Saucepans?

earthmother

I picked up a couple of (replacement) pans from Homebase during the last 10% event - they're not the copper-bottomed ones I've used in the past, but they seem fine so far - good weight, comfy plastic handles (I sometimes have heat problems with the metal handled ones) and clean up well.

It was the Mercury range, which doesn't seem to be available to buy online at the moment.

kelk72

a couple of weeks ago i bought a set of 3 stainless steel pans from TJ Hughes for £19.99 they were the Antony Worrell Thompson ones they also had a set of 5 pans(same make) for £29.99 been using them every day and very happy with them

ceridwen

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I'm not a lover of non-stick pans. I just don't understand the need for them, a good soak is all any of mine have ever needed.

I'm not sure that there's a lot of difference between pans when you're considering the materials, to my mind what's important is the weight of them and maybe that's what the numbers 18/10 denote. Anodising relates to a coating but it depends on what material that coating is. I like pans with a good, heavy bottom, that way they conduct the heat evenly and you shouldn't burn the contents. If I were you I'd go and have a look at them in the store and give them a good heft and then make your choice. If I had plenty of money, which I don't, I'd be fantasising about those lovely Le Creuset cast-iron enamelled ones.

Hmmm...until you try lifting them that is.....:( They look lovely/are probably pretty sound from the health POV - but they weigh a ton.....

So - I've just settled on ones marketed as "stainless steel" and they've been fine and, as far as I know, are "safe".

EDIT: The word "anodised" tends to worry me - as far as I can see that means treated aluminium.....(eek.....). It may not always be the case - maybe it was just the ones I saw personally....but be a bit wary...

*Maya*

ceridwen wrote: »

So - I've just settled on ones marketed as "stainless steel" and they've been fine and, as far as I know, are "safe".

EDIT: The word "anodised" tends to worry me - as far as I can see that means treated aluminium.....(eek.....). It may not always be the case - maybe it was just the ones I saw personally....but be a bit wary...

Hmmm. As always with scare stories there are 2 sides to every story. Many people say that anodised pans are perfectly safe as the alluminium is sealed in and can't leach out whereas there is increasing worry that stainless steel can leach out chromium and nickel. :eek:

Personally I prefer cast iron but just the cheapo version of le creuset.

sugar_pie

I don't know about different types of steel, but I bought a set of 5 pans (1 frying pan, three saucepans one milkpan) all stainless steel with heavy bases for £15 from Poundstretcher 6 years ago and they are as good as new. They say 'House & Home' on the base if that is any use.

Stompa

FWIW my Meyer non-stick pans have not lasted well. I'd not recommend them.

pennymakespounds

interesting .. i reckon there's one out & out winner that no-one's mentioned .. excellent quality & very good value ....

good old TEFAL .

Used their non stick pans , wok , griddle pan & fry pans for years.

"red spot" is very good as shows when pan is hot .

cleaning never a problem .

non stick coating works every time and never had a problem .


Superb quality and excellent value .. even at "normal" type prices .

They do various ranges .. of differring quality which you can tell by the weight .

Heavier ones definitely better .

Tesco do a good version . Biggest of frypans just over £20 so not too bad .

Around pancake day they did the whole range at nearly half price which made them a giveaway.

Some retailers do sets with a few saucepans & frypan or two .. can be good value .. again depends on which quality they are .

Absolute top end .. is the Jamie Oliver Tefal pans .. fairly heavy .. good for the oven . Costco members .. they have a set in there for ££ ??
can't remember but tremendous value for what they are .

Some of the designer outlets have a Tefal shop .. again just got to watch quality v price .. sometimes there's some good bargains particularly on sets ..... sometimes Mr T cheaper.

TEFAL every time for me.

gairlochgal

Stellar all the way here. I do fine with 3 saucepans my mum bought for me when we moved into our house 15 years ago. They are as sparkly today as they were then. I also have a heavy le creuset pot for major stews but the Stellar set work hard week in, week out