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As a lifelong home chef who started learning at the age of four, I like to think I'm skilled in the kitchen. I ran a (somewhat) successful food blog for a few years, and many people have said I should try out for one of those competitive cooking shows after tasting my food. And yet, I still turn my burners too high, deal with food sticking to the pan, and seem to scratch anything nonstick from 10 feet away.
Despite what many ads would have you believe, the right cookware will not solve all these issues. But when I cooked my first meal in a Great Jones fry pan, I remembered that good cookware does help. A lot.
Great Jones and other modern brands selling chic products at affordable prices always catch my eye. As a millennial home chef, it's tough to find cute cookware and bakeware in my budget, especially if I want it to last. But Great Jones cookware answers the need with fun colors, Insta-worthy aesthetics, and quality that stands up to life.
If you’ve spent much time on the home cook side of social media, you’ve probably even seen some Great Jones products. For example, The Dutchess (the Great Jones cast iron Dutch oven) was trending for a while, especially with Instagram influencers. At $160, this enameled cast iron pot is about half the cost of a Dutch Oven from premium, legacy brands like Le Creuset’s and All-Clad, but the Great Jones version is reported to work just as well. And the same can be said for their Holy Sheet pan, Big Deal Stockpot, and many other products, too.
It’s not easy to find nonstick cookware that’s dishwasher safe, oven-safe, and scratch-resistant, especially at accessible prices. So it's no wonder these products were trending!
Great Jones nonstick cookware is free from harmful chemicals like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).
More importantly, though, Great Jones nonstick cookware is free from harmful chemicals like PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). PTFE and PFOA are some of the many dangerous substances used in classic nonstick pans. And as the daughter of a stage-four cancer survivor, I don't mess with hazardous chemicals, and I love that Great Jones doesn't either.
On a lighter note, I also appreciated their no-fuss unboxing experience. My Great Jones cookware arrived on my doorstep in two colorful boxes with "your ware is here" across the front. I was instantly excited and rushed inside to open them.
Inside, I found simple, effective cardboard packaging to keep the products safe, but no more than needed. In addition, the interior of both boxes featured lovely artwork, adding style without more things to recycle or throw away. They were so sturdy and efficient that I saved them as packing boxes for small items during my next move.
The Fry Family includes both best-selling nonstick skillets from Great Jones, the Large Fry (10 ¼” diameter) and the Small Fry (8 ¼” diameter). These skillets feature a stainless-steel exterior with a nonstick ceramic interior.
The nonstick interior features a nontoxic German ceramic coating that's better for your health and the planet than traditional coatings. Thankfully, this coating is free from harmful chemicals and Teflon materials, so you can rest assured that you and your loved ones are safe.
These skillets are "fully clad," which means they're built with layers of bonded metals which helps to increase durability. In this case, the skillets feature an aluminum core, which promotes quick and even cooking. In addition, they feature the signature Great Jones handle, which is ergonomic and stays cool while cooking to prevent burns. The Fry Family is completely oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and it also works on induction stovetops.
Since receiving these skillets, I've used them several times. I've sauteed mushrooms to crisp perfection and made a small batch of oh-so-sweet caramelized onions in the Small Fry. And in the Large Fry, I've cooked wontons, tofu, potatoes, breakfast burritos, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more.
The Large Fry quickly became my go-to skillet, but I also adore my Small Fry. These two beauties allow me to multitask any meal without cluttering the stovetop too much.
The Large Fry quickly became my go-to skillet, but I also adore my Small Fry. These two beauties allow me to multitask any meal without cluttering the stovetop too much. And since I can put them in the dishwasher, they're a snap to clean. Both pans heat up fast on my electric stovetop and, if the browning patterns are to be believed, the heating is even.
I'm delighted to report that nothing burned or stuck even with my tendency to use too much heat and not enough oil. The nonstick surface is super slick and improved my cooking process. In addition, the handles seem well-balanced, and they never even got close to hot, which I credit to the Great Jones U-shaped handle.
Overall, I highly recommend the Fry Family for any home chef. I have a feeling that these skillets will provide years of happiness, and it's a steal at $125 for the pair.
The Hot Dish is a 9"x13" stoneware casserole dish that's ready for anything from lasagna to brownies to a small holiday roast. It comes in three self-explanatory colors: broccoli, blueberry, and mustard. And it has an eye-catching pattern that makes any meal look a bit more appetizing.
Unlike many handle-free casserole dishes, the Hot Dish features the signature oversized handles made famous by The Dutchess. The handles are designed to be easy to grab confidently with oven mitts using all four fingers. In other words, no more worrying about dropping that beautiful meal you spent time and money preparing because now you can actually grip your casserole dish. And it’s microwave-safe, so you can quickly heat leftovers.
The Hot Dish weighs a hefty five pounds, giving it a sturdy appeal. The stoneware ceramic material can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It's designed to conduct heat evenly and slowly for a gentle bake, and it is dishwasher-friendly for stress-free cleanup. Additionally, the Hot Dish can double as a roasting pan and cook meals large enough for the whole family. And you can do it all while using minimal oil.
The moment I removed the Hot Dish from the box, I was in love.
The moment I removed the Hot Dish from the box, I was in love. I appreciate the weight (though at five pounds, I'm glad it has handles!) and love the design on this workhorse. And it proved equally perfect for a large eggplant lasagna and a double batch of brownies.
Cleanup was way easier than I expected, especially with the lasagna, which I finished in the broiler to crisp the cheese a bit. Everything that was stuck on wiped right off after soaking for a few minutes, and it looked like new when I pulled it out of the dishwasher. The same was true for the brownies, but I'm pretty thorough with cleaning out the pan with a spoon before it ever reaches the sink.
Nothing burnt and, while I didn’t pop the pan in the microwave, I love that it’s microwave-safe for leftovers. In addition, the Hot Dish is multifunctional, big enough to feed a group, and makes me feel safe with spacious handles. As you might have guessed, I have zero complaints.
I'd recommend the Hot Dish to anyone looking for a reliable baking pan that will last. At $75, it's half the price of comparable stoneware options, and you'll never want another casserole dish without handles again.
Great Jones launched in 2018 to make chic, affordable cookware more accessible to the home cook. It was co-founded by childhood friends Maddy Moelis and Sierra Tishgart in New York, and the brand has grown exponentially since that first year.
The brand name, Great Jones, pays homage to the late food writer Judith Jones, a world-famous cookbook author, and editor. Judith Jones published the work of greats like James Beard, Edna Lewis, Julia Child, and many more. Unfortunately, Jones passed away in 2017, a year before the company launched.
The mission behind Great Jones is to help home cooks feel equipped and empowered to cook more frequently. And they do so with PTFE- and PFOA-free cookware, which protects you and your family from harmful chemicals and lasting adverse effects. Their cookware is also dishwasher friendly, allowing you to spend time focusing on the things that matter.
Great Jones is a cookware company that emphasizes customer care and support. The brand also hosts a helpful blog with countless cooking tips and recipes from professional chefs, helping you cook delicious meals every time.
“We hope Great Jones makes you feel equipped and empowered to cook more frequently and confidently,” said co-founder Sierra Tishgart. “If you need help figuring out what it takes to roast a chicken, or you simply can't decide what to cook after a long day, we’re here.”
My experience with Great Jones has been nothing but positive. As a quality cookware brand, I can say that the products I own are excellent, performing as well as more expensive brands I’ve used. And as for accessibility, their prices are around half of what competitors charge for similar cookware, which you just can’t argue with.
It has been a positive experience at every step, from the quality performance of the products to the chic styling and reasonable prices. So safe to say, I'd recommend Great Jones to any home chef who wants to improve their cooking without spending big money.
Alongside the Fry Family and Hot Dish, Great Jones also offers products like:
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