Buying Cookware

mudbug · #1 02-14-2002, 01:14 PM

Many of you pros already have your favorite pieces. This is for anyone who may be in the market for cookware.

Consider the amount you are wanting to invest. If you're on a budget, you may just want to invest in one or two quality pieces. It really depends on how much money you want to spend and how much it matters to you.

Investing in high quality pots and pans that will last you the rest of your life would be the best investment in the long run. Look for those with lifetime warranties and consider what professional chefs use (All-Clad).

There are a handful of high quality cookware lines (All-Clad, Berndes, Le Creuset) available and hundreds of others that aren't so good. All-Clad & Le Creuset would be the top of the line cookware and heat the fastest.

If you don't want to spend the money on All-Clad, consider "Berndes" made in Germany. Awarded a BEST BUY by Consumers Digest for a Second Time.

Here are several articles which should give you a good idea of what to look for and what to avoid.

The Ins and Outs of Pots and Pans

Get a Handle on Pots and Pans

What a Cook Wants: Pots and Pans

So you'd like to... be a real man in the kitchen

Choosing the Right Saucepan

What kinds of cookware do you use and prefer over others and why?

What are your "most used" pieces?

roon · #2 02-14-2002, 01:51 PM

Well I couldn't really pick just one of the choices listed, because what I use depends on what I'm cooking...I have a stainless steel stock-pot. I love cast iron for pan-frying and dutch-oven style cooking. For most everything else, I have anodized aluminum cookware- with non-stick surfaces. I like them because they're non-stick, for one, but my pots, pans, and lids are also oven safe to 350F. A lifetime guarantee also helps.

kokopuffs · #3 02-14-2002, 01:55 PM

All Clad pots and pans including their Copper Chef line are on sale right now at OUTLETS ONLINE!

I still want to get a couple of pieces by Mauviel, however.

Here's the url:

https://www.outletsonline.com/cgi-bi...301+1013729282

KyleW · #4 02-14-2002, 02:00 PM

I have a couple of pieces of All-Clad; my raosting pan and a new paella pan. Most of my cookware is Cuisinart Everyday Stainless. It heats pretty quickly and evenly and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy. I agree that buying sets is probably not the way to go. Buy good stuff a piece or two at a time. Oh, buy the way, I also own a few cast iron skillets. Nothing like 'em

crane · #5 02-14-2002, 02:42 PM

I have to say that I voted for All-Clad, because that is what my family used, and it is what I mostly have right now. However, the absolute best pan I have every used and is my 11" Demeyere Sirroco fry pan. Go to the website and you'll see the quality that goes into these pans.

Peachcreek · #6 02-14-2002, 02:53 PM

Shop around. The longer the better. Decide what you want and wait till you find that piece or set for a decent price. I have different types of pots and pans for work and home, but got a decent price for just about everything. My last large pan purchase was for home. A department store in the area went out of business and had everything in their kitchenware section at really good prices. I got a 14 piece set of Farberware Millenium cookware for $98.00, probably about their cost. I also look for used stuff through restaurant supply places. I got a heavy Vollrath 3-ply stainless 20 qt stockpot for $50.00 in very good shape,with lid. For saute pans, uncoated or non-stick, restaurant supply places are the way to go if beauty isn't an issue. A Wearever, or Torowear or Vollrath saute pan is practically home-cook proof. I also collect cookware from second hand places. I have gotten several pieces of Le Creuset in perfect shape-no chips, no rust, no cracks and paid maybe $1.00 each. My favorite fondue pot is a 1qt Le Creuset. I have a pretty good collection of my prize cookware-my copper pots, pans and bowls. And yes, I use them.

Jock · #7 02-14-2002, 06:37 PM

I'm like roon, depends on what I'm cooking. However, about 15 years ago my mother in law gave us a set of Magnalite as a house warming gift. I don't think anything heats faster than that. A couple of years ago I won a set of All Clad stainless in a drawing. I thought all my birthdays had come at once. It is fantastic. I have an assortment of Wearever and other pieces that I will continue to add to. You can never have too many.

Jock

panini · #8 02-14-2002, 06:39 PM

In the bakery we use the restaurant issue wearever for most utility, dbl boiler,sauces,choux paste etc. for sugar we use copper and for creams we use straight stainless.
I can't remember how many yrs. I have had my all clad at home. They are used every day, they look like the day they were bought. 36" gas and I love them for what I do. even heating etc.
I just picked up a couple of used 2qt 1qt on ebay

bouland · #9 02-14-2002, 07:58 PM

I still favor French copper over other all the fancy American brands. As I wrote over a year ago, besides working great and lasting a long time, they also can be had for less money. please read before you spend more money on lesser quality pots.

shroomgirl · #10 02-14-2002, 08:59 PM

I have a set of Scan Pans...they are pretty good, got a life time warantee and I have returned pots....
The huge skillet is indispensible.
Cast Iron!!! What can replace that for frying chicken?
Then the assortment of odds and ends...
One of my least favs is enamel coated pans.
I've recently cooked on an induction stove and for some stupid reason my rice continually sticks to the pan.....stupid stove.

Pete · #11 02-15-2002, 06:40 AM

I voted for All-clad because that is my everyday cookware for the most part and I love it. But as others have mentioned, I could never do away with my cast iron skillet. It is the best. It belonged to my grandmother, then my mom and now me. It is truly a great piece. I would also love to own a couple of Le Cruset pieces but they are so expensive. Someday, maybe.

mudbug · #12 02-15-2002, 08:16 AM

Quote:

I would also love to own a couple of Le Cruset pieces but they are so expensive. Someday, maybe.

Pete,

About 7 years ago I could have had the exact set pictured above (lovingly pre-owned) for all of $35.00 at a garage sale in Pittsburg, KS of all places. Yes, you read that correctly. Now I wouldn't be able to buy half a lid for that price.

This was before I was interested in cooking or let alone had any knowledge of it's quality. I also missed out on a brand new 7 piece All-Clad set for $100 still in the box.

NEVER again.

Isa · #13 02-15-2002, 06:42 PM

Pete,

At the local Costco you can find le Creuset at a very good price. I seem to recall 100$ for three pans.

Pete · #14 02-16-2002, 06:52 AM

WOW! That is a great price, but are you sure that it was Le Cruset. I know of a couple of knock offs that are pretty cheap, but not nearly the quality. The porcelin coating on these is very weak and cracks and chips very easily.

I would also hate to think of all the great deals, at garage sales, that I have passed up, years ago, not knowing what I know now!!

Actually the only pieces of Le Cruset that I really, really, want are one of their terrines (the long rectangular one), one of their "dutch ovens", and their paella pan with lid. But, if anyone were to buy me any of it (hint, hint

)I certainly won't mind. LOL!!!

catciao · #15 02-16-2002, 11:56 AM

Although I voted All-Clad since most of my pieces are that brand, I use different pans for specific cooking methods. As mentioned by others, I wouldn't dream of using anything but my Le Creuset dutch oven for stews and soups or my Calphelon NS Dutch Oven for roasting. I waited close to three years before buying my first All Clad and even then it was on Ebay at a reasonable price.