My nonstick pan is so easy to cook with, but I've heard some bad things about the coating. Is there anything to be worried about?

The problem with most non-stick finishes (such as Teflon) is that they are made from plastics that are simply a coating on an aluminum pan, so they chip and scratch easily and can contaminate your food. There is a new type, however, which locks the non-stick plastic finish into a crater-like material made from indestructable ceramic and titanium. Embedding the finish in the ceramic-titanium craters prevents it from being scraped off into the food, but fumes may still be released, especially as a result of long periods of excessive heat.

A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group found that an independent science panel advised the EPA that Teflon is a "likely human carcinogen." The report says there is evidence that the manufacturer Dupont knew that Teflon was toxic, that it entered the bloodstream of people who used it, and that it is very persistent in the environment. Dupont is also undergoing a federal criminal investigation for allegedly suppressing studies regarding birth defects and other health hazards from Teflon.

Porcelain enamel finishes are completely inert and safe to use, but they also chip easily.

If you want to prevent your food from sticking in any kind of pan, heat up the pan first, then add your oil to the hot pan, and let the oil warm up before you put in the food. It won't stick.