Suggestions For New Pots and Pans

[C.Ann]

As part of my DD's housewarming gift I'll be buying her lighthouse dishes to go with the lighthouse theme she wants to use in the kitchen.. Her DH has decided that they will go with black appliances (black is his favorite color) but the walls will be painted white - perhaps with a seashore theme border..

The other half of the housewarming gift will be new pots and pans.. (She still has the cranberry pyrex ones from when she got married in '95 and hates them - as do I.. They're SO darn heavy and clumsy to work with and don't cook evenly at all..)

So - what kind of pots and pans do all of you have? What colors do they come in - and are they extremely heavy? Also - can "extras" be purchased - such as a larger fry pan with cover, etc.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks!

 

[siouxi31]

I have Calphalon anodized steel pans. I'm kind of freaky when it comes to using things with chemicals like non-stick, so I do not have a set of non-stick pans.

However, I do have one non-stick pan but I won't use it with anything that requires high heat. I know, I'm nuts.

By the way, I've had the Calphalon since 1994 and I love it!

 

[ducklite]

I've got the Calphalon One. I love it--very even cooking, easy cleanup. But it's heavy, so of she doesn't want heavy it's not going to work.

Anne

 

[C.Ann]

I have Calphalon anodized steel pans. I'm kind of freaky when it comes to using things with chemicals like non-stick, so I do not have a set of non-stick pans.

----------------------

I don't like the non-stick either because I have seen the cheapest to the most expensive where the non-stick finish eventually starts to disinegrate and come off either in little specks or big chunks.. I really prefer not to eat that stuff mixed in with my food.. Yuck!!

 

[doxdogy]

Even though they are non-stick, I have the Cook's Essentials from QVC and I love them. I have had them for almost a year and they still look as good as new.

 

[jonestavern]

I have a variety of pans, as I cook & bake a lot~
My favorites are: the Ultrex series, sold on HSN--they are heavier, the non-stick is outstanding! Mine have the stainless finish on the outside. The heat distribution is remarkable. I have the 14" round pan & it absolutely heats up evenly even on my 10" electric burner~have had these pans for 2 or 3 years & use them frequently & no rub off on the coating yet
I have the 15" pan, & 8" & 11" frying pans~

I also have several Cook's Essentials "professional" hard anodized series from QVC. these are similiar to Calphalon--(which I have used eons ago )
I do not buy sets, usually, because they frequently contain pieces I will not use--ie 1 qt saucepans--I did not buy the whole QVC set. I do like the pieces I have very much--stockpot, chicken fryer, 3 qt sauce pan roasting pan~

I also have a bunch of odds & ends I use frequently--cast iron pieces--some from my Grandmother!, Guardian pans, do have the Pyrex duble boiler, some ancient Faberware stockpots & equally old Revereware stockpots. I have a couple of Staub casseroles I like a lot. It is similiar to Le Creuset & I find them a breeze to clean.

When DS17 was younger--& still frequently--I do not cook out of non-stick pans. Also, never heat up non-stick without 1st having sprayed it with oil. Health considerations on both counts~

It must be so exciting to be outfitting a new house!

I am buying more cast iron for our newly re-habbed open hearth fireplace--no way to get away with lightweight there!

Jean

 

[ilovepcot]

The Belgique line put out through Macy's are incredible! They're stainless steel and very reasonably priced. I stir fry chicken and beef a great deal and *never* have a problem with food sticking. I have a few pieces of All Clad that I paid a small fortune for and they don't cook one bit better.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

I like the pots and pans from Pampered Chef.

 

[golfgal]

I have some Calphalon and Analon Professional and I prefer the Analon. The handles are good in the oven to 500° and they don't get hot when you use them on the stove top where the Calpholon do. You can get both with wooden handles but they are only oven safe to 350°.

 

[kpm76]

I have Calphalon Contemporary Non-Stick and love them!

 

[mrsv98]

I just bought the Emeril Ware Stainless Steel 10pc set and LOVE it! Excellent heat distribution, not hard to clean and they can go in the dishwasher :cheer:

I had a 20% coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond and they are also giving away a cast iron grill pan with the set so I paid $160 plus tax for the whole set.

 

[Jockaroo]

I have way too many pieces of cookware. I have quite a few pieces of Circulon non-stick hard anodized, a large set of stainless steel Revereware and some cast iron pieces (my mom gave me her skillet set when I got married). They all serve different purposes. I love that I can toss the stainless in the dishwasher, but not the other types. Right now I am constantly pulling out the iron skillets and griddle to prepare all my meat dishes. I believe that the Meyer Corporation makes QVCs Cooks Essentuals line as well as the Analon and Circulon cookware. I think they hold a patent on the technology that allows the colored enamel finishes to be put on the hard anodized pieces.

Added: My Circulon pieces have held up well and I have used them for about 8 years. Non-stick still working well.

 

[kdibattista]

I have Wolfgang Puck's stainless steel cookware and it's GREAT!!! I talked my mom into trying it and she's convert now as well. I actually got my set from HSN:

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/sf/default.aspx?gs=&sf=qc&attr=181&prev=hp!sf

 

[Servants of Evan]

Calphalon Anodized Alluminum. I don't think Calphalon makes an anodized steel pan... I don't have the non-stick, though candidly I wish I did. I have an ever-increasing mega-set and it drives my wife nuts. I wish it was good in the dishwasher but it cooks so darn well I'm at least content to hand wash them. I also give a to calphalon's bakeware. It's good solid stuff...

edited to add: I've also seen the Wolfgang Puck stainless set at my local B.J.'s Wholesale Club.