Whether you're starting from scratch and finally ditching that peeling coated junk, or adding a few more Solid heroes to your forever collection, this quick guide will help you choose the right Solidteknics cookware with confidence.
And while there are no hard and fast rules (AUS-ION™ and nöni™ work brilliantly together and both can handle just about anything), this guide is here to simply help you narrow the choices so you find your groove faster.
What should you consider when choosing a pan?
The four things that matter most are material, what you cook most, the size you reach for, and your budget.
Before you add anything to cart, ask yourself:
- Material: which suits you best — iron or stainless steel?
- Cooking style: what foods do you cook most?
- Size: what size do you reach for most often?
- Budget: what are you comfortable spending?
What makes Solidteknics cookware different?
Both AUS-ION™ and nöni™ are Australian-made, seamless one-piece pans with no synthetic coatings, built to last for generations.
- Wrought from a single seamless sheet — no rivets, no welds
- No synthetic coatings, so they're PFAS-free and won't flake or peel
- Backed by a multi-century warranty
- Work on all heat sources, including induction
Step 1: Which material suits you?
AUS-ION™ wrought iron
AUS-ION™ is your solid iron cooking powerhouse. It cooks and seasons like cast iron, but is more robust, lighter, and more conductive. The more you cook with fats and oils, the more your patina (natural seasoning) develops, building a non-toxic, forever-renewable surface that becomes more forgiving with every cook.
Best for: everyday frying, baking and roasting — eggs, pancakes, baking bread, fried rice, frittatas, steaks, veggies and all the golden, crispy things.
nöni™ stainless steel
nöni™ is our low-maintenance, non-nickel culinary star. It requires no seasoning, and is dishwasher safe. It's perfect for cooking acidic sauces, wet foods, and slow-cooked meals. It's also a brilliant all-rounder for frying and baking — and with the right balance of heat and fats/oils, you can achieve great non-stick results too.
Best for: pasta, steamed/boiled veggies, sauces, curries, soups, stocks, paella, risotto, casseroles and more!
How do you clean AUS-ION™ and nöni™ differently?
AUS-ION™ needs hand washing and thorough drying; nöni™ is dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended.
- AUS-ION™: avoid soaking, and dry thoroughly after washing. Avoid acidic foods while your seasoning is still developing. See our use & care guide.
- nöni™: easy to clean and dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended.
Step 2: Which pan suits what you cook most?
If you mostly fry, sauté, bake and roast, start with AUS-ION™. If you cook a lot of wet, saucy or acidic meals, you'll likely reach for nöni™ more often.
- Frying, sautéing, baking and roasting → start with AUS-ION™
- Wet, saucy or acidic meals (like tomato-based dishes) → reach for nöni™
Step 3: What size pan should you choose?
A 26cm pan suits 2–4 people and is our bestselling size; go 30/31cm for 4+ people, or 20/22cm for solo cooking and sides.
Step 4: Which range suits your budget?
Equivalent AUS-ION™ pans are often a little less expensive than nöni™, but both are multi-century durable and suit all heat sources.
Remember, there are no hard rules. AUS-ION™ and nöni™ work brilliantly together, and we recommend building your collection with pieces from both ranges for ultimate versatility.
Now start building your forever collection!
Start with one hero pan, or get the best of both ranges in a set.
Shop cookware sets → · Shop AUS-ION™ · Shop nöni™
FAQ
Can you cook acidic foods like tomato in a wrought iron pan?
You can once the seasoning has developed. It's best to avoid acidic foods in AUS-ION™ wrought iron while the seasoning is still developing. nöni™ stainless steel is ideal for acidic sauces like tomato.
Is nöni™ stainless steel dishwasher safe?
Yes. nöni™ is dishwasher safe, though hand washing is recommended. AUS-ION™ wrought iron should be hand washed and dried thoroughly.
What size frying pan should I buy?
For most households, a 26cm pan is the best start — it suits 2–4 people. Choose 30/31cm for 4+ people, or 20/22cm for solo cooking and sides.
Do Solidteknics pans work on induction?
Yes. Both AUS-ION™ and nöni™ work on all heat sources, including induction.
