I bought an All Clad frying pan, I think it was about $200 . I used it a lot, I noticed that food was sticking, as if the non-stick surface was worn off. I took it back to the store where I bought it, they gave me a brand-new one. About a year later I noticed the exact same thing. I brought it back again. This time the store employee asked me "Did you put it in the dishwasher?" Yes. Well, there you go, that voids your warranty, you're supposed to hand wash it. Did I feel like a dummy! I wrecked them both myself!

I never put mine in the dishwasher, not do I use Pam or any other spray. Prefer butter, or oil in needed like hashbrowns. But I find that the T-Fal seems to last longer.

I just threw one out last nite after having it for 20 years.
The coating was starting to peel off.

I always use the little plastic scouring pads, if it needs it, but they so seldom do. I didn't know about rubbing oil all around them.
I'll make sure I do that with my others.

I'm not replacing it with a new non-stick. I like the stainless pans, but eggs and pancakes need non-stick.

I won't use non-stick pans. The coating (teflon) is a major carcinogen, a fact Dupont hid from the public for many years. Fortunately, the information is starting to get to the public just how very dangerous the stuff is. It should NEVER be used for eating utensils. If you knew the kind of protection those who work with it have to use (and they still have a very high incidence of health problems and birth defects), and how many hundreds of millions of $$$ of claims Dupont has had to settle just for the people who live in the vicinity of their teflon plant, you'd NEVER touch the stuff.

I only cook in well-seasoned cast iron or stainless steel. Eggs and pancakes DO NOT stick in either. Of course, when using stainless, it has to be used properly--the pan has to be hot BEFORE you add the fat you'll be using. If you do that--as Jeff Smith used to say--"Hot pan, cold oil; food won't stick" you'll find you can cook either eggs or pancakes easily--and more safely--in stainless. Of course, it's a given that you NEVER use cooking sprays--they leave a residue that will cause sticking at some point in the future.

When I make pancakes, I use vegetable oil in my cast iron frying pan. They never stick. Fried eggs fry perfectly in a stainless steel frying pan if you don't have the heat turned up too high and don't use too much butter, just enough to coat the pan. I refuse to use teflon pans for the very reason azzalea mentions. I've known for years and years how unhealthy it is. As are aluminum pots and pans. I have a set of Jamie Oliver pots and pans and love them.

I have never been satisfied with any of the nonstick stuff until about 2 years ago.I bought the Green Pan from HSN and love it.You can use metal utensils in it which is a problem I have with non stick stuff.I hate the plastic utensils! The Green stuff is wonderful.I first bought the gourmet Open grill Pan when it first came out,then ended up getting a whole set.This stuff is truly as good as they say it is. I would love a set of the new copper finish.It will scratch over time,especially if you use metal utensils and aren't real careful,which I'm not always.But,it doesn't flake off like other non stick finishes and the scratches don't seem to affect the performance.It will withstand very high heat and any of the pieces can be used in the oven.

Here is a link that might be useful: Green Pan with Thermalon

Me, too, azzalea and debby. I already lost one kidney to cancer, and I'm not about to give up another one if I can help it! Who knows what caused it, but I used to use Teflon-and so did my Dad. No more.

Dumb question here....... Be prepared.....

How do I know if pans are aluminum or stainless? Just by the weight??