Cookware question for the chefs....

[GeauxLSU]

Stainless, ceramic coated, or anodized? We are in desperate need and I've ingested all the Teflon I care to for one lifetime. Thx.

 

[the_great_white]

i guess it depends on what you're cooking. i have all of the above + some not mentioned.

i don't care for the anodizing, it wears off....perhaps in the food?

pots i use stainless never aluminum, pans i like ceramic coated primarily. cast iron for frying.

ovenware ceramic or stoneware

 

[the_great_white]

and for what it's worth, i also buy the ones with the welded handles, more sanitary that the ones with the rivets sticking through on the inside...that space between the rivets and pots are good little bacteria farms, but maybe i'm overkill.

also, piece a set together. i know your wife probably wants a pretty matching set, just get the pieces you actually want or need individually, those generic box kits usually suck and don't come with everything you want or need anyway.

 

[Cruisers460]

Cast iron...the original non stick pan.

 

[GeauxLSU]

My brother in law is the only gourmet chef in the family. He recommended a set of "All Clad" with copper cores.
I had never heard of it. Now I know why... http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-copper-core-15-piece-cookware-set/?

 

[GeauxLSU]

and for what it's worth, i also buy the ones with the welded handles, more sanitary that the ones with the rivets sticking through on the inside...that space between the rivets and pots are good little bacteria farms, but maybe i'm overkill.

also, piece a set together. i know your wife probably wants a pretty matching set, just get the pieces you actually want or need individually, those generic box kits usually suck and don't come with everything you want or need anyway.

She doesn't care. I'm just too lazy too piece it all together.
And if it's not dishwasher safe it's a big negative.
I would like made in the USA, which is increasingly an issue.

 

[the_great_white]

most of your new stuff is dishwasher safe. the ceramic coated ones are pretty tough

 

[Jeddak]

I've had a set of stainless steel outside and inside/aluminum core pots and pans for years. They do not warp and conduct heat almost as good as copper core ones.
Got mine at Sam's club for under $100, Costco also has a similar set off and on.
Similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP...4265&sr=8-2&keywords=stainless+steel+cookware

You can get cheaper sets that have just aluminum core at the bottom. Having aluminum on the sides will cook your food faster/more evenly.

PS cheaper set, same technology: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00421AYJK/ref=psdc_289816_t3_B004APTMPK

PPS never understood hard anodizing. I ran a restaurant for a few years, all my cookware was stainless, + a few cast iron skillets. Anodized stuff looks good, but does not perform any better, and makes cleaning it a pain.

 

[GeauxLSU]

Dang. Woot had this set on sale for $160. http://home.woot.com/offers/cuisinart-multiclad-pro-12-piece-cookware-set-6?ref=cnt_wp_4_12 Amazon has it at $286 with really good reviews. Supposedly made in the USA? I find that hard to believe?
They have a few others... http://home.woot.com/plus/cuisinart-cookware-of-all-cinds?ref=cnt_wp_4

 

[batoncolle]

We use stainless (a set) and individual ceramic and cast iron.