Pure Titanium Pro Hammered Pan vs. HexClad Hybrid Pan

By Elise Moreau, Kitchen & Wellness Editor  ·  June 26, 2026  ·  7 min read

Both pans promise the best of two worlds — easy release with serious durability. But they get there in very different ways. One uses a hybrid surface with a non-stick coating; the other uses no coating at all. Here's an honest, side-by-side look to help you choose.

The core difference: coating vs. no coating

HexClad's hybrid design combines raised stainless-steel ridges with a non-stick coating in the laser-etched valleys. That coating is PTFE-based — the same family of non-stick chemistry found in conventional non-stick pans, just protected by the steel peaks.

The Thyra Pure Titanium Pro Hammered Pan takes a different path entirely: no coating. Its hand-hammered pure-titanium surface develops a natural non-stick patina as you cook. There's nothing chemical between your food and the metal — and nothing that can eventually wear off into it.

Side-by-side comparison

Competitor details can change by model and region — always check current specs before buying.

How they compare in real cooking

Everyday release

Out of the box, a coated pan feels slicker. But a seasoned titanium pan closes that gap fast — and keeps improving instead of declining. With HexClad, the non-stick performance is best when new and gradually fades as the coating wears.

Searing & high heat

This is where titanium shines. Because there's no coating to protect, you can take the Thyra pan to a genuinely high sear (up to 548°C) without worrying about fumes or breakdown. Hybrid pans ask you to keep heat moderate to preserve the coating.

Longevity

A coating, however well engineered, has a finite life. Titanium doesn't wear out the same way — if release ever dips, you simply re-season and carry on. That's the difference between a pan you replace and a pan you keep.

Which should you choose?

• Choose Thyra titanium if avoiding coatings and chemicals is a priority, you want maximum heat and longevity, and you like the idea of a pan that improves with age.
• Choose HexClad if you specifically want a hybrid stainless look and are comfortable with a PTFE-based coating and moderate-heat cooking.

The bottom line

HexClad is a clever hybrid, but it still relies on a coating — and any coating has a clock on it. Thyra's Pure Titanium Pro Hammered Pan removes the coating from the equation altogether, giving you a non-toxic surface that handles real heat, takes metal utensils, and lasts a lifetime. If "no coating, ever" is what you're after, the choice is easy.

Frequently asked questions

Does HexClad have a non-stick coating?

Yes. HexClad's hybrid design uses a PTFE-based non-stick coating set into the valleys between raised stainless-steel ridges. Pure titanium pans have no coating at all.

Is titanium or hybrid cookware better for high heat?

Titanium handles higher heat — Thyra's pan is rated to 548°C (1000°F) because there's no coating to protect. Hybrid pans are usually kept to moderate heat to preserve their coating.

Which lasts longer?

Titanium. A coating eventually degrades and the pan is replaced; a titanium surface can simply be re-seasoned and used indefinitely.

Can you use metal utensils on both?

You can use metal utensils on titanium freely. On hybrid pans it's possible thanks to the steel ridges, but care is still advised around the coated areas.

Written by the Thyra Kitchen editorial team. Not sure which pan fits your cooking? Ask us — we'll point you the right way.