Forums:
Um I hope this is OK that I am asking about pans on here... but mine are so bad, and since I do so much cooking right now, I need to get a set of some good ones, as far as a skillet. So does anyone have any recommendations for good pans that last that aren't really expensive? I would like to order of of overstock.com if anyone knows of some good ones on there or anywhere else. I had bought a set for 150 about 8 months ago, and they are already so bad!
Thanks
Kelsey
Costco
I got a set of stainless steal cookware at Costco for 200.00. I like them! I know Iron is best for you, but one pan will run you 200 +
i don't know that iron is
i don't know that iron is best because it is very reactive metal I think it depends on what your cooking in it. When you get to lists 3 and 4 and start using tomatoes and cirtic then I don't think the iron is such a good idea.Health wise the ceramic pots are the healthiest but they are very hard to cook with i mean very hard it's ok for boiling pasta and cooking rice even but when your trying to cook and egg or saute something it takes some getting used to. my next choice is the stainless steal and I actually don't have a full matching set. I have bought most of my pots and pans from Ross, tjmax, homegoods. I have found some good deals there. I used to have a set of faberwear sp? I bought it at biglots stainless steal I remeber paying about 150. for a 8 peice set, It was a good deal. I am trying to change over to the ceramic though.
iron
I did some serious research before getting new pots & pans, and re: cast iron, I read people's warnings how if it gets any little chip, it rusts. Knowing myself and my less than dainty use of cooking ware, I tossed out the iron option. While glass is the least reactive and other maybe better options are out there, I chose stainless steel b/c it was the most reasonable choice for overall health, ease of use and price point. I got the Caphalon stainless steel set at BBB -- I recommend the upgraded tri-ply one, helps heat more evenly. And remember all those coated w/ Teflon & other chemicals, helpful as they are for cleanup, are toxic. Their gassing off kills household birds if you burn the pan.
pots and pans
After my research I ended up getting an all-clad set. I think glass is the most healthiest but I think it would need a lot more fat because of the sticking factor. All-clad and calphalon are more pricey but I got it on sale at Bed Bath Beyond. I can't have olive oil so my pans are showing it. My meat and veggies stick to it and butter burns soo fast that I have to use a ton. Cleaning them is tough so I let them soak awhile before washing. Do you guys know how to keep them clean without brown burn marks? I think this set is looking pretty bad considering how long I've had them.~shar
Lisa, Yes, All-Clad is
Lisa,
Yes, All-Clad is stainless steel. I have only used Caphalon cookware at my Sister-in Law's, I didn't like it as well. She now has a set of All- Clad and loves it.
Shar,
Try soaking them in baking soda and cleaning them with some baking soda on a dishcolth to remove stains. You could maybe e-mail All-Clad they might have a better idea for you.
For the burning you might try using Ghee in place of butter for sauteing (with Matia's permission) Ghee will not burn as badly at high tempertures like butter. For more information about Ghee - www.purityfarms.com/
Thanks
Everyone. Doesn't stainless steal have Aluminum in it? Is that a bad thing? This is what I had been looking into, but I have heard that aluminum is bad? All the ones I've seen have this. But it is probably better then the ones I have now... I think they have that non-stick stuff, and that sounds really toxic! Good thing I don't have any birds... : / I need to get a new set asap. I have to use TONS of olive oil to cook, and they still stick and burn unless I am really careful. And of course they USUALLY burn when my dear husband is cooking : )
Man
the all clad are expensive... I take it they last a lifetime? Hopefully?
thanks catalina!!
Thanks for the cleaning suggestion for All-Clad. I will definatley try cleaning them with some baking soda to remove the stains. I hand wash and never use metal utensils but they are all scratched, too. I used to cook with ghee before treatmentn and and didn't really like the taste. I guess I'll have to give it another try or just use more butter. ~shar
I appreciate
all your input! Thanks... I bought a couple of try-ply Caphalon pans this weekend, I like them, but yes you do have to use more oil in cooking. But food comes out really nice. I wanted to get the all-clad, but couldn't afford it right now. But this has got to be better then what I WAS cooking with.So how many people use ghee? Is it ok to use? Isn't it just the same as butter but without the milk and protiens, so we should be able to use it right? I am only thinking about this a lot now, as just today I had a first app with a N.D for my Daughter. She wants her to go on a gluten and dairy free diet for right now, and she said to use ghee. What does it taste like? My daughter has a congenital hypothyroidism, and I am wanting to try and treat the cause not the symptoms and so I need to learn how to do all this dairy free stuff!
Tramontina cookware
I was reading an article in Cook's Illustrated (my favorite cooking mag) and they were comparing pans. They tested these stainless steel (all clad) pans called Tramontina. They liked them better than All-Clad and they were 1/4 the price. I bought two pans and I LOVE THEM. You use a very low flame. They heat evenly. You heat the pan, rub on a little olive oil then add your cooking butter or oil. They don't stick. I make eggs and omelets and they never stick. They clean up easily and are nice looking as well. They are sold by Wal-mart online. Shipping was .99 cents. These are definitely worth a look. Tammy
Pans
I have used stainless steel pans for years with no problems. They last a long time. I also use iron skillets. They weren't expensive to buy and a good investment as they are made to last. The stainless steel skillets were very hard to clean since food sticks to them unless you cook with a lot of oil. Iron skillets clean up easily and become more seasoned as you cook with them.
Cookware
I use All-Clad and Creuset they are expensive, but last a life time. Food cooks evenly and they're also much easier to clean up.
Curious -- does All-Clad (I
Curious -- does All-Clad (I assume you mean stainless steel) clean up much easier than Caphalon stainless steel? Have you had experience with both to compare?
Yes, I have had my All-Clad
Yes, I have had my All-Clad cookware for over 20 years. It wil last forever.
Aluminum - Hopeful
Look for ones that just have aluminum encased between stainless steel, like the tri-ply... so your food will not have any contact w/ the aluminum. Kinda gives you the best of both worlds, though of course anything that doesn't have Teflon-ish coating is inherently tougher to clean. If you only have Teflon-coated pots, make sure to use gentle non-steel utensils... as soon as it scratches at all it's releasing all those harmful chemicals, and I believe even the package notes disclose it should not be used in this state.
Aluminum
I know Aluminum is really bad to cook with. You might want to stay away from that.
problems with teflon cookware
Has anyone had a problem with teflon cookware? I have recently cooked plain old fashioned oatmeal (no salt added) for my husband. Both times he has had his symptoms flare up.
I cook ALL the time, so pans
I cook ALL the time, so pans = investment to me. Now, pretty much everything I have is from SILIT, pot and pans made out of silargan. Check it out: http://www.silit.com/My big pot for cooking soup is (I think) stainless steel. Cause it is lighter than ceramic (think about it, once you fill the pot with 8 litres of soup, so heavy!!)And my pan for cooking eggs (can't be bothered with eggs sticking to the pans first thing in the morning, no way) is an anti-stick crepe pan, also Silit.They cost a little more, but they will last forever (probably outlive me), well except the anti-stick pan, and I am so HAPPY to cook with them (have them in the crazy yellow color)