I've put frying pans in checked luggage (along with wine glasses: not one broke), though Al/stainless steel. I had no problems, the TSA didn't even open my bag. That certainly surprised me.

OTOH, I would hesitate to check anything of serious sentimental value. The only things that should be checked are those that you wouldn't feel bad about trading for a few hundred bucks. That's the test for "checkability"; I'm not saying you'll get a few hundred bucks for a lost bag.

Edit: Looks like I'm a bit late in posting (as far as the OP is concerned).