Pots and Pans advice!

beefwellington

I'd recommend stainless steel pans with copper bases for heat distribution. We got a set of copper based pans from M&S as a wedding gift and they are absolutely great (the Autograph ones, don't think I can link as a new poster). Sainsbury's also do them in their higher end range, we have the stock pot from them which is also very good.

Leif

becs wrote: »

Same here Leif, always use olive oil and don't deep fry. I woudn't say I caramelise onions but I do sweat tem down a lot. Just finished 12 portions of chilli and 10 spag Bol so lads of onions. I only use the plastic utensils though not wood so unsure if tat woud make a difference. I use sesame oil with stir fry. As I said my mum has the same pans and had them longer with no issues either. I woud definitely contact analon as they have a lifetime guarantee.

I probably need a proof of purchase, but I will look into this. As I said, quite a lot of people do have issues even though you and your mum don't. How odd!

callistris

For frying pans I recommend the vogue non stick range available from Nisbets, as they're on special offer right now. The prices do exclude vat but for the price you are getting a professional quality pan.

The only downside being professional, they have metal handles so the user has to beware that these do warm up, but they can go in the oven fine unlike most frying pans!

I've got 2 expensive circulon pan sets and the frying pans from Nisbets are loads better, especially for frying steaks.

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/4/Kitchen-Cookware-Non--Stick-Pans-Vogue-Non--Stick-Pans/c01c01c02c03.r10.1

shegirl

callistris wrote: »

For frying pans I recommend the vogue non stick range available from Nisbets, as they're on special offer right now. The prices do exclude vat but for the price you are getting a professional quality pan.

The only downside being professional, they have metal handles so the user has to beware that these do warm up, but they can go in the oven fine unlike most frying pans!

I've got 2 expensive circulon pan sets and the frying pans from Nisbets are loads better, especially for frying steaks.

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/4/Kitchen-Cookware-Non--Stick-Pans-Vogue-Non--Stick-Pans/c01c01c02c03.r10.1

Thanks for that! I need ones that can go in the oven aswell! Not sure whether to buy frying pans seperately or just go for a whole new set though lol

robjcooper

We recently bought a selection of Le Creuset stainless 3 ply and they are fabulous -you can use them in the oven too! Search the internet for best prices on them (Dawsonsdepartmentstore and Hartsofstur have good prices and do weekend specials - I got 10% off with the former.) Not sure where you are based, but Fenwicks and Bentalls have their spring event on at the moment and also have some great in store offers.
And definitely agree about getting some good quality knives. We have a set of Global knives and they make preparation a dream - only drawback is that when you first get them you just don't realise how sharp they are and for the first couple of weeks I would definitely recommend a good selection of small plasters for the inevitable knicks and small cuts !!

TimBuckTeeth

I am not a fan of non-stick as it always seems to degrade after a while.
I use Stellar stainless steel pans, they are good quality and suitable for induction hobs.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001D9MO6

WestonDave

We've got a set of Judge stainless steel pans which I bought when I got my first house 14 years ago - all are still in great shape and always come up clean (helps that you can use a wire type scourer on them without damaging them!). They are from the same company (Horwood) as the Stellar ones but aren't quite as flash so are cheaper.

cootuk

We only have a nonstick frying pan, all the saucepans and pots are decent quality stainless steel that get handwashed after every use. Meyer seem to do a good range of saucepans.
A decent set should last a lifetime.

lollol

circulon are good

have seen them recently in Tkmaxx

aarchk

I bought some meyer select pans from debenhams in the january, I got a set of 4 pans and a small frying pan for £85, bought the saute pan as well. For my large frying pan I have a john lewis non stick. Cheap and cheerful and easily replaced.

I love my saucepans as they all have strainer holes in the lids, bloody amazing and surprised its not as standard in saucepans!

For baking trays I only use vitreous enamel, cant remember the range (either swan or good hopusekeeping) I got a set of 3 from ebay for £9. Non stick are useless!