Quick option on cookware needed.

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lowtech1

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2000
4,644
1
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My sister bd is coming up soon & I like to get her a better set of cookware than her current ones. I?m not going to spend money on copper, and I can?t make up my mind between stainless steel or anodize aluminum.

So what is better...stainless or aluminum?
 
Pliablemoose

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Anodized aluminum, check out Amazon for some pretty good deals.

Just stay away form the "Calphalon Everyday" line.
 
H

Haircut

Platinum Member
Apr 23, 2000
2,248
0
0
Aluminium for saucepans, although I would always go for cast iron for frying/sauté pans.
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
We've had our Revere cookware for 25 years. They sell it with aluminum or copper clad bottoms. Ours are carbon steel core stainless. Farberware is similar quality and price. Both last forever.

I see they're selling it with non stick surfaces now. All I can say is, SCREW THAT! You have to use special utensils and treat it just so... pfffttt. :disgust: If I have to, I scrub mine with a Brillo, or even steel wool. Can't hurt it. They make special scrubbing sponges for non stick surfaces. If the they're non stick, why do you have to scrub them? :confused:
 
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ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
2,506
0
0
Just go to a restaurant supply store and pick up lots of stuff there. I love the Lincoln Wear-ever series of fry pans (get the ceramiguard II pans) and they're pretty cheap.

http://www.lincolnfp.com/products/products.htm
http://www.kessenichs.com/ceramiguard.htm (price example)

Seriously, I've converted my mother to buying these because she hates the idea of spending $100+ on a pan. These can be had for $30-40 each, the non-stick should serve you well for 4 years or so, and you can get a new one when the coating really does start to go.

If you want to scrub, they sell the bare metal surface versions too.

We're talking real restaurant-cookery here... what the majority of kitchens use.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I believe stainless steel is way better, if only because I do not know of one high-end set that comes in anonized but almost all 'cheap' sets are anonized. Of course copper is high-end no matter what.

Å
 
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ChefJoe

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2002
2,506
0
0
Originally posted by: alkemyst
I believe stainless steel is way better, if only because I do not know of one high-end set that comes in anonized but almost all 'cheap' sets are anonized. Of course copper is high-end no matter what.

Å
Click to expand...

Copper cookware is usually for show. 9 times out of 10 someone will have fancy looking copper cookware that is just for show and has oxidized from lack of use or (worse) has a platic coating on it to avoid looking less than shiny. Now, if you're talking copper core (for the heat transfer of copper with the durable exterior of stainless), that's a step in the right direction.

There may be certain instances where pure copper is good like when you're whipping egg whites but for everyday cookware, I wouldn't use copper.
 
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lowtech1

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2000
4,644
1
0
I hope that my sister like the limited lifetime warranty 10 piece set of 18/10 stainless steel Cuisinart with copper clad bottom that I picked up for her. It have a nice weight to it....slightly heavier than most other stainless cookware. There were a set of Lagostina 5 layers proclad that had very convincing write up, but it have glasstop which is a feature that non of my family member like.

Thanks all for the input.
 
I

iwearnosox

Lifer
Oct 26, 2000
16,018
5
0
Lowtech I've had all the makes and models for cookware, if I snapped a picture of my kitchen it would be as equally rediculous as my computer setup..

Stay as far away from the calphalon as you can, it's hard to clean, can't put it in the diswasher and *everything* sticks to it, even when it's nonstick! :/

I love allclad, it's well worth the extra $.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I snagged the Sabatier Grand Chef 10pc set of knives last month....$149, $30 rebate, $30 roasting pan free....we needed a roasting pan for the holiday's too so net was about $89 out the door....a steal on this set which is now $199.....I saw it locally for $250 on clearance....

The Grand Chef is Henckels/Wustoff's French equal....my wife was afraid to use them the first couple weeks as they were so sharp they'd practically cut through veggies and meat as if they weren't even there.

I got the $40 Sabatier Precision 20 piece S/S cookware set and it's a nice lightweight set....a definite steal, but the lids design is flawed (I have seen very expensive sets with the same design also) in that it traps water underneath. The solution I have seen on new versions is either a different lid handle design or they cut notches in the bottom of the bezel so water can run out. We plan to upgrade to heavy stainless as we see deals.

Å
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,507
1,677
126
Stainless steel in my opinion. I would worry about the layer of anodization coming off of the aluminum.

Avoid straight aluminum as it recats with acids in foods.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,507
1,677
126
Originally posted by: Amorphus
link to site where you guys learn all this stuff?
Click to expand...

Everything I know about cooking I learned by watching Good Eats on The Food Network.
 
S

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
2
81
I love stainless, personally I'm happy with my calphalon (straight into the dishwasher, can be put into the oven, etc...then again its not a non-stick but I hate non-stick because it sticks anyway and then I can't scrape it off easily)
 
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LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Originally posted by: m2kewl
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
The Emeril brand is pretty good.
Click to expand...

Emerilware is licensed through All-Clad, a great cookware company.
Click to expand...

yup yup! that's all i use, emerilware or all-clad.
Click to expand...

I just purchased the Emerilware 10 piece set and I'm very very happy with it. Great all around cookware for a good price.
 
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brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
Personally, I've decided that I will always go the cheap route with pans. Why pay $300 for a set of pans that will last a lifetime IF YOU TAKE PERFECT AND DELICATE CARE OF THEM?

I'd rather beat the pans around, throw them in the dishwasher, and then buy a new set every few years. I bought a T-Fal 9-piece non-stick set of pans for $30 and they've been in the dishwasher numerous times, dropped, and one of my dumb roomates even still uses metal spoons on them despite me yelling at him about it.

My cheap set of pans has lasted 3 years now under heavy abuse. When they finally wear out, I'll buy another for $30. I'm pretty sure I'll get my money's worth.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: brxndxn
Personally, I've decided that I will always go the cheap route with pans. Why pay $300 for a set of pans that will last a lifetime IF YOU TAKE PERFECT AND DELICATE CARE OF THEM?

I'd rather beat the pans around, throw them in the dishwasher, and then buy a new set every few years. I bought a T-Fal 9-piece non-stick set of pans for $30 and they've been in the dishwasher numerous times, dropped, and one of my dumb roomates even still uses metal spoons on them despite me yelling at him about it.

My cheap set of pans has lasted 3 years now under heavy abuse. When they finally wear out, I'll buy another for $30. I'm pretty sure I'll get my money's worth.
Click to expand...

Coated frypans aside, a set of heavy stainless will last several lifetimes with not much care at all....if the burn they can be polished, if you dent them they can be pounded out (a dent in a heavy pan though is extremely rare)....etc....You can pass the set on several generations.

But picking up sets at $30-40 a pop every 3 or so years is not a big blow to the bank....

Å
 
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