, cleans really really easily. I did burn some leftovers in the pan on purpose. And it still cleaned easily on any comparative basis. I used metal cooking utensils most of the time. It is not non-stick but with a touch of oil, gets fairly close; certainly slicker than regular stainless. After repeated use and abuse the inside had some minor discoloration, as well as the outside bottom. Not horrible, but noticeable. So I then used the special cleaner sample that came with the pan and with almost no effort the pan returned to it's original luster - perfect. If I returned the pan probably no one would know I cooked with it every day for 10 days. Not a spot or a mark. Perfect. Wow. I've also recently tried a couple other high end brand stainless and while impressed..... I'd go for the Hestan given any choice if cost was not an issue. Hestan is about 30% more expensive vs. what I'm already looking at. Long term durability??? Well, guess we'll have to see, as I'm keeping this one... returning the others. Will I be buying the full 10 piece set (Hestan has it on special for $1,599 right now vs ~$2k); dammit... probably!