Pots and Pans Recommendations please!

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Guys, a quick question for those grapes of a culinary bent!

We are looking for a decent set of stovetop pans for ourselves, and thought who better to ask then all the other grapes!

Currently we have a set of 6 pans (28cm frying pan, 14cm milk pan, 2x16cm saucepan, 18cm saucepan and a 20cm saucepan) in stainless steel from the Cook's Essentials Range (QVC), which werent cheap (as we were fed up of buying a new set every 12 months or so), but also weren't too expensive. Well, after 4 years they are beginning to get a bit battered, some of the non-stick is coming off and we both think its time to start looking for a really decent set that will last us a long time! Cost isn't a major factor as we dont mind paying for quality (although nothing too ridiculously expensive please!), but I would rather get something this time that will last at least 10 years or so!

I was looking at the Le Crousset range, but they are very heavy and I was a little put off from them by a lady I was talking to in Debenhams last week (she said they chip too easily and then become useless, she had a set and wouldnt be buying them again), so not sure if I really fancy them now.

Other brands I've been looking at include CirculonII and Avolon, we have some of the Avalon Bakeware (fantastic stuff, even burnt on chocolate or mince just slides off when touched), so I quite fancy some of that, but as it is expensive I'd love to have some recommendations and shared experience before we take the plunge and splash out on a new set!

Any advice, comments, personal experience or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance!

[Sue]

Mrs Dobby -
I have rather a patchwork collection of pans, but the one I really like is my Tefal saute pan, (the ones with the red blob in the middle). Really good non-stick surface, easy to clean, nice and heavy too. When my others need replacing I'd def go for more of these.
Sue

[Alice]

Hello Mrs Dobby, how wise you are to go for top quality pots. Your investment will bw well repayed.
In relation to pots I would say it's horses for courses. I wouldn't (didn't) go for a matched set. Work out what you need and what you want each pot to do for you.
I see no need for a non stick pot to make soup, boil vegetables or potatoes. For these purposes I bought stainless pots with copper bottoms. Meyer Copperal range. I've had them 20+ years, find them excellent, look like brand new, and completely dish washer safe. Can't recommend them highly enough.

For non stick pots, for frying, browning meat, making sauces and slow cooked stews, I have several in the Circulon range. Had them 10+ years and they're like brand new. Highly recommended. They say thay are dishwaher safe but in honesty, they are so easy to clean I rarely put them there, but they have been in with no ill effects.

These ranges can be very expensive in the big department stores. I bought mine for quite reasonable prices (less than half price) in our local Co-op kitchen department.

Wharever you decide to buy, shop around for the price. You'll be amazed at the differences. Good luck and let us know what you decide to go for and how you get on.

[pigletwillie]

Try Run pans.

http://www.runcookware.co.uk/acatalo...cial_Pans.html

We have had them for 5 years now and they are as new, You can burn condensed milk in them and just wipe it out. Its not non stick, stuff just doesnt stick. You can leave a pan on the stove and it will not smoke like a non stick. They are bought individually but as they are expensive we bought a couple a year until we had what we wanted from the good food show.

They go from oven to dish washer if required but even something like a curry only needs a rinse and a wipe out with kitchen roll.

[Shortie]

You can burn condensed milk in them

Sorry PW, this made me chuckle - sounds like you've tested that one already?

I don't know the make of mine but they are copper bottomed and are fab. They were a gift 5 years ago and like PigletWillie's are still like new...

Tested already is burnt solid Benichin rice, burnt milk, burnt spag bol, burnt curry..... anyone fancy coming round for dinner, I'm a good cook, honest!

But I agree, good solid, heavy pots are the best investment. You could knock someone out with even the smallest of my saucepans (that one's not been tested thankfully!)

[mazel-bee]

I don't want to put you off but stainless steal or ceramic are probably better to go for as, at high heat non-stick pans can release harmful PFCs (perfluorochemicals).

[multiveg]

Hmm, see some school uniforms have that non-stick ingredient in them.

[Waffler]

Personally I love my Tefal set (1 big, 1 small frying pan, saute pan & 3 sizes of saucepan); can't tell you what the range is, but it's whatever was about 6 or 7 years ago and it's fab! However, the non-stick on the big frying pan is just starting to come off a bit, but usually isn't a problem.
I have a Le Creuset set too (Large casserole, frying pan & 2 saucepans) but have to say, the only thing I use with regularity (which actually gets used at least once a week) is the casserole; the reason being that usually whatever has been cooked in this is served up with a ladel, whereas the other items usually require lifting and holding over the plate: it's a wrist breaker! I've not had any problems with chipping though. Aside from Le Creuset's ironware, I have a lot of their potterie range which I also adore.

[Alison]

I love my Le Creuset casserole dishes but ended up giving away the frying pan I was given for the weight reason mentioned by Waffler - they just aren't practical unless you're a weight lifter and that's before you have any food in them. Never had the saucepans but should think they're worse, the thought of draining with one hand doesn't bear thinking about.

Like many of the posts above I've got a set of stainless steel with copper bottoms which I had for a wedding present 8.5 years ago and they're still going great guns. I don't think you necessarily have to go for a top make, but need to ensure that they're well made and sturdy. It's important that the bases are of a reasonable thickness so that they don't distort over time and you get a consistant contact with the heat source. Proper fitting lids is is also important, mine have a small vent in them which helps stop them boiling over (there's probably a proper term for this but I don't know what it is). Suppose the only other thing to consider is that you make sure you have the right sizes for your needs, we mainly use a small and medium pan, often with a steamer on top but it's handy to have larger ones for when visitors come around.

[bramble]

The thing i like best about my saucepans is the pyrex lid. I don't have to take off the lid to check the contents of the pot.

[Sunbeam]

I have a circulon roasting tin (not exactly a saucepan) I paid a lot of money for it - but nothing sticks to it - including BBQ sauce made with molasses!! and I reckon it will outlast me! (& hopefully I have another 40/50yrs to go!)

[OverWyreGrower]

Lakeland Limited do a nice set of pans etc, I'm sure it was under £200 for about 8 or 9 pans...

My mum bought herself some when she moved house... I'd ask her what they're like but the flippin' woman is in Spain at the moment!!

[roitelet]

I have some pans, Demeyere, which I bought about 15 years ago. At the time my specification was that I never wanted to buy any more saucepans. Well they are still like new and look like outlasting me Not non stick but stainless steel with and aluminum sandwich bottom and a very good shape for stirring things. Far from cheap but well worth the outlay.

[Amanda1]

I bought a 7 piece copper bottomed stainless steel set from Argos for £60, they wash well (dishwasher) and so far I've had no problems. I've also got a Le Creuset set but as above I find these too heavy for everyday use, good for sauces and the casserole pot is invaluable

[Mrs Dobby]

Well, I know its been a while since we posted for recommendations, but we took the plunge last week and bought the first 4 new pans of the set we want!

We opted for the stainless steel tri ply Le Cruesset 3 pan set, 16cm, 18cm and 20cm, not non-stick and also got a non stick oval fish pan (it was on offer and cheaper than the equivalent frying pan), wasnt cheap, but they are excellent! We are going to treat ourselves to the rest of the pans we want over the next few years, until we have the full set that we want!

Many thanks to all for their replies and advice!