Pots/Plans Advice

timfromohio · #1 10/30/10, 07:11 AM

If you were going to buy one set of HEAVY DUTY, stainless steel pots pans to last you the rest of your days, what brand would it be and where would you get it?

Perhaps S&EP would have been a better place to post my question, but I figured I'd get some great input from folks here too.

We have some cast iron, but can't use if for everything - simmering a huge pot of soup or home brewing for example. Aluminum can impart funny tastes (especially in brewing). There are many brands out there - I just want something that I have to buy only once. If it's expensive, that's fine. I'd rather buy it only once.

Thanks for any opinions/adivce.

MariaAZ · #2 10/30/10, 07:31 AM

All-Clad seems to be the "gold standard" in stainless steel cookware. It's very pricey, but I've seen mostly glowing reviews for it.

Tramontina's tri-ply cookware is supposed to be a fairly admirable substitute given it's much lower price. Walmart used to sell a set for around $200 I think, Costco might carry it too, but not sure on that one.

I don't know if either makes a pot large enough for home brewing, unless you brew really small batch, or go the malt extract route (which is what I do, and can get away with a 3 or 4 gallon porcelain over steel canning pot.)

strawhouse · #3 10/30/10, 07:42 AM

I read this as "pot plants advice"
Wow.
I'm interested in a good stainless pot set too, I'll be watching!

Windy in Kansas · #4 10/30/10, 08:34 AM

My choice for just such a set was to purchase multiple pieces listed on Ebay and single pieces of Revere Ware® brand cookware.

The listings with many items tended to have the best bargains and I believe that selling the excess ones I don't want at garage sales (hot items) will make a big dent in the overall cost.

I'm speaking of the older Revere Ware® not the newer stuff.

If needed replacement handles, knobs, etc. are available from outside company sources.

MO_cows · #5 10/30/10, 08:48 AM

Second the Revere Ware. I got a set as a wedding present, 30 years ago come February, still using it daily. Inherited some some more pieces when my g'ma passed away, so I have the steamer and all the pots from itty bitty up to almost stock pot size. Have never had to replace any handles, either, in spite of pre-heating pans accidentally a few times that were stored in the oven.

Belfrybat · #6 10/30/10, 08:56 AM

I like the mid-priced Cuisinard multi-clad. Here's a description of the set I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0007KQZWU

It's very similar to the high priced Noeva (sp?) and All-clad and doesn't have glass lids, which is a bonus for me. I've been very happy with it.

geo in mi · #7 10/30/10, 09:01 AM

http://www.only-cookware.com/

I've been looking, too, but haven't been willing to part with the bucks to go pro class. The website abobe seems legit. It votes for Cuisinart Pro......set. About $250 on Amazon.com I've tried the discount store/China stuff, only because it didn't have rubber handle inserts. But......... seems like it doesn't want to release food from the bottom, and won't heat low enough to keep butter from browning and cook at the same time......

When I get rich I'll convert to a semi professional stove(instead of electric) and a set of the above Cuisinart to see if that makes a difference. Of course, by then I'll only be able to eat oatmeal.......

geo

Jenn · #8 10/30/10, 09:11 AM

Family had Revere ware copper bottom, I got some for wedding long ago, have experimented with corning ware and teflon and etc etc. Now back to Revere ware and cast iron for fry, with family using nonstick things I will never replace again at times. (I even make my crepes in my revereware regular stainless- enough butter and it is as good as seasoned cast iron... cast iron was also great for crepes but not for my wrist twirling the batter around!)

My current problem is not everything matches when buying new- have haunted ebay and flea markets and got an old huge stock pot with old style handles and the cute 1 cup butter melter I recall from childhood (which I use so seldom I have misplaced it in the kitchen so guess that was an overprice purchase).

http://www.amazon.com/Revere-1400-Li...p_ob_k_title_2 in a couple copies so I can fill the stove top (or need not run dishwasher every day) is my mainstay plus rarely the steamer and double boiler inserts for each size and that huge stockpot (make my octuple recipe rice crispie treats in it).

suitcase_sally · #9 10/30/10, 09:19 AM

I had a set of Revere ware and dumped it when I came across a set of Farberware. Faberware has very flat bottoms which the Revere ware didn't.

LisaInN.Idaho · #10 10/30/10, 09:25 AM

I've had All-Clad for the last 15 years and I'll have it for the rest of my days and pass it on to my kids. You pay more up front for it but it's worth it in the long run. Nothing cooks like it.
It's the best of the best of the best.

jwal10 · #11 10/30/10, 09:28 AM

Copper bottom Revere Ware....James

jacqueg · #12 10/30/10, 09:39 AM

Waterless cookware is very high quality. I have my mother's Queen set, which has to be 30 years old. There's at least one other manufacturer. They are heavy and have tight-sealing lids.

Revereware is decent but not as good as either AllClad, Cuisinart, or the waterless brands. (I also have a Cuisinart set, and very pleased with it.) You are looking for multiple layers of steel, aluminum, and copper in the bottoms, and preferably more than one layer in the sides.

JWK · #13 10/30/10, 10:13 AM

It's fine if it's expensive? A HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Be careful what you wish for. All Clad is very good quality and is very over priced these days. I will have to disagree with MariaAZ and LisaInN.Idaho. It is no longer the gold standard and is not the best of the best, IMO. It is excellent and overpriced, IMO.

Tromontina and Cuisinart tri-ply pans are great, especially for the price. Now we get to the best of the best. Vollrath commercial grade. Google it. When you get over your sticker shock, go back and check out Tromontina and Cuisinart.

Sam's Club has a Tromontina 13 or 14 piece set that is great. I recall a post (I hang out on the cooking boards) where someone actually measured the thickness of the aluminum layer in the Tromontina and it was the same as All Clad. My 10 year old set of Tromontina is not induction capable, otherwise I've been thrilled. The new sets are and when I go to an induction stove I will get a new set.

Just my 2 cents.

JWK · #14 10/30/10, 10:15 AM

Oh, before I forget. Check out the Foodieforum and Cheftalk. Lots of good info on these subjects. Get yourself some carbon steel fry pans. You'll wonder how you did without, and they are not expensive at all.

Mutti · #15 10/30/10, 10:23 AM

Martha Stewart's stainless set is great. They have very heavy bottoms (copper or not) and hard to scorch anything. Only thing I don't like about stainless is frying pans; they just don't heat up but I only fry in my cast iron anyhow so doesn't matter. Really love the huge stock pot for soup.applesauce making,etc. Minimal heat keeps it cooking. Got two sets...mixed and matched what I wanted and the kids took the rest. Sold at Kmart but thing she has stuff at Macy's now?? DEE

LisaInN.Idaho · #16 10/30/10, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWK

It's fine if it's expensive? A HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! Be careful what you wish for. All Clad is very good quality and is very over priced these days. I will have to disagree with MariaAZ and LisaInN.Idaho. It is no longer the gold standard and is not the best of the best, IMO. It is excellent and overpriced, IMO.

Tromontina and Cuisinart tri-ply pans are great, especially for the price. Now we get to the best of the best. Vollrath commercial grade. Google it. When you get over your sticker shock, go back and check out Tromontina and Cuisinart.

Sam's Club has a Tromontina 13 or 14 piece set that is great. I recall a post (I hang out on the cooking boards) where someone actually measured the thickness of the aluminum layer in the Tromontina and it was the same as All Clad. My 10 year old set of Tromontina is not induction capable, otherwise I've been thrilled. The new sets are and when I go to an induction stove I will get a new set.

Just my 2 cents.

According to America's Test Kitchens, All-Clad is still the best though it is admittedly much pricier. I do have Vollrath cookie sheets, jelly roll pans, etc.and they are terrific.
I love ATK because they are so good at finding that the cheaper option is quite often much better than the spendier ones. However, in All-Clad's case...they still come out on top in every test.
FWIW, Cuisinart seems to come in a close second. Tramontina was tested but it was farther down the list because they are a bit top-heavy.

timfromohio · #17 10/30/10, 11:08 AM

Thanks for all of the input thus far - I obviously did not have enough coffee this morning at the time I typed the question - I meant to type "pots/pans" ....

whiterock · #18 10/30/10, 11:14 AM

Older copper clad revere ware is my choice, a little woble doesn't bother me on gas stove, flat top may be a problem. I have lots of it, as well as cast iron.
Ed

donewithcity · #19 10/30/10, 11:15 AM

I slowly put together a custom set of All-Clad starting with a 8 inch saute that was my grandmothers. The stuff will last forever. That said for anything non stick do not spend the money on a premium brand. The teflon will be gone in 5 to 10 years even though the pan itself will last generations. I have had good luck with Cooks brand for that. inexpensive but the same weight and feel of the good stuff.
I also have lodge and unknown cast iron up to a 14" monster. My favorite is the lodge "rabbit cooker" a 3 qt. pot with lid that can be a skillet. With a good season makes the best rice cooker ever as it holds that heat with a very tight seal.

Wintergrower_OH · #20 10/30/10, 11:17 AM

I would go the outlet stores . I think their is one in PA for all clad .