Reducing forever chemicals in your kitchen is difficult, but possible. To help you start, we’ve rounded up the top non-toxic pans for Pancake Day and beyond

• The best kitchen knives for every job – chosen by chefs

Whether you’re making pancakes, seared steaks or fluffy omelettes, a frying pan that sizzles food without sticking to it is a kitchen necessity. Yet health and environmental concerns about non-stick coatings and “forever chemicals” are making it increasingly complicated to pick the perfect pan.

Manufacturers of non-stick coatings insist they’re perfectly safe, but a growing number of companies are advertising their products as PFOA- or PFOS-free, all the same. So what are these controversial chemicals, and what’s the alternative if you don’t want your food to stick?