Cooks...Talk to me about your pots & pans!

[EthansMom]

After several years of "making do" with lower end cookware, I am at that point where I (1) need better quality pots & pans and (2) can somewhat afford good pots & pans.

I have a flat surface (ceramic) electric stove and cook dinner from scratch around 5 nights out of 7. Right now, I'm using Reverware and, despite the lifetime warranty, handwashing, and never using metal utensils, the teflon is coming up on the pans. I've already called and had one of the pans replaced once -- I just don't have it in me to bother calling about the pans every 6-12 months.

Around here, lots of folks use Calphalon and seem to like it. I don't want a set with nonstick pots, however, and can't figure out the difference between all of the Calphalon options. I like the look of Le Creuset, but I'm not sure if they have all of the pieces in the sizes I want; I'd love to have at least two good pans (medium and large), two good pots and a large stockpot.

So, what cookware do you have or would you like? What are the features that you like/dislike? What pieces of cookware do you use the most? For those of you who have pans WITHOUT a teflon coating, how do you keep the food from sticking? Or should I buy at least one teflon pan even if I get some pans that aren't teflon-coated?

Thanks!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I swear, nothing beats Pampered Chef Professional or Executive cookware. I'm slowing working on replacing all my pots and pans with these! They are awesome! They have great reviews on numerous sites.

 

[Disneyrsh]

My

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Subscribing since I would love to replace my old Revereware and I have a new flattop stove too. The Calphalon confuses me too. Chrisnsteph, are the Pampered Chef ones expensive?

 

[Poohnatic]

None of my cookware has teflon coating. If it wasn't for DH's old cookware, I would have never owned a piece.

Open stock and 'try me's' are your best friend in finding cookware you like. I bought a Calphalon omelet pan many years ago and liked the even heating. Then I saw the All Clad stuff on Food Network and wanted some. Ditto for the Le Creuset.

DH bought me a try me of All Clad-I would have a full set if it was only my decision. However, the compromise was Calphalon professional non stick. We've got a set of those and they take the heavy use they've gotten. We also got two Emerilware items on closeout at Linens and Things-and wish we'd gotten more. I like the looks of the All Clad, DH likes the look of the anodized-both work equally well.

For seriously good non stick pots, Le Creuset is the way to go. I make risotto in them and they clean up so easy. They are VERY expensive, but it's cookware your grandkids will use someday. The first piece was a Gold Box item from Amazon (tomato) for 9.99! Since then, I've purchased a 3.5 quart and a 7 quart and my mom gave me a 13x9 casserole. Love the colorful look here.

Every kitchen can do with a cast iron pan. It took several years to 'season' mine right, but now I can use brillo on it without worry. Until that point, only salt and paper towels were used, with a liberal application of oil. You can buy preseasoned Lodge cast iron if you don't have the patience for curing.

Good luck and I envy you going and shopping for pots and pans! (the sign of someone with a serious cooking addiction!)

Suzanne

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Subscribing since I would love to replace my old Revereware and I have a new flattop stove too. The Calphalon confuses me too. Chrisnsteph, are the Pampered Chef ones expensive?

They are, but they're so awesome! I love to cook on them. My girlfriend has the entire set, but I'm still working on mine. She has the Professional series (that I love) and the Executive series just came out. Both have lifetime warranties. I think I might switch to the Executive. BTW, I'm not a PC consultant, just love their products!

Professional Series

The 6 piece set is $285, but you can buy several other pieces separately.

Executive Series

The 7 piece set is $345, and you can also buy additional pieces separately.

 

[EthansMom]

Good luck and I envy you going and shopping for pots and pans! (the sign of someone with a serious cooking addiction!)

I don't think it helps that I've been reading the latest Diane Mott Davidson book! I keep wanting to cook the food that Goldy is cooking in the book, which reminds me that I really need new cookware. And the last time I started looking at cookware, I gave up pretty quickly in frustration.

ChrisnSteph, I do like the other PS products I own and will have to take a look at their cookware. Might be worth having a PS party -- can always get the women in my family to purchase some PS items! On the other hand, all of the PS cookware has nonstick treatments and I think I want to get away from that.

Keep the recommendations coming!

 

[goodeats]

We're extremely happy with our All Clad Stainless Steel. It heats so evenly.

We have one non-stick pan that we use for omelettes, but the rest are not. I worry about the chemicals in the teflon.

 

[hemispheredancer]

Don't buy the ones from QVC...Cooks Essentials. I have about 12 of their pieces and hate them! The coating scratches off and it sickens me to see those flakes in mashed potatoes and fettucine. I am packaging them up and will be sending them back to QVC as they have a "lifetime" warranty. Back to my RevereWare. At least there is nothing flaky about them!! Alton Brown from "Good Eats" swears by stainless pans and really doesn't promote the non-stick ones.

 

[diznygirl]

We had teflon-coated Revereware that we had to replace. We called them and they offered us a credit towards a new set. We got the Proline series - they aren't teflon coated and I thought it was going to be a problem, but it's not. They had one frying pan in the series that was teflon-coated, so we got that one too.

Revereware was excellent with standing behind their warranty and replacing the previous set that was falling apart. And the new set will never have to be replaced, it's really good.

 

[tigercat]

I have the professional Lagustina (sp) cookwear from Italy. I had a good set when I got married but after 30 years I needed a new set. Since I scratch cook pretty well most of the week, I needed something that was good. I love them. Nothing sticks to them (and they are not non stick pan or coated pan) and they cook evenly.
tigercat

 

[dhcoffey]

I know you don't want non-stick, so this really doesn't apply to what you want. BUT I love my Cook's Essentials from QVC. I've had them about three years now and none of them are scratched or the non-stick stuff coming off. If it was, I, too, would send it back, I don't blame you there. To me, they are the best pans I've ever owned for cleanup and cooking and all. I also love how they go in the oven, too.

 

[mum4jenn]

Brand names don't mean all that much...just make sure your get 18/10 stainless steel. The bottoms are real thick and do not warp.

 

[Pop Daddy]

you mean there are different kinds

 

[golfgal]

I have one Pampered Chef, one Calphalon and a set of Analon (like the Calphalon) and I like the Analon the best. The main difference between the Analon and the Calphalon is the handle--the Calphalon get HOT and the Analon don't. I have the professional series and they are oven safe to 500°. The Pampered Chef are only oven safe to 350°. I have a flat surface ceramic stove also.

 

[amid chaos]

Forget all the designer cookware. Go to a restaurant supply store and buy them there. It will be the last pot you ever buy.

 

[DISUNC]

I know you don't want non-stick, so this really doesn't apply to what you want. BUT I love my Cook's Essentials from QVC. I've had them about three years now and none of them are scratched or the non-stick stuff coming off. If it was, I, too, would send it back, I don't blame you there. To me, they are the best pans I've ever owned for cleanup and cooking and all. I also love how they go in the oven, too.

Me Too! Cooks Essentials from QVC are the BEST! I had mine for about 6 years, not a scratch or chip! Cook very evenly & a bit faster. They clean soooooooooooooo easy!

 

[EthansMom]

you mean there are different kinds

Unfortunately, there are as many different kinds of pots & pans as there are people who buy them.

What I'd really like are pots and pans that will prepare and cook meals completely on their own on those evenings I don't feel like cooking. Too bad my budget doesn't quite reach to hiring a personal chef, yet.

I do like the look of the All-Clad Stainless Steel. That might be more my kind of thing.

 

[icebrat001]

Great thread!

We are moving to our new house in 2 weeks and I refuse to bring my cheapo walmart & big lots pots and pans with us.

 

[icebrat001]

Forget all the designer cookware. Go to a restaurant supply store and buy them there. It will be the last pot you ever buy.

I don't mean to takeover your thread, OP.

Amid - Do you know of any good ones online?