Best cookware set you ever owned?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Time to purchase a good cookware set. What is the best cookware you ever owned? Why? Anyone splurge and own Calphalon or All Clad? What is the difference in these cookware sets in comparison to Cusinart, Tools of the Trade, etc...?

Thanks a bunch for any information

 

[Halbleib1]

My favorite is called Cooks Essentials from QVC. I have their hard coat enamel set that has dupont with scratch guard non stick. It is the easiest clean up ever and the non stick does not peel off like other cookware. It is dishwasher safe but they do not recommend that you put it into the dishwasher because the hard coat enamel coloring on the outside will fade over time. It is so easy to clean up that you do not need to put it in the dishwasher anyhow. You can burn cheese on and let it sit for days and it will still wash right out. You can even use metal utensils in it without the nonstick peeling off. It will leave scratches on the surface but it will not peel the nonstick and it will still remain nonstick. You do not need to use butter or oils while cooking thats how good the nonstick is. They also offer a stainless steel set with the same nonstick as well as hard anodized. For more information check out their website www.qvc.com.G
The best part about their cookware is the price. It is good quality but you do not have to pay the high prices of the other brands.

Good luck finding your perfect cookware set.

 

[horseshowmom]

A few months ago, I bought my daughter and her fiance a full set of the Calphalon Triple Stainless Steel. They're getting married in June (which means it's still in my extra bedroom ).

About a month ago, I bought myself a set of Tools of the Trade Belgique Stainless Steel from Macy's.

For my own use, I prefer my new set (which was significantly cheaper than the Calphalon).

I've never actually used Calphalon, but I was surprised at how heavy it is. It's much too heavy for my use. It will probably be fine for DD and DFi though, because he'll probably do most of the cooking (he loves to cook, and she's happy to clean up).

 

[jlima]

DH has been buying me Le Cruset pieces, for Christmas and birthdays, for the last 3 years. They are so incredibly awesome! I even got a heart shaped pot for Valentine's Day last year. Food cooks more evenly; and for the past three weekends I've cooked with my oval Dutch oven and I think I like it better than using a Crock Pot (on low for 4 - 5 hours).

 

[averill94]

I have to say my plain old fashioned Farberware.....had it for 15 years. Stopped using non stick when they came out and said the high heat releases toxins right into your food. I don't quite trust all the new ones as they are too new. Farberware is stainless and has to be aroung 60-80 years.... I also LOVE my plain oldfashioned cast iron.

 

[powellrj]

I bought a set of Calphalon about 25 years ago because I got a really great deal on it. With the exception of the skillets, the set looks and performs like new. I do replace skillets every few years because I am really hard on those, but the rest of the set still looks great!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

All-Clad.

Nice, heavy cookware. Heats evenly. Riveted handles. A variety of pan & pot sizes for every cooking need.

It's made in the U.S.A., so I'm supporting OUR economy when I purchase it.

 

[barbeml]

I really love my Calphalon...got a super deal from Amazon a few years ago. They are really heavy though...hard to lift with one hand.

 

[JerseyMouse]

I have to say my plain old fashioned Farberware.....had it for 15 years. Stopped using non stick when they came out and said the high heat releases toxins right into your food. I don't quite trust all the new ones as they are too new. Farberware is stainless and has to be aroung 60-80 years.... I also LOVE my plain oldfashioned cast iron.

I agree, Farberware lasts forever....

 

[jmb120]

I just purchased new cookware a couple of weeks ago. I wanted a hard anodized set, and after some research I purchased the Kitchenaid brand from Amazon. It has excellent reviews, but when I got it the handle was broken on one of the pots and it didn't feel as sturdy as I was expecting so I returned it and bought a hard anodized set from QVC called Technique. I love that set, it is nice an sturdy, clean up is super easy, and absolutely nothing sticks.

It is be my 3rd set of cookware from QVC, I had their hard coat enamel and their stainless steel set. I don't remember why I got rid of the hard coat enamel, but I just replaced the stainless steel set because things were sticking. QVC does have a lifetime replacement policy on their cookware so I suppose I could return the stainless steel set for a refund or replacement but I used it for at least 6 years and figure I got my moneys worth out of the set. My mom and sister have the hard anodized set from QVC and have used theirs for at least 5 years and still love it.

 

[Lmichele]

I can not say enough good things about Rachel Rays hard anodized set. I absolutely love them. Everything cooks evenly and I have never had anything stick to them. The silicone handle makes them easy to grip and they are oven proof up to 400 degrees.

 

[wall*e2008]

We looked at Calphalon, but when we found out you cannot use PAM on them we nixed the idea. We got the triple thick cooking network pots from Kohls and we love them. They heat up very evenly, are easy to clean and boil much faster than our old pots.

They are stainless steel on the outside and inside with aluminum between the two SS layers.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Our best cookware is All-Clad. It is made in Pennsylvania like AKA said and has been extremely durable. The saute pans we have are heavy - I have to use two hands to hold the 6-qt pan. The saucepans are heavy-duty and heat evenly. They were a splurge when I bought them for DH, but they have proven themselves to have been a wise investment.

 

[shelly3girls]

After owning the QVC brand for a year and having it burn food and cook unevenly I decided to invest in Calphalon. I bought the stainless steel set so I could put it in the dishwasher. I also own the Calphalon non-stick everyday pan which is amazing! I could practically live with this pan alone and nothing else.

 

[BCV2003]

I cook alot and I have a set of calphalon that is almost 20 years old and still looks and performs great. I have gone to the All Clad seconds sales since I don't live too far from where they are made and I have picked up a few pieces to supplement my calphalon. I love them both.

I also have one Circulon non-stick casserole pan that cleans up effortlessly.

 

[sylvenmaid]

I love our Magnalite set we have. We got it 12 years ago as a wedding present and they still look new. I use them a lot when cooking. They are heavy, and easy to clean. Sometimes I might have to let them soak for a couple of hours first. I also have a Calphalon stock pot I got for $30 from Amazon that was orginally priced at over $100. I use that pot to make my gumbo and other soups. I need a couple more pieces but not sure which brand to use. I am trying to stay away from Teflon.

 

[PinballFamily]

All Clad - I've picked up the specific pieces I need at Marshalls/TJ Maxx, etc. So many of the items in "sets" aren't the ones I need or use - too large, too small...and so on.

I love these - and it IS important to our family, too, that they are made in the US.

 

[jodybrun]

I love my Calphalon cookware. I received it as a shower gift 10 years ago and it has held up great. I think it pays to spend a little more to get something nice.

 

[Inigo]

I love my Calphanlon, which I got piece by piece when it went on sale at LS Ayres, now Macy's.

That said, I really, really, really LOOOOVE the cookware I purchased at Ikea. It's heavy duty, non-stick, and is the best cookware I have ever used. It's the only cookware I can see getting in the future.

 

[maleficentmom]

After owning the QVC brand for a year and having it burn food and cook unevenly I decided to invest in Calphalon. I bought the stainless steel set so I could put it in the dishwasher. I also own the Calphalon non-stick everyday pan which is amazing! I could practically live with this pan alone and nothing else.

I have the the QVC hard anondized set probably over 10 years, and the outside isn't super pretty anymore but inside is still great, I got it for 100, but now I think its 139. But I don't know how their other cookware is. I think hard anondized might be stronger and longer lasting in any brand.I had a Mirro set and T-fal,and Corning Visions. the first 2 were junk, and I think you have to cook on low stovetop heat w/the Visions and I couldn't get used to it. I think QVC has customer feedback listed on their items. Check consumer reports too.I think if i ever replace mine I will price Calphalon in the hard anondized, or stainless as it looks really good!