Silicone Coating

• Rubbery silicone surfaces and silicone coating are inexpensive, keep food from sticking and are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. They are made almost exclusively for bakeware, as the material is not formulated to withstand the high heat of stove-top cooking.

Single-Layer PTFE

• The least expensive form of non-stick pan has a single layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sprayed onto the cooking surface. While they do well in preventing food from sticking, these pans scratch easily, and their reduced durability is reflected in their price.

Double-Layer PTFE

• More expensive than pans coated with a single layer of PTFE are those coated with a double layer. A sealing layer is added to help the non-stick coating better adhere to the base material. These pans are also more resistant to scratching and peeling, which increases their durability and cost.

Multiple-Layer PTFE

• A three-layer coating increases the adhesion of each layer to the layer below it and also increases the durability of the non-stick surface. In addition to the multiple layers of non-stick coating, different types of reinforcements can be added to further raise the durability of the cookware as well as the cost.

Cast Iron

• Cast iron is heavy, not dishwasher-safe and requires occasional seasoning to maintain its non-stick surface. Also, using oil is generally recommended, so the product lacks some of the low-fat benefit of other non-stick cookware. However, users of cast iron swear by it for the evenness with which it cooks and for its superior durability.