Need to buy a couple pots and pans Suggestions?

Cast iron or carbon steel will do eggs well. Stainless steel (in tri py) that you baby and keep scratch free will do eggs well.  It's certainly worth having a cast iron or carbon steel skillet in your kit.

Tri ply pans are the best all around pans for general use. Tramontina scores well against All Clad but doesn't have their high price. Can be a bit hard to find. Walmart used to be the source I'd recommend but they just closed out the Tramontina line up.

Now they're carrying a tri ply under the Better Homes and Garden label, but it's made in Brazil so I think it's still Tramontina as that's their home production location.. Looks pretty well made but haven't seen any testing yet.

Calphalon also has good tri-ply pans, but price can be anywhere from steep to good.

Skip hard anodized aluminum.

I have a set of Tramontina TriPly that I paid $150 for. Here's the link for them at Walmart. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-8-Piece-Cookware-Set/5716478

I think they are a fantastic value. I prefer to cook with SS unless it's something that could really stick (eggs). Otherwise, SS is just easier. If you want something that's non-stick and not Teflon, Calphalon Anodized are a good option. I've only used them a handful of times, and they seem to cook well.

Love, love, love my LeCreuset tri-ply stainless.  It's less expensive than All-clad (but still not cheap).

If you want non-stick without PTFE, try Cuisinart Green Gourmet stainless.  I was really impressed with it but had to give mine away because it wouldn't work on my new induction range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCZ 

  I was really impressed with it but had to give mine away because it wouldn't work on my new induction range.

For those who don't know, there is now a device that can be used to "bridge" your induction cooktop with any flat-bottom cookware,  even aluminum.  It's a steel disc with a handle and costs around $100, but certainly worth it considering what new pots & pans can run.  On the other hand,  I wonder if one could just go to the hardware store and purchase a round steel plate, and get the same benefit for about $8?  The plate would be heated by the induction,  and the heat would be transferred to pan.  As long as there is good contact, you'd be good to go. 

There are cheap cast iron "flame tamers" that would do the same thing for less than $20.  http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Tamer-Burner-Plate/dp/B00004W4UJ for example.

Those things kind of negate the value of using induction....the quick control.  You're back to trying to control the heat in a piece of steel under the pan, just like a conventional electric range, and then transfer the heat to the pan.  Another problem per user reviews is that the metal plate can overheat, shutting down the induction electronics and sending the range into an error mode.  Not a good idea, IMHO.  Then you're stuck with a hot metal plate and have to find somewhere to park it rather than the stovetop.

Anybody who thinks an induction range or cooktop may lie in their future needs to think all this stuff through before investing in any cookware today.

I got this set http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-TriPly-Clad-Cookware-Set/11072505 because of the larger saute' pans and larger pieces in general.  It's on "rollback" for $249 right now.  I got mine for $199... some rollback
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerm713 

I have a set of Tramontina TriPly that I paid $150 for. Here's the link for them at Walmart. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-8-Piece-Cookware-Set/5716478

 

I think they are a fantastic value. I prefer to cook with SS unless it's something that could really stick (eggs). Otherwise, SS is just easier. If you want something that's non-stick and not Teflon, Calphalon Anodized are a good option. I've only used them a handful of times, and they seem to cook well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QUETEX 

Please fogive my ignorance, what is meant by "induction", never heard that before.

take a look at: http://theinductionsite.com/

I received a set of LeCreuset tri-ply stainless steel pans as an aniversary gift from my ex - I would have given them back when we split - but they are waaay too good for that.

Babs.