Cookware- Anodized, Stainless Steel, or Multiclad?

[eternitybc]

I'm looking at buying a new set of pots- the ones I have were a starter set from Walmart, bought cause I needed them. I paid $30 I think, for 3 pots. Needs less to say they're dirt cheap feeling, and cook like you know what. Now that I've been living here a few months, I want to invest in a quality set that will last me at LEAST a few years. And I'm cooking more, 5-6 times a wek

I have A good non stick frying pan I bought at canadian tire- $49 on sale for $20 or something, but it's great. What I usually use/need are 2-3 sauce pans of varying sizes (I only use 2 now), and a large saute pan, like a frying pan with higher sides and a lid. I don't have one now, but frequently wish I did- which is prompting my purchase. Thats my every day. I dont need the pasta drainer as my partner hates pasta and I never cook it. I guess I might use a steamer if I had it.

I have $100 worth of amazon gift cards, so I'd prefer to buy from there. Been looking, and 2-3 sets jump out at me. I LOVE the look of the KitchenAid Gourmet Essientials Hard Anodized (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009U5N08/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance) - and it has everything I need in a set, plus 2 frying pans. However, I'm worried that A) it wont last as long as stainless steel, and B) not as safe as stainless steel. Plus, you can't put in in the dishwasher. I' not sure thats such a big deal, since I mostly wash my pots by hand anyways. I'm worried that my partner or a guest my put it in by mistake though.

So I'm leaning towards stainless steel. Though I'm weary, since my current pots are so cheap and flimsy. I want a GOOD set. There are two cuisinart sets that are stainelss steel that I like. Is it worth it to jump to the multiclad version? Also, these sets have items I wouldn't use very often, but still- price is decent. I don't want to go over $300 for a cooking set. I'm NOT a chef. I just want basic pots and pans that will last me for 5-10 years.

Cuisinart CLassic Stainless set (http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Classic-Stainless-Steel-14-Piece-Cookware/dp/B000C21DNE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen&qid=1223485072&sr=1-10)

Cuisinart Multi Clad (http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Multiclad-Stainless-Steel-12-Piece-Cookware/dp/B0007KQZWU/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t)

So what do you think?? If you had your choice, and $300, what set would you buy?

[snowles]

I would probably buy SS myself, but in the end it's really personal preference. If you purchase some Barkeeper's Friend, the pans will keep a nice luster on them for years; clean up is very simple. Hand wash and dry with a towel to keep water spots off of them. Even some of the most cooked on food comes off easily with a 5 minute soak in BKF and a dishrag.

They are, however, different than non-stick in terms of heating them up: you heat them up, add the oil or butter and then your meat. I believe multi-clad is also the same, as opposed to Teflon.

As long as they have a good heavy aluminum or copper bottom, have the sizes you want and are in your price range, you can't go wrong.

[tweetie]

Of the 2 sets you posted, I would buy the multi-clad.

I use All-Clad myself, but it's a much higher end brand, but the construction is closer to the multi-clad version of what you posted.

Stainless doesn't actually cook that well, so the better constructed ones will put in a core of copper or aluminum since those conduct heat more evenly and you'll get better/more evenly cooked food, especially if the core extends up into the sides of the pot and not just the base.

Other things you'll want to look for in a quality set is how well the lids fit, how the handles are attached to the base, and also the weight.

For something that you're using 10+ years, I would go with the multi-clad.

[Rehan]

I'd go with the multi-clad. We've used Calphalon anodized for the last 10 years, but I'm looking forward to switching to multi-clad stainless steel.

I've been eyeing that Cuisinart MCP-12 set for a while... the price sometimes drops to $249.99 or even lower. If you want, I can send you a PM next time they have a sale on it.

[joejack]

Barkeeper's Friend, where I can buy this? (sorry, never heard of this before)
Thanks.

[shutterbug]

Barkeeper's Friend, where I can buy this? (sorry, never heard of this before)
Thanks.

I bought mine at Williams Sonoma but I've seen it at other kitchen specialty stores. It's just scouring powder similar to Old Dutch, etc.

[Potsman]

This was posted in the hot deals, but the sale is now over. This set was originally $799. I bought it on sale n late August for $239 which was a great deal. They now dropped the regular price to $399 and this was on sale last week for half price at $199 which is smokin hot.

http://www.thebay.com/stores/shop/product/en/bay/10001/143761/59353615/59353615

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=649485&highlight=jamie+oliver

Watch for it again as I am sure they will put it on sale again.

There is also a Lagostina set at Costco in store for $169 (stainless steel) that is also decent quality. (sorry, no link on Costco.ca)

[WalnutCrunch]

Multiclad is generally regarded as the "best". However, IMO a stainless steel with a thick aluminum base is better than thin clad cookware, as I find you lose the benefits of clad construction if it's too thin because it doesn't spread heat well enough at the bottom.

A thicker clad cookware (like All-Clad) cooks evenly all the way up the sides. The only downsides are the cost and the weight, they're quite heavy.

[Rehan]

eternitybc, the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 12-piece set is on sale for $209.99 today and tomorrow only. It's a perfect time to buy it, if you haven't already purchased something.

You can also use this rebate form to get a free Cuisinart hand blender if you purchase the MCP-12 set from Amazon:
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/00/00/02/84/19/05/284190550._V242695758_.pdf

[mrwinky]

where is it on sale for $219? Amazon?


Thanks Winky

[Rehan]

The Cuisinart Multiclad set was $209.99 at Amazon.com for most of yesterday. I thought it was part of the 48-hour Kitchen & Home Sale (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&plgroup=2&docId=1000294431), which started yesterday and ends at midnight tonight, but I guess it wasn't really part of that sale. I did end up buying the set for $209.

There's still some other decent cookware on sale. Plus the Kitchenaid 5-ply 9-piece set (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S8E1/) is on sale for $219.99... it sells for $320 to $400 at other online stores in the US.

[Rehan]

It just dropped down to $209.99 again. I have no idea how long the price will last.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Multiclad-Stainless-Steel-12-Piece-Cookware/dp/B0007KQZWU/

[lisashoeb]

I tried to buy the above mentioned set and they said they wouldn't ship this item to canada... how can you buy from amazon if youre in canada?

[Rehan]

I tried to buy the above mentioned set and they said they wouldn't ship this item to canada... how can you buy from amazon if youre in canada? I have my stuff shipped to a mailing address in the Niagara Falls, NY and then drive over there to pick it up and bring it back. The service I use is CBI USA (http://www.cbiusa.com/). They charge a receiving/holding fee of about $6 per package if you don't have an account there, or you can rent a mailbox for about $100/year and then pay about $1.60 per package.

Looks like Caynes Housewares has this same set for $299.99 -- http://www.cayneshousewares.com/cgi-bin/detail.cgi?which=354087

Amazon.com's US$209.99 price ends up being about CA$269 after including NY state tax, so for only $30 more you can get it a lot more easily and within Canada. There's a free shipping coupon for Caynes at http://www.visasavings.ca/

[lisashoeb]

I have my stuff shipped to a mailing address in the Niagara Falls, NY and then drive over there to pick it up and bring it back. The service I use is CBI USA (http://www.cbiusa.com/). They charge a receiving/holding fee of about $6 per package if you don't have an account there, or you can rent a mailbox for about $100/year and then pay about $1.60 per package.

Looks like Caynes Housewares has this same set for $299.99 -- http://www.cayneshousewares.com/cgi-bin/detail.cgi?which=354087

Amazon.com's US$209.99 price ends up being about CA$269 after including NY state tax, so for only $30 more you can get it a lot more easily and within Canada. There's a free shipping coupon for Caynes at http://www.visasavings.ca/

I'll look into it. Thank you very much.

[jroc]

The Kirkland Anodized Aluminum set at Costco was the highest rated on Consumer Reports. I think they are around $150. My wife love it.