Viking PureGlide Pro Still Looks New But Doesn't Cook Like New

Viking PureGlide Pro Review

Main Features

• Three-ply, fully clad construction: an induction-compatible stainless-steel exterior, an aluminum core, and a stainless-steel interior coated with a plasma-sprayed titanium-and-silica-oxide surface.
• Made in China by Clipper Corporation for Viking, under a business agreement dating to 2014.
• Safe for metal utensils and rated for oven and broiler use up to 600°F. Unlike PTFE cookware, overheating it is not expected to release toxic fumes, though the pan could discolor or warp.
• Not dishwasher-safe and not intended to be cleaned with an abrasive green Scotch-Brite pad.
• The reviewer reports a typical price of about $170, with sales sometimes bringing it down to about $100. No formal rating or score was given.

What It Was Like to Use

• The pan was very nonstick when new, and both the reviewer and his partner enjoyed cooking with it.
• They both noticed its stick resistance gradually decline over the first few months. The manufacturer’s president said some silica oxide can loosen and disappear with use, reducing the pan’s initial release.
• The reviewer’s theory is that the sprayed surface has microscopic peaks and valleys. He suggests that silica oxide initially helps with release, while cooking oils may gradually fill the valleys in a way similar to seasoning. This is the reviewer’s hypothesis, not a confirmed explanation.
• The manufacturer’s representative recommended boiling water and scrubbing with a stiff brush if buildup reduces the pan’s release. The reviewer tried deep cleaning; it restored some performance, but the pan still seemed less nonstick than when new. He considers that loss permanent.
• In an accidental boil-dry incident, the pan suffered no lasting damage. Carbonized oil on the sides came off with Bar Keepers Friend.

Comparisons and Tests

• Stainless steel: The reviewer compared the pans using tofu, crêpes, polenta, and pancakes. The PureGlide sometimes released food more easily, but the difference was small, especially after the stainless-steel pan had been thoroughly cleaned. The reviewer notes that stainless steel can perform well with proper preheating and technique.
• He did not test eggs, meat, or fish because those foods conflict with his household’s values.
• Cast iron and carbon steel: With appropriate technique, he feels these pans can deliver roughly comparable cooking performance. He enjoys their maintenance, so he is not replacing them with the PureGlide.
• PTFE and ceramic nonstick: The PureGlide avoids the reviewer’s concerns about PTFE fumes and the short lifespan he associates with ceramic pans, but its nonstick performance also diminishes.
• HexClad: The reviewer argues that its exposed stainless-steel sections can stick and says the underlying nonstick layer may fail or peel. He rejects its claim of cast-iron-like durability.
• Our Place Always Pan Pro: He describes it as a different design with a solid titanium cooking surface and says he would like to try it.

Pros

• Convenient and confidence-inspiring for someone who dislikes seasoning, careful cleaning, or stainless steel’s tendency to stick.
• Safe for metal utensils, induction-compatible, and suitable for high oven temperatures.
• No PTFE-related fume concern if accidentally overheated.
• Deep cleaning can recover some lost release, and the pan survived an accidental boil-dry.

Cons

• Stick resistance declined within months, and deep cleaning did not restore the pan’s new performance.
• Its advantage over well-cleaned stainless steel was modest in the reviewer’s tests.
• The hollow, U-shaped handle concentrated pressure on the reviewer’s finger, leaving a bruise; he found it uncomfortable.
• Long-term durability remains uncertain: the product had been on the market for only about a year, so there were no reports covering years or decades of use.
• At its usual price, the reviewer did not think it worthwhile for people who already own stainless-steel, cast-iron, or carbon-steel cookware.

Verdict

The reviewer does not consider the PureGlide Pro a nonstick “holy grail.” He sees it as a good option for people who dislike stainless steel, seasoning, or regularly replacing PTFE and ceramic pans—but not a compelling upgrade for someone already happy with stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel. Its long-term lifespan remains unknown.

Different Perspectives in the Video

• Reviewer: Appreciated the pan’s convenience but was disappointed by the decline in release, the small performance gap over clean stainless steel, and the uncomfortable handle.
• Reviewer’s partner: Found it appealing because she dislikes cast-iron and carbon-steel maintenance, finds stainless steel difficult to cook on, and has concerns about PTFE and ceramic pans. In the pancake test, she thought the stainless-steel pan performed better that day, though she noted that technique and pan cleanliness affected the result.
• Manufacturer’s representative, as quoted by the reviewer: Said the surface is made with titanium and silica oxide, advised against intentionally seasoning the pan, and suggested that silica oxide loss and residue buildup can affect release.