Teflon-free pans compete in French toast fry-off

Traditional nonstick cooking products like Calphalon and Farberware utilize Teflon, a trademarked combination of fluoropolymers produced by the DuPont company. In 2005, The United States Non Stick Coating Environmental Protection Agency's scientific advisory board found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical compound used to make Teflon, is a likely carcinogen. Currently this chemical is not regulated by the EPA but in January 2006, DuPont agreed to eliminate releases of the chemical from its manufacturing plants by 2015 (however they did not commit to completely phasing out its use of the chemical.)
Given that it is only 2009, it's good that several environmentally-friendly alternatives to Teflon pots and pans have entered the market.

EarthPan is made with SandFlow, a nonstick coating three times more durable than competitive ceramic nonstick coatings. Its primary component is sand, one of nature's most renewable and abundant resources. It requires 33% less energy to cure SandFlow than traditional nonstick. Plus, SandFlow contains no PFOAs, while still allowing for easy food release. A great deal, the EarthPan seven-piece cookware set retails for $119 and is available on QVC.com.

Scanpanis a line of chemical-free cookware made from Teflon Coating ceramic titanium and recycled aluminum. The new Scanpan Professional Line is 100 percent PFOA-free and manufactured in Denmark in a facility that utilizes a production technology that eliminates the need for PFOA completely. Another great feature of the line is that its non-stick coating cannot be damaged by using metal utensils. The Scanpan Professional Line is available at Sur La Table in the Promenade at Sagemore, Marlton,NJ.
In a very scientific study while cooking French toast, I found that while both pans live up to their non-stickiness, the EarthPan cooks a bit better. However, since both of these pans are new, I cannot yet attest to their longevity. But in the meantime, the pans are definitely a huge step up from my old scratched-up Teflon cookware.