[Nostalgia]

Greetings, all!

My wife and I are looking to begin replacing our Calphalon anodized aluminum and non-stick pans with stainless steel. We'll likely start with a 10" fry pan, a 4qt and 2qt saucepan. We already have a big stock pot and a 10" covered saute pan in Calphalon stainless. We also have an 8" Le Creueset omlette pan (my favorite!), a Le Creuset French oven, and of course a 12" cast-iron pan (my second favorite ). Oh, we've also got an anodized wok that we're planning to replace with steel at some point.

I'd like to find a product that's made in the USA. So far, the only thing I've found is the All-Clad series. They seem like nice pieces, but I really don't like the handles.

Are there any other brands I should be looking at? Besides the chains (Bed/Bath, Linens n Things, Macy's, Le gourmet Chef) I've checked my local restaurant supply store, and they don't stock cookware.

I'm also open to suggestions for pieces to round out our collection of cookware. I'm trying to do the most with a minimum of pieces. All of the pieces I own now I use very frequently, and are versatile. I'm trying to stay away from very application-specific items, like crepe pans and such.

We cook on gas, if that makes a difference in your suggestions.

Thanks!

-Joe

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by Nostalgia

I'd like to find a product that's made in the USA. So far, the only thing I've found is the All-Clad series. They seem like nice pieces, but I really don't like the handles.

Are there any other brands I should be looking at?

Joe,

Not really. I understand your desire to want to purchase well made pieces that will last several lifetimes and even if something is not made in the USA, there are plenty of other countries that have excellent reputations for creating quality products so don't limit yourself unnecessarily.

I think you should re-visit All-Clad and read this thread. What exactly is it you don't like about the handle. You might be surprised how well you might appreciate it when you're using it on a daily basis.

[Pete]

Joe, I was going to ask the same thing as Mudbug. What is it about the handles that you don't like. If anything, I think the handles on one of the best features of All-clad. I have looked at lots of other cookware and find their handles to be either flimsy or not well attached. Personally I wouldn't ever give up my All-clad, though I would like to supplement it with a lot more Le Crueset!!!

[Nostalgia]

Originally Posted by mudbug

Not really. I understand your desire to want to purchase well made pieces that will last several lifetimes and even if something is not made in the USA, there are plenty of other countries that have excellent reputations for creating quality products so don't limit yourself unnecessarily.
I think you should re-visit All-Clad and read this thread. What exactly is it you don't like about the handle. You might be surprised how well you might appreciate it when you're using it on a daily basis.

It's not that I think other countries make junk, I just prefer to support companies here when I can. A lot of people in the States complain about jobs going overseas, then will buy things Made in China to save $1. I don't agree with that.

That said, I'm not dead set on Made in USA. I will spend extra for it over a comparable Made in China product, but I will not sacrifice quality for it. If we can't make a quality product, then my money deserves to go elsewhere.

I will check out the thread you linked. What I don't like about the handles is the shape. They hurt my hand when I pick them up. While they'll spend most of the time on the stove, I don't want to be uncomfortable while lifting a scalding hot pan of molten sugar off a burner.

Thanks for the reply,

-Joe

[Suzanne]

I can relate to your dislike of AC's handles. I love the pans (as I've said here many times ), but find the handles too narrow close in to the body of the pot. I can't get good leverage.

But the heat doesn't bother me. Especially from the stainless-steel handles. Anyway, I always have a potholder/hotpad/dry towel at hand if necessary (such as when I've just taken it out of the oven -- one touch without and you never make the same mistake again. Kind of like Raiders of the Lost Ark ).

[foodpump]

Please don't go for brand names, you're paying for the name, not the quality. Before you buy, check out the local Restaurant supply shops, very good quality, very good prices, albeit no bragging rights to "X" brand.

[skilletlicker]

I also understand your concern with the All-Clad handle especially on the 10" pan. At least once a week I use it to roast coffee beans. The way I do that involves shaking the pan constantly and tossing the beans every 10 seconds for nine to ten minutes. That put a little strain on my wrist in the beginning but I've gotten used to it.

Although I would prefer a more ergonomic handle, I wouldn't trade the pan for any other I know of.

[mudbug]

foodpump,
Normally I would agree with you, but sometimes some brands really do stand for the quality they create and the reputation they have earned. Yes, there are many, many, many brands of very good cookware on the market and restaurant supply places are excellent sources for them. But in the end, most professional chefs who have worked with many brands will conclude from years of experience that All-Clad truly is the best.

Nostalgia,
As with anything, it is impossible to please every human 100% of the time. The handles are designed for a thumb-on-top grip. This may work for most humans but not all, there are always exceptions.

You could consider adapting the handle with silicone grips or grips made of oven mit material. This may be a good compromise if you decide to go with All-Clad.

[Nostalgia]

Thanks for the excellent replies, all.

Foodpump, I have checked out the local restaurant shops. One didn't carry any cookware (at least not to the retail customer) and the other only had a couple of odd pieces (like a stock pot).

I know I can adapt the AC's handles (I already have the silicone slip-over), but I was just wondering if there were any other brands worth looking at. And if I'm dropping that much money on quality cookware, it'd be nice if it was comfortable in my hands without having to doctor it up with aftermarket goodies.

Really, I was hoping I could compare to a few other companies of similar quality before spending money on it. However, it does seem to be AC is the best game in town. Around here, it's All-Clad, Calphalon, or Emerilware.

-Joe

[foodpump]

Sorry Mudbug, have to disagree with you. Having worked in Europe, I've been spoiled with some really excellent cookware: Heavy guage s/s, sandwich bottoms with copper plates, with aluminum plates, tubular welded handles, cast s/s handles.... and then there's copper-clad s/s ware as well, best of both worlds, then again, almost as expensive as one world...

Most of these items I can get here in Vancouver as well. The "regular" s/s ware, about 8 pcs, made in Asia, has held up now for over 10 yrs in a professional setting, and still perform great. The European stuff, a braisere, and a marmite haute of the same age, look and perform perfectly, inspite of 10 yrs of cooks coming and going, harsh cleansers and oven cleaners, and ignorant d/washers....

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by foodpump

Sorry Mudbug, have to disagree with you. Having worked in Europe, I've been spoiled with some really excellent cookware: Heavy guage s/s, sandwich bottoms with copper plates, with aluminum plates, tubular welded handles, cast s/s handles.... and then there's copper-clad s/s ware as well, best of both worlds, then again, almost as expensive as one world...

Most of these items I can get here in Vancouver as well. The "regular" s/s ware, about 8 pcs, made in Asia, has held up now for over 10 yrs in a professional setting, and still perform great. The European stuff, a braisere, and a marmite haute of the same age, look and perform perfectly, inspite of 10 yrs of cooks coming and going, harsh cleansers and oven cleaners, and ignorant d/washers....

Foodpump, no need to apologize. What you need to do is be specific about brands and where they can be purchased in the USA. Also explain what you liked about each brand and piece. Feel free to go to the link above, vote and provide your input at that thread. That's what the forums are for.

[phatch]

Oh please!. iCook is part of Amway??

Phil

[jennykhughes]

You might want to check them out. I've been extremely happy with the suggested items based on their ratings. AC Rocks! But, suprisingly, the Wolfgang Puck cookware (at least the 12" skillet) is a great one, especially for the price. It was a nice addition to my collection.

[Free Rider]

Originally Posted by Nostalgia

It's not that I think other countries make junk, I just prefer to support companies here when I can. A lot of people in the States complain about jobs going overseas, then will buy things Made in China to save $1. I don't agree with that.
...........................

Don't limit yourself based on that either. The jobs that should go overseas do. We simply don't have enough people available to be the factory line workers and similar that are needed to produce the goods we want to buy -- our workforce has outgrown the un/semi-skilled stage and is on to higher incomes and consumerism (follow the baby-boomers' career paths, big lump in our demographics that they are).

My suggestion is to be sure you are comfortable with the feel of the product. You'll use it for a long time. One of my favorite stores for kitchen stuff, although expensive, is Sur La Table.

[skilletlicker]

Originally Posted by Free Rider

Don't limit yourself based on that either. The jobs that should go overseas do. We simply don't have enough people available to be the factory line workers and similar that are needed to produce the goods we want to buy -- our workforce has outgrown the un/semi-skilled stage and is on to higher incomes and consumerism (follow the baby-boomers' career paths, big lump in our demographics that they are).
My suggestion is to be sure you are comfortable with the feel of the product. You'll use it for a long time. One of my favorite stores for kitchen stuff, although expensive, is Sur La Table.

Unbelievable!