Let’s talk cookware
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 15:22 last edited by
We need to update our cookware. I have finally convinced Karla to quit with the non-stick coated pans. Any recommendations?
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Cast Iron - I already have 2 skillets that are okay, but I don’t think they hold a seasoning as well as they should. I am thinking of moving these 2 to our outdoor/camping equipment and buying a Lodge or two (these are a Costco purchase, not Lodge…) but while cast iron is awesome for certain things, I think it’s a little too heavy for a lot of uses (pancakes and eggs immediately spring to mind) and I don’t want to go through the cleaning process with every single meal…
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Enameled Cast Iron - better at clean up plus I can use it for acidic sauces and such. Still very heavy… I am thinking that a single Dutch oven might make sense…
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Stainless Steel - probably the front runner if I buy a set, but it is going to have to a higher end with copper or aluminum core. Any recommendations?
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Carbon Steel… Kind of intriguing. Looks like it has all the pros of Cast Iron but a little easier maintenance and MUCH lighter. Still not great with acidic foods, though.
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Ceramic - Don’t know much about it except it looks like it’s from my grandmother’s kitchen…
Any recommendations? Mix and Match? Buy a set? Brands?
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 15:26 last edited by
I have nonstick (Calphalon) that I got about 5 years ago. It's starting to show its age, so I'm in the market as well.
I'll keep my cast iron skillets, but I'm open to relegating the usual cooking I do in them to whatever new I purchase.
D2 bought this about 6 months ago, and she's happy:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H05SXM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 15:29 last edited by
That’s pretty cheap for the Aluminum base…How has it cleaned for her?
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That’s pretty cheap for the Aluminum base…How has it cleaned for her?
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 15:31 last edited by@lufins-dad no problems so far. Let me ask for an update.
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 16:09 last edited by
We use All Clad but didn't got non-stick. Not having non-stick hasn't seemed like much of an issue for saucepans and were recommended by Cooks Illustrated who test everything.
We do have a couple of non-stick omelet pans for convenience. -
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 16:48 last edited by
LuFin, do y'all yard sale? I have good news and bad news. A very long time ago, on the recommendation of a chef, I bought some Club Aluminum saucepans. The good news is that they are so phenomenal that if I could, I'd outfit my entire kit with it and never buy anything else. Which leads me to the bad news: For some unfathomable reason, it is no longer being made.
My strong recommendation is, if you should find it in yard sales, GRAB IT.
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:10 last edited by
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:18 last edited by
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:28 last edited by Jolly 9 Jan 2021, 17:29
Use the 20% off coupon or find the same cookware at some other retailer. I believe in value. I think they cook as well or just short of a Wearever set.
Buy one of these for Christmas:
https://fieldcompany.com/products/field-cast-iron-skillet?variant=47481299727
On the cast iron you do have, smooth and seal the insides. Lots of Youtube videos on how to do that.......
Lastly, if you have a Sam's Club, buy one of these in your favorite non-stick skillet size:
https://www.samsclub.com/p/12-restaurant-fry-pan/prod7300014?xid=plp_product_4
When the coating starts to wear, chunk it. They're that good, but still that cheap.
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:30 last edited by
Club made some really great stuff back in the day. lasts forever.
I have a combination of Lodge cast iron, Cuisinart stainless and Henkel Granitium nonstick saute pans, 8", 10" and 12". They are really, really tough stuff. You can get a set on sale at Costco for like $60 when they have them in stock. I have another set waiting unopened and have used the ones I have for seven or eight years. Used to have to buy a new set of nonstick every year or so, but this stuff you can use metal utensils on.
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:33 last edited by
Or maybe just say, "To Hell with it, it's only money!". So make Mik jealous...
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LuFin, do y'all yard sale? I have good news and bad news. A very long time ago, on the recommendation of a chef, I bought some Club Aluminum saucepans. The good news is that they are so phenomenal that if I could, I'd outfit my entire kit with it and never buy anything else. Which leads me to the bad news: For some unfathomable reason, it is no longer being made.
My strong recommendation is, if you should find it in yard sales, GRAB IT.
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:34 last edited by@catseye3 said in Let’s talk cookware:
LuFin, do y'all yard sale? I have good news and bad news. A very long time ago, on the recommendation of a chef, I bought some Club Aluminum saucepans. The good news is that they are so phenomenal that if I could, I'd outfit my entire kit with it and never buy anything else. Which leads me to the bad news: For some unfathomable reason, it is no longer being made.
My strong recommendation is, if you should find it in yard sales, GRAB IT.
Alzheimer's.
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@catseye3 said in Let’s talk cookware:
LuFin, do y'all yard sale? I have good news and bad news. A very long time ago, on the recommendation of a chef, I bought some Club Aluminum saucepans. The good news is that they are so phenomenal that if I could, I'd outfit my entire kit with it and never buy anything else. Which leads me to the bad news: For some unfathomable reason, it is no longer being made.
My strong recommendation is, if you should find it in yard sales, GRAB IT.
Alzheimer's.
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:45 last edited by -
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:51 last edited by
There has been some concern that aluminum cookware can cause Alzheimer’s. That’s why it’s no longer really made, though there has been no conclusive tests…
The new use of aluminum in cookware is as a core but covered in stainless steel so there is no contact with food…
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:52 last edited by
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
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Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 17:59 last edited by@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 18:02 last edited by
@lufins-dad said in Let’s talk cookware:
@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
Put it all in the wok.
Obvi.
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@lufins-dad said in Let’s talk cookware:
@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
Put it all in the wok.
Obvi.
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 18:02 last edited by@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
@lufins-dad said in Let’s talk cookware:
@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
Put it all in the wok.
Obvi.
No.
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@lufins-dad said in Let’s talk cookware:
@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
Put it all in the wok.
Obvi.
wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 18:06 last edited by@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
@lufins-dad said in Let’s talk cookware:
@aqua-letifer said in Let’s talk cookware:
Get a proper wok, and you'll save money by not buying half the crap on your list.
What happens when you have to cook 4 things at once?
Put it all in the wok.
Obvi.
lolz
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wrote on 1 Sept 2021, 18:08 last edited by
I'd suggest updating the pieces individually vs a full set. For example, we buy a new skillet every few years since we use it (medium and large) very often, whereas the larger pots have much less wear/tear on them. We also have a cast iron skillet for cooking steaks.