Cuisinart High Impact 8" Pan Review: 6-Month Home Test

If you're an egg lover, this pan is a dream. After 6 months of daily testing, I can confidently say this is the best pan I've used for eggs at any price point. The nonstick surface lets you cook eggs sunny-side up, scrambled, or omelet-style without sticking or tearing. This is the pan I use for my no-bowl, no-whisk scrambled eggs technique. Crack the eggs directly into the heated pan, stir the whites around the intact yolks, and you get the creamiest scrambled eggs you've ever made. The 8-inch size is perfect for 2-3 eggs—exactly what most people cook for breakfast. The even heat prevents hot spots, so your eggs cook consistently—edges crisp just enough while yolks stay tender. Whether you're making a quick breakfast or preparing eggs for meal prep, this pan delivers professional results every single time. Cleanup is effortless—eggs slide right out, leaving almost nothing behind. A quick wipe with a sponge and you're done.

The standout feature is the high impact bonded construction. The stainless steel base is permanently bonded to the aluminum core, creating exceptional heat distribution without hot spots. This isn't budget nonstick that warps after a few months—the pan remains perfectly flat on the cooktop. It heats quickly and evenly, works flawlessly on induction (the magnetic stainless steel base is induction-compatible), and resists warping over time. The stainless steel base also makes it compatible with all stovetops, giving you professional-level performance in a compact 8-inch size.

Beyond eggs, this pan excels at sautéing, searing, and reheating. The 8-inch size is perfect for single servings or side dishes, and it's easy to maneuver thanks to a comfortable, stay-cool handle. **What I cook in this pan:** Eggs (any style), single-serving proteins (one chicken breast, pork chop, or fish fillet), quick sautés (vegetables, mushrooms, garlic for pasta), reheating leftovers (better than microwave), sauce reduction (small-batch pan sauces and glazes), and toasting nuts or seeds (even heat prevents burning).

The nonstick coating is PTFE-based (similar to Teflon) and performs exceptionally well. After 6 months of daily egg cooking, the surface releases food as easily as day one. I've been careful to use only wooden or silicone utensils and avoid high heat, which extends nonstick lifespan significantly. With proper care (wooden/silicone utensils, gentle cleaning, medium heat), this pan delivers 3-5 years of excellent performance. After 6 months of daily testing, my pan shows zero wear—no scratches, no peeling, no degradation. Gentle cleaning with a soft sponge preserves the coating for years, not months.

With its high impact bonded base, this pan is built to last. After 6 months of daily use, the nonstick coating shows zero wear. The construction quality matches what I expect from professional-grade cookware. The stainless steel base is permanently bonded to the aluminum core, creating exceptional heat distribution without hot spots. The pan remains perfectly flat on the cooktop—no warping like budget nonstick. The construction prevents the common failure modes I've seen in cheaper pans: warped bottoms, peeling coatings, and wobbly handles.

**Cuisinart 8" vs. Lodge Cast Iron for Eggs:** I own and love Lodge cast iron skillets, but for eggs specifically, nonstick wins decisively. Cast iron requires perfect seasoning and more fat for eggs to release properly. This Cuisinart pan works flawlessly with minimal butter or even dry for egg whites. Use the Cuisinart for: Eggs, delicate fish, quick breakfast items. Use cast iron for: Searing steaks, high-heat cooking, oven finishing. **Cuisinart vs. All-Clad Nonstick:** All-Clad nonstick pans cost 3-4x more than this Cuisinart. After testing both, the performance difference doesn't justify the price gap for most home cooks. Both have excellent nonstick coatings, even heat distribution, and similar longevity with proper care. The Cuisinart offers 90% of All-Clad's performance at 25% of the cost. **Cuisinart vs. Cheap Nonstick:** Cheap nonstick pans warp, lose their coating within months, and have uneven heating. The Cuisinart's high impact bonded base provides even heat distribution, the construction prevents warping, and the coating quality lasts years with proper care. Budget nonstick is disposable; this is durable.