First published in February 2024. Updated with latest research in November 2025.
If you’ve been researching cookware, you’ve probably come across the name Solidteknics—the Australian-made, cult-favourite pans that chefs, nutritionists, and home cooks rave about. But with so many brands claiming to be “healthy,” “non-stick,” or “lifetime quality,” you must be wondering: is Solidteknics truly worth the investment?
Short answer: yes. Solidteknics pans are one of the best investments you can make. And not just for the health benefits. When you compare performance, longevity, and even cost, Solidteknics pans consistently beat conventional non-stick brands—including big names like Tefal.
Most non-stick pans wear out and become unsafe within a few years, meaning you’ll buy the same pan over and over again. But a Solidteknics pan is made to last forever. Truly—one pan designed to be multi-generational.
And when you look at the numbers, the lifetime value becomes obvious: a 26cm Solidteknics Quenched pan actually ends up cheaper over time than both budget and premium Tefal non-stick pans. Check the maths below that shows after 3-5 years Solidteknics is already the better financial choice—before you even factor in the health and performance advantages.
1. One piece of seamless, indestructible wrought iron
Unlike cast iron (which is molten and poured) or stainless steel (often layered and riveted), Solidteknics pans are shaped from a single sheet of Australian iron.
No rivets. No screws. No joins. No weak points. Nothing to warp, crack, loosen, or break.
This makes Solidteknics:
- stronger than cast iron
- half the weight of traditional cast iron
- more durable than stainless steel cookware with rivets that eventually loosen
- virtually unbreakable
Comparison between wrought iron and cast iron
Q: How heavy are Solidteknics pans?
A: Solidteknics pans are heavier than a premium non-stick pan, but much lighter than traditional cast iron.
For example:
- Tefal Ultimate Non-Stick 26cm Frypan: 1.06 kg
- Solidteknics AUS-ION 26cm Frypan: 1.6 kg
That’s only about 500g heavier — roughly the weight of a small block of butter — while offering lifetime durability.
2. A natural, chemical-free non-stick surface that you control
Most non-stick pans rely on synthetic fluorochemical coatings (PTFE/Teflon™ and other PFAS). As you can learn in our article here, these coatings degrade over time, wear off, and can release harmful chemicals when overheated.
Solidteknics uses none of them.
Instead, their pans create a natural non-stick surface through "seasoning"—a thin, carbonised layer of cooking oil that bonds to the iron. Applied by you, so you always known exactly what is in the coating. Now, that's transparency!
Benefits:
- completely PFAS-free
- nothing synthetic to scratch or flake off
- the non-stick gets better with every use
- you know exactly what your pan is coated with
- if the pan loses "non-stickability", simply top up the seasoning
With the AUS-ION Quenched finish, the pans arrive pre-seasoned with rice bran oil—ready to cook straight out of the box. Before using your pan the first time, be sure to check out how to season and care for Solidteknics.
3. Designed to improve over time, not decline
As we're sure you have experienced, synthetic non-stick pans wear with use, and some even buckle from the heat and never sit flat again!
Solidteknics pans get better with age. The more you cook, the stronger and smoother the natural seasoning becomes.
Think of it as the difference between disposable and heirloom.
4. Superior performance: from stovetop to oven to campfire
Solidteknics pans are incredibly versatile. One pan can even replace multiple pieces of cookware. Suitable for use on:
- induction
- gas
- electric
- ceramic
- BBQ & pizza oven
- campfire
- oven, including high heat
The wrought iron construction makes them:
- highly conductive
- stable on any cooking surface
- capable of searing at very high temperatures
- excellent for roasting, frying, sautéing, baking and more
5. Genuinely sustainable cookware
Most non stick fry pans and baking trays end up in landfill within one to five years. Solidteknics is the opposite.
- No coatings to fail.
- No rivets to break.
- No plastic.
- No chemicals.
- Made from a single material that is infinitely recyclable (though you’ll never need to).
Buying one Solidteknics pan can replace the waste of dozens of disposable non-stick pans over a lifetime.
6. 100% Australian made
In a world of mass-produced imports, Solidteknics is proudly:
- designed by an Australia engineer and made in Australia
- using Australian iron
- by a small, innovative team
- supporting manufacturing jobs
For many customers, this alone is a compelling reason to choose this range.
7. Recommended by chefs & health experts
Because the pans contain no synthetic coatings, no PFAS, and no questionable compounds, they’re frequently recommended as a healthier alternative by:
- chefs
- nutritionists
- wellness practitioners
- toxin-aware households
- the Biome team!
8. Lower cost of ownership
On top of all those functional and wellbeing reasons, the value stacks up too. The wisdom of buying quality that lasts has been famously shared, and we agree!
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." — Benjamin Franklin / Sir Henry Royce
"Buy less. Choose well. Make it last." — Vivienne Westwood.
"Price is what you pay, value is what you get." — Warren Buffett.
| Time Horizon | Tefal Simply Clean (replace ~ 1.5 yrs) |
Tefal Ultimate (Titanium) (replace ~ 3 yrs) |
Solidteknics Quenched (lifetime) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | $239.80 (≈4 pans) | $259.98 (≈2 pans) | $219.95 (1 pan) |
| 10 years | $419.65 (≈7 pans) | $519.96 (≈4 pans) | $219.95 (1 pan) |
| 20 years | $839.30 (≈14 pans) | $909.93 (≈7 pans) | $219.95 (1 pan) |
So, if you plan to cook for 3+ years, Solidteknics is already the better value than premium Tefal non-stick. Beyond ~4.5 years, it also beats budget non-stick on total cost.
Why not just buy a “safer” non-stick pan?
Because even “PFOA-free” still relies on synthetic coatings that:
- are not proven to be safe (unfortunately manufacturers use them until they are proven unsafe 😩)
- degrade, scratch, lose performance
- end up in landfill
- require replacement
⚠️ Myth-Busting: The “PTFE Is Safe” Claim
Tefal claims PTFE is “safe” because regulators have historically classified intact PTFE as non-toxic at normal temperatures. But this ignores real-world use in your kitchen. When scratched or overheated above 260°C, PTFE can release fumes and particles, and as a PFAS chemical, it is part of the same family now being banned internationally due to environmental persistence and health concerns. The claim of “no danger” is technically narrow—and misleading for everyday consumers.
Final verdict: Yes — Solidteknics pans are absolutely worth it
Solidteknics pans are engineered to last generations, perform beautifully, and remove harmful chemicals from your kitchen. If you want healthy, durable, Australian-made cookware that improves with time instead of wearing out, Solidteknics is one of the best investments you can make for your home.
FAQ's
Q: What oil can I season the pan with?
A: Rice bran oil for best results, though any cooking oil or fat with a high smoke point can work well, such as grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, canola oil, lard etc. Olive oil is not good for seasoning due to its low smoke point.
Q: Do the handles of Solidteknics pans get hot?
A: The long handles are especially designed to not hold too much heat when used on a stove top. However, always take care depending on how your pan is positioned on the stove and of course when removing from the oven.
Q: What is the most popular size pan?
A: The two most popular are the 26cm and the 30cm Frying Pan, also known as a Skillet.
Check out all the 5-star reviews for the range on the Biome website under any Solidteknics product.
