I don't understand why you can't use your "good set of non-stick pans". My glass top doesn't require special pans, other than a warped pan will be hard to use on the flat surface. I use various kinds of pans including Revere Wear with aluminum bottoms, Caphalon(sp) and cast iron. The only thing I know of that you can't use is glass pans which I don't know if they even make anymore.