Q I have been doing some research on ceramic non stick pans and feel confused about the issues. Can you recommend me a ceramic pan? I have read about Green pan but seen reviews that they stop being non stick after about 6 months

A The issue is very confused! I have received confusing advice from suppliers of the different cookware so if they are giving out contradictory information, then it is hardly surprising that the issue comes over as confused to the consumer! I have just received notice that one range that the UK importers had advised me was a pure ceramic non stick coating (Gastrolux), with no "teflon" does in fact contain some PTFE. The UK agent was adament and I took him in good faith, unfortunately and I am sorry that I have forwarded his misinformation to customers.

Green pan uses Thermolon coating of which there are a number of versions, the cheaper pans using the cheaper coating. It may be that the Green pan reviews you have read relate to the cheaper or earlier versions of the coating. The latest coating, Rocks, is the best and has been tested in professional kitchens for about 1 year. I asked my stepson to road test a good quality traditional non stick pan and a Green pan rocks and he prefered the traditional non stick by some way. Other customers of mine have also confirmed that they prefer a traditional non stick coating in terms of performance - and this was when the coating was on a very good quality pan base

So, my conclusion at the moment is that the ceramic coatings are not currently worth putting on a very good pan base. Obviously the technology is likely to improve with time. If you want to avoid PTFE, then buy a cheap pan with a ceramic coating that you won't resent throwing away and replacing after a few months.

Hope this helps - Claire