While I do use nonstick bakeware it has been years since I gave up on nonstick pots and pans preferring instead to use stainless steel or cast iron. Nonstick especially Teflon® has come under fire because of possible off gassing that can cause respiratory and other health problems. Other than two fry pans I gave up on nonstick for pots and pans well before those warnings ever came out. However as a home cook who loves to cook I like having a couple of nonstick frypans in different sizes. Nonstick reduces the need for oil and gives excellent results for certain foods like eggs.
Here's where I ran into a problem. Back when I got rid of my nonstick I bought 2 nice Lagostina International fry pans on sale but they weren't cheap! I looked after them too with not using metal tools in them and always hand washing. The larger one failed after a couple of years of use so I replaced it with another that also failed. My husband brought home a KitchenAid nonstick frypan (~ $60) to replace the Lagostina. Despite careful care the other day I was to the point of being tempted to get out a piece of steel wool. I was very disappointed as KitchenAid is one of my favourite brands. That fry pan is not even a full 2 years old! It has never been in the dishwasher or had metal utensils in it nor has it been abused by using high temperatures yet the coating failed!
A couple of months ago I bought a 12" commercial grade nonstick fry pan from Sam's Club to replace the last Lagostina. This was a heavy-guage, aluminum frypan with cast stainless steel handle (with removable silicone grip) and Eclipse® nonstick coating. The frypan is NSF certified as well. It cost me about $20 but the frypan is quite heavy and so far has performed as expected to the point I bought another one last night. It was a 10" frypan for $15.64. For less than the replacement cost of one KitchenAid I ended up with 2 heavy duty, commercial grade nonstick frypans. Hopefully that will be the last of having to replace them!
Garden Gnome
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