Scanpan Ranges Explained: Classic, IQ, HaptIQ, CS+ and More

Scanpan's Australian range chart lists twenty-one cookware ranges, and the names say very little about how they differ. The chart itself does. Every non-stick range is made from recycled aluminium in Denmark, every stainless range is made in China, the Black Iron carbon-steel pan is made in Taiwan, and all of them carry a 10-year warranty.

The Classic is the only range on the chart that does not work on an induction cooktop. Classic Induction is the version that does.

The ranges at a glance

All figures are from Scanpan's range chart. The ranges marked * are the ones Scanpan lists as suitable for cooktops with "inferior induction technology". Scanpan rates every range as safe with metal utensils, and every range except Black Iron as dishwasher safe, though it recommends washing by hand.

Classic and Classic Induction

Both use the Stratanium coating on a cast recycled-aluminium body, with a Bakelite handle and an oven rating of 250°C. On the chart they are the same pan in every respect except induction.

A 28cm Classic Induction pan is in the $200–250 range on Amazon. The 28cm Classic, for gas and electric cooktops only, is in the $100–150 range, and Temple & Webster sells the Classic as a 20cm and 28cm pair.

Amazon owner reviews of the Classic praise the non-stick and how easily it cleans. The complaint that comes up is durability: some owners report the handle breaking within six months.

What We Like:

• Oven-safe to 250°C
• Rated safe with metal utensils
• Made in Denmark

What We Don't Like:

• The Classic doesn't work on induction
• Handle breakages in owner reviews

The stainless-handled non-stick ranges

Five ranges step up to the Stratanium Plus coating and replace the Bakelite handle with a stainless steel one. TechnIQ and ProS+ keep the cast aluminium body. HaptIQ, CS+ and Pro SB+ have a stainless-clad body, and HaptIQ is the one with a polished stainless exterior.

ProS+

ProS+ is the Stratanium Plus coating and a stainless handle on the plain cast body. A 28cm pan is in the $200–250 range. Scanpan's chart lists no lids for the ProS+ range.

HaptIQ

HaptIQ adds the stainless-clad body and a polished steel exterior. A 28cm pan is in the $200–250 range. Amazon owner reviews rate its non-stick, heat distribution and easy cleaning, and are split on value for money and on how well it lasts.

CS+

CS+ has the same clad body and coating as HaptIQ with a black aluminium exterior instead of polished steel. A 28cm pan is in the $200–250 range.

What We Like:

• Oven-safe to 250°C
• Stainless handles
• All work on induction

What We Don't Like:

• Nearly twice the Classic's price
• Owners split on durability

Sava and Nura

Sava and Nura use Stratanium Leap, the only coating on Scanpan's chart described as PFAS-free. Sava pairs it with the Classic's Bakelite handle and cast body. Nura has the stainless-clad body and a stainless handle, like HaptIQ.

Both are sold through Scanpan's own store. A 28cm Nura pan is in the $300–350 range there and a 28cm Sava is in the $250–300 range. Scanpan's own price for a 28cm Classic is in the $150–200 range.

What We Like:

• PFAS-free coating
• Same 10-year warranty

What We Don't Like:

• Sava costs more than the Classic
• Few owner reviews so far

The stainless ranges

Stainless steel pans are not non-stick. Food releases once the pan is properly preheated and oiled, and in exchange they take high heat, metal utensils and scouring without a coating to wear out.

Scanpan's stainless ranges divide by how the aluminium or copper is built in:

• Impact, Satin, STS and Coppernox are single-ply stainless steel with a bonded base that has an aluminium core, or a copper core in Coppernox. The heat spreads through the base, and the thin steel sides stay cooler.
• Clad 5, Elektra, Axis and Maître D Induction are five-ply, so the layers run up the sides as well as across the base.

At Harris Scarfe the 28cm Elektra, Impact and STS pans are all in the $50–100 range, and Temple & Webster sells a five-piece Impact set. STS and Coppernox are oven-safe to 220°C, not the 250°C of the others.

What We Like:

• The cheapest Scanpan pans
• No coating to wear out
• Five-ply options

What We Don't Like:

• Food sticks without preheating and oil
• Single-ply sides on Impact and STS

Black Iron

Black Iron is a spun carbon-steel pan that comes pre-seasoned. It works on induction, goes in the oven above 300°C, and is made in Taiwan. A 30cm pan is in the $100–150 range.

Carbon steel needs looking after the way cast iron does. It is not dishwasher safe, and it should be dried straight after washing and wiped with oil to keep the seasoning and stop rust.

What We Like:

• Above 300°C in the oven
• Works on induction

What We Don't Like:

• Not dishwasher safe
• Needs drying and oiling

Which range suits which cook

The Classic suits a gas or electric cooktop and anyone who wants Scanpan's Danish non-stick at the lowest price. On induction, the same pan is Classic Induction.

ProS+, HaptIQ and CS+ suit cooks who want a stainless handle and the Stratanium Plus coating, and who are happy to pay about twice the Classic's price for them.

Sava and Nura suit anyone who wants a non-stick coating described as PFAS-free. Sava is the Bakelite-handled one and Nura the stainless-clad one.

The stainless ranges suit cooks who want a pan that takes high heat, metal and scouring for years. Impact is the cheapest and the five-ply Elektra costs little more.

Black Iron suits high-heat searing and anyone happy to season a pan.

FAQs

Is Scanpan still made in Denmark?

The non-stick ranges are. Scanpan's chart lists every Stratanium range as made in Denmark, every stainless range as made in China, and Black Iron as made in Taiwan.

Does Scanpan work on induction?

Every range except the Classic works on induction, according to Scanpan's chart. Classic Induction is the induction version of the Classic.

Can Scanpan pans go in the dishwasher?

Scanpan rates every range except Black Iron as dishwasher safe and recommends washing by hand. Black Iron should never go in the dishwasher.

Can you use metal utensils on Scanpan non-stick?

Scanpan's chart rates every range, including the non-stick ones, as safe with metal utensils.

What is Stratanium?

It is Scanpan's name for its non-stick coating. The chart names three versions: Stratanium on the Bakelite-handled ranges, Stratanium Plus on the stainless-handled ones, and Stratanium Leap on Sava and Nura, which is the one it describes as PFAS-free.

How long is the Scanpan warranty?

Ten years, on every range on the chart.