Emerilware Hard-Anodized Cookware

Experts often advise consumers not to spend a lot of money on nonstick cookware. That's because all nonstick coatings eventually wear off. For that reason nonstick cookware will have to be replaced sooner than standard pots and pans. We didn't find much consensus on budget nonstick cookware, but in a recent roundup, Emerilware Hard-Anodized nonstick cookware gets good scores for cooking performance, even heating and durability, and its nonstick coating holds up reasonably well. This cookware, made by All-Clad, is also somewhat unique that in while it uses a standard nonstick coating, it does avoid one of the two controversial chemicals at the heart of the Teflon debate. If you prefer to avoid those chemicals entirely, we found good reviews for EarthPan Hard-Anodized Cookware (*Est. $170 for a 10-piece set). However, user reports aren't as positive, with a larger percentage complaining that the nonstick coating wears off more quickly.

Emerilware Hard-Anodized cookware is included in a big roundup of both stainless and nonstick cookware sets at ConsumerReports.org, one of the few sources that tests whole sets of pots and pans rather than individual pieces. We couldn't find another source that tests Emerilware, but we did find user ratings at Amazon.com and HSN.com.