cookware recommendations?

[fizzgig]

my dad has already asked me about christmans and i'm in need of some new pans.

i'm looking for something that's oven safe (lid too, preferably). i've got an electric stove, if that makes a difference.

i lurk here all the time and love you guys :)

[housewolf]

1. If you have a CostCo near you

check out their stainless steel copper-clad set. I had a set of them for several years and just loved them - until the big ones became too heavy for me to manage easily. I gave the whole set to my brother about 6 months ago and have frequently rued that decision.

Anyway, it's a full set of sauce pans, skillets & dutch oven/stock pot - 13 piece set. They conduct heat evenly and cook beautifully. Here's a link to the set on their warehouse site, price might be slightly different in-store.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11631728&search=cookware&Mo=32&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=cookware&Ntt=cookware&No=23&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

Good luck to you, and happy shopping!

[flying rabbit]

3. Second that

I got a set a few months ago and love them.

[fizzgig]

5. i'll keep those in mind

do you have to be a member to shop there?

[Lucinda]

2. Weird. I keep trying to post and it just hangs up....

As for cookware, I am a long time cast iron fan. I have a few stainless steel pieces I use, but the cast iron is always what I grab first.
We also have an induction cooktop, so copper clad is out for me, but the set mentioned above looks wonderful.

[fizzgig]

6. i don't use my cast iron nearly enough

i do love it

[Lucinda]

8. It can get a little heavy for me when I'm not feeling well

but it gives me better results than anything else for most recipes. :)
I do use stainless for most egg dishes though, unless its a skillet breakfast sort of thing.

[ginnyinWI]

4. Farberware with the copper bottoms.

I love my set: good stainless steel, with handles that stay cool, and stainless steel covers and handles that also stay cool.

[GoCubsGo]

10. I have copper-clade Revereware.

It's over 20 years old and still going strong. My set was made in USA. Not sure if they are still making it here.

[flamin lib]

7. I have the Emeril set.

http://www.emerilware.com/cookware_main.php

Mine is stainless steel. It has the same 18/8 heavy copper clad construction as the Costco and Farberware (I think they are all private labels from the same factory) but it has drip catch lids that are glass. I like the glass lids 'cause they let me precisely control simmer down to one or two bubbles a second. Only thing to make it better would be having the heavy bottom wrap around the sides but I don't know of any sets with that feature.


I also have one hard anodized 9" saute pan strictly for omelets.

[fizzgig]

13. i like glass lids for that reason, too

thanks

[The empressof all]

9. I have a set of Wolfgang Puck Stainless from QVC

Fabulous pans. I use them every day. They can go into the oven and I even use them to bake with at times. I also keep a non stick omlette pan, a Calphalon "every-day" pan which reminds me of a small wok, a reversible grill pan/griddle that goes across two electric elements and a few pieces of Le Crueset for braising. I find I also do a great deal of cooking in the electric pressure cooker or the slow cooker just as much as the top of the stove.

[GoCubsGo]

11. I understand that a lot of the Calphalon is US made.

Something to consider...

[Warpy]

12. I have a motley collection, too

Le Creuset Dutch ovens for soups and stews and a stovetop grill, a combination of Calphalon and stainless pots bought on Amazon on sale as I needed them, and that everyday pan that I really do use nearly every day. I also have a big wok for stuff that won't fit into anything else, for smoking, and for stir frying.

I had to give away my seasoned cast iron frypans, the wrists won't take them any more, but they went to a great home with a good cook.

[fizzgig]

14. i use the slow cooker quite a bit

and that griddle/grill pan sounds great!

thanks for the suggestions

[pengillian101]

15. I still use the cookware I have had for 40 years that looks like that Cosco deal.

My ex and I got many sales calls when we were newlyweds. I guess sales folks watch the newspaper announcements.

This guy offered to come to our apartment and cook a healthy waterless cookware meal that he would provide. Well, we weren't going to turn down that freebie supper he made. It was cooked to perfection. We were very impressed with all the bells and whistles that were included and we bought the set.

Now let me say that spending $350 for this set in 1971 was a huge investment for us. It has been the best thing I ever purchased. Good thing I scarfed this in our divorce.

Unfortunately, I have lost a few pieces in moves over the years, but I see replacements on Ebay, just not the right ones I need. Mine is triply-ply stainless steel.

http://unitedcookware.com/index.html

[fizzgig]

16. gonna kick this once for any more ideas

right now i'm leaning toward the costco set. they got good reviews at the web site in addition to here and there's one close to my dad's work.

anyone else want to chime in before i make the decision?

thanks :)

[OffWithTheirHeads]

Yeah, me. I have three sets of the best cookware money can buy.

A set of French copper
An excellent set of Allclad....and
a set of cheap cast iron.

I love to cook and have been in love with cooking for about 50 years. I've tried the best money can buy and nothing beats cast iron. I use it for 90% of my cooking. Well seasoned, it is better at nonstick than Teflon. It also ads iron to your diet. If you check the Army Surpluss stores, you can buy it for dirt cheap compared to the designer crap and pass it on to your grandkids

I almost never use my expensive cookware because the cast iron simply works better!
Yes, there is a learning curve. You have to learn how to take care of it and it's a little old school but they knew how to do shit in the old days.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

17. Yeah, me. I have three sets of the best cookware money can buy.

A set of French copper
An excellent set of Allclad....and
a set of cheap cast iron.

I love to cook and have been in love with cooking for about 50 years. I've tried the best money can buy and nothing beats cast iron. I use it for 90% of my cooking. Well seasoned, it is better at nonstick than Teflon. It also ads iron to your diet. If you check the Army Surpluss stores, you can buy it for dirt cheap compared to the designer crap and pass it on to your grandkids

I almost never use my expensive cookware because the cast iron simply works better!
Yes, there is a learning curve. You have to learn how to take care of it and it's a little old school but they knew how to do shit in the old days.

[Major Nikon]

18. Here's the set I've put together over the years

I have a lot of pots and pans that have came and went over the years. The problem I have with buying a set of pans from one manufacturer is you get some that are very useful, but you also get some that are hardly ever used. For instance, I like All-Clad, but most of the pans they include in their sets I have little to no use for and many other sets I see are the same way. I also don't like to be tied down to one type of material for all my cookware. Here's the set I've put together over the years which works well for most types of cooking I do.

1) 7 qt porcelain coated cast iron dutch oven. Mine is made by Le Creuset, but there are many good ones out there.

2) 3 qt saucier. Mine is All-Clad.

3) 2 qt sauce pan. Mine is All-Clad.

4) 10 qt pasta pot. Mine is a cheap one that has the steamer and pasta inserts. It does have a very thick stainless clad aluminum bottom, which is what you want.

5) 12" cast iron skillet. Mine is Lodge, Pro-Logic line.

6) 12" non-stick skillet. I got mine at the restaurant supply house. It's a commercial grade aluminum pan. They are pretty cheap and I replace it every few years.

I have a few other items like a cast iron griddle, a wok, and a roasting pan, but the above 6 items serve about 90% of my pots and pans needs.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Here are some old threads on this topic. Still helpful.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...