Edited to add: I originally posted the review below in May 2008. It received quite a few visits from google searches. As of Feb. 1, 2012, my opinion is much different now. After about a year of consistent use the nonstick surface started getting dull and no longer worked properly. I no longer recommend buying this pan. I would recommend the Aeternum pans if you are looking for an economical green pan.
As I type this post, I can hear my husband's voice in my head saying, "It would be a lot greener to use what we have and not buy a bunch of new stuff." This is true, unless what you are currently using is unsafe.Several months ago we stopped using our badly scratched teflon skillets. According to the Environment Working Group, non-sticks pans can contain PFCs, many of which breakdown into PFOA (also known as C8) in the environment and your body. Once in the body, PFOAs can circulate for years. PFOA is considered a carcinogen causing testicular, pancreatic, mammary, and liver tumors in rats. Evidence has shown that scratched teflon when heated has the potential to kill birds because of the chemicals released. Plus if the pan is scratched, you will inevitably ingest some of those teflon bits.
I know it seems like EVERYTHING causes cancer. My rational is why risk it? So I purchased a 12 " stainless steel skillet. You do have to use lots of oil and food still ends up sticking sometimes. I do not regret buying the skillet, but a non-stick skillet is really nice.
On my search to find a low flow showerhead, I stopped by Bed Bath & Beyond. When I walked through the door, the first thing I saw was a big display of Green Gourmet cookware. I had read about the new cookware somewhere and evidently you can only find it at Bed Bath & Beyond. After browsing the display for awhile, I continued my search for a new showerhead. They do not have a very good selection of showerheads so I gravitated back to the Green Gourmet display. I did have a 20% off coupon. Hmmm. Then I thought this would make a great Mother's Day gift to myself. We can justify just about anything, huh? I bought the Green Gourmet 10" skillet, since I already had the 12" stainless steel one. I really wanted to get the grill pan, but decided that I would try the skillet first to make sure I liked it.
Here are the specs on the skillet. If you want to read them from the packaging, just click on the picture above. The skillet is scratch resistant, the ceramic based coating makes it non-stick. It is petroleum free, PTFE (teflon) free, and PFOA-free.
I have not cooked with it extensively, but the few times I have I really liked it. The skillet is very heavy and the surface is very slick. There was no sticking. The verdict is in....I love my new Green Gourmet skillet. Now I just need to find an excuse to get the grill pan and maybe one more small skillet.
