All the nonstick pans tested are scratch resistant. They also conduct heat well, which is essential for good browning.

• Circulon 12-inch round grill pan and ProLine 10-inch square grill pan. Good for delicate foods such as skinless chicken breasts and fish fillets, which tend to stick even to nonstick surfaces treated with oil.
• Cybernox all-metal 10-inch skillet. Needs to be heated thoroughly before adding ingredients, or the food will stick.
• Le Creuset 12-inch enameled cast-iron skillet. Great for potato cakes and other foods that call for serious browning.
• ProLine and Wearever 3-quart saucepans. The scratch-resistant surface works especially well for foods that require constant stirring or whisking, such as risotto, polenta and oatmeal.
--Grace Parisi