Nice Cookware Recommendations?

[holocron]

I'm looking for some really long lasting and durable cookware. I want to spend more money now then having to buy mid-range pots over and over.

It doesn't have to be a set, I don't mind buying it a piece at a time.

thanks!

[NDman]

What are you looking for though? Non-stick series, or stainless steel? Personally, I'd take a good set of stainless steel cookwares any day

[WalnutCrunch]

Yeah. I'd get a good set of stainless ones with stainless handles. Add a non-stick pan if you want one for eggs or whatever.

As for type, go for something thick on the bottom. There's generally two types of construction -- disc base and clad. Some regard clad cookware to be the best but I think they're only good if you can get one with thick walls (therefore the base is thick too). You can start by checking out All-Clad.

[Pete_Coach]

all-clad is hugely expensive but it is one of the best. We have an all-clad frying pan that is 25 years old and still fries the best eggs.
We gave our kids each a set of Lagostina when they moved out and they love them. Just make sure that the pots and pans are heavy and have a thick bottom. You can often get a set at Costco for a very good price (around $200 per set). I actually like the set with the see through lid. Also, get a stock/pasta pot with a built in strainer. You will not believe the uses you get from that.

[CSK'sMom]

And above all else try lifting them before buying them! I almost bought a top of the line set of Lagostina's but I broke open the box. I couldn't lift the fry pan with 2 hands let alone with anything in it. I do way too much cooking to struggle with pots and pans that are too heavy to comfortably (and safely) lift... :o

[plg_cp]

Hi,

We purchased a set of Lagostina Pro-Clad a couple of years ago and have been extremely happy with it.
It's stainless steel enveloping a core of aluminum inside the walls and thick base. The aluminum heats quickly and the steel provides evenness. Each piece has a tempered glass lid that fits snugly and the corner where the sides meet the base is slightly rounded which makes it easier to get food out completely.

They are hefty without weighing a ton. Being stainless steel, they look exactly as they did the day we bought them 2 years ago.

Link to Lagostina Pro-Clad (http://lagostina.com/boutique-u/product0.html)

[Dustbunny]

Paderno is another good stainless option. Made in Canada, great guarantee, lasts forever, and are available in sets or by the piece. They are very well regarded in cooking circles and if you have a dealer nearby they have 'factory clearouts' once or twice a year.

If you want a set that lasts, avoid non stick and the finishes usually just don't last. Better to buy a set you like then buy a non stick frying pan or whatever separately.

Looks like the have a set on 50% off http://www.paderno.com/clearance/. If you go to the site and click on 'purchasing' you can scroll down to find your local dealers.

[Coltsfan]

The best brands are All-Clad or Analon but Paderno are good as well. I replaced all my cookware last year with enamel glazed cast iron. Some pieces are from Le Creuset while others are from lesser known brands like Cuistot and Mario Batali. Enamelled cast iron is non stick but the glaze doesn't flake off like the potential from other non-stick pans, it can go from stove top to oven and has great heat distribution. The only downside is that they weigh a tonne, a dutch oven is just under 20lbs.

[nalababe]

The best brands are All-Clad or Analon but Paderno are good as well. I replaced all my cookware last year with enamel glazed cast iron. Some pieces are from Le Creuset while others are from lesser known brands like Cuistot and Mario Batali. Enamelled cast iron is non stick but the glaze doesn't flake off like the potential from other non-stick pans, it can go from stove top to oven and has great heat distribution. The only downside is that they weigh a tonne, a dutch oven is just under 20lbs.

The Le Creuset is nice and I have a bunch of pieces, but really not non-stick when compared to teflon-esque pieces. If you cook eggs they can be a nightmare to clean if you did not use appropriate amount of oil...of if searing and braising in the larger pots...they will definitely show use.

[WildPegasus]

I replaced all my cookware last year with enamel glazed cast iron. Some pieces are from Le Creuset while others are from lesser known brands like Cuistot and Mario Batali. Enamelled cast iron is non stick but the glaze doesn't flake off like the potential from other non-stick pans, it can go from stove top to oven and has great heat distribution. The only downside is that they weigh a tonne, a dutch oven is just under 20lbs.

I wouldn't want to have only cast iron cookware. There are plenty of things that it isn't good at although it does have its uses.

Another brand to consider for that kind of cookware is Staub. It's better quality then Le Creuset and I got a great deal on it at Costco.

[holocron]

Thanks for all the great replies! I had no idea there were actually replies (never got my notifications).

After doing some further review I came across All-Clad, Mauviel and Paderno. I really like the copper Mauveil pots. Has anyone ever had any of these?

I am looking to put together a set piece by piece, mostly because I dont have a grand (or more) to drop on an entire set. I was thinking of getting stainless steel/copper for all the pots with exception to the skillet. I found fry eggs on anything but non-stick a real pain. Is that just because I have terrible fry pans? I hear really good stainless steel skillets don't stick.. true?

http://www.creativecookware.com/copper_cookware.htm

Is the Mauviel overkill? Or am I spending my money wisely?

I want to have these pots for a long long time. I am sick of bad pots and pans.

thanks!!!

[hoob]

Paderno is another good stainless option. Made in Canada, great guarantee, lasts forever, and are available in sets or by the piece. They are very well regarded in cooking circles and if you have a dealer nearby they have 'factory clearouts' once or twice a year.

If you want a set that lasts, avoid non stick and the finishes usually just don't last. Better to buy a set you like then buy a non stick frying pan or whatever separately.

Looks like the have a set on 50% off http://www.paderno.com/clearance/. If you go to the site and click on 'purchasing' you can scroll down to find your local dealers.

Paderno is good, but not *all* there offerings are made in Canada. They import some of their cheaper lines. I agree with the comments on "non-stick".. All anyone really needs in the home is 2 different non-stick skillets and everything else can be real cookware.

I currently have a 14L Paderno stock pot boiling on the stove.... I think I got it at one of the sales for $89, list price $300 :D

I have a large stainless steel skillet (16") and it certainly is not non-stick (it's a nice KitchenAid actually.) But it's not hard to clean anything that does burn on -- any any burnination is usually my fault anyway.

My cooking kit is a mixture of KitchenAid, Paderno, and a Lagostina Pro-Clad Professional set.

[bacid1]

unless you want cookware that is a specific style/look then there's no need to spend more than $200.

costco has the lagostina SS set on sale occasionally for $179

the paderno sets are also a good deal when they have their clearance sales.

don't bother with the bay/sears, even when they have 60% off the price is still more expensive than costco.

[Neovingian]

I can vouch for the All-Clad cookware, I picked up a set from LNT of "Emeril" Brand Stainless cookware made by All-Clad worth over $300 but I only paid about $150.

How? I returned about $20 worth of stuff I got as gifts + used a 20% off coupon and some gift cards I picked up at 20% off. At the time I purchased they were thowing in a free med sized Cast Iron Pan worth $50. So I got a helluva sweet deal. Needless to say they are the best pots & pans I've ever purchased.

[mart242]

Get something that you can use with induction. In a few years, most people will have that. (It's now available at sears). Just put a magnet under the pan and if it sticks, it's induction capable.

I bought a Lagostina set from the bay at 50% back in the days. It's pretty nice and not made in China! I've got a nice set of Henckels pots & pans that I got for "free' with my induction cooktop but they are made in China.

[patrob]

Get something that you can use with induction. In a few years, most people will have that.

Not necessarily... I bet my 48" gas cook top will be there for a loooooong time:D

[almostfreeman]

Paderno is another good stainless option. Made in Canada, great guarantee, lasts forever, and are available in sets or by the piece. They are very well regarded in cooking circles and if you have a dealer nearby they have 'factory clearouts' once or twice a year.

If you want a set that lasts, avoid non stick and the finishes usually just don't last. Better to buy a set you like then buy a non stick frying pan or whatever separately.Looks like the have a set on 50% off http://www.paderno.com/clearance/. If you go to the site and click on 'purchasing' you can scroll down to find your local dealers.

My oldest paderno is fry pan is somewhere between 15-20 years old, excellent quality. You really could use one set of pots and pans your whole life. I try to add paderno cookware whenever they have a sale.

[mart242]

Not necessarily... I bet my 48" gas cook top will be there for a loooooong time:D

But if you had to move to another house and design a new kitchen, you'd put induction. :D

[WalnutCrunch]

I can vouch for the All-Clad cookware, I picked up a set from LNT of "Emeril" Brand Stainless cookware made by All-Clad worth over $300 but I only paid about $150.

I don't think the Emeril All-Clad set is clad cookware though (which is what All-Clad is known for). They do, however, appear to be decent pans with what looks like aluminum/copper disc bottoms.

[Neovingian]

I don't think the Emeril All-Clad set is clad cookware though (which is what All-Clad is known for). They do, however, appear to be decent pans with what looks like aluminum/copper disc bottoms....Ummmm, not sure what you mean by Clad cookware?....If you mean made by All-Clad, Yes this set is. I've researched this and the ratings are Emeril cookware are all more than favorable. They also have extra thick aluminum/copper disc bottoms & stainles steel handles w/ glass lids & work like a charm. As I stated earlier, the box & warranty documentation states that the cookware is made by All-Clad. From what I can see it is comparable to All-Clad's higher end cookware.

I'm pretty sure Emeril wouldn't put his name & likeness on poor quality cookware, which is why I'm sure he went with All-Clad.

[almostfreeman]

I'm pretty sure Emeril wouldn't put his name & likeness on poor quality cookware, which is why I'm sure he went with All-Clad.

Emeril and Steve Nash ;)

[WalnutCrunch]

...Ummmm, not sure what you mean by Clad cookware?....If you mean made by All-Clad, Yes this set is. I've researched this and the ratings are Emeril cookware are all more than favorable. They also have extra thick aluminum/copper disc bottoms & stainles steel handles w/ glass lids & work like a charm. As I stated earlier, the box & warranty documentation states that the cookware is made by All-Clad. From what I can see it is comparable to All-Clad's higher end cookware.

It has to do with how the cookware is constructed. The typical pots and pans you see in stores are constructed with a disc base made of aluminum and/or copper and the sides are a thin layer of steel (like the Emeril set). Clad cookware is usually a thick layer of aluminum sandwiched between stainless steel by a cladding process; the layer of aluminum extends from the base to the sides of the cookware. Clad cookware is expensive but is supposed to last forever and is generally preferred by "experts".

I'm not saying that the Emeril cookware set is bad; it actually looks pretty good. I'm just saying that All-Clad is known for making good clad cookware, which the Emeril set is not. And if you're looking for clad cookware, that is not the set to get.

[Matrix_dot_ca]

i bought platinum cookware set 2 years ago but those were not cheap. Cost me around $1500. But very good quality and lifetime warranty.

http://www.platinumcookware.com/

[mart242]

i bought platinum cookware set 2 years ago but those were not cheap. Cost me around $1500. But very good quality and lifetime warranty.

http://www.platinumcookware.com/

"Professional Platinum Cookware is not available in retail stores, but sold only through in-home demonstrations."... "As seen on TV!"... man that stuff sounds like a scam!

[Keelie]

if i were to buy a new set of stainless steel cookware right now it would be the kirkland set at costco... the size and shapes of the pieces are really nice. its about $230.

i've just bought a set of enameled cast iron, two casserole dishes and two frying pans. after much research, i decided this would be the best cookware for what i wanted to do.

loving it! :)

[txenglan]

Paderno is another good stainless option. Made in Canada, great guarantee, lasts forever, and are available in sets or by the piece. They are very well regarded in cooking circles and if you have a dealer nearby they have 'factory clearouts' once or twice a year.

If you want a set that lasts, avoid non stick and the finishes usually just don't last. Better to buy a set you like then buy a non stick frying pan or whatever separately.

Looks like the have a set on 50% off http://www.paderno.com/clearance/. If you go to the site and click on 'purchasing' you can scroll down to find your local dealers.

Thanks for pointing this out! I went and picked up a set of those (Providence) from a local restaurant supply warehouse and I'm very happy with the entire set. All Paderno wares were on special the day I went in to ick it up. Got $300 worth of stuff including a kettle, stake knives and mixing bowls. Fantastic stuff. Thanks again!

[daftfunk]

I saw Analon Clad 8 pc set for $300 at kitchenstuffplus last week on clearance. This is after I bought the same set from The Bay for $400!

[txenglan]

I saw Analon Clad 8 pc set for $300 at kitchenstuffplus last week on clearance. This is after I bought the same set from The Bay for $400!

D'oh! Too late to return the other set I take it?

[leungly]

http://www.cayneshousewares.com/cgi-bin/class.cgi?which=Cookware%20Sets

I don't know much about cookware but I think Cusinart's stuff is ok, its not the best (All-Clad/Analon, etc) but I think its ok.

The Paderno set there looks half decent but I'm sure some of the more knowledgable users will be able to comment further.

[txenglan]

http://www.cayneshousewares.com/cgi-bin/class.cgi?which=Cookware%20Sets

I don't know much about cookware but I think Cusinart's stuff is ok, its not the best (All-Clad/Analon, etc) but I think its ok.

The Paderno set there looks half decent but I'm sure some of the more knowledgable users will be able to comment further.

That Paderno Pro set was selling for $200 (just before the sale on the Providence started at B&M stores) at the place I picked up the Providence set. I asked them about the differences between the two sets and everyone agreed that the Providence is a significantly better quality set.

[daftfunk]

D'oh! Too late to return the other set I take it?

Yeah...bought it two weeks ago and have used it already.

Funny thing, some boxes at Kitchenstuffplus had The Bay price tags on them for $799 (the regular Bay price).

[daftfunk]

add insult to injury... now the set is $249. Smoking hot deal.

http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/promotions/070913/cookware070913.html

[txenglan]

add insult to injury... now the set is $249. Smoking hot deal.

http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/promotions/070913/cookware070913.html

Holy cow! :-0

[sixer]

Paderno is the best!

[jroc]

Trying to decide between the Kirkland stainless steel or the hard-anodized. Would prefer the non-stick hard-anodized (it is also cheaper), but don't know if it sracthes easy, lasts as long and future concerns with health like we had with Teflon ?

[Diamondog]

Lagostina