STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Questions about pots and pans

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I would recommend buying a nicer set. The cheaper sets tend to need replacing quite often, and so you probably don't save much in the long run.

You might find that you don't need a whole set, but I'm not sure what your needs are.

My parents recently bought me a 10-piece set of Calphalon Contemporary stainless steel pots and pans. I got a great deal on it at Bed Bath and Beyond. The set costs $500, but I also got a $50 giftcard and a Calphalon non-stick stock pot with the purchase, plus I could use one of those 20% off coupons for it. I think stainless steel pots/pans last the longest, because they're not as easily scratched as nonstick pots/pans and therefore there's no nonstick coating to wear off. However, if you go with stainless steel, I'd recommend buying one nonstick pan for eggs. It's really hard to make eggs in a stainless steel pan.

Otherwise, you could buy pieces on an individual basis. Depending on how much you cook/what you cook, you might not need a complete set.

HTH!

35432105989C.JPG;pv668e2fb9b5dd8c98

This is the set I have.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Sunday 13th of September 2009 07:57:08 PM

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

Also, I'd check out the reviews on Amazon for pots and pans. I found them super helpful when I was researching which cookware to buy.

NCshopper · Hermes

DH is very into cookware and he recommends the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel Cookware set to start out with. It's a good balance between quality and price. He says that this set ought to do the trick:
http://www.cutleryandmore.com/details.asp?SKU=10520
(Cutlery and More is a good general site anyway and has really good prices, so you might want to do some comparison shopping on their site before you buy. We've bought a number of things from them and they're completely reputable.)

Also, for what it's worth, I highly recommend getting a cast iron pan. We do probably 90% of our cooking using this Lodge Cast Iron pan that we've had for 7 years.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JSUA/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p79_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01KXQRZWZADKEVASAJB5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

We use it so often in fact that it's seasoned to the point now where we cook eggs in it. We use it on the stove top and in the oven and it's pretty indestructible. Highly recommend.

Hope this helps!

Suasoria · Chanel

Amazon reviews are a great suggestion - Consumer Reports usually has ratings on cookware too. They tell you what's a "best buy" in terms of price/performance.

I would figure out what/how you cook before going with a set. If there's five pieces but you'll really only use three, it might be cheaper to get just those three. I started buying All-Clad long before I got married, and registered for a bunch more pieces to round out the collection. I have since bought "specialty" pieces over the years like a little round-bottom saucier, an asparagus pot, etc. I don't like their nonstick stuff but I can't remember why.

IMO you can go cheap with items you'll mostly use to boil water (such as for pasta or soup), but you want quality in an item like a saute pan.

Things I look for:

- Lids that fit well. If a lid fits more than one piece, even better.
- Heavy bottoms
- Good balance (a large pot or pan should have handles on both sides)
- Totally oven-safe, no plastic, glass, etc.
- Dishwasher safe

Kel · Coach

I have the Emeril line by All Clad. I have had it over a year now and I love them.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I started with a Faberware set from Macy's 4 years ago when I moved into my first apartment and it is still going strong. They were mismarked and we got them for $20 not the original $100+ price tag. I recently got married and registered for Emeril pans because I wanted to upgrade and a wedding registry was a perfect excuse for that. I haven't tried them out yet as I just unpacked them this weekend and crockpotted dinner for the week but I'm hoping to try them soon.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Thanks all, this was very helpful. I think I need a set bc I tend to use a few pans at a time, one for a sauce, one for veggies, one for pasta, etc. Buying 4 sep pans seems to cost the same as a set.

I am veering towards stainless steel, as I tend to use pam or oil in my cooking with nonstick anyway. Is this a bright idea?

gossipgirl · Dooney & Bourke

Stainless steel is a good option. I like non-stick just cause I'm a little lazy (although I have both.) I have found good deals on expensive pans at TJ Maxx and Marshalls. If you keep looking you can pick them up pretty cheap. I've bought one at a time but worked up a good collection.

Suasoria · Chanel

I think I noticed in the shopping thread you got something, but if you do want a nonstick pan, a 10-12 inch nonstick pan is easy to find. I got a no-name set of three different sizes at Costco about six or seven years ago and they've held up well.