Help me pick some new Kitchen Pots & Pans

[LuvOrlando]

I cook a lot, but am no foodie by any stretch. I never took a class so I don't know the proper techniques so I think the subtle greatness of fantastic pots would be totally lost on me. I totally beat up my pots and pans, and now that my daughter is showing interest, and ruining my stuff, I am hesitant to get anything really nice. Still, I hate when I cook and my pots are quirky, I tend to prefer non stick for my tomato sauce and all the soups I make, I also do a good deal of sauteing & frying. I want something good but that won't make me cry if DD tears it with a metal fork and it needs to be replaced. Also, too heavy isn't good for me. Help

 

[RunningGirl]

I got these a couple of months ago and I absolutely love them! Consumer Reports had rated them tops and since they were so affordable I gave them a try. They've been wonderful. Earth Pan

 

[mom2grace]

Get the highest quality you can afford, definitely splurge! Great cookware will perform & last for a lifetime. I have Pampered Chef, but All-Clad, etc. if you can do it!

 

[java]

Costco sells a set of stainless steel COPPER CORE! for $169! It's a great set too- but too small pans for my family of 6. It gets great reviews. It isn't non-stick though. (although I am not a fan of non-stick) They also sell a non-stick set although I honestly didn't even look at it.

 

[bicker]

I used to just blindly recommend Calphalon One, because it was so much better than anything I could imagine. It's still pretty high up there, but now I like to refer to America's Test Kitchen. They consistently apply very solid measures to evaluate equipment (and recipes, too).

Their recommendations are here:

http://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment-reviews/

The cookware they've been recommending is as below. They provide both pros and cons, and I've included the worst con for each item. Know, though, that the ones listed are the ones they found to be the best.

Stainless Steel:
All-Clad (expensive), Tramontina (hard to find), and Calphalon Tri-Ply (pots are a little small)

Non-stick:
T-Fal Professional (no big down-sides)

 

[MommyJack]

Two years ago I went into a local kitchen store looking for an 8" frying pan. They recommended a Swiss Diamond pan. I can't tell you how much I love these pans. They are non-stick, but of such quality that you can use metal utensils with them. I can literally fry an egg without butter. I loved them so much that last Christmas I asked for two more as my gift (pans are not usually what I consider a Christmas present).

They are pricey, so I'm slowly replacing my cook wear with them. The guy at the store claims I will be handing them down to my daughter. They have a no questions asked lifetime warranty, so I believe him. BTW it's been 2 years and the pan still looks new.

Here's their website www.swissdiamondstore.com/

 

[Aristocath]

I replaced my pans last year and got All Clad. I love them! I do cook a lot but I am not a real foodie. They were expensive but so worth it. And so easy to clean...I use Bar Keeper's Friend on them.

 

[tiggger1]

I Love my Pampered Chef cookware!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

We had Calaphalon One pans and loved them at first, but they scratched just like any other non-stick pan. We ditched them and bought All-Clad, they are an investment, but they will last a lifetime without any stretch. We never use non-stick anymore, really there is no reason to.

 

[minniebeth]

I bought new pots not too long ago...I bought a Cuisinart MultiClad Pro set. I thought they were expensive but they are really more middle of the row quality. I really like them, except I have an electric stove and still tend to burn things. If I had a gas stove to cook on, I think I would love them more.

I have 2 Calphalon non-stick frying pans that I absolutely love and they cook wonderfully, however, I do notice them scratching a little, no matter how careful I am with them.

I know you said no heavy pans, but my favorite of all my cookware are my Le Creuset pots. They are heavy to use, but cook just beautifully!

 

[doxdogy]

I have the Cook's Essentials from QVC. They are non stick and have held up well. I replaced a set of T-Fal that I hated.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I bought new pots not too long ago...I bought a Cuisinart MultiClad Pro set. I thought they were expensive but they are really more middle of the row quality. I really like them, except I have an electric stove and still tend to burn things. If I had a gas stove to cook on, I think I would love them more.

If you're burning things, try turning down your heat. Most cookware (including All-Clad) should not be used on the highest heat setting, better to use Medium to maybe a tad above medium (not quite Medium-High).

 

[disneydreamersx4]

I love my new T-Fal frying pan (got it at Kohl's). It's stainless steel but not heavy. When food sticks to it I just put some hot water and use a spatula to scrape the food off, cleans up nice. When I use it to cook eggs, I use a little oil then to clean I immediately put some hot water and scrape it with a spatula.

 

[bballmom56]

For pots and pans I love my Farberware that I got for my bridal shower over 30 years ago. They are stainless steel, cook food beautifully, and are easy to clean when I use Cameo SS cleaner. They look like new!

For non-stick frying pans, we just bought 3 new ones today at Bed Bath and Beyond. There was a bundle pack of 2 of the Calphalon - a 10" and a 12" for a special price of 49.99 and then we used a coupon to get 20% off that, so paid 39.99 for them - a steal for Calphalon. We also bought an 8" made by Tramontina that bicker mentioned. I had never heard of it before, but I wanted an 8" and it looked pretty good. Can't wait to try it.

 

[Rumpus]

I have the Calphalon Try Ply. I found them at the Calphalon Outlet. 13 pieces for $200. I would love to have the All Clad but $700 for a smaller set for me was hard to justify. I am happy with the Calphalon. I particularly love the pasta insert.

 

[Planogirl]

I just buy T-Fal. They are reasonably priced and seem to hold up as well as any other brand. I haven't tried this All-Clad though.

 

[Pakey]

I love my All Clad; worth every penny.

I also have Le Crueset for soup pots and roasting pans.

 

[gingajane]

I have lots of different pots and pans, but I always grab my cast iron. I don't use it with tomato products, but everything else come out better and crispier from good old cast iron. BTW, don't use soap on cast iron.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've been looking on the internet and am going to start hitting the stores this week with a printout of this thread in hand.