The cheapest smooth-bottom non-stick pans I can get at Ikea or Walmart.

The coating will eventually get ruined no matter how careful I am with them, so I figure I'll start at the bottom, where it's cheap, and work down from there.

If I damage one, I really don't care.

I've had the current set from Ikea, came in a set of two, 6" and 8", I think for less than $10.

The 8" is starting to get a little scratched up, so I figure I'll chuck it soon and replace it.

My Ikea non-stick frying pan has been a real reliable, tough workhorse. Best $15 I ever spent.

I used to go to Marshall's or TJ Maxx and get an 8-inch skillet for less than $20. Get the heaviest one you can find. I was very careful with mine, only used plastic utensils in it, didn't put it over high heat..... but..... eventually they still got scratched up. So now I use my well seasoned cast iron pans that are decades old. No more throw away pans!

Like Teresa, my favorite non-stick is cast iron that is decades old. However, not everyone has that or can get it in less than 20 years. (grin)

I think Cook's Illustrated liked the Farberware Millenium...not that I EVER agree with Cook's Illustrated about anything!

Annie

I would like to use cast iron but the bottoms are too rough for glass top stoves.
I get mine from Tj Maxx, just bought one yesterday for 15 and it is heavy.

I use a lot of non-stick, in many different brands. The best so far: Circulon 2.

I've given up on non-stick. For years I thought I wasn't careful enough or that I bought the wrong brand. Now I know it is impossible to keep it in good condition.

Jim

In addition to the Tuesday Morning/TJMaxx/Homegoods recommendations, look at what your local restaurant supply store has. I've got several smaller non-stick skillets (one may be Vollrath, I can't recall) that have held up well for the past 10+ years.

Personally, I like Cuisinart Multiclad NS, old TFal, cast iron and Magnalite Pro (not NS). I've got a ton of cookware and use it all.

I buy the set from Sam's Club now. Use and abuse them, put them in the DW and replace them once they have served thier time and purpose.

David

We got the three-piece set at Costco, good for a couple of years for under $20. Probably the same as David got at Sam's Club. Tramontina brand, maybe?

Because I am not strong enough to flip an egg in a cast iron pan, I also buy the non stick from the reatraunt supply...or TJ's
Linda C

I use my vintage cast iron on my glass top stove without a problem.

Canadian Tire always has Kitchenaid non-stick pans on sale. So whenever I see them at a good price I pick one up for myself and for Matt. At the moment I have an extra 10 inch that was on sale from 49.00 for $19.00 and a smaller one that was $39.00 for $9.99 put away for when the current one needs replacing.

My beef with non-stick pans is not the surface, I've never had a problem with the non stick surface, but with the finish on the outside of the pan. I find that eventually they always stain no matter how careful I am at cleaning them.

Ann

Cast iron cookware can have rough spots in the casting process. You can easily smooth them out using one of the following:

1. Sharpening stone about #200 grit to #600 grit.

2. silicone carbide sandpaper or emery cloth sandpaper.

3. Fine-tooth metal file.

dcarch