Green Earth Frying Pan 3-Piece Set by Ozeri (8", 10", 12") – 100% PTFE, PFC, APEO, GenX, NMP and NEP-Free German-Made Coating

Updated May 2012 - I wrote the first review in January. After using these pans daily since we received them, I have to say they're still terrific. I know some of the reviews report that the non-stick coating doesn't last, but we haven't had any issues with them. I don't wash the pans. I do wipe them out with a dish towel as soon as I remove food from them, when they're still warm. I keep them seasoned with a small amount of coconut oil. Occasionally, residue builds up on the side of one of the pans. When that happens, I fill the pan with warm water and add an anti-grease dish soap, such as Dawn or Ful-Sol, and let it soak overnight. Then I just rinse it out and dry it with a towel--no scrubbing and no more residue. I season the pan before using it again. I'm very careful not to use metal utensils for cooking; instead, I use silicon, wood, or utentils made specifically for non-stick pans.--------January 2012 - We've been concerned for some time about toxins from traditional non-stick pans. So we invested in high end French cast iron several years ago. They're expensive and heavy, and not as non-stick as we'd hoped. After reading the reviews, we decided to try the 3-Pan set of Green Earth Pans and are delighted we did. As avid Atkins dieters, we eat a lot of protein, particularly eggs and fish. Both brown nicely in the Green Earth pans, and can be cooked with little to no oil or butter. Clean up is simple--just a wipe with a soft cloth or sponge, which we prefer over paper towels. We've been looking at ceramic pans for a while and were careful about investing. Most brands seemed expensive and unproven. The price point with Green Earth was what we were looking for and the Amazon reviews helped us make the decision to buy. It was a good decision, and one we'd make again.

I purchased this set after our 12" one was ruined (completely my fault, I'll explain below). These are my family's go to pans for sauteing and shallow frying (and just about anything else you would do in a frying pan). The non-stick surface on these work extremely well and the bottom of each pan has a small honeycomb-like pattern (which I envision helps with the non-stickyness). As good as these pans are, like any other pan, you have to care for it properly.In a moment of a brain lapse, my original pan (which I had for 3+ years) was accidentally left on the burner for far too long after shallow frying some breaded eggplant. I tried everything to get the resulting scorched oil off, but to no success.I have the following helpful hints for you:1. It should go without saying, but I'll mention it anyway, always use the proper heat tolerate, non-metal utensil for cooking in these pans. I always use a wooden/bamboo spoon or spatula.2. If you are sauteing, make sure to clean the pan immediately after with very hot soapy water and a plastic or regular sponge (you won't have to rub too hard).3. If you are shallow frying the oil is probably going to be extremely hot so once you are done, let the pan cool down before washing, making sure there is a little oil left in the pan so it doesn't burn on. Then wash with hot soapy water and a sponge (again, you shouldn't have to really scrub hard).4. After washing, immediately dry with a towel and then store it away (see #4)4. If you are storing these stacked, make sure to put something soft under each pan (preferably covering the sides as well) so that the pans don't scratch each other.I highly recommended these pans and will enjoy them for years to come.

There are not enough negatives in my vocabulary to describe my disappointment with this set of pans. EVERYTHING sticks. I bought them April 2012 and they have never worked properly despite meticulous care. They do cook non stick eggs if you flood the pan with oil and do not allow the food to come in contact with the pans. But what's the point? Food sticks to the waffle like bottom of these pans. I don't know the folks writing positive reviews but question how so many loved these awful pans. I gave one star because they hold food and can be heated. But you may well regret this purchase.Update: 2-19-1013 I was contacted by the company regarding my review. They offered to replace the pans. I was very surprised. It seems they do monitor the reviews. I wonder if we low raters got part of a bad batch of coatings. If they do in fact replace them and they work, I will have to change my review. I have to give them credit for what appears to be real customer service.UPDATE #2Ok In March the new set arrived as promised. I want to make sure the last small pan didn't crash due to pilot error so i read the instructions for the umpteenth time. The instructions say to "precondition" pans prior to first use.I do a lot of BBQ and grilling and I was pretty sure they didn't meant "season" as I do on the grill grates. i.e. coat with oil and burn it off. . {and No, I do not use the pans on a grill ]But to make sure what "precondition" meant, I emailed the company. They got back to me within a day, as they have in the past. Again, this is serious customer service.Turns out, according to Rachel K at Ozeri in California, it is recommended that you lightly coat the pans with cooking oil and store them like that between meals. Not sure how sanitary that is but I will do as recommended.I now think maybe my expectations were too high for today's eco friendly products. I remember frying eggs with no vegetable oil at all. I thought that was healthy.ECO is latin for "good for the environment but can't possibly work as well because by law we have to take out the stuff that works best" . Ever use an eco-friendly cleanser? 'Nuff said.Apparently gone are the days of true non-stick since the materials used in the old pans may cause cancer in California laboratory attorneys and has been outlawed.But if these pans result in less pollution in some way, i am all for it.So... I give the company 5 stars for customer service, and this review should be considered minimum three stars for that reason alone.However since smart folks read the bad reviews first, I will leave it here for now.I will be back to let you know if i can fry an egg and get most of it out of the pan.Update, April 2013.Well these new ones work work with sufficient oil in the pan. I have not tried to fry anything without oil and do not expect to. Go ahead and buy a set. I must have gotten a bad batch before, but no way to prove that.Fair is fair. This is now a four star rating. Partly because the pans do seem to be fine now, and partly due to the excellent customer service.That's it. I'm done.UPDATE 11-13I now have a rust color inside the tiny waffle pattern over much of one pan. I have babied this pan, never been ion a dishwasher, always hand washed with gentle detergent and warm water. Food sticks and I have no clue what the stuff I am seeing is. For the life of me i don't understand all the positive ratings No way i would buy another set. I give up.