I have tried a lot of non-stick pans in the past. And they usually only stay nonstick for awhile. I try to tell my kids to not use the scratchy part of the sponge or metal utensils on the pans but inevitably it happens. I love that the t-fal pans wash off easily with the soft part of the sponge, no scrubbing required. And the 12 piece set also came with plastic utensils like a large spoon and spatula.