I wanna buy some decent pans

Darth_Neo

Hi all,

I've tried searching through these forums and the net in general, and can't find much advice in buying a set of sauce pans.

I know what I'm doing with them once I've got them, theres just so much choice.

What I like are the Jamie Oliver style ones, the main points being solid metal handles heavily riveted on and straight sides and no glass lids. I need something that will stand my abuse.

Non stick, I've never been very impressed with the non-stick coatings plus if cookware is properly seasos you don't really need it.

The hard anodised pans have me some what confused. Are they non-stick, do you need non-metalic cooking utensils?

Any recommendations would be most welcome; material, make and tips. My budget is not over the top, however I will spend do get something that will last a long time.

Many thanks for your help

Mike

Rikki

I have John Lewis own make. I've had mine over 10 years and I'm really pleased with them.
You buy them individually so you can mix and match and add to as and when you want.

Rikki

JOHN LEWIS CLASSIC RANGE dish washer safe now I remember why I bought them.:D

ben500

For a normal household kitchen I would say always go with plain old stainless steel, sandwiched base dissapates heat more evenly but a good solid stainless steel base would normally anyway, be careful when buying as a lot of the cheaper pans have a rim about the base which gives the illusion of a thick base when it is not. Non stick is for ponces any stainless steel pan is quick and simple to clean, when cooking sauces or milk based products just remember to fill the pan with cold water as soon as you empty it to avoid sticking, even the grubbiest of stainless steel pans will come up looking like brand new after a short soak and a little elbow grease.

If your serious about your cooking you should get a couple of copper bottoms but only if you fancy yourself on masterchef and looking to impress dinner guests.

kronen

As ben500 said copper bottoms are brilliant my mums lasted for ages. However when she changed her cooker from electric to ceramic they burnt the hob no cleaner would shift the burns. Only get copper if you have gas or electric hob.
My viner set have lasted well and bought them from Westgate House half price, 5 saucepans about £70.00, 10 year guarantee.

Darth_Neo

Thanks for the advice so far.

We have an electric halogen hob at the mo, wish we still had gas.

I forgot to mention that I'd like to be able to put the pans into the oven as well, and dishwasher proof.

Cheers

Mike

windym_2

I love Stellar, cheaper if you buy them in the Debs or Dingles sale, usually have one range half price. http://www.hartsofstur.com/acatalog/Stellar.html

Darth_Neo

We currently have some stella's although plastic handles,which have mainly broken off with the heat.

At the moment my short list includes
Stella 7000 series
Stella James martin
Tefal Jamie Oliver

Any body have any experience of these that they could share?

I would like a range that I can expand, namely saute pans, stock pots, casseroles and pasta cookers

Cheers

Mike

In_for_a_Bargain

Hi I have posted on here before about pans. My recommendation is Cooks Essentials- Stainless steel 500 from QVC. They can go in the oven up to 500oC which I think is about 240oF. They are non-stick. You can use metal utensils in them, they can also go under the grill and they have a lifetime quarantee. I paid about £60 for a set of five pans, which included a saucepan, 1 large & 1 smaller casserole pan and 2 different sized frying pans, but they do different sized pans and different sets. They are really good, they also clean really easily too, I would recommend them to anybody.http://www.qvcuk.com

Tommy_C_2

Hi Mike,

I was in Bakers & Larners department store last week and they have an amazing stock of pans with huge reductions. They have a huge stock of all the top brands - the best selection I've ever seen.

They had some amazing deals on top quality pan sets of 3 and 5 pieces. It might be a good idea to start with a top quality set and then add to it later.

I bought a large Circulon 2 pan a couple of months ago and I have to say that's it's brilliant and the heat spreads very evenly across the pan. It's the best pan I have ever used.

I have looked on bakers and larners website but they only list a few of what they have in stock:

http://www.bakersandlarners.com/catalog/catalog/default.php/cPath/41_105/sort/1a/page/1

I would send them an email and ask for a list of all the pans and sets that they have in stock. They have a summer sale on at the moment for extra money off until the end of the month.