Pots and pans

juslearning · 11-21-2012, 10:10 PM

Is there a good set of pots and pans, or individuals, that are fairly inexpensive? I am looking at about a $200 budget for Christmas.

SmokeFan · 11-22-2012, 05:02 AM

Funny you should post this, I almost posted the same last week! I've been doing some research on this recently. One of the best reviewed sets I've seen for the money is this one:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina...e-Set/11072505

If you google it, you find all sorts of good reviews on the set, and from a wide variety of sources. I haven't decided if I'm gonna go that route or just slowly start an All clad collection one piece at a time. Hope others with more experience chime in!

Gnaws on Pigs · 11-22-2012, 05:16 AM

Lodge cast iron is what you want for pans. I like stainless steel for stock pots. Once you get used to cooking in cast iron, you won't want anything else. A good quality 12" non-stick sautee pan is handy for some stuff, though.

TN_BBQ · 11-22-2012, 06:10 AM

We (just about everybody in my family) all use Magnalite cookwear

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnalite-...040816/1603820

It's cast aluminum

We're probably all going to go crazy, because somebody, somewhere said something about cooking with aluminum will rot your brain.

Drh7003 · 11-22-2012, 06:42 AM

It is a good subject and I think everyone has an opinion on what they like.
When my wife and I were first married, we were gifted a set of good quality Farberware (Aluminum clad bottoms). They are nearing the end of their life span with me.
Last year, I started buying restaurant grade pots and pans for cooking at home. I like Winco stainless. Restaurant stores in my area are high on these. I bought most of mine on Ebay from a wholesaler. I think I have $50 in three saute pans 14", 10" and an 8". Locally, these were around $30 a piece. Oh, they are induction ready also.

When I worked in a restaurant, almost everything was aluminum, it works, but hard to be spotless cleaning them.

For BBQ and cooking on an open fire Lodge Cast Iron is my favorite.

I also have three large stock pots that are aluminum cast or spun. and one stainless stock pot. If you cook in salted water, aluminum will corrode and need a lot of elbow grease to clean them up. I am a "shine" fan, so I hate any discoloration.

I do have some Calphalon pieces, but they are used rarely anymore.

I like to have the right tool for the right job.

JMSetzler · 11-22-2012, 06:47 AM

I have a few Cuisinart pieces that I bought at Bed Bath & Beyond that are quite nice. They are made like the All-Clad stuff with the triple-ply bottom. They are priced nicely compared to most stuff and the quality is excellent.

On a more expensive note, I just bought a de Buyer 8" frying pan on Amazon for $40 that I love and will be buying the larger sizes. They are iron pans (not cast iron) and work very well...

Bludawg · 11-22-2012, 09:56 AM

I have a Set of Wearever SS I got at WW a few years back it is all 18 Ga triple bottom. For 200 you can get 4 sets. I'll put them up against All-Clad any day.

cameraman · 11-22-2012, 10:06 AM

America's Test Kitchen rates the Tramontina SS right behind All Clad. I've had a SS set by Cuisinart that I got at Sam's years ago and love it. It's very similar to Tramontina.

Foxfire · 11-22-2012, 11:14 AM

I'm eyeing this set : http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-881...okware-set.jsp

Found some positive reviews for an entry level set, and very Eco friendly
http://housewares.about.com/od/cookw...are-Review.htm
.

Bigdog · 11-22-2012, 04:08 PM

This is what we use for cooking classes at All Things BBQ. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/12-pc-c....ip?navAction=
Very nice set. Al Clad like at a much better price.

1MoreFord · 11-22-2012, 04:58 PM

I have a set of Emerilware similar to this one and like it a lot. It's an imported All-Clad rebranded.

Emeril by All-Clad E884SC74 Chef's Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set, Silver: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining

Williefb · 11-22-2012, 09:42 PM

Academy Sports has some very nice cast iron cookware that's a bit less expensive than Lodge. I bought a BIG cast iron kettle for frying fish.

captndan · 11-23-2012, 07:22 AM

"Decorate your counter tops" turned me off like a faucet. I'll stick with the better quality commercial aluminum type. Except a good cast iron skillet of course.

Philly-QueMaster · 11-23-2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeFan

Funny you should post this, I almost posted the same last week! I've been doing some research on this recently. One of the best reviewed sets I've seen for the money is this one:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina...e-Set/11072505

If you google it, you find all sorts of good reviews on the set, and from a wide variety of sources. I haven't decided if I'm gonna go that route or just slowly start an All clad collection one piece at a time. Hope others with more experience chime in!

I did some research and ended up buying this set. Pretty much same quality a all clad but without the price. I'm very happy with them.

juslearning · 11-24-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Williefb

Academy Sports has some very nice cast iron cookware that's a bit less expensive than Lodge. I bought a BIG cast iron kettle for frying fish.

I bought the largest they had for making a small batch of chicken stew in. Only used it once since I bought it, but it worked good.

I already have 3 cast iron frying pans and a small and medium dutch oven.

The set at Sam's I have looked at every time I go in there, I just didn't know anything about GOOD quality stuff. I also have several Baker and Chefs frying pans of different sizes, which are ok, but nothing as a set.

Thanks for the input guys. I think I am just going to let the kids "buy me" a set of the Tramontina from Sams for Christmas. Unless someone can change my mind.

11-21-2012, 10:10 PM	#1
juslearning Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-30-11 Location: McCormick, SC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Pots and pans Is there a good set of pots and pans, or individuals, that are fairly inexpensive? I am looking at about a $200 budget for Christmas. __________________ Proud supporter of BKBBQ as a sponsor Mister Sparky

11-22-2012, 05:16 AM	#3
Gnaws on Pigs is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-22-10 Location: Smoky Mountains, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Lodge cast iron is what you want for pans. I like stainless steel for stock pots. Once you get used to cooking in cast iron, you won't want anything else. A good quality 12" non-stick sautee pan is handy for some stuff, though. __________________ ...Half a yard full of crap to cook on like everybody else... Slow-to-average-speed GRAY Wal-Mart thermometer Just a hungry hillbilly lookin for a dead critter to cook Four Zeros in one throwdown, baby!

11-22-2012, 06:10 AM	#4
TN_BBQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-02-08 Location: Knoxville, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We (just about everybody in my family) all use Magnalite cookwear http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnalite-...040816/1603820 It's cast aluminum We're probably all going to go crazy, because somebody, somewhere said something about cooking with aluminum will rot your brain. __________________ Life's a party with a Backwoods Party!

11-22-2012, 06:42 AM	#5
Drh7003 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-24-11 Location: Middletown, PA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It is a good subject and I think everyone has an opinion on what they like. When my wife and I were first married, we were gifted a set of good quality Farberware (Aluminum clad bottoms). They are nearing the end of their life span with me. Last year, I started buying restaurant grade pots and pans for cooking at home. I like Winco stainless. Restaurant stores in my area are high on these. I bought most of mine on Ebay from a wholesaler. I think I have $50 in three saute pans 14", 10" and an 8". Locally, these were around $30 a piece. Oh, they are induction ready also. When I worked in a restaurant, almost everything was aluminum, it works, but hard to be spotless cleaning them. For BBQ and cooking on an open fire Lodge Cast Iron is my favorite. I also have three large stock pots that are aluminum cast or spun. and one stainless stock pot. If you cook in salted water, aluminum will corrode and need a lot of elbow grease to clean them up. I am a "shine" fan, so I hate any discoloration. I do have some Calphalon pieces, but they are used rarely anymore. I like to have the right tool for the right job. __________________ KCBS CBJ # 66647 Blue Weber OTG, Masterbuilt 7 in 1 smoker, Weber smokey Joe, UDS

11-22-2012, 06:47 AM	#6
JMSetzler Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-25-11 Location: Valdese, NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a few Cuisinart pieces that I bought at Bed Bath & Beyond that are quite nice. They are made like the All-Clad stuff with the triple-ply bottom. They are priced nicely compared to most stuff and the quality is excellent. On a more expensive note, I just bought a de Buyer 8" frying pan on Amazon for $40 that I love and will be buying the larger sizes. They are iron pans (not cast iron) and work very well... __________________ Visit Man Cave Meals on Facebook and YouTube! Kamado Joe Classic * Kamado Joe Big Joe Ugly Drum Smoker * Weber Performer * Weber Go-Anywhere * Mini WSM Man Cave Meals Video Index

11-22-2012, 05:02 AM	#2
SmokeFan Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-13-12 Location: Fort Worth, TX Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Funny you should post this, I almost posted the same last week! I've been doing some research on this recently. One of the best reviewed sets I've seen for the money is this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina...e-Set/11072505 If you google it, you find all sorts of good reviews on the set, and from a wide variety of sources. I haven't decided if I'm gonna go that route or just slowly start an All clad collection one piece at a time. Hope others with more experience chime in!

11-22-2012, 09:56 AM	#7
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a Set of Wearever SS I got at WW a few years back it is all 18 Ga triple bottom. For 200 you can get 4 sets. I'll put them up against All-Clad any day. __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

11-22-2012, 10:06 AM	#8
cameraman is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-30-09 Location: Nashville, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	America's Test Kitchen rates the Tramontina SS right behind All Clad. I've had a SS set by Cuisinart that I got at Sam's years ago and love it. It's very similar to Tramontina. __________________ Dave Photography is my passion, truth my obsession. No wait, Stieglitz said that. 22.5 WSM 22.5 OTS Weber kettle Smokey Joe (RIP) a dorky little headlamp.

11-22-2012, 11:14 AM	#9
Foxfire Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-28-12 Location: San Jose, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm eyeing this set : http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-881...okware-set.jsp Found some positive reviews for an entry level set, and very Eco friendly http://housewares.about.com/od/cookw...are-Review.htm . __________________ ~ Scott ~ Blue Weber Performer + Craycort CI • Brick Red Weber One-Touch Platinum • Weber 26.75 Kettle • Akorn Kamado • ET 732 • Record-crushing ORANGE Thermapen • UDS In Progress

11-22-2012, 04:08 PM	#10
Bigdog somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 09-17-03 Location: Wichita, Kansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This is what we use for cooking classes at All Things BBQ. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/12-pc-c....ip?navAction= Very nice set. Al Clad like at a much better price. __________________ Bigdog Weber Platinum Kettle, Weber OTS, Meco square grill, ECB, a WSM, a cool fold up camping grill, a Blackstone flat top camping stove, The MOAB, and now the proud owner of a YS640, MOINK. Smoke on Brother KC Father of the Fatty (the name) 4/20/04 on the BBQ Brethren with inspiration from Brother parrothead.

11-22-2012, 04:58 PM	#11
1MoreFord is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 03-14-05 Location: N. Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a set of Emerilware similar to this one and like it a lot. It's an imported All-Clad rebranded. Emeril by All-Clad E884SC74 Chef's Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set, Silver: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining Emeril by All-Clad E884SC74 Chef's Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set, Silver: Amazon.com: Kitchen & Dining __________________ Joe

11-22-2012, 09:42 PM	#12
Williefb Got Wood. Join Date: 05-18-11 Location: Middle TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Academy Sports has some very nice cast iron cookware that's a bit less expensive than Lodge. I bought a BIG cast iron kettle for frying fish. __________________ Willie

11-23-2012, 07:22 AM	#13
captndan is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-11 Location: Greeneville TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	"Decorate your counter tops" turned me off like a faucet. I'll stick with the better quality commercial aluminum type. Except a good cast iron skillet of course.