For ease of cooking, I have to say that the traditional non stick cooking surface, whether Teflon or its equivalent, is an amazing invention, particularly for the amateur chef.

I know a Top Chef who admits to using non-stick frying pans all the time because they are so convenient. However, some drawbacks to traditional non-stick have emerged in recent years.

Teflon (or its equivalent, using the same PTFE compound) is the best known non-stick surface. It has very low friction and high heat resistance and it is the low friction that gives it its "non stick" or sliding abilities.

This is excellent for reducing the amount of oil you need to use when cooking and eases cleaning because so much less food residue is left on the pan.

However, in 2005 US Environmental Protection Agency found that the chemical compound, PTFE used in making Teflon was a "likely carcinogen." This has raised concerns regarding its safe use as a cooking surface.

On a positive note, new "non stick" technologies have emerged such as that used in our "Gastrolux" range which avoid the use of PTFE and quality non stick brands such as SKK Premium Plus which ensure that the harmful component of PTFE, PFOA (Perfluoroctanoic acid) does not remain in the pan's surface.

The key issue when using Teflon or other PTFE based non-stick surfaces which contain PFOA is NOT to heat the cookware above 235 degrees centigrade. At this temperature, the non-stick begins to deteriorate and the gas given off many believe can be poisonous to humans.

You need to compare this to the smoke given off by oils and butter at this temperature, which are also not particularly good for your health.

Cheap non stick pans can be easily scratched by sharp or stainless steel tools and can chip with time.(This is why it is best to use wooden, plastic or silicone utensils).

We advise, therefore, that if you do use a traditional non-stick pan, use a good quality one with a thicker, more durable surface. You should also never over heat the pan.

I have to admit, that despite the health warnings, I use a non stick pan all the time because they are so convenient.

All our non-stick frying pan brands are good quality pans - you can choose from different base materials, such as aluminium or stainless steel. Just use the left hand navigation - frying pans, sauté pans, woks etc have their non stick collections..

Non stick and different pan bases.

Cast Aluminium with traditional non stick - brands such as Berndes Cast Aluminium and Titanium Special Edition have extra thick traditional non-stick coatings on a cast aluminium base. They fit the category of a good quality, traditional non-stick pan.

SKK Premium Plus is an excellent quality cast aluminium pan with highly durable non stick. In addition, SKK confirm that the harmful component of PTFE, PFOA, is not present in the pans. Probably the best of the bunch, in my view.

Cast Aluminium with special coatings and traditional non stick . Some pans such as Scanpan or AMT Gastroguss have an added titanium coating before the non stick layer because this increases the bonding of the non stick to the base, so reducing the risk of peeling and cracking.

Swiss Diamond, has a nano-composite extra thick layer of traditional PTFE non-stick AND diamond crystals which they claim is 25% better than titanium at giving a lifetime of smooth non-stick surface. The quantity of PTFE used is small compared to other non stick pans and they confirm that

Non stick WITHOUT Teflon or PTFE A revolutionary new pan (well, new to the UK! ) called Gastrolux has a new surface called Biotan which is a titanium ceramic coating based on the "non stick" properties of plants. As with a rain drop on a leaf, the moisture forms pearls on the top of the pan surface and can roll off easily. It has NO PTFE or PFOA at all.

Gastrolux are at pains to distance themselves from the label "non stick" as they want to be disassociated from Teflon. Their non stick has none of PTFE's potentially carcinogenic qualities and also works FAT FREE. Well worth trying out.

NB Hard anodised pans, like Calphalon One Infused Anodised, are not strictly "non-stick" but rather "stick resistant". Basically, the aluminium base is infused with oxygen and becomes hard and ultra smooth as an advanced release polymer penetrates into the pores of the pan base. This creates the stick resistant surface. Like Gastrolux this is a non Teflon option.