I have been reading some posts by Gastroturf who sounds very clued up. Hope I can get advice on non stick pans. I decided to invest in a good one and bought a Stellar non stick fry pan which can also be used in the oven.

I've had this about 2 yrs now and recently noticed pitting on the non stick. I went to a local supplier for advice who told me this was a common problem with the non stick getting too hot. However I have always heated the pan up gradually before putting the food in. I am now wondering if its better to stick to 'stick' pans rather than non stick. Any advice please?

Hi Beebee6

First of all, I recommend you contact Horwood's customer services (who produce Stellar cookware) and explain the problem, and see what they are prepared to do about this pan. Their telephone number is on this link:-

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I have had dealings with them in the past, and I found them to be excellent.

Stellar produce pans with various types of non-stick coatings - I always go for Hard Anodising, because it is about the most durable of the non-stick finishes.

Having said that, I used to use a Hard Anodised frying pan for making 'toad in the hole' and it went into an oven pre-heated to 240c on a regular basis. After a year or so, it started to look slightly the worse for wear, but it was a cheapish pan anyway - btw, it wasn't a Stellar pan.

These days, if I want to use a pan in a very hot oven, then I use a cast-iron frying pan.

Pans made from cast aluminium alloy don't need much in the way of pre-heating. Hard anodised pans will have such a body, as do many Teflon coated pans.

My guess is that your pan has a Teflon non-stick coating, or something similar.

Extended pre-heating, and use in a hot oven, is usually not recommended for Teflon coated pans.

A common problem is that people pre-heat non-stick woks empty, and then find that the non-stick coating flakes or gets pitted.

The best way to use a non-stick pan of any type (including woks) is to wipe the pan with a little oil as soon as the heat is applied, and then either test for sizzle with a little bit of the ingredients to be cooked, or, if a really hot pan is required, wait until the oil just shows signs of smoking.

The only type of pan I would recommend for extended pre-heating dry is a basic cast iron pan that has been seasoned, or a carbon steel/ black iron pan.

If the pan is to be used for frying steak at high temperatures, then I would suggest oiling the steak and not the pan - preferably a cast-iron one.

Stainless Steel pans are more durable than non-stick, but it is still possible to damage a SS pan by extended pre-heating when empty.

Personally, I like to use SS pans for cooking with vinegars or anything highly acidic, or when caramelisation followed by deglazing is required. You can use Hard Anodised pans for this, and some people would say that I'm being over cautious, and they might be right. But when it comes to pans, I take the view that each type of pan has its place on a 'horses for courses' basis.

I never use metal utensils in non-stick pans, even when Hard Anodised and the manufactures say you can. Stainless steel utensils will have an effect on the very best of coatings - which is why Circulon use their ridge system.

Hope this helps?

In summary, I would recommend cast-iron pans for extended pre-heating on the hob or long-term use in ovens over and above gas mark 4 /180c.

For non-stick, I would go for Hard Anodised pans every time - durable and so easy to wash up. ASDA are the cheapest I have seen for HA pans - and they are of good quality. However, I do think it's worth paying a little more to get a lifetime guarantee on the non-stick coating, i.e. the last time I looked at the ASDA HA pans they were about £12, and they come with a 12 month guarantee; whereas the Stellar ones were around £24, but came with a life-time guarantee (see Robert Dyas for latest prices).

I haven't tried 'theromolon' coated pans as yet - but I am very tempted:-

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I would really like to hear from anyone who has used the MPW Thermolon pans?

I'm usually wary of chef-endorsed cookware, but I have to say that I have bought several items that MPW has put his name to, and they have all been excellent.

I would be very interested to hear how you get on with Horwood's customer services?

All the very best.

Thank you very much for your extremely comprehensive reply. I will contact Horwoods. Apologies for getting your name wrong.