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**Kilinahe** · September 30, 2006, 12:46 PM

Re: pots and pans

Non-stick coating is a delicate thing. If you're searing meat or doing a stir-fry, a nonstick is not a good pan to use. High heat will kill a pan's coating. If you use metal implements, the coating will flake off (and make you sick, to boot).

Pretty much any nonstick pan on the market will last if you're careful not to crank the heat too high. Ones that are made of anodized aluminum (Analon, Circulon) work very well under medium heat. They are not designed to sear meat or make pan sauces, though. For that kind of thing, you really should use stainless steel.

The "good" pans in the department stores are expensive. Analon makes pans for all kinds of needs. They have a line of stainless pans, too. Calphalon is my favorite brand. You might want to drop into a restaurant supply house and check on the prices in there.

**Pomai** · September 30, 2006, 01:26 PM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by jkpescador View Post

What types or brands are good to buy?
I seem to buy ones that warp or the non stick coating comes off. Yes it is probably due to the way I use it. But there must be a brand or type that last longer than 5 years.

Cast Iron. No question the most durable material you can buy. It would probably last 5 GENERATIONS. If you "treat" it properly, it can be almost as non-stick as Teflon. The only drawback is that their heavy and sometimes clumsy to store. They also take longer to heat up, but at the same time, retain heat the best (ideal for deep frying).

When I complete my kitchen renovation (total gut-out) by November, I'll certainly be in the market for new cookware. Sears has a HUGE selection of good quality stuff at good prices. Knives, cookware, gadgets. Everything for the kitchen.

The only thing I'd get with Teflon is a good sautee pan for making eggs. Otherwise, most likely stainless steel. I also prefer a few pans (such as the cast iron) with oven-safe handles, as I like to cook stuff on the stove then finish or keep them warm in the oven.

Here's a good article:
http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/choosing_cookware.htm

**anapuni808** · September 30, 2006, 02:22 PM

Re: pots and pans

I have a set of 18/10 stainless steel, generic brand of the All Clad family (couldn't afford the real stuff). It's now almost 12 years old and has had heavy use. It's very sturdy & cleans up really easy by hand or dishwasher. and it's still shiny & new looking! I would highly recommend it - I got mine at Macy's in California. I also still have my 25 year old Le Crueset cast iron frying pan and several other baking pieces. and I have a non-stick omelette pan from Williams-Sonoma that I highly recommend - its really easy to make good looking omelettes with this pan. I also have a large Circulon brand non-stick Stir Fry pan that is about 10 years old & still has the coating intact.

Now, if I only cooked more................

**blueyecicle** · September 30, 2006, 04:26 PM

Re: pots and pans

I a chucking my teflon pans also. They are flaking and apparently that is toxic...so no more cheap pans for me.

I am going for the 18/10 Stainless steel. I have read and seen ( with family ) that if you care for them then you don't have a problem with sticking.
I cook every day, so I finally talked the hubby into a decent set. I am eyeing the WolfGang Puck set on QVC I think? Or HSN. For my research that's what I have found to work the best for me.

Before I had kids anything worked.

**Hope** · September 30, 2006, 08:45 PM

Re: pots and pans

Farberware. Excellent stainless steel pans. If you can't get the whole set at once, sometimes, you can just buy the pieces you want, one at a time. Mom had hers for...I'd say 25 years. She got me a set about 4 Christmasas ago. I just love 'em

**craigwatanabe** · October 1, 2006, 10:28 AM

Re: pots and pans

I have a set of Mepra cookware. These have solid 1/4" aluminum bottoms wrapped in Stainless Steel.

http://www.mepra-usa.com/Fantasia%20Cookware.htm

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**Adri** · October 1, 2006, 10:33 AM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by jkpescador View Post

What types or brands are good to buy?
I seem to buy ones that warp or the non stick coating comes off. Yes it is probably due to the way I use it. But there must be a brand or type that last longer than 5 years.

I dunno the specific type but Tony Bourdain (a tv cook), in recommending getting solid pots and pans, said something like if you hit your assistant on the head with the pot or pan and there's some doubt about which would dent first, get a new pot or pan

**craigwatanabe** · October 1, 2006, 11:14 AM

Re: pots and pans

I gave up on the cheap stuff with the thin bottoms. Thin metal warps and doesn't distribute heat evenly causing food to burn or cook inconsistantly.

Believe it or not but pots and pans that have thick bottoms don't need non-stick coatings as the food typically doesn't burn. The food comes out better.

The Mepra set that I have has a 1/4 inch aluminum bottom. Copper is the best but can be quite heavy. Aluminum does a great job of distributing heat over the entire cooking surface but is lightweight, especially when cooking with huge stew pots.

The stainless steel wrap covers the aluminum bottom (fused together) and the sides and lids are solid thick gauge polished stainless steel. It doesn't require polishing and it's mirror finish is still highly reflective.

Mepra is from Italy and it is expensive stuff but boy does it cooks well. No frustrations with this cookware. I've had this set for over 10-years now and nothing is worn down, loose, warped, or broken on it. It cooks food as good now as it did a decade ago.

**WindwardOahuRN** · October 1, 2006, 05:01 PM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by craigwatanabe View Post

Mepra is from Italy and it is expensive stuff but boy does it cooks well. No frustrations with this cookware. I've had this set for over 10-years now and nothing is worn down, loose, warped, or broken on it. It cooks food as good now as it did a decade ago.

Where did you get the Mepra cookware, Craig? Sounds like great stuff.

I have All-Clad cookware that I really love, the ones with the shiny stainless exterior. It really does make a difference when you cook with good heavy cookware---even heating, no hot spots.

Like Mepra, the All-Clad is a bit pricey but I think it will last forever. All-Clad cookware also has a lifetime replacement guarantee---just return it and it will be replaced. I can't really see this stuff falling apart, though.

If anyone is interested, wait for sales and get one of their boxed sets to start---a much better deal than their open-stock prices. Macy's and Williams-Sonoma often have good sales with bonuses, too, especially around the holidays.

Macy's sometimes has odd pieces available in its online clearance center, too. I got a double boiler insert and a big steamer insert for about 1/3 the list price there. They sometimes have free shipping included, even to Hawaii (a rarity when shopping online).

http://206.210.90.92/

**anapuni808** · October 1, 2006, 07:38 PM

Re: pots and pans

The brand I got was the Macy's store label "Tools of the Trade" - at the time, it was actually made by All Clad but cost way less! and yes, they are really good pieces to cook with & very easy to clean. I actually saw a Macy's ad today with a set on sale. I have not had any regrets in saving some $$$ & going with the Macy's brand instead of All Clad. The style has changed now but they still look good & shiny!

**WindwardOahuRN** · October 1, 2006, 09:43 PM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by anapuni808 View Post

The brand I got was the Macy's store label "Tools of the Trade" - at the time, it was actually made by All Clad but cost way less! and yes, they are really good pieces to cook with & very easy to clean. I actually saw a Macy's ad today with a set on sale. I have not had any regrets in saving some $$$ & going with the Macy's brand instead of All Clad. The style has changed now but they still look good & shiny!

They look quite a bit different but I'll take a look at some of their pieces the next time I'm in Macy's.

The stuff sold by Emeril Lagasse on one of those home shopping channels is by All-Clad too, but I don't care for the glass lids. I want something that is going to end up being a family heirloom.

**anapuni808** · October 1, 2006, 11:04 PM

Re: pots and pans

yeah - my set has all straight sided pieces but now it seems the style is rounded sides. It still looks good and I saw a couple of pieces I would like to have: I really covet the "windsor" pan and there is also a small sauce pan that I would like. However - again it comes down to want vs. need. So, I probably won't be getting any new pans. But ah - the dreams

**WindwardOahuRN** · October 1, 2006, 11:11 PM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by anapuni808 View Post

yeah - my set has all straight sided pieces but now it seems the style is rounded sides. It still looks good and I saw a couple of pieces I would like to have: I really covet the "windsor" pan and there is also a small sauce pan that I would like. However - again it comes down to want vs. need. So, I probably won't be getting any new pans. But ah - the dreams

LOL. The All-Clad line has "sauciers" with rounded sides. Supposedly easier when using whisks. I am fine with the regular pots.

I did spring for a roasting pan which weighs about 300 pounds. Got a free 7-inch frypan with that one.

Ya know...my Grandma made the most magnificent meals with enameled steel (read: CHEAP) cookware.

I hope my kids don't fight over this stuff when I die.

**anapuni808** · October 1, 2006, 11:17 PM

Re: pots and pans

Originally posted by WindwardOahuRN View Post

They look quite a bit different but I'll take a look at some of their pieces the next time I'm in Macy's.

The stuff sold by Emeril Lagasse on one of those home shopping channels is by All-Clad too, but I don't care for the glass lids. I want something that is going to end up being a family heirloom.

I think the "windsor" pan and the sauciers are the same thing - ah, its so sad that my life has evolved to the point where I covet a new pan instead of something more meaningful.

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