Lets Talk about Cookware! Please.

[DawnCt1]

We recently completed our kitchen remodel. I went from an electric stove to my first ever gas cooktop. I really like it. I have the same cookware that I had since we got married, supplemented with inexpensive stainless steel pots or pans along the way. Yesterday I went out to buy another cheap stock pot since I gave my other one to DS#1. They had a set of Calphalon, multiclad with the aluminum sandwiched between the stainless steel through out. Looked nice, a bit expensive but I have a 20% off coupon. Cuisinart also makes a multiclad, less money and actually a good buy on Amazon. I read some of the 192 very favorable reviews and it seems that those who love to cook, (that's not me) prefer the Cuisinart Pro which is actually cheaper. Any thoughts from those of you who enjoy cooking.
Also, someone mentioned a "flame deflector" for the gas stove. What exactly does it do?
Any other hints on cooking with gas that I may have not figured out will be welcomed. Thanks,

 

[jeepgirl30]

First, I normally don't buy celebrity names, i REFUSE to buy anything Martha Stewart!

However, I heard suggestions on the Rachael Ray cookware http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray-8...W7NW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288103338&sr=8-1

I bought it and absolutely LOVE it. I wish I had Calphalon but this is such a more budget friendly and has been amazing. Nothing sticks and everything cooks evenly.

 

[Shmily1]

I've had cheap pots and pots that costs over $1000 but the best ones I've had are the Paula Deen copper bottom pots. They aren't suppose to go in the dishwasher but for the taste difference of the food, I can hand wash them! DH said he can tell such a difference with them! They are also super easy to clean up. I got mine at her store in Savannah but I saw them also at Walmart a little while after I got mine. They are $119.99 there.

 

[monkeybug]

We love all clad, but both my husband and I LOVE to cook. If you aren't huge into cooking, any set of quality stainless steel cookware should work fine and last just about forever.
On Americas Test Kitchen yesterday, they mentioned that whatever it is that is currently in non stick pans is going to be no longer allowed by the government in 2015 (I don't remember the exact details so you may want to google it) so I would say don't spend a lot of money on anything non stick. They recommended using a cast iron skillet as your non stick pan (which is what we do and it works great).

 

[luvmy3]

In my search for affordable All-Clad I came across some great reviews on the Tramontina try-ply clad. Its sold at Walmart (online) of all places but is a favorable (and inexpensive) alternative to All-Clad. I'm thinking of getting the 8 piece set and add All-Clad to it as needed.

Right now I have Rachael Ray hard anodized pots and pans and I really like them but I want stainless.

 

[RUDisney]

I've got a mixture of Calphalon aluminum and stainless steel pots and pans. However, for non-stick, I bought one Calphalon and I hate it. I buy all of my non-stick as throwaway pans from Ikea and T-Fal. I really only use them to make eggs.

The key to cooking with Calphalon, or any other good pot/pan is to cook over medium heat. Sure, you can boil water on high, but when you are sauteeing something, use medium heat and it won't stick (unless it is an egg. )

I don't have any flame detector for my gas stove. I'm not sure what that is. I keep a fire extinguisher right inside my basement door that is in the kitchen and luckily, I've never had to pull that off the wall.

As for buying a set of pots and pans, I never did that. I have purchased single items or the items as a small set. I want what I want and I've never seen a large set that gave me everything I want and not included things I didn't. Check out your local TJMaxx and Marshalls for deals on good cookware. I've picked up some Calphalon over the years there for very good prices.

 

[DawnCt1]

I've got a mixture of Calphalon aluminum and stainless steel pots and pans. However, for non-stick, I bought one Calphalon and I hate it. I buy all of my non-stick as throwaway pans from Ikea and T-Fal. I really only use them to make eggs.

The key to cooking with Calphalon, or any other good pot/pan is to cook over medium heat. Sure, you can boil water on high, but when you are sauteeing something, use medium heat and it won't stick (unless it is an egg. )

I don't have any flame detector for my gas stove. I'm not sure what that is. I keep a fire extinguisher right inside my basement door that is in the kitchen and luckily, I've never had to pull that off the wall.

As for buying a set of pots and pans, I never did that. I have purchased single items or the items as a small set. I want what I want and I've never seen a large set that gave me everything I want and not included things I didn't. Check out your local TJMaxx and Marshalls for deals on good cookware. I've picked up some Calphalon over the years there for very good prices.

That is where I have picked up some stray pieces but I am noticing that those prices are edging up. I too buy cheap throw away pans for non stick. This is the set that I am considering, from Amazon. They are dishwasher safe. Not sure why some stainless steel isn't. http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12-MultiClad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/B0007KQZWU

 

[RUDisney]

That is where I have picked up some stray pieces but I am noticing that those prices are edging up. I too buy cheap throw away pans for non stick. This is the set that I am considering, from Amazon. They are dishwasher safe. Not sure why some stainless steel isn't. http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12-MultiClad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/B0007KQZWU

That looks like a really nice set. The only thing I wouldn't use all the time is the collander/steamer. I have a pot that has a collander and a steamer and usually only the pot gets used unless I'm making ravioli or gnocchi.

I've seen some weird combinations of pots in sets. This isn't one of the weird ones. The price is good, too.

 

[Jalva22]

We moved into a new home with a gas cooktop almost exactly a year ago. We bought the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro stuff from Amazon (didn't buy a set, just bought the pieces we wanted individually as we wouldn't use some of the items that were in the set).

We love them and have had no problems with them. The heat distribution is great with this set. I've seen the flame deflectors, but we haven't used them. No problems with the pans so far after a year without one, but YMMV.

Even though they're dishwasher safe, we always wash them by hand. We use several pieces almost every day and they still look brand new after a year.

 

[Angelhalo]

First, I normally don't buy celebrity names, i REFUSE to buy anything Martha Stewart!

However, I heard suggestions on the Rachael Ray cookware http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray-8...W7NW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288103338&sr=8-1

I bought it and absolutely LOVE it. I wish I had Calphalon but this is such a more budget friendly and has been amazing. Nothing sticks and everything cooks evenly.

Ditto. I have the Rachel Ray collection and I LOVE it. She drives me absolutely batty, but her cookware is amazing!

 

[sbell111]

I've had cheap pots and pots that costs over $1000 but the best ones I've had are the Paula Deen copper bottom pots. They aren't suppose to go in the dishwasher but for the taste difference of the food, I can hand wash them! DH said he can tell such a difference with them! They are also super easy to clean up. I got mine at her store in Savannah but I saw them also at Walmart a little while after I got mine. They are $119.99 there.

We recently bought a Pauls Deadn set. I really like it. I do toss the pots in the dishwasher. The pans get handwashed as they are non-stick. I'll not make that mistake again.

 

[golfgal]

I used to have stainless pots/pans and they were ok but then I got some Analon pots/pans for a gift and they are SO much nicer and easier to cook with. I have one Calphalon pan and it is mostly ok but I don't like the handles as well as the Analon and the handle on the lid gets REALLY hot.

 

[Dax]

We recently bought a Pauls Deadn set. I really like it. I do toss the pots in the dishwasher. The pans get handwashed as they are non-stick. I'll not make that mistake again.

I just got the Paula Deen set myself..Robins Egg blue. I LOVE THEM

Non-stick, and they NEVER go near the dishwasher. I told DH if they were found in there I would strangle him.

Everything washes right out of them, with little to no effort, and they heat up quick

 

[ENSOCK]

I have had magnalite for the 20 yrs. I have been married. I love them and can't see changing them. They are good heavy pots.

 

[ilovepcot]

There's a real "tooti-flutti" cooking message board I visit from time to time. These gals ain't messing around! Some are professional chefs, but many are just people who love cooking. They take no short cuts and everything is done from scratch. Most use All Clad and Le Cruset for their cooking and baking needs. They did, however, get into a heated argument on a thread a while back and argued other cookware for days. All finally agreed that if you couldn't afford All Clad, there was only one other line worth having...TECHNIQUE from QVC. Strange as it sounds, yes, Technique. I'd believe them.

 

[DawnCt1]

We moved into a new home with a gas cooktop almost exactly a year ago. We bought the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro stuff from Amazon (didn't buy a set, just bought the pieces we wanted individually as we wouldn't use some of the items that were in the set).

We love them and have had no problems with them. The heat distribution is great with this set. I've seen the flame deflectors, but we haven't used them. No problems with the pans so far after a year without one, but YMMV.

Even though they're dishwasher safe, we always wash them by hand. We use several pieces almost every day and they still look brand new after a year.

I am definitely leaning towards the cuisinart multiclad pro.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We love all clad, but both my husband and I LOVE to cook.

I was just pulling up the All-Clad and the Cuisinart Pro...
I like the looks of the new All-Clad dishwasher safe anodized-type.
But, it doesn't state 'dripless' like the Cuisinart.

Monkeybug, Is your All-Clad drip-free pouring?

On the cheap stuff I have right now, you can't pour off any drippings/juices without it running right over the lip and down the outer sides of the pan.

 

[mckryan]

I am a die-hard All-Clad stainless user for many, many years. I collect pieces here and there when I see them on sale. I get emails from Williams-Sonoma, and they frequently have pieces on sale. Right now, their roaster is on sale for $159.99 for the small and for the large. I have been wanting the large one for a long time, but at $330 it wasn't going to happen. What I love about All-Clad stainless is that you can put it in the dishwasher. The recently add the Stainless D5 to the line, and that is the dripless version with wider grab handles on the lids. I picked up a D5 steamer set at W-S last Christmas (or maybe this spring) for a great deal.

I have had some All Clad pieces for almost 20 years, and honestly, you couldn't tell which ones they were compared to my brand new ones and I put them in the dishwasher all.the.time!! It may be pricey cookware, but it will last forever.

 

[ilovejack02]

I have had magnalite for the 20 yrs. I have been married. I love them and can't see changing them. They are good heavy pots.

ADORE my magnalite!!!! Great on gas top stoves.

Wanted an extra piece or two, was going to go for Le Cruset, but it is sooo very heavy.

Going to look into the Technique stuff on QVC.

BWWAAHHHAA , just noticed your are from S. Louisiana ENSOCK, I swear Maganalite is a Louisiana thing.
I had lunch with one of my Dis girlfriends from NOLA the other day and I said something about my Magnalite, she also uses it .

 

[denisem]

I've got a mixture of Calphalon aluminum and stainless steel pots and pans. However, for non-stick, I bought one Calphalon and I hate it. I buy all of my non-stick as throwaway pans from Ikea and T-Fal. I really only use them to make eggs.

As for buying a set of pots and pans, I never did that. I have purchased single items or the items as a small set. I want what I want and I've never seen a large set that gave me everything I want and not included things I didn't. Check out your local TJMaxx and Marshalls for deals on good cookware. I've picked up some Calphalon over the years there for very good prices.

on your opinion of Calphalon non-stick - bought two, hated them & went back to throwaway T-Fal. (Still looking for the definite non-stick frypan - anyone try those Greenpans?)

Have also found (over the years of purchasing "sets") that I'm buying more ala carte now - have some old-timers that work well for certain things, so allows me to try different brands piece by piece.

FWIW, I've had a Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 5-1/2 qt. saute for several years and while heavy, it's my go-to for browning quantities of meat. Strangely enough, picked up a SS heavy saucepan at WalMart for like $25 and it was also a winner.

Good luck - I envy those with gas cooktops. It's my preference but not available in my current home.

ETA: When I win the lottery, I WOULD purchase a whole set of All-Clad.