The cup brush is stainless
I don't use soap to clean my "seasoned" castiron because it takes out the seasoning! Boiling water is all you need.
No the pans are not sticky... I don't think you used a high enough heat if your's were...
I cook every day too, and i no longer use teflon pans, i've found something much, MUCH better!! It's a titanium coating that's put on with "plazma" that's also oven safe to 500*!!! (The cover is Pyrex or you could go higher) It bolws the BEST teflon out of the water!!$$$$, so cheapskates need not apply!! hee he heee
BTW, if ya gotta ask, you can't afford it
DM