I need to buy new saucepans

thriftwizard

I'd go with stainless steel every time. We've had some of the IKEA ones for nearly 25 years, since they first opened in the UK, plus a couple of professional-grade ones (including my preserving pot, which came to me for £5 secondhand) and I cook twice daily for anything up to 9 or 10 people, plus baking/preserving. They're easy to clean, as MrsLW says; we've lost one or two that have become a bit thin after 20-odd years but basically, they didn't cost very much more than cheap non-stick ones & have outlasted them magnificently.

dandy-candy

I got a John Lewis stainless steel set as a wedding present 15 years ago and they are brill and still as good as new!

bluebag

If you can afford them I recommend Stellar stainless steel. I have had mine for 35 years in daily use and still like new. Biffed around all over the place, burnt once or twice, dishwashered to death, you name it. Make sure you are lying down when you price them tho!

totallybored

meames wrote: »

I too bought asdas mid range stainless steel ones ( not the smart price ones) 10 years on they are still going strong.

Me too! I was also given a set of 3 from Argos about 10 years ago (around £20 I think) and 2 are still like new. I killed the biggest by using it as a chip pan but it still lasted about 8 years.

I have a set of Le Creuset pans but I only use them when I need an emergency extra pan as they're too heavy. For sauce pans I'd go for cheap stainless steel every time.

RightyTightyLeftyLoosey

bluebag wrote: »

If you can afford them I recommend Stellar stainless steel. I have had mine for 35 years in daily use and still like new. Biffed around all over the place, burnt once or twice, dishwashered to death, you name it. Make sure you are lying down when you price them tho!

A couple of the pans I've picked up at TK Maxx have been Stellar. Great quality and they were under a tenner each.

meanmarie

Another vote for stainless steel here, would also advise to buy saucepans with 2 handles rather than one long one as they can then be used on hob or in oven.

I wouldn't trade my cast iron frying pans for anything....cheap ones, made in China I think.

Marie

floss2

I swear by my JL stainless set - bought 5 years ago as an investment and worth every single penny they cost.

I also have 4 Le Crueset casseroles that DS2 covets, which cost me £8 at a car boot.

NoGoodNamesLeft

I'd go for cheap stainless steel over expensive non-stick every time. Our pans came from Argos about 7 years ago and are still immaculate, even the frying pan which has been through a lot!

On the other hand, I have thrown away two non-stick pans in the same time because however carefully I wash them, they always lose their coating.

bluebag

RightyTightyLeftyLoosey wrote: »

A couple of the pans I've picked up at TK Maxx have been Stellar. Great quality and they were under a tenner each.

WOW, that was a gift not a sale!! VERY MSE.

dasophster

Ikea. Even their cheapo pans are fantastic. They do a set of three non-stick ones without lids for under a tenner and our last set lasted ten years. They also do a cheaper stainless steel range and I cannot fault them. Xx