Need to buy new pots & pans- any suggestions?

[southernbella]

Hi all, I hope everyone is having a great day.

I finally got DH to agree to a new set of pots & pans! We have been married for 10 years & I have never had a real set of pots, just pieces I have added as I found things on sale. I want a decent set of nonstick cookware, but I'm at a loss(went out looking & got overwhelmed quickly). I am looking to spend in the $200-$250 range (is this realistic?). My only major requirements are nonstick, lids that fit, and a dutch oven.

So, anyone have any favorites? Any brands you would NOT recomend? Thanks for any advice, Sbella

 

[jennyl772003]

I have calpholon. I got them 3 years ago. One of the pans gets used at least twice a week, and it is still like new.

 

[LindaR]

You can take a look at overstock.com. I have Cuisinart and I like it alot!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I got a new set of pots and pans from Costco about 2 years ago that I adore. It's their own brand (Kirkland Signature) and made of hard-andonized aluminum to mimic Calphalon. It cost $150 and had all the pieces I wanted (I think 14 total), including a Dutch oven and a griddle pan.

It's non-stick, but there is one drawback to this set. Being aluminum, it's reactive, meaning that acidic foods can ruin the non-stick finish. You can cook most things in it except for tomato sauce and eggs hardboiled for Easter eggs. I saved some of my old pots for that stuff. Oh, I wouldn't pickle eggplant (boiled vinegar) or make sauerbraten in it (again because of the vinegar), but it's great for everything else.

Costco also sells a Kirkland stainless steel set that goes for $200 and has fewer pieces. Stainless steel is non-reactive, meaning you can cook anything in it.

 

[Microcell]

My DH works for a housewares company so we have a little bit of everything.
We mostly have Calphalon, and if you fry things like eggs etc.. not good. The frying pans have not held up at all. Everything else is like new.

I have some All Clad and Emeril cookware which I like better. They can be pricey.

 

[jennyl772003]

Just wanted to add that we didn't buy a set, we just bought the peices we needed. I think you are really better off that way. Why buy a set that has all sorts of pots and pans included that you would never use?

 

[Magickndm]

All have pro's and con's, but the one thing I would insist on are see through (glass) lids! I love being able to see how the food is cooking without having to take off the lid.

 

[bicker]

Calaphon One is incredible! They're the last pans we'll ever want to buy!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Just wanted to add that we didn't buy a set, we just bought the peices we needed. I think you are really better off that way. Why buy a set that has all sorts of pots and pans included that you would never use?

Actually, when I was shopping for my new pots and pans, I found the sets to be a far better value. You do need to look for a set that has the pieces you most want, but then the rest are gravy.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

A couple of years ago we decided to replace our T-Fal that was about 6 years old. We got the All Clad brushed steel ones. I have to say my favorite pan is my non stick stainless steel Cooks Essential's fry pan that my mom gave me because she had an extra. I love the All Clad, they are super heavy but not non stick and can be a mess.

 

[Mercy]

I ordered a new set of pots & pans after we remodeled our kitchen. I ordered a hard anodized set from QVC, their cook essentials brand. Love them! They are also very reasonable. You can get sets and they also have a lot of open stock pieces too.

 

[southernbella]

Thanks for all of the great tips! I feel better having a place to start from when I go shopping again. I probably should print out this thread & take it with me. Thanks again, Sbella

 

[kimmikayb]

Absolutely LOVE my Pampered Chef pots and pans.

 

[Zandy595]

I just bought a Simply Calphalon Stainless set 2 months ago at Cooks.com. I LOVE them! I was planning on getting nonstick until I heard about the nonstick/cancer connection. I don't know if it's true, but since I had to buy new cookware anyway, I figured I might as well get stainless. I did get 2 nonstick fry pans with the set though, but I only use them when I'm cooking eggs, which is rare. This set also has glass lids, which was a must-have feature for me.

 

[LadyyRedd]

Absolutely LOVE my Pampered Chef pots and pans.

Just what I was about to say. I have several of their pieces. I didn't buy a "set" because there was never a set where I really ever wanted everything in it. I bought mostly open stock stuff so I could pick and choose my pieces. I have some aluminum, some stainless steel, some copper, etc.

Kimya

 

[southernbella]

I'm curious, for the stainless steel pans, do you have to use more fat when you are cooking so the food doesn't stick? Are they easy to clean up? Thanks for the advice, Sbella

 

[Zandy595]

I guess maybe I use a little bit more oil/butter for frying, but not that much. If you're trying to brown something you need to make sure you get your pan to the right temperature before you put the food in or it'll stick. It didn't take long to get the hang of it. There's nothing easier to clean than a brand new nonstick pan, but stainless really isn't that bad either. If a pan really gets messed up they suggest you use a Dobie scrubber sponge to clean it. They work great. If you want cleanup to be really easy and you're not deglazing the pan for your recipe, you can just pour some water in it while it's still hot and scrape the bottom with a spatula. They say you can use metal, but I don't like to scratch up my pretty pans so I use wood or plastic/nylon utensils.

 

[donnajon]

I also love my Pampered Chef. I had a show and got them as the hostess special for 50% off. Othewise I could have never afforded them. I also had a catalog show in Feb. and sold about $160 worth of stuff without really trying. When you reach $150, you can get the hostess special which was 60% off of any of the pots or pan. I got the huge new stir fry pan for $45 - retails for I think $115 or so.

 

[kimmikayb]

I also love my Pampered Chef. I had a show and got them as the hostess special for 50% off. Othewise I could have never afforded them. I also had a catalog show in Feb. and sold about $160 worth of stuff without really trying. When you reach $150, you can get the hostess special which was 60% off of any of the pots or pan. I got the huge new stir fry pan for $45 - retails for I think $115 or so.

I did the same thing! I had a $500 show and was able to get so much, some for free and some for 50% off. Best deal I've done for my kitchen!