Cookware

[jspchief]

Pots and Pans.

I'm tired of going through crappy cookware every few years, and I want to look into get better quality stuff. I've tried getting the "good" quality pans at places like target, and they just don't meet my standards. My mother has had the same pans my entire life. They cleaned easily, didn't warp when heated, and obviously were durable.

The top three things I'm looking for:
1. Even heating. The bottom stays flat when the pan gets hot.
2. Durability.
3. Clean easily. This may be a lost cause. I don't think any teflon type pans are going to offer the other two traits I want, but you never know.

I don't know what my budget is. I'll probably try to look at it from a good, better, best angle, and weigh performance vs value. I'll also likely buy individual pans, adding as I go versus trying to buy a full set at once. If it matters, I'm using a ceramic top electric range.

And don't tell me cast iron. I plan on adding a cast iron pan to my collection, but it won't be a regular part of my cooking.

OK CP chefs, what are your recommendations?

[notorious]

Originally Posted by listopencil

I buy the stuff at Wal Mart. Just bought a set of the Paula Dean pots and pans not too long ago. They are holding up well. I'll just keep buying the cheap stuff and maybe eventually build a giant robot out of the crap as it goes bad.

Another R2D2?

[Just Passin' By]

If you're not worried about price, Le Creuset and All-Clad are a great place to start. I also find Anolon products to work well when I'm looking for non-stick (although I recommend you baby them ridiculously, as I do for all non-stick pans), and the older Revere copper bottom pots were always dependable for me when I didn't require a non-stick surface.

[HoneyBadger]

I have a few items from IKEA. Its about 2 years old and I use them several times a week and they are all holding up well. Pretty cheap too.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by notorious

Another R2D2?

I'm thinking Bender.

[Mr. Laz]

How many of these can go into a dishwasher?

[Saccopoo]

Fissler, Mauviel, All-Clad and Demeyere are some of the better constructed pans out there.

Bang for the buck, the Cuisinart Chef Classic line is pretty darn good, as is the Kirkland/Costco stainless steel set.

I usually buy one inexpensive non-stick skillet knowing that it's going to be tossed in three to six months.

If you are going to purchase a cast iron pan, I'd recommend that you take a look at the nickle plated ones.

You got a Costco membership?

[Johnny Vegas]

I'm in the market for pots and pans too. I'm curious as to what the restaurants use because they get the most use out of a pan. I'm gonna be checking out the restaurant supply store here soon.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vegas

I'm in the market for pots and pans too. I'm curious as to what the restaurants use because they get the most use out of a pan. I'm gonna be checking out the restaurant supply store here soon.

They use dog shit because it gets beat to hell on the grill and then additionally murdered by the dish crew.

[Johnny Vegas]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

They use dog shit because it gets beat to hell on the grill and then additionally murdered by the dish crew.

Anthony Bourdain was talking about some pots and pans to consider at a restaurant supply shop. I figured I check them out because he said on ones you can beat to shit and they'll last 20 years. So I don't plan on beating them to shit and maybe they'll last 40. :shrugs:

[WV]

I like the new calphalon set I bought about a year ago and if you want cast iron I recommend Lodge pre-seasoned.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Yeah, you have to own at least 1 nonstick skillet, if for nothing other than eggs.

Yeah, I kept 2 of my nonstick skillets (my mom advised this when we got the SS set)

[loochy]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

Anolon.

I have a set of their knives and I love them. They are very sharp, they balance well, and they just feel like quality knives but they aren't so expensive that I'm afraid to use them.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by Phobia

You got a Costco membership?

I do. Do they have something decent?

[tooge]

Calphalon is good stuff. I've had mine for probably 19 or 20 years and It still looks and functions like the day I got it. It's all metal handles go in the oven, and its extremely heavy duty. You gotta have a couple of cast iron pans too though. I"ve never cooked with anything that holds and distributes heat as well as cast iron.