Pans -- What Kind to Buy

I'm partial to All-Clad. Once you have All-Clad, you don't want to change. You can find All-Clad online at a discount (though I've always bought it at department stores on sale...)

I have cast iron and weighted-bottom stainless steel. Wouldn't have teflon or other non-stick if you gave them to me free.
Besides, my cast iron is so well seasoned that nothing sticks to it anymore.

I second All-Clad, LOVE them!

Get a good set of stainless steel professional pans. They may cost more in the beginning but you will be using them for many years to come. If you do get food burned you soak and then use a brillo pad remove the food.

The non-stick do not hold up for long use and you would spend more money replacing them than the stainless steel. The weighted bottoms hold heat and you use less gas or electric when cooking.

the other S.

I have Caphlon stainless steel. No non stick covering. I love them, we got them at christmas time. Pancakes is the only thing that is tough.But we have an electric griddle.

We went with these because we were happy with thier quality. They were about $250 for a set of 10.. about.. We just have to soak them if something sticks, it stick more than the ones with the coverng, but as you said the dangerous chemicals.. it is worth it.

I LOVE, LOVE , LOVE my All-Clad. I bought the solid stainless line of pans and I could not be more pleased with them.

I've had them over 6 yrs and they still look brand new.

I don't understand the hoopla of using non-stick... I've never had an issue with my All-Clad which are top quality and worth every penny. When I got my pans, I paid about $120 for the smallest pan and the I got a set of 8 pieces ( I think) for around $600.

I also use a lot of cast iron as well. LOVE my cast iron... especially my grandmother's cornbread pan... perfect!

My mom has Salad Master that she bought when I was about 4 and it still looks perfect as well!

All Clad. Around Thanksgiving (black friday) Macy's has them on sale; only time of the year they have a sale on these.

I have an Emeril's set now and LOVE it. We use it for everything.

My parents got me a couple of calphalon and I like them too, I just don't use them all the time.

calphalon is a wonderful brand. I am replacing my cookwear one pc at a time with this.

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/26/nonstick-nirvan...

I am getting ready to try that pan - if you use non stick, just be sure to use those without teflon and other harmful chemicals.

I cook a LOT. I have used stainless steel and non stick, and will be getting some cast iron shortly. All I can say is you get what you pay for with pans. So, be ready to invest a bit if you want them to be good, safe and to last!

I prefer nonstick for certain items and my stainless steel for others. So just find what works for you! I love my stainless steel set from Emeril. I got it a few years ago from a department store for about $300. Still going strong!

i only use all clad and le creuset. they are expensive but sales come around sometimes and that is when i buy them.

It's not a complete set of pans (as in, they aren't all the same) but here is what works for my kitchen:

Morning Eggs: Chantal enamel omelet pan; holds three eggs no matter how you cook'em. Mostly non-stick; use a bit of fat when cooking (I use olive oil).Love this pan.

Saute pan: Calphalon saute pan, gift from family, love it and it 'does' acids well. Some remarks have been made about it being aluminum, although it is anodized, which means that the aluminum won't leach or become toxic.

Wok: I have a great ceramic non-stick Scan-Pan that I love. We use it at least twice a week.

Hope that helps.

Skip the all clad and go with cuisinart stainless. They are just as good and much cheaper.... You seriously wouldn't notice a difference.

Then buy a few nonstick pans for when you want to make omelets. We buy calphalon usually.

If you like nonstick, I love my Calphalon. They are great to use, have handles that defer the heat, clean easy. If you want stainless, I'd go with All-Clad or Williams-Sonoma brand. (Both have a non-stick version). These pans are great and super easy to clean (the stainless versions), even when we've burned things in them. They also have handles designed to defer the heat. At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, Williams-Sonoma currently has the non-stick brushed All Clad on clearance.

I have a 15 year old set of TFal which has only started failing within the last year. I loved it but wanted to diversify with my replacement pieces. Also I didn't want a set since there are pieces I rarely if ever use. Finally I wanted different styles/types of pots and pans depending on my mood and what I am cooking. I have two Martha Stewart enamelware pots which can go from the stove to the oven which is great for one pot slow cooked meals. They are heavy, though, and you can't use them for everything. My pans are Cuisinart stainless steel which I found for a great price at Marshalls. I love them but they do require fat or oil to prevent sticking. I round out my pieces with Calphalon nonstick pans which I have grown to love. Sometimes I just need the ease of nonstick like when both my babies decide to melt in the middle of dinner prep. Ultimately I am glad I bought assorted pieces so I didn't invest too much in sets or in a brand or style I wound up hating. I have always hand washed all of them and I think that helps with longevity. Good luck.

Mom:

Here's some research done on non-stick pans...
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?C...

As to what **I** have? I have different sets.

My most expensive and ones that are GREAT are Miracle Maid - now Royal Prestige - these are pots not pans - http://royalprestige.com/Products/RoyalPrestige/Cookware/...

I have the Paula Dean set that includes a 1 qt sauce pan, 2 qt, 5 qt - egg pan, 10" skillet and 10" pan. It's a set like this one:
http://www.kmart.com/kenmore-10pc-aluminum-non-stick-cook...

I also have a few Calphalon - these I pick up at Macy's or Kohl's when they are on sale and I have a coupon to use too.

I have so many for different reasons....I personally don't like cast iron - too heavy and don't feel I can use them for everything. I had purchased the Paula Dean set because I need frying pans and didn't want to purchase separately - as it cost more.

Go to Macy's or Kohl's hold the pans in your hands. pretend like you are flipping an egg - or cooking in it - then you will know what you need to buy that works for you.

I have Calphalan stainless steel. When I got them they were the best quality for the best price. I love them. I have had them for about 5 years. There might be some new stuff out there, but my husband is a researcher and wont buy anything with out a thorough search ( like months of researching). I would suggest going all stainless, but still obtaining one very large nonstick pan. There are somethings that you just need to NOT stick. :) I feel like nonstick last about five years maybe a bit longer. Stainless, forever if you treat them right.
Good luck!
E.

I bought my pans from HSN and they are the Todd English/Greenpan collection. They were very affordable and they are the best set I've ever owned! I don't have to use butters or oils and they are oven safe! HSN has 39 day money back guarantee as well. So if you get them and don't like them they are returnable for a full refund. I did a lot of research before I bought them and I am 100% satisfied. I know HSN has a 15% off coupon if you sign up for their emails. Good luck, hope you find the set that's right for you!

I have stainless, and I love them. I do however, have a few nonsticks that I love, and they are for sautéing veggies and cooking eggs! I try to hand wash those too.

Calphalon all the way. I came into the marriage with Royal Prestige which are also really great, but my husband came in with Calphalon and they really are the best.

I love my calphalon non stick. Awesome!

I have several All-Clad, and they're definitely the gold standard of pans. My mom's a professional chef, and her kitchen is all All-Clad, all the time!

However, if All-Clad isn't in your budget, a good alternative is the Kirkland brand stainless steel pans from Costco. They're kind of an All-Clad knock-off. They're heavy-duty and conduct heat very well. (My chef mom gives them a thumbs-up when she cooks in my kitchen! ;)

I would definitely stay away from the non-stick pans if you can. I've heard there are some new ones that don't use Teflon, but I haven't done much research into them.