OT: Cookware

[Ron_L]

OK... This is off-topic, but I didn't know where else to put it, and I figure that there are a lot of folks here who like to cook and might have some suggestions... I need to buy some new cookware. The Circulon pots and pans we have now are about 8 years old and are getting pretty bad. To top it off, my wife dropped the big stock pot the other day, and its not quite round any more :cry:

I went to the local Bed, Bath and Beyond and looked at Emerilware (by All Clad) and two different lines by Calphalon. The Emerilware is less expensive, but its not made as well as the Circulon. Neither one comes in a set that has the typews of pots and pans I'd really like, so I;d probably end up open buying open stock instead of a set.

I looked online, and am interested in Anolon. They've gotten good review and look to be made well, and the pre-bundled sets have the right types of pots and oans, but I can't find them locally to look at. Does anyone have Anolon pots, or have you seen them anywhere?

Thanks!

[tommykendall]

OK... This is off-topic


Close enough - could go here or woodpile. My only suggestion is get something high quality and try to avoid that non-stick stuff.

[Bigmista]

I mostly use Calphalon but I have an Emeril Sauce pan that I got as a gift and I love. Whatever you get make sure you get a cast iron skillet and dutch oven. One you have them you'll never figure out how you lived without them.

Lodge is probably the best new brand but you can even get them used from a garage sale or flea market.

[Jorge]

Used Calphalon in the past, and agree with TK about the nonstick. It ended up being more hassle than it was worth to me. Now have the stainless Emerilware. With a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond it is one of the best purchases I've ever made. What did you see that indicated it wasn't well made? The set I have seems to be close to bulletproof. The bottom line is being happy with what you cook with, and whether or not it suits your cooking style and needs.

[Saiko]

Just about everything I own is stainless All-Clad (not the Emeril line, just the regular stainless). It's real hard to find a deal on All-Clad since it almost NEVER goes on sale, so it is very expensive. I got most of my All-Clad as weddings gifts since I have a hard time paying 100 bucks for a frying pan.
Non-stick is not allowed in my house, since it doesn't brown very well and you can't deglaze a pan and get a good sauce.
I also have two cast iron skillets for fried chicken, corn bread, etc., and a cast iron Dutch oven for gumbo.

[Ron_L]

Used Calphalon in the past, and agree with TK about the nonstick. It ended up being more hassle than it was worth to me. Now have the stainless Emerilware. With a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond it is one of the best purchases I've ever made. What did you see that indicated it wasn't well made? The set I have seems to be close to bulletproof. The bottom line is being happy with what you cook with, and whether or not it suits your cooking style and needs.

Jorge... The Emerilware is well made, but not quite as nice as the calphalon I was comparing it to. At elast on the display set, the handles didn;t look like they were attached as strongly and the lids didn't fit as well. Still, its far better than most of the stuff people buy and would probably last me a long time. Actually, I probably would have bought the Emerilware, but the set didn't have a 2 quart sauce pan, and I like a big covered saute pan in the set either.

Did your B,B & Beyond accept te 20% off coupon for Emerilware? The coupon says that it is not valid for All Clad, and since Emerilware is made by All Clad, my B,B & B said that I couldn't use it!

.Also, I have a couple of cart iron frying pans and two different cast iron dutch ovens and those aren't going anywhere!

...ron

[Jorge]

Fair points. I think I got a 10 or 14 piece set that included the 2 Qt pan. In fact, I think that is the only way you can get one since I've never seen that sold seperately. I got the saute pan as well and use it often (Chicken Parmesan just the other night). If you decide to take another look at the Emerilware find another salesperson, or another store. I've purchased one set at Bed Bath and Beyond, and a second at Linens & Things. Both times using a 20% off coupon. At Linens & Things I even used a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon since they are the same company and nobody raised a gripe then either.

I was just curious about what you saw that raised some doubts in your mind. I've cooked with both sets I purchased and have found nothing close to the problems you saw. Maybe it had been dropped while on display too many times. Like I said, the bottom line is what makes you happy. Best of luck finding that set that makes the difference for you. And it is amazing what a quality set of pans that you are happy with can do for you! :D

[jsn1511]

i have stainless cuisinart, i will never buy another non-stick pot or pan (no dead birds for me!), it isn't as expensive as all-clad and i think it still works pretty well. On the other hand if you are willing to spend money on something high quality i would go with the copper all-clad stuff. The copper heats up faster and more evenly. Also there is Le Creuset, i wish i had the money for a full set of that stuff. It is made of enameled cast iron (drool...).

[Jorge]

i have stainless cuisinart, i will never buy another non-stick pot or pan (no dead birds for me!), it isn't as expensive as all-clad and i think it still works pretty well. On the other hand if you are willing to spend money on something high quality i would go with the copper all-clad stuff. The copper heats up faster and more evenly. Also there is Le Creuset, i wish i had the money for a full set of that stuff. It is made of enameled cast iron (drool...).

Isn't there some big factory outlet mall down there in Ga. somewhere? There is a Le Creuset outlet at the one in San Marcos here in Tx. and the prices are much more friendly. Have a grill pan that I got as a gift and love it. The qualities of iron, but the easy cleanup of porcelain. It's great stuff!

[Neil]

Check out a Chef's Outlet store for the Caphalon Stainless.

[Samichlaus]

Lincoln Centurion is really nice stuff, stainless steel with a 1/4" thick aluminum clad bottom.

[kcquer]

I guess I'm in the minority, I use a good non stick saute all the time, one with sloped sides for tossing. The key with them is not to spend too much as it's just not gonna last, plan on replacing periodically (I replace mine every 3 yrs or so).
Saucepans and stock pots are Emerilware, and are OK, we got them as a set, and I don't like the pans in most sets either.

[Bigmista]

There is a Le Creuset outlet at the one in San Marcos here in Tx. and the prices are much more friendly.

I went to college in San Marcos. Of Course the school doesn't exist anymore...

[jsn1511]

If im not buying from Linens n' things im usually buying from Chefs Catalog (www.chefscatalog.com) check it out they have a lot of cool stuff.

[racer_81]

There is a Le Creuset outlet at the one in San Marcos here in Tx. and the prices are much more friendly.

I went to college in San Marcos. Of Course the school doesn't exist anymore...

Change The Name Mod.

I had Real Trouble with a Calphalon non-stick bigass skillet. The non-stick came off. Sent it back, they replaced it with an out-of-round bigass skillet. It's non-stick came off too.

Now I'm using some stainless steel non-stick skillets from a chef's supply store and some inexpensive stainless pots from Garden Ridge - and a couple of non nonstick Calphalons.

[Neil]

I have all non-stick Caphalon pots and pans and have no problems however, if I were to do it all over again I would go with the Stainless Steel cookware by Caphalon. I bought all my peices separately at the Chef's Outlet store. They were "irregulars" at greatly reduced prices. Only way I could afford them. So far so good. I've had them about ten years now. Naturally the stye I have is no longer in production.

[tommykendall]

They were "irregulars" at greatly reduced prices


Maybe they're irregular cuz the non-stick $hit won't come off. Just your luck

[parrothead]

I have the black emeril ware. Bought the big set and added individual peices from there. Works pretty good for me. I suspect that any of the other named brands in this thread are probably all just about in the same quality area. I do however have a problem with the bottom of the pans being ugly. Since I have the black ones it is not much of a problem, but could imagine how they would look if they were stainless.

Anyone have a good way to reverse the problem with the bottom of my pans?

[parrothead]

Oh, and this is not off topic. Anything cooking related belongs here, right?

[Ron_L]

The bottoms of my Circulon get like that, too. I figure that its the outside, and I generally try to cook on the inside, so who cares, but my wife seems to care... She uses a cleanser called Bartender's Friend and makes a paste of it and the gunk comes right off...

I wasn't sure if this would be OT since it really wasn't Q related...

[Jorge]

The bottoms of my Circulon get like that, too. I figure that its the outside, and I generally try to cook on the inside, so who cares, but my wife seems to care... She uses a cleanser called Bartender's Friend and makes a paste of it and the gunk comes right off...

I wasn't sure if this would be OT since it really wasn't Q related...

We do the same to clean the stainless. And, for the same reason. The bottom of the pan is rarely visible since the ceiling isn't high enough in our kitchen to hang them from a rack without my having to wear a helmet.

[willkat98]

I have one Caphlon (sp) non stick that is awesome.

Sauce pans are all steel, no big name brands though

I never have a problem with the non stick (the good pan) but have gone through cheap sets in under a year. Overstock.com blows choad when it comes to cookware. Made that mistake once. Teflon flaking off into the food and then rust in the pots. Once good thing was the teflon worked like fiber on the cornhole. Farking swoosh.

But the Caphalon is awesome. Like "e" said, good tall sides for flipping stuff. Non stick and I don't need to add oil, which means healthier eating. Trying to not get fat.

[jt]

I've been replacing our stuff slowly with Farberware Classic. Stainless steel - lasts forever. Got one stock pot from my grandmother and it's still perfect. My mom has had some for over 40 years - can't tell a difference between it and brand new.

[Mark]

i have stainless cuisinart, i will never buy another non-stick pot or pan (no dead birds for me!), it isn't as expensive as all-clad and i think it still works pretty well. On the other hand if you are willing to spend money on something high quality i would go with the copper all-clad stuff. The copper heats up faster and more evenly. Also there is Le Creuset, i wish i had the money for a full set of that stuff. It is made of enameled cast iron (drool...).

I agree: The Cuisinart line is high quality and very well priced. I bought mine off amazon.com. Amazon's also good for comparison shopping (read the reviews). Only complaint is its made in China (but what isn't these days).

[cayenne]

OK... This is off-topic, but I didn't know where else to put it, and I figure that there are a lot of folks here who like to cook and might have some suggestions... I need to buy some new cookware. The Circulon pots and pans we have now are about 8 years old and are getting pretty bad. To top it off, my wife dropped the big stock pot the other day, and its not quite round any more :cry:

I went to the local Bed, Bath and Beyond and looked at Emerilware (by All Clad) and two different lines by Calphalon. The Emerilware is less expensive, but its not made as well as the Circulon. Neither one comes in a set that has the typews of pots and pans I'd really like, so I;d probably end up open buying open stock instead of a set.

I looked online, and am interested in Anolon. They've gotten good review and look to be made well, and the pre-bundled sets have the right types of pots and oans, but I can't find them locally to look at. Does anyone have Anolon pots, or have you seen them anywhere?

Thanks!

Go with All-Clad Stainless Steel...do NOT get the Emerilware crap...it is a cheaper version..not the same.

Yes, the AC stuff is expensive...but, well worth it if you like to cook a lot. It each piece has a solid aluminum core sandwiched between stainless steel. The aluminum provides for even and quick heat distribution...the SS keeps aluminum away from your food (and the nasty reactions it can have).

The latest Emerilware stuff...only has a aluminum core DISK a the bottom of the pot or pan...the aluminum does not go throughout the whole sides of the pot or pan...so, you lose heat distribution there big time...

There is caphlon stuff...supposedly the anodized aluminum will not react with food....I prefer the All Clad SS stuff....good and heavy...each piece is expensive, but, will most likely never have to be replace in your lifetime.....

I find the best way to start off with AC...is to start with one of the 10 piece starter kits...gives you a good price break on a lot of pieces...then, you can add on as you like.

With cookware, I find you do get what you pay for....

I've found this place that is a factory outlet for AllClad and other good lines of cookware and knives...have not tried it yet, but, looks like great prices and they have 100% return policy...

http://www.cookwarenmore.com/home/index.cfm

Good luck!

cayenne

[jt]

Yes, the AC stuff is expensive...but, well worth it if you like to cook a lot. It each piece has a solid aluminum core sandwiched between stainless steel. The aluminum provides for even and quick heat distribution...the SS keeps aluminum away from your food (and the nasty reactions it can have).
This is what the Farberware Classic is. Good stuff. don't know how it compares in price to the other stuff but it really holds up well.

[parrothead]

The bottoms of my Circulon get like that, too. I figure that its the outside, and I generally try to cook on the inside, so who cares, but my wife seems to care... She uses a cleanser called Bartender's Friend and makes a paste of it and the gunk comes right off...

Thanks for the tip. I will try it. It didn't matter up until now, but after remodeling the kitchen, I now have a pot rack which I have wanted for a long time.

[Bigmista]

My wife also gave me some ceramic pots. Have to be careful with them because they are so awesome at holding heat. If you boil water in them and turn the heat off, the water will continue to boil for another minute and a half. Great for serving stuff hot, bitch to cook rice in because you have to guesstimate when to turn of the heat.

[Ron_L]

Go with All-Clad Stainless Steel...do NOT get the Emerilware crap...it is a cheaper version..not the same.

Yes, the AC stuff is expensive...but, well worth it if you like to cook a lot. It each piece has a solid aluminum core sandwiched between stainless steel. The aluminum provides for even and quick heat distribution...the SS keeps aluminum away from your food (and the nasty reactions it can have).

Good luck!

cayenne

Thanks, Cayenne... I hear ya! I love Allclad, but I just don't know if I can justify the extra cost. I'll check out the link...

[willkat98]

Just checked my sauce pans

3 pan set I've had for years

Stainless steel by Revere

Works for me.

Best thing,

They're made, you guessed it, Clinton Illinois

I should send a set to Wayne

[tommykendall]

Best thing,

They're made, you guessed it, Clinton Illinois


I think my farking head just exploded :shock:

[racer_81]

Best thing,

They're made, you guessed it, Clinton Illinois


I think my farking head just exploded :shock:

...probably just gas........

8)

[parrothead]

Thanks for the bartender's friend tip. That stuff is the shiznit. Worked like a charm.

[Ron_L]

Kewl... It works on alot of things. We use it to get that cooked-on stuff on the stovetop, bbq grills, etc.

[Ron_L]

Just to close out this thread, we ended up with a set of Calphalon One infused anodized. It seemed like a good compromise between stainless (which i wanted) and non-stick (which my wife and daughter wanted). I bought it at Bed bath and beyond with a 20% off coupon. they also offered a $50 gift card and a free multi-purpose pot with a steamer insert, so it was a pretty good deal.

Thanks for all of the input!