Tell me about pots & pans

I’m trying to figure out if I need some basic pots/pans or something worth much more. We got our current set for our wedding 10 years ago, and it was just your basic cheap $100 pot set. I’m noticing that stuff is sticking more to them, and making it difficult to clean at times. I would think 10 years worth of use for a cheap set seems acceptable. Do I just purchase a newer similar set? Or is it worthwhile investing in something more expensive?





*insert joke about me being in the kitchen*

I was not a cast iron person until I met my wife and that's all we use. Once it's seasoned, it works as well as any non-stick.

Rocinante wrote:I was not a cast iron person until I met my wife and that's all we use. Once it's seasoned, it works as well as any non-stick.

I do have one of those, and I know that’s forever. I’m mostly talking about a set. There can be some over 1k (which I don’t want to spend), but if it’s worth it I might buy something around $500 or so.

Cameron wrote:I'm well versed in pot. Afraid I can't help you with pans.

Perhaps soon it won’t be too taboo to share recipes on a public forum.

Dendrobates wrote:

Rocinante wrote:I was not a cast iron person until I met my wife and that's all we use. Once it's seasoned, it works as well as any non-stick.

I do have one of those, and I know that’s forever. I’m mostly talking about a set. There can be some over 1k (which I don’t want to spend), but if it’s worth it I might buy something around $500 or so.

That's what I mean. We have a whole set of cast iron. About the only thing we don't do with them is boil water.

We have 8"-10" and 12" cast iron inherited from my parents that we use for high temp and recipes that start on the cook top and finish in the oven or under the broiler.

Got these Henkle's non-stick ceramic from Costco. Use them almost daily and really like them. They are made in Italy and weigh about twice as much as the less expensive Tramontina also sold at Costco.

https://www.costco.com/J.A.-Henckels-International-3-piece-Capri-Granitium-Nonstick-Fry-Pans.product.100396210.html

WBH highly recommends the copper thing as seen on TV.

Actually have a very expensive SS set with nice thick bottoms ( )and they are pretty good, until clean up, then I like my cast iron fry pan.
I got a great deal on the All Clad set we have and we'll probably be leaving them to my grandchildren (if I ever have any).
I think any good SS would be a good basic, the thick bottom for heat distribution is key, plus a couple cast iron pans.

Stay away from teflon type non-stick, too much crap about consuming that shit.

I could use another iron pan to have. But I don’t use them as often.

I think mine are those nonstick Teflon type. But they are no longer nonstick. A SS set is a good idea. Is there a particular brand that is better than another?

Dendrobates wrote:I could use another iron pan to have. But I don’t use them as often.

I think mine are those nonstick Teflon type. But they are no longer nonstick. A SS set is a good idea. Is there a particular brand that is better than another?

Like I said, I have All Clad, which I see on Amazon for $1200 (I didn't pay anywhere near that) and they are very good, I'm sure you can get something close for $300. Just look for a 'bonded' bottom. They layer the bottom with aluminum usually for more even heating.
I use Bar Keepers Friend or other low abrasive cleanser every so often to keep the inside really clean.

Cast iron is a quality, low cost option for saute pans. CI gets more stick-free with every use. They'll last well past your lifetime if cared for properly. CI is best on gas ranges or cooktops. Not so good on glasstops or electric burners.

Stainless steel for sauce pans and stock pots. Had Cuisinart pots many years...not sure if they still make them as well. Only exception is one Le Creuset pot. Use it mostly for rice and it turns out great every time.

Get one cast iron skillet - maintain it properly and keep it well-seasoned.

Everything else, stainless steel. Accept nothing less.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:Get one cast iron skillet - maintain it properly and keep it well seasoned.

This. And get a Dutch oven. Two favorite pots and pans I have. Take care of them

I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

Rocinante wrote:I was not a cast iron person until I met my wife and that's all we use. Once it's seasoned, it works as well as any non-stick.

While I concur, the cleanup of cast iron makes in impractical for a working mother with a child. I would recommend some good cast iron pans as well as some regular stainless/non-stick pots and pans.

tGreenWay wrote:I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

Do yourself a favor and just switch to gas

I.B. Fine wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

Do yourself a favor and just switch to gas

This. Our house has geothermal. We live in the sticks. I'd have to go propane, so we have a flat electric cooktop. The builtin microwave and oven are cool but I would trade it all for a good gas range. I miss cooking with gas.

DWags wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:Get one cast iron skillet - maintain it properly and keep it well seasoned.

This. And get a Dutch oven. Two favorite pots and pans I have. Take care of them

truth.

You'll spend some money on the front end, but it'll last forever if you take good care of it.

tGreenWay wrote:I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

yep - stay absolutely clear of the non-stick stuff.

(unless you're fond of cancer).

I.B. Fine wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

Do yourself a favor and just switch to gas

I’d like to do that, sooner than later. When it happens, since someone will already be installing new lines, I wouldn’t mind putting in a tankless water heater.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:I’ve really liked my Farberware stainless steel. It’s not for glasstop, though. Now that we’ve replaced our glasstop stove, we’ll need something new that won’t scratch the surface. Whatever I get, it def won’t be nonstick and I’m hopeful it can be stainless.

yep - stay absolutely clear of the non-stick stuff.

(unless you're fond of cancer).

Yep, and I don’t get why so many people still cook with it.

TheReal_LWS wrote:

Rocinante wrote:I was not a cast iron person until I met my wife and that's all we use. Once it's seasoned, it works as well as any non-stick.

While I concur, the cleanup of cast iron makes in impractical for a working mother with a child. I would recommend some good cast iron pans as well as some regular stainless/non-stick pots and pans.

You're right. Which is why I dont use my cast iron skillet as often.

We do have an electric stove. I hate it. And while I would love to get gas, I don't think I will bother since we hope to move again in a couple years. There are other things in the house that have a higher priority of working on.


Looks like i need to get some SS pots/pans soon.

Dendrobates wrote:We do have an electric stove. I hate it. And while I would love to get gas, I don't think I will bother since we hope to move again in a couple years. There are other things in the house that have a higher priority of working on.


Looks like i need to get some SS pots/pans soon.

rock on, G.

tGreenWay wrote:

I.B. Fine wrote:
Do yourself a favor and just switch to gas

I’d like to do that, sooner than later. When it happens, since someone will already be installing new lines, I wouldn’t mind putting in a tankless water heater.

Gas not already in the house? It's pretty standard here  I forget it's not everywhere  
If that's the case wait until the furnace goes, then switch everything  (assuming it at the street)

I.B. Fine wrote:

tGreenWay wrote:

I’d like to do that, sooner than later. When it happens, since someone will already be installing new lines, I wouldn’t mind putting in a tankless water heater.

Gas not already in the house? It's pretty standard here  I forget it's not everywhere  
If that's the case wait until the furnace goes, then switch everything  (assuming it at the street)

No, there’s gas. Boiler heat. It’s fantastic.

You don't need pots and pans. You need a fire and a spit, that's all.

If you can afford it, or willing/able to make the investment, then it is actually surgical stainless steel that you should go for. Pots/pans are something that can last your whole life. Not saying that you HAVE to invest in ones that will last forever, but just that the expensive ones can last that long, which makes the cost more palatable. We bought a small Carico set 17 years ago, and my MIL has a set of Carico dating back over 40 years. But they are like a few hundred per pot or pan.

Fucking amazing. You all know a lot about your kitchen stuff. We have pots and pans and skillets. Couldn't tell you a damn thing about them. I know nothin about cooking. Had no idea they were so expensive.

I don't know much about nothin. Know nothin about my tv's. Know nothin about my car model or truck model, other than they run. If they don't work, I know nothin on how to fix them. Know nothin about craft beers. Know nothin about my phone, don't even get me started. Play golf 3 times a week, but couldn't tell you a damn thing about my clubs, cause I know nothin. Golf balls? Know nothin. Since I'm retired, I know nothin about what I used to do.

Life has never been better. Ignorance is bliss.

I'm an expert on how to run the remote for the tv. That's it.

Frank Ricard wrote:Fucking amazing. You all know a lot about your kitchen stuff. We have pots and pans and skillets. Couldn't tell you a damn thing about them. I know nothin about cooking. Had no idea they were so expensive.

I don't know much about nothin. Know nothin about my tv's. Know nothin about my car model or truck model, other than they run. If they don't work, I know nothin on how to fix them. Know nothin about craft beers. Know nothin about my phone, don't even get me started. Play golf 3 times a week, but couldn't tell you a damn thing about my clubs, cause I know nothin. Golf balls? Know nothin. Since I'm retired, I know nothin about what I used to do.

Life has never been better. Ignorance is bliss.

I'm an expert on how to run the remote for the tv. That's it.

I want to have a beer with you.

Also, at our age I’ve found that smoking weed really effects short term memory loss. And so does smoking weed.

Frank Ricard wrote:Fucking amazing. You all know a lot about your kitchen stuff. We have pots and pans and skillets. Couldn't tell you a damn thing about them. I know nothin about cooking. Had no idea they were so expensive.

I don't know much about nothin. Know nothin about my tv's. Know nothin about my car model or truck model, other than they run. If they don't work, I know nothin on how to fix them. Know nothin about craft beers. Know nothin about my phone, don't even get me started. Play golf 3 times a week, but couldn't tell you a damn thing about my clubs, cause I know nothin. Golf balls? Know nothin. Since I'm retired, I know nothin about what I used to do.

Life has never been better. Ignorance is bliss.

I'm an expert on how to run the remote for the tv. That's it.

I know a lot about (good) music.. and that's it.

Oh, and DWags is a great guy to have a beer with. That, I know.

I saw this on Amazon today: Decent set for 143.00 after using the coupon code.

$189.99 - 25% off w/coupon SYQBXZ2M = $142.49 + Free Shipping

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HOEQOY/ref=nosim/?tag=theblacom06-20

It has a lot of the features I would look for, including the ability to use induction cooking and steam vents on the clear lids (so they do not form a vacuum while cooling).  It also has some steamer inserts that are helpful, but it does lack a small steamer basket.

I do a lot of cooking.  My favorite pots and pans are a mixed bag that I have acquired over the years and I like for differing reasons.

If you're super serious about cooking you gotta go copper. This shit is so high end they don't even sell this stuff in sets.

If you're a cooking snob, click here.

Side note: I'm not this serious.

By the way, Dendro, I am glad to see Nevets finally put his foot down and is domesticating you.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:If you're super serious about cooking you gotta go copper. This shit is so high end they don't even sell this stuff in sets.

If you're a cooking snob, click here.

Side note: I'm not this serious.

I think at that point I'd just hire someone to do all the cooking for me.

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:If you're super serious about cooking you gotta go copper. This shit is so high end they don't even sell this stuff in sets.

If you're a cooking snob, click here.

Side note: I'm not this serious.

It must be good. They put all their money in the pots and pans and couldn’t afford to ship product in cardboard; they had to use wood crates.

Frank Ricard wrote:Fucking amazing. You all know a lot about your kitchen stuff. We have pots and pans and skillets. Couldn't tell you a damn thing about them. I know nothin about cooking. Had no idea they were so expensive.

I don't know much about nothin. Know nothin about my tv's. Know nothin about my car model or truck model, other than they run. If they don't work, I know nothin on how to fix them. Know nothin about craft beers. Know nothin about my phone, don't even get me started. Play golf 3 times a week, but couldn't tell you a damn thing about my clubs, cause I know nothin. Golf balls? Know nothin. Since I'm retired, I know nothin about what I used to do.

Life has never been better. Ignorance is bliss.

I'm an expert on how to run the remote for the tv. That's it.

I know just enough to call someone when something breaks.

So, I watched this video and went out an bought the pan... even made the eggs (which were simply too soft for me).

But, I did trust his comment about the pan and consider it a good investment (I also don't like non-stick).

SawGreen wrote:So, I watched this video and went out an bought the pan... even made the eggs (which were simply too soft for me).

But, I did trust his comment about the pan and consider it a good investment (I also don't like non-stick).

I've never tried this on heat/off heat/on heat technique. Gonna try it this weekend. I've always added a bit of milk to scrambled eggs to keep them nice and fluffy.