Unfortunately the correct answer is the one you don't want to hear. Cast iron seasoned and washed correctly is truly non stick and lasts forever. I have a 14 inch, 12 inch and two 10 inch that I have been using for 40 plus years. The only other non stick I use is a 10 inch copper clad for fried eggs. And that is because the cast iron is just to heavy for me to flip them in the pan. And by only using the copper clad for eggs and using no utensils in it, it to seems to last forever.

Every other kind of clad pan will get almost invisible scratches in the finish and then stuff will stick. If you are very careful, only use wooden utensils, cool before washing, they will last a long time, but eventually the minor invisible scratches happen and then they will not work.


Cast iron I can use any type utensil, drop it, finish all cooking in the oven, plunge it in cold water when it is scalding hot, it is pretty much indestructible. And there is no other pan that I can put on a burner on high heat, leave it for 10 minutes, drop a seasoned steak or delicate scallops into it and get a perfect sear every time. Then finish it in the oven.

If you learn how to care for and cook with cast iron you will never need anything else.

Are Nonstick Pans Safe?

Like it or not, using a well-taken care of cast iron pan (particularly compared to the cheaper non-stick varieties)...is still the way to go. :ho:

YEP! :thumbup:

Nothing like cooking on well seasoned cast iron
When properly maintained virtually stick free ..All I use
Everything else is a gimmick

very topical thread here. We have salmon for dinner about 3x weekly. We both love it and consider it one of the healthiest (and yummiest) meals.

Typically get a pound piece-as thick as possible at either Aldis or Walmart neigh market- fresh,with skin on...and farm raised, normally from Chile.

I prepare the salmon by slicing into 4-5 oz pieces, so 2 dinners for 2 per lb (normally 7.99lb) Dry off each with paper towel, then a drop of olive oil on the non-skin side. A bit of salt on my piece then Mrs Dash and a spinkle of basil.

Have always used a teflon-type pan, but 8mos ago bought a white ceramic pan as the teflon ones seemed to last less than a year before...sticking and very tough to clean.

The ceramic pan started to behave like the old teflon, food sticking etc. OUR MAIN PROBLEM is ELECTRIC COOK TOP (South of 466a). I like to sear the fish or veggies for stir-fry a bit and heat is med-hi. The elec seems to focus hot spot in the center of the pan causing a very hot spot there. So just last week shopped for a new pan - got, at WM, T-fal 12" 'Pro-glide Heat Mastery' Seems to be a thicker pan all around, and hopefully will distribute heat better. Time will tell.

Would love to cook with gas-or propane, and use cast iron, but...no-go.

No one has mentioned Scanpan and they are excellent. I've had two for more than 7 years. Just don't use the sprays on it. The #1 Rated Scanpan Review Professional and Classic Cookware

When we lived in Louisiana, a neighbor, born and raised in that state, taught me how to make roux. She explained that cast iron pans were the only pans to use for practically any kind of cooking.

You can find them in antique shops.

And you can find new ones at Ace or almost any hardware store. And new is fine, just follow the directions for seasoning.

Thanks for posting on the Scanpan. Will definitely try the frying pan. However, I do have a question. What is the finish on the outside of the pan? Most frying pans are stainless or silver metal finish on the outside and I find mine get burned and nasty and can never be cleaned.

Copper Chef wins for us hands down. Wish they would come ot with the pots now !

The bottom on the pan has "ceramic titanium". Not sure exactly what that is or how much of the bottom on the pan is "titanium" but I don't have problems with the metal finish. The only problems I've experience is in using the sprays such as Pam (not needed or good for the finish); and then my husband "soaked" the pan. (He's old school). Neither are good. A quick wash is all that's needed as nothing sticks.

Thanks...............

And here we go.

The first and only time I used a cast-iron skillet on a glass electric cooktop it etched a mark in the glass. So back to the subject.

I don't quite understand. I use my cast iron on electric stovetop with no problem.