Is it worth spending money on a 'good' frying pan?

easy

Once again I'm trowing out a frying pan cos the non-stick stuff has all fallen off.

For years, we have just grabbed a cheap frying pan in the supermarket when we need one, used it for 6 months or a year until the non-stick is damaged, then sling it and buy another cheapy.

Hubby now suggests we invest in a good one, get really strict about not using metal spoons & forks etc when cooking with it.

What would you do, and can you recommend a good pan?

daveyjp

If you are damaging the non stick of a cheap one you will do the same with an expensive one. A cheap one will last years if you only use plastic or wooden utensils.

easy

What about buying a good one which doesn't have a non-stick lining? I'm told good quality pans don't need to be non-stick coated.

skintchick

easy wrote: »

What about buying a good one which doesn't have a non-stick lining? I'm told good quality pans don't need to be non-stick coated.

For years I swore by a Tefal saute pan with lid I used to cook everything in, but when my second one shed its coating I went for a Le Creuset saute pan which is not non-stick but is easier to clean than anything I've ever had!

The only thing is that they are very expensive, and you cannot use them on a high heat so things take longer to cook as the pan takes longer to heat up (I have leccy).

But now, we are slowly getting all Le Creuset pans and casseroles as they really are so much better and wash like a dream as well.

sooz

I have Analon & Le Creuset. Heavy, not good in dishwashers but last for years. The rrps are always eyewatering, but they are often on sale.
I have gas, & they are wonderful to cook on. As they are so heavy, they do heat up more slowly, but it's even, & you don't get hot spots

debtfreein4years

ive got a decent frying pan from ikea, cost around £7. its lasted me 2 years and counting so far. I dont use metal utensils when cooking though so it might be an idea to invest in a set of cheap plastic/wooden utensils and use then instead of metal. would save you from investing in an expensive frying pan.

i do prefer le crueset though as they are amazing and well well well worth the price as they do last for years.

bap98189

Absolutely. I bought an Anolon frying pan about 2 years ago. It did cost about £20, but it's the best £20 I ever spent. They are heavy, made from solid metal and so umlike cheaper pans retain heat very well. But the best part is that they are made from anodised aluminium, which is non-stick, but unlike teflon the coating doesn't come off, even after 2 years it is as good as new.

Well that's my 2p worth, but I was so impressed, I replaced all my other pans with the same make.

easy

skintchick wrote: »

For years I swore by a Tefal saute pan with lid I used to cook everything in, but when my second one shed its coating I went for a Le Creuset saute pan which is not non-stick but is easier to clean than anything I've ever had!

The only thing is that they are very expensive, and you cannot use them on a high heat so things take longer to cook as the pan takes longer to heat up (I have leccy).

But now, we are slowly getting all Le Creuset pans and casseroles as they really are so much better and wash like a dream as well.

sooz wrote: »

I have Analon & Le Creuset. Heavy, not good in dishwashers but last for years. The rrps are always eyewatering, but they are often on sale.
I have gas, & they are wonderful to cook on. As they are so heavy, they do heat up more slowly, but it's even, & you don't get hot spots

Ah, I might have known .... DH would LOVE us to buy Le Creuset, but I'm disabled, and just not strong enough to handle something of that weight

Maybe I should go on a weight lifting course ?

ginvzt

I know what you meant!!! We had a cheap one from Wilko, and so called 'non-stick' all fallen off within few months.

I like Tefal pans - they always kept for a few years. Although, the latest one I got, although is fantastically non-stick (2 years use every day), got deformed at the bottom (bowed, so is not flat anymore). But I think is the reason of the hobs we had over the last few years (3 different ones due to house moves...)

We don't use metal utensils - the only one we have got is ladel, although, occasionally we will pick up a spoon or fork to get something out of the pan.

easy

bap98189 wrote: »

Absolutely. I bought an Anolon frying pan about 2 years ago. It did cost about £20, but it's the best £20 I ever spent. They are heavy, made from solid metal and so umlike cheaper pans retain heat very well. But the best part is that they are made from anodised aluminium, which is non-stick, but unlike teflon the coating doesn't come off, even after 2 years it is as good as new.

Well that's my 2p worth, but I was so impressed, I replaced all my other pans with the same make.

Right, off to look for Analon ..

pamelab21

we are still using the frying pans that we got in Tefal pot set for a wedding present from 4 years ago, just get strict about not using metal utensils in them and they should last longer.
We also have a cheap non stick set that we use in our caravan and although it does not get the same use as the ones in the house they do seem to mark easy, even using plastic utensils.....I like Tefal you could get them in the next sale in Argos or something?