Good quality cookware?

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Dec 15, 2004 | 09:24 AM

#16

superspike

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Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 184

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From: Central Washington

I have a T-Fal skillet and stainless steel pots. I like them both, but when I'm out of school I intend on either buying Calphalon or enameled cookware. If you don't have a store to buy good cookware check out www.williamssonoma.com, or to compare prices on different items go to www.bizrate.com.

Dec 15, 2004 | 05:01 PM

#17

chefbob

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 831

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From: Marion,NY

All-Clad is good but way to expensive for normal people. Same with Caphalon.
Go to a good restaraunt supply house and see what they have to offer. Don't buy the most expensive buy middle of the road. Every good cook has a cheap non stick pan for cooking eggs and grilled cheeses (yes we eat these)
Good everyday pots and pans should be made of stainless steel with a copper core for even heating. NEVER BUY ALUMINUM Stock pots, because anytime you make things that are acidic it taints the flavor and stains the pot.
Just my 2 cents......oh by the way I have been in food service for over 20 years.

Bob

Dec 15, 2004 | 05:24 PM

#18

2Bowers

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Near Bloom, PA

(Other B here)
This is a good thread, as I've been trying to decide what kind to get myself. I have cast iron and T-Fal now. Love to get Calphalon but it's a bit out of range for now.

What bugged me was that in the stores, I checked the boxes to find out what the nonstick pans are made of and they almost never say. I couldn't tell the difference between aluminum and stainless on most of them. Even the salesperson didn't know!

So to expand on the original question, what's the best mid-range (or cheaper) nonstick steel brand? And how can I tell the difference?

Dec 15, 2004 | 05:37 PM

#19

chefbob

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 831

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From: Marion,NY

Most non stick pans are made with aluminum thats why they are so cheap.
Farberware makes pretty good pots and pans that are inexpensive.

Dec 15, 2004 | 07:21 PM

#20

V X

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 430

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From: more north than south

a metal handle allows you to finish cooking or keep things warm in the oven.

just use a pot holder when you take it out.

Dec 15, 2004 | 07:39 PM

#21

SirHailstone

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 675

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From: Indianapolis, IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefbob

Most non stick pans are made with aluminum thats why they are so cheap.
Farberware makes pretty good pots and pans that are inexpensive.

Faberware?

Chinese made junk (well their can openers, blenders and the like).

Is Kitchen Aid the only US made stuff left?

Dec 15, 2004 | 07:41 PM

#22

Hyside5

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Joined: Nov 2004

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Calphalon, my Dad, the "best chef I know" swears by it and sends it to me for gifts a piece at a time. I suck at chefing but it works great for me and cooks evenly and cleans up easily. Yes some of them are pricey but... He gets them off e-bay for cheap ("inexpensive" is the only way he buys things.) but he always buys the best. my 2 cents.