Favorite pots and pans
I'm going to Broadway Panhandler today for their yard sale. I want some new cookware. What is the "best" (not necessarily most expensive) brand out there?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
12 Comments:
I have an inexpensive cast iron skillet that I use every single day. I find it to be the most useful pan in my kitchen. I took it out of our camping stuff about 6 months ago and I don't know how I managed without it before that! I keep it clean and waiting on my stove top at all times.
ThatGirl153 at 8:42AM on 06/07/07
Me, too! I love my cast iron. Mine are all vintage Wagnerware and Griswold. I have several skillets of various sizes and three dutch ovens. I also have a cast iron cornbread maker, a griddle, and a few other pieces. Nothing can compare.
1stmakearoux at 8:59AM on 06/07/07
In addition to my cast iron, I do love my Caphalon pans....I have a large stock pot with a heavy bottom that refuses to burn anything....no matter how hard I try! lol
mepolo at 9:09AM on 06/07/07
Put me on the cast iron bandwagon, too. I'm very satisfied with the Lodge "pre-seasoned" pans I bought a couple years ago. After washing with plain water and a brush, I pop em on the stove until they're smoking, turn off the heat, and spray with some canola spray. I also don't think I could do without my le cruset dutch oven. And I don't remember the brand (maybe nordicware?), but I couldn't do without a couple of good, sturdy half-sheet pans.
DaveFaris at 9:16AM on 06/07/07
I'm not sure what the "best" is, but I really love my cookie sheets from Williams-Sonoma. Have had 'em for at least a decade, and they still clean up like a dream and bake so many things evenly despite my evil oven.
I'm also very fond of my Le Creuset grill pans and new dutch oven. My favorite frying pan is plain old stainless steel All-Clad. I also have an All-Clad 4-quart sauce pan that I use all the time.
Finally, my favorite baking dish is my Polish pottery baker. In fact, all the Polish pottery I own never fails when I use it for cooking. Keeps food moist and just does a great job of cooking food evenly.
hereandthe at 10:00AM on 06/07/07
My favorite pans are by far, my set of cast iron skillets (16-inch, 12-inch, 8-inch "egg", 9-1/2-inch square "ribbed").
Our cast-iron "Dutch" oven is my favorite "pot."
Finally, our 14-inch carbon-steel WOK is, to me, indispensable.
We have pots and pans of all descriptions (because of my wife's love of shopping), but the above mentioned are probably used for 85 to 90% of all our cooking, and we love to cook!
By the way, 2 of the skillets and the "Dutch" oven were inherited from my grandmother who transported them across the prairie from Illinois to Texas nearly a century ago.
As a personal choice, we will not use anything made of aluminum or coated with any form of Teflon.
DocChuck at 10:06AM on 06/07/07
I'm surprised by the response for cast iron, but I completely agree.
After that, it's a set of Townecraft Chef's Ware that I've had for almost 30 years, a couple of Calphalon anodized aluminum skillets, and a couple of All-Clad stainless steel skillets I've acquired over the years.
I know that's a lot of favorites, but each has its own use.
Lou at 10:40AM on 06/07/07
If you are willing to spend the money, we have found Swiss Diamond to be very effective and remarkably easy to clean. They are very efficient at heat transmission, too. Be careful not to get them too hot, or they discolor. Medium on a high-BTU burner is about the limit.
gustoct at 11:53AM on 06/07/07
I love my Swiss Diamond cookware as well. Its non-stick, but still gives a nice sear. It is pretty pricey, so may not be in a yard sale, but worth the money. Another nice thing about it is the oven-safe plastic handles. You can take a skillet out of a 500 degree oven and not get a nasty burn if you accidentally touch the handle.
Mr. K at 1:45PM on 06/07/07
My cast iron skillet is indispensible to me - it was my mother's that she used for nearly 20 years and one day, just on a whim, she decided it was time I had it!
I nearly cried.
Now if I can just get my hands on my Grandma's cast iron dutch oven ...
rbryants at 5:05PM on 06/07/07
So for everyones' information, I went to Broadway Panhandler, and bought 2 cast iron skillets, and some Le Creuset. I may go back there , so all suggestions are appreciated.
Mich23 at 6:51PM on 06/07/07
I have a mix of many types. I like to try things out and then if I do not like them I give them away. I have been through so many sets of pans I cannot tell you. My fav has to be my 15 qt le crueset pot. I love that thing.
JerzeeTomato at 12:42AM on 06/08/07