Best Pots & Pans Set ?

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 2:46 AM

The misses needs a new pots and pan set (don't know why the old ones are fine

) but she says we do, who am I to argue.

Thing is, weve bought a few sets over the past few years and she says they are never any good. Now she wants the best so she doesnt have to change again so soon.

Any chefs/cooks our people clued up on this sort of thing that can recommend the best manufacturer of pots and pans ?

I was looking at these myself, but I dont know if they are any good.

Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel 4 Piece Cookware Set: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

I know she has Le Cruset casserole pot it was £100 !

nearly died when she told me but she said that wasnt that expensive ! and a Le Cruset Wok so she sort of likes that make.

We just dont know if there is any better, and would like to buy better if there are good pots and pans set out there.

Oh yeah, dishwasher safe is important.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 2:52 AM

Are these any good ?

Stellar 1000 5 Piece Stainless Steel Pan Set - Special Offer - Pots and Pans

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 3:07 AM

Or these ?

Stellar 3000 Induction Black 5 Piece Pan Set - Pots and Pans

whats the difference between the black type pans the the silver ones ?

PJTX100 · 05-01-2009, 6:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Or these ?

Stellar 3000 Induction Black 5 Piece Pan Set - Pots and Pans

whats the difference between the black type pans the the silver ones ?

We just picked up avery similar looking set in the debenhams sale only in silver...

Advantage cream 4 piece set - Select - Kitchen - Home - Debenhams

Early days but they look sturdy and seem to do a good job, though the frying pan is small.

We also have a big le creuset pot and they are the biz. le creuset seem to be one of the best.

edit sorry the link is the cream set, the one we got is silver

indianwells · 05-01-2009, 7:29 AM

I have had a set of the Le Creuset 3 Ply set for about 5 years now and they are still like new. You get what you pay for in general with pans although there are exceptions. Buy the best you can afford is my advice. I also have a couple of pans from Mauviel, and although expensive, they are beautiful to cook with and I know they'll last more than a lifetime.
I only use a non-stick pan for frying eggs, stainless steel is fine for everything else. The reason people think food sticks in stainless pans when sauteeing is simple. The food isn't ready to be turned and everyone seems to think you need to be constantly turning and shaking the pan a la Ainsley. The fact is, you get a nice crust and flavour if you just leave it. When it's ready to be turned it'll let you.

Stoatman · 05-01-2009, 8:53 AM

Try here too , this is where all mine have come from :

Meyer Cookware

Excellent pans and good prices.

If you want to splash out I have heard great things about those Le Creuset ones. I went for anodised as they are long lasting and easy to clean.

GasDad · 05-01-2009, 8:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Oh yeah, dishwasher safe is important.

What sort of hob have you got ?

A Le Cruset set is fine for lots of cooking - but I wouldn't want to waste the energy warming all that metal up, just to boil an egg.

Don't forget if she hits you with a Le Cruset frying pan you'll know about it.

TeenSpirit · 05-01-2009, 9:02 AM

My mum uses Le Creuset, they are very heavy and not practical for me to use on an hourly basis - I swear by Tefal non-stick - their wok never burns and you don't have to use any oil, you can cook an omelette fat free !

TEFAL UK Web Site - Selective

TEFAL UK Web Site - Non-Stick Cookware

Sianny · 05-01-2009, 9:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoatman

Try here too , this is where all mine have come from :

Meyer Cookware

Excellent pans and good prices.

If you want to splash out I have heard great things about those Le Creuset ones. I went for anodised as they are long lasting and easy to clean.

Have to agree with this....we were bought a set the same as this one Circulon Elite Cookware NEW from Meyer and they are brill. I really like the rubber handles as you don't burn your hands!!!

Inked · 05-01-2009, 10:36 AM

Another vote for Meyer pans here!

Mr Incredible · 05-01-2009, 10:40 AM

Meyer also. Got a terrific deal at Argos a few years ago. Amazon did their Circulon non-stick stuff as well.

Sianny · 05-01-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Incredible

Meyer also. Got a terrific deal at Argos a few years ago. Amazon did their Circulon non-stick stuff as well.

These are the ones we had! They were bought for us from Debenhams and were near enough half price a few months back!

loz · 05-01-2009, 11:00 AM

another vote for meyer.

Alan_W · 05-01-2009, 12:37 PM

Meyer Anolon Proffessional. Expensive individually, but you can buy them in sets at a better price. If you are flush the chef's pan is so versatile and is a must

Anolon Professional Cookware

Stoatman · 05-01-2009, 12:40 PM

Yes the are the exact ones I went for - the set - . At the price I just could not say no , they are just giving them away.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 1:45 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone

I let my misses know about the Meyer's and she says the elite, infinate and the professional range are not dishwasher safe. The elite-steel ones are so we have added them to our shortlist.

Keep the advice coming

GasDad, we have a gas hob.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 1:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasDad

What sort of hob have you got ?

A Le Cruset set is fine for lots of cooking - but I wouldn't want to waste the energy warming all that metal up, just to boil an egg.

Don't forget if she hits you with a Le Cruset frying pan you'll know about it.

We have a gas hob.

I think weve shortlisted the Meyer steel ones, the Stellar Steel ones and the Le Cruset so far.

Stoatman · 05-01-2009, 2:11 PM

I wouldn't recommend putting any anodised non stick stuff in the dish washer as it may not like the aggressive detergents used. Usually though all they need is a quick wipe as nothing really sticks. Even though the le creuset ones say its ok I would be wary. I am sure people shove them in all the time but I am probably extra wary.

**Iccz** · 05-01-2009, 2:14 PM

Dishwashers will lower the life of any pots and pans even if they are dishwasher safe, even if just a little bit, just scrub them in the sink, it's not that much hard work

THE_FORCE · 05-01-2009, 2:14 PM

I would only put saucepans, woks, skillets etc. in a dishwasher if they really needed it - otherwise you'd be surprised how much it could ruin the finishes.

Stellar 6000 user here for everything. I love the range, sturdy as you like, and nothing sticks....for real.

mattrixdesign2 · 05-01-2009, 3:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Oh yeah, dishwasher safe is important.

Circulon - good quality non-stick pans, you should be able a decent set at £99 (try Debenhams sale). They say they can be put in the dish washer, but warn it will wear the non-stick.

We put dishes etc in the dish washer, but ALWAYS hand wash pots and pans.

loz · 05-01-2009, 3:28 PM

we have the meyer select stainless steel range
Been in the dishwasher every day for the last 4 years without any noticable effect.

Anyway, they are quoted as 'dishwasher safe' and have a 10 year guarantee.

Previously had another meyer range for 16 years since we got married, and they were in the dishwasher every day too. We only got rid of them in the end because we were bored with them, not because they were worn in any way. Sold them on the car boot. Otherwise I think they would have lasted forever.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 4:05 PM

Whats the difference between the steel and the anodised then guys and gals ?

**Iccz** · 05-01-2009, 4:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Whats the difference between the steel and the anodised then guys and gals ?

anodisation increases they thickness of the oxide surface, basically makes it more harder. generally helps it not wear as much.

see also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodizing

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccz

anodisation increases they thickness of the oxide surface, basically makes it more harder. generally helps it not wear as much.

see also: Anodizing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Both surfaces are still non stick though yeah ?

loz · 05-01-2009, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

Whats the difference between the steel and the anodised then guys and gals ?

and the stainless steel ones are dishwasher safe, whereas the anodised ones are not.

the anodised ones usually have a non-stick coating, whereas the stainless steel do not

the meyer stainless steel ones have built in strainers in the lids, whereas the anodised ones do not (I think...). Very useful for straining (of course...), but also for controlling boiling (as you can let out the steam without removing the lid)

**Iccz** · 05-01-2009, 4:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loz

and the stainless steel ones are dishwasher safe, whereas the anodised ones are not.

the anodised ones usually have a non-stick coating, whereas the stainless steel do not

the meyer stainless steel ones have built in strainers in the lids, whereas the anodised ones do not (I think...). Very useful for straining (of course...), but also for controlling boiling (as you can let out the steam without removing the lid)

saying that some steel ones do have non-stick coatings applied.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 5:04 PM

Thanks for all the help everyone.

Will most likely buy one of the sets tonight, just need to pass all this info onto the misses for her to decide.

Gliese 581c · 05-01-2009, 10:56 PM

She decided to go for the Stellar 3000 set.

Stellar 3000 5 Piece Set (Milkpan & Frypan) - Pots and Pans

We got them for £97 delivered from Harts of Stur. they retail at £342 why is there such a huge discount on them ?

smelly · 05-01-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gliese 581c

She decided to go for the Stellar 3000 set.

Stellar 3000 5 Piece Set (Milkpan & Frypan) - Pots and Pans

We got them for £97 delivered from Harts of Stur. they retail at £342 why is there such a huge discount on them ?

Wait til they arrive