Recommendations for quality cookware set

[mickman1962]

Looking to buy a quality set of cookware preferably under $600. Tired of my DW buying cheap stuff that last a year or two. Since I do most of the cooking (was a chef for 10 years) I would really appreciate something of quality. Any and all ideas are welcome.

 

[mickman1962]

anyone?

 

[Christine]

All-Clad stainless.

 

[mom2grace]

This may not suit you, but I LOVE the Pampered Chef professional line. (I used to be a consultant, am not anymore). You can get a 10 piece set for about $400, and they have open stock. Their grill pan was just ranked #2 by Cooks Illustrated.

It has an lifetime warranty, is Dupont Autograph non-stick, comes with tempered glass (clear) lids.

Hand wash is a drawback for some, probably not you with your chef background.

 

[Christine]

This may not suit you, but I LOVE the Pampered Chef professional line. (I used to be a consultant, am not anymore). You can get a 10 piece set for about $400, and they have open stock. Their grill pan was just ranked #2 by Cooks Illustrated.

It has an lifetime warranty, is Dupont Autograph non-stick, comes with tempered glass (clear) lids.

Hand wash is a drawback for some, probably not you with your chef background.

You know, I am very leery about buying an expensive pan with a non-stick surface. How do these hold up? I find that eventually, the non-stick surface starts to degrade unless you are constantly "babying" the pan. I usually buy stainless steel pans (I have All-Clad) and every 2 years or so I get some cheapy non-stick skillets and just throw them out when they look crappy. But I've always wondered about "expensive" non-stick.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

This may not suit you, but I LOVE the Pampered Chef professional line. (I used to be a consultant, am not anymore). You can get a 10 piece set for about $400, and they have open stock. Their grill pan was just ranked #2 by Cooks Illustrated.

It has an lifetime warranty, is Dupont Autograph non-stick, comes with tempered glass (clear) lids.

Hand wash is a drawback for some, probably not you with your chef background.

Everyone I know who has this set absolutely LOVES it! I'm going to have a PC party in March and I'm hoping to get some of the pans in this line. I have stainless steel now, but I haven't been thrilled with them. Here are some of the pieces:

 

[mom2grace]

You know, I am very leery about buying an expensive pan with a non-stick surface. How do these hold up? I find that eventually, the non-stick surface starts to degrade unless you are constantly "babying" the pan. I usually buy stainless steel pans (I have All-Clad) and every 2 years or so I get some cheapy non-stick skillets and just throw them out when they look crappy. But I've always wondered about "expensive" non-stick.

I've had mine for 5 years, I use them everyday and they look brand new. But, they aren't cheap in price or construction. I do use nylon bamboo spatulas, etc., but occasionally use metal tongs. I don't know what you mean by "baby", I do hand wash them, using liquid dish soap and a nylon scrubby thing.

The only non-stick I know about is PC, there are 3 layers of the non-stick coating, and each layer is baked on before the next layer is applied. At the time I was a consultant, Dupont Autograph was the best quality non-stick available, but I don't know if that is still accurate.

And, if you don't like it, you can return it within the first year for your money back, or if it starts to peel, you can send it back for a new one FOREVER!

 

[kldmom2000]

I absolutely LOVE my Emeril cookware!!! DH got if for me 3 yrs ago for Christmas and I use it daily-it still looks new! It's the calphalon? type I think so it's non-stick. This is the set I have and I also have a few other pieces DH got in addition to this set...
http://www.cooknkitchen.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?CollId=485&CatId=0&SCatId=0&BrandId=0

 

[nordkin]

I love my Cooks Essential from QVC. I would not trade it for the world.

 

[TXTink]

All-Clad stainless.

Yep! I LOVE my All-Clad!

 

[Christine]

I've had mine for 5 years, I use them everyday and they look brand new. But, they aren't cheap in price or construction. I do use nylon bamboo spatulas, etc., but occasionally use metal tongs. I don't know what you mean by "baby", I do hand wash them, using liquid dish soap and a nylon scrubby thing.

The only non-stick I know about is PC, there are 3 layers of the non-stick coating, and each layer is baked on before the next layer is applied. At the time I was a consultant, Dupont Autograph was the best quality non-stick available, but I don't know if that is still accurate.

And, if you don't like it, you can return it within the first year for your money back, or if it starts to peel, you can send it back for a new one FOREVER!

I may have to try a piece of this, then. My DD will be selling Pampered Chef for her theatre trip so maybe I'll try a skillet.

 

[We4mickey]

Definately cooks essentials from QVC. They have several different lines they are the best by far.

 

[zulaya]

PC consultant chiming in here...The Professional line is very good, as a previous poster pointed out.

However, if you are looking for top of the line...wait until March 1. We have a new line coming out (in addition to Professional) called the Executive Cookware.

Just when you think cookware can't get any better...listen to this.

This cookware will be the first hard-anodized nonstick cookware with a titanium-reinforced alloy. This makes it 30% stronger than our Professional line, yet the weight difference is negligible.

These pieces will have perfectly flat, thick bottoms and thin sides to distribute and transfer heat for faster, more even cooking. The flared rims also make for dripless pouring. Who wouldn't love to eliminate that kind of mess.

These pieces will have Dupont Autograph 2 coating - on the inside AND the outside for even easier clean up. The handles are a combination of stainless steel and silicone, for durability and comfort.

These pieces are also heat safe to 400 degrees.

I was also in a Product Knowledge workshop at our Leadership Summit a couple weeks ago and had the chance to have the director of Product Development lead my workshop. She also commented on the gauge measurements of these cookware pieces. If you don't know, the way gauge measurements work, the smaller the number, the stronger and thicker the item you are talking about. Executive Cookware pieces are 4-6 gauge.

The 5 piece set will sell for $225 ( 4qt covered casserole, 2 qt covered saucepan, 10" saute pan ~ casserole and saucepan include glass lids) and the 7 piece set will sell for $345 (8qt covered stockpot, 3qt covered saucepan, 1.5 qt covered saucepan and 10" skillet ~ stockpot and saucepans include glass lids; stockpot lid fits skillet)

These sets will be offered as a host half-price combo starting in March as well. There are also a few open stock pieces that will be available.

 

[N.Bailey]

When my son was younger, for his science fair project he tested many types of batteries (I know, it's an easy project LOL) to see which lasted the longest. Duracell came out the clear winner of those we tested. The final conclusion however was, the generic batteries are so much cheaper that they actually turned out to be the better value for the buck. Sure, you had to use 2 for every Duracell (and other brands tested), but you still have less $ involved with 2 than you did the other brands.

IMO, it's the same theory for nonstick pans. I'll buy cheaper ones (not cheap now) and replace them a little more frequently. IMO, it's probably less expensive in the long run because I've tried many different brands and they all wear out. At least the ones I've bought have.

 

[MzDiz]

A couple years ago I bought a set from Sam's Club. It was their brand, Member's Mark, I believe it's called. It's still looking good and easy to clean. I'm abusive to it too. I cook all the time and am *never* kind to my cookware. The set was less than 300 for a whole mess of pieces.

 

[mickman1962]

Actually I'm a bit leary of spending good money on non-stick cookware that I would like to get 15-20 years out of. I have never seen a non-stick anything that lasts for long.

 

[Sheric68]

I have a set of Farberware Classic pans and they are wonderful. They were the first set DH and I bought when we got married 17 years ago and they are still great. I don't have to hand wash them either, they go right in the dishwasher. I do buy 1-2 non-stick skillets every few years, but I find the non-stick need to be replaced and doesn't last very long.