Cookware Set Recommendations

[hornadylnl]

We currently have a Calphalon stainless set and hate it. Looking for a high quality non stick set that will last. Willing to pay up to $500 but want $500 worth of quality, not stuff that won't last any longer than the cheap stuff.

Going to look at Kohls and Bed, Bath and Beyond to see what they have.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I've been very happy with Le Creuset. I've had it for years.

Bought it the Kitchen Art place in West Lafayette off 52 in Discovery Park: KitchenArt - The Store for Cooks

 

[Rookie]

Does it have to be a matching set? If not, Sam's has commercial non stick frying pans that are reasonable and last a long time.

 

[hornadylnl]

We do hang them from a rack above the island so I'm sure she'll want a matching set.

I just don't want to spend $500 if they're not going to last longer than the cheap stuff. In the $500 range, I'll read reviews that rave about them and then there will always be the obligatory "the finish wore off in 6 months" review.

ETA: I'll be in Layflat today. I'll try to run up there and check out that store.

 

[Tydeeh22]

My wife uses the orgreenic set that I got her for a hundred bucks. Been going well for a year. Just dont use metal on them.

 

[mrjarrell]

Check your local (or not so local) restaurant supply house. They usually have commercial grade non stick pans for a pretty good price.

 

[pjcalla]

How many pieces do you want for $500? Are you set on non-stick? Just curious.

We went "all out" a couple years ago when we remodeled our kitchen. We ended up getting a mix of stainless and non-stick. For our non-stick, we went with Scanpan Pro IQ. We only use non-stick for eggs, so we have two of the 8" fry pans to make omelettes. The finish is holding up, and I believe you can put it in the oven up to 500*. I believe they are dishwasher safe, but we never put our pans (or knives for that matter) in the dishwasher. They clean up really easily, no need to put them in the dw.

For the stainless, we went with All-Clad and Demeyere, fwiw. If you go quality stainless, you will notice a big difference from your Calphalon set.

Scanpan Pro IQ

 

[Kirk Freeman]

ETA: I'll be in Layflat today. I'll try to run up there and check out that store.

Kitchen Art may have a sale coming up. I bought my stuff there are a young LEO at a "buy a sauce pan, get a kettle" deals. I amassed an entire set just hitting the sales.

Check your local (or not so local) restaurant supply house. They usually have commercial grade non stick pans for a pretty good price.

To that suggestion, if you are in Laughalot, you may want to call Brooks Food Service and see if they are open. They are behind Caterpillar on Farabee Drive.

Here's Brooks: https://plus.google.com/114880433635234133546/about?gl=us&hl=en

 

[hornadylnl]

Brooks didn't have any non stick stuff.

 

[NyleRN]

My uncle bought me and my wife a large stainless 18ga cook set as a wedding gift 12yrs ago. Pots pans and skillets. Wolfgang puck. It's still in great shape

ETA: It's the cafe collection, not sure how many pieces we have but it's A LOT. I'd imagine it was a $500 set easily back then

 

[Tripp11]

All-Clad MC2 is what we bought about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong; however, it's all stainless. We go through 2 different sized non-stick pans every year or so, and I haven't found any that last longer than that. At first the non-stick stuff is great, but after about a year, the coating starts to roughen up and start coming up. I've finally given up on the non-stick entirely, but my wife still uses the pans every now and then.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Go to the local firehouse, and look at their non stick stuff... If the coating is still there buy that brand.

 

[Slawburger]

Have you considered cast iron? Mrs. Slawburger cooks eggs in it without sticking. It lasts forever.

 

[mrjarrell]

If you decide to go with consumer grade non-stick, go with something that's anodized. They last longer than the others and aren't as prone to chipping. Also remember that most non-stick stuff out there isn't dishwasher safe. It needs to be handwashed.

 

[chezuki]

My opinion (as someone who cooked professionally for a great many years) is to skip the set idea all together. As others have mentioned, the professional stuff from restaurant supply houses is very hard to beat. One of those pans takes more abuse in a month in a professional kitchen than most pans see in a lifetime of home use.

I also understand the "want them to look pretty" thing (I don't agree, but I know especially the ladies feel this way). If looks matter, I still say forgo the "sets". Chances are there are only a couple pans in the set that will really get much use anyway. Pick the pans you actually use most often and buy the absolute best one of that style you can afford and take care of it. Don't use metal utensils in non-stick (even if it claims it's ok), same goes for the dishwasher. I'd almost guarantee that those few "bad reviews" about longevity are from not taking care of the. Btw, you're already off to a good start by hanging them instead of stacking them.

Pans are like knives, good quality will last and serve you well.

 

[bobbittle]

Spend your money on a decent set of clad cookware that ISN"T non-stick and pick up a non stick skillet or two for eggs and fish. Anything else doesn't need nonstick.

I have these are highly recommend them, same quality as the bigger name brands for less money
Tramontina 14-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set, Stainless Steel - Walmart.com

Buy these for your nonstick needs
Tramontina 3-Piece EveryDay Nonstick Saute Pan Set, Black - Walmart.com

Hang the nice stuff, keep the cheap nonstick in the cabinet.

 

[JettaKnight]

I've been very happy with Le Creuset. I've had it for years.

Bought it the Kitchen Art place in West Lafayette off 52 in Discovery Park: KitchenArt - The Store for Cooks

I found a handful of Le Creuset "seconds" at TJ Maxx. I got a Staub at a deep discount a couple of weeks ago, so I'm not in the market.

I'd steer clear of other brands of enameled cast iron (e.g. Lodge).

 

[Brandon]

We have all-clad (sp?)

 

[hornadylnl]

I just ordered a set of Simply Calphalon Easy System. The lids and pans have pour spouts. I know she'll love that. If these don't hold up, these will be the last Calphalon we'll ever buy. Everywhere I saw for this set was $350 and Macy's had a 25% off with a free pan and lid. Probably buy a piece from the brands recommended here to replace 1 at a time if any go bad.

 

[chezuki]

Ignoring any and all advice offered... Interesting choice.