In search of good set of pots

[littlesdcen]

Need good set of pots. Just bought new smooth top stove and need new pots.

[tokanm]

I absolutely love my Cooks Essentials pans from QVC, they even have a lifetime

warranty. You can also check them out on www.qvc.com

[mackeeg]

I have read good reviews on the pans Sams sells (their brand)

[madiiisc]

I have Wolfgang Puck brand which I purchased from HSN, I've had these for 5 years and I love them! These are the stainless steel ones with the glass lids, they are great!

[alisa56jim]

I have a set of Calphalon and it is so nice and I love it I got my daughter and daughter in law some for Christmas. Mine cost 200.00 but I order there's from Amazon and got 2 pots at a time and only payed 100.00 for theres. Hope you find what your looking for

[Cannon1]

Errr, Uhmmm Le Creuset? Enameled-Cast Iron. We got a smooth top last year and an initial buy of L_Cr_ cookware. Then continued the theme this Christmas. They are expensive, (do any kind of search), but we are confident that these will be heirlooms to pass on to our children. ALL our pieces are a red motif (not flame), and if you're fortunate to have an outlet nearby, the savings on this VERY expensive stuff is substantial. The bennies-lifetime blah, blah,,,; the heat retention is the highest I've ever seen=less energy$$; and the look factor.... Again, this is not cheap, years ago we started with the economy stuff, then we advanced to calaphon/etc...; now, we really can't think of anything better to go to. It doesn't 'scratch our smooth top, we use inside our oven as well. Just a final idea of prices (scary) the two pieces I picked up on black friday were a 3 1/2 qt oval & a 9 1/2 qt oval @ $214, and that was with 40% off. L_C_ has another 'sale happening in mid-Jan07.

 

Just an http idea of what you're looking at for the cast iron: http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/products/guide.php?brand_id=1

[heatherkw]

I am a consumer reports nut so I looked on there for you.

The number 1 brand and their pick is COSTCOS KIRKLAND BRAND(150)

then as follows

2.Analon-Titanium(300)

3.Analon-Advanced(200)

4. Emerilware(250)

5.Scanpan-Classic(400)

6.Wherever-Excellence(100)

7.Bialetti-Fusion(50)

8.Berndes-Signo Classico(200)

9.Circulon-Elite(250)

10.Farberware-Select Non-stick(100)

11.Calphalon One(480)

12.Cuisinart-Chefs Classic Nonstick(100)

13.Calphalon-Kitchen Essentials(150)

14.Cooks Essentials-Stainless(100)

15.Circulon -Steel(150)

16.T-Fal-Encore(100)

17. Calphalon-Simply(150)

18.Farberware-Millenium Touch Soft Colors(150)

19.T-Fal-Perfection(100)

20.NordicWare-Rangeware(100)

 

Of course these are all Nonstick let me know if you are interested in Mixed or Uncoated and I will post those

[littlesdcen]

Thanks this is very helpful. You guys are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

[tazolover]

Le Crueset are great, but they are SO EXPENSIVE. You can get good deals on them sometimes through Amazon, but they are rare.

 

I have a set of Circulon from my wedding almost 11 years ago. I really liked them, but am looking to change in the next year or so.

 

Thanks for the Consumer Report info. Some great stuff that I can keep an eye out for. For me, the most important is how you can clean them. I honestly do not have the time nor patience to only hand wash my pots and pans. Esp after making beans, rice and tamales!

[davephillyj]

I'd like to know about the uncoated. (things cooked in teflon pans makes me and one of my kids really sick.) Where do you find this info? Thanks

[heatherkw]

I use Consumer reports some of their articles are free but I am a member. Uncoated as follows

KitchenAid-Gourmet Essentials Brushed Stainless(150)

Calphalon-Contemporary(400)

Emerilware-Stainless(200) This is What I have

Magnalite-Classic(130)

Members Mark-Try-Ply-Clad 130

JA Henckels-Classic Clad-200

T-Fal-Jamie Oliver(150)

All-Clad-Master Chef 2(320)

Cusinart-Chefs Classic(100)

All-Clad-Copper Core(700)

Wolfgang Puck-Bistro(200)

Farberware-Millenium Touch(130)

ScanPan-Fusion(300)

Daniel Boulud-Kitchen Generation(350)

Revere-Copper(60)

Viking-Professional Starter(565)

[littlesdcen]

which ones are dishwasher safe? I just got a new dishwasher too.

[christib327]

We have the calphalon stuff also and we love it. We probably will never buy anything else! (partially because my husbands have a friend whose son works with calphalon and can get us a deal! yeah!)

[LILMISSMO77]

I agree with tokanm. The Cooks Essentials brand are the absolute BEST pots and pans that I have ever owned!!!!!!!

[azpyrfan]

Are the Kirkland pots listed on the Consumer Reports the stainless steel ones or the anodized aluminum? Thanks.

[heatherkw]

anodized aluminum

[cotejb]

thanks for the consumer reports info! I'd love ot be a member but am too cheap :) I'll keep this thread in mind when it comes time for me to buy some new pots and pans!

[heatherkw]

I dont mind to look up other things also if somebody needs me too!

[trbarginhunter]

If you want the Calphalon check your Target--ours has the set on clearance (in red). Sorry, I don't remember the price, just remember thinking it was a great deal.

[azpyrfan]

Heatherkw - thanks for looking it up. I'm off to Costco this weekend!

[syamnew]

Look at Philippe-Richard.

 

This is a new brand. I picked up a set at Filene's last year for about $50 after all rebates.

They are still looking new and look like they will go for another 3-4 years.

 

Thanks

Syam

PS: I am Indian, and Calphlon frying pans last about 18 months in my Kitchen :)

[nonnie1967]

We recently bought the Cooks brand hard anodized aluminum set from JCPenney. So far we love it. We also have a couple of pieces of Calphalon and love those as well. Yes - you have to hand wash them, but it is well worth it to have really good, high-performing cookware. :)