Afraid to Spend So Much Money

glasgowdan

Pans I don't care about price...it's about function, shape, size. They're too much a boring functional item for me to care. Oh, and surprise surprise, I've had my cheap pans for 15 years or so now. Expensive doesn't mean better or more durable with pans, it's just a style, form and smarminess thing

Knives - Yes, buy good ones. And a sharpeny stick thing, keep it handy and use it every time you use the knives.

I WILL spend money on coffee, whether it's the coffee machine, good beans etc. And my hobbies, I've always had top gear (sea angling and mountain biking) as it really does feel better to use.

I rarely regret spending more on something instead of cheaper options though; as long as you don't put your family in debt to do so. If I didn't have the cash I'd never in a million years stretch to get stuff, as it's all just stuff. You can't take it with you, and your family probably can't sell it to pay for someone to change your adult nappies, so who cares!

Jonesya

I'll suggest one cast-iron investment - get yourself a basic, plain cast-iron frying pan. Yes you need to season it and take a bit more care with it but they're cheap and last a lifetime.

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/Vogue-Round-Cast-Iron-Skillet-Pan-255mm/M655/ProductDetail.raction

Carer

Set of cheap Tefal saucepans and frying pans here. The non-stick ones. I've just replaced the last set of the same brand which lasted around 15 years with daily use and a wash in the dishwasher.

It was actually the dishwasher that killed them, the screws in the handles rusted away and the aluminium bases wore through.

Cost for the new set was £39.99 and will last me at least 10 years.

Can't see the point in spending silly money on something so dull.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tefal-A157S546-Essential-Cookware-Set/dp/B004SNMXRS

VoucherMan

As with many other items, I bought cheap(ish) pans, intending to replace them a few years down the line when money was less of an issue. Based on current wear & tear I doubt I'll ever need to though. I probably use them less than many though, as I tend to batch cook & freeze.

I've added to the collection over time, slow cooker, 'pancake' frying pan, and a recent favourite, a 32" frying pan. Great as I can fit everything in in one go.:)

They additions don't match the rest, but who cares? No-one comments on colour coordination in the cupboards, and besides, it's what comes out of the pans that matters.

bouncydog1

Circulon professionals for us (as used on master chef)! They are amazing and nothing sticks to them. Had le creuset for many years but found that stuff stuck. The larger ones are also very heavy.

Davesnave

Moving away from pans, as asked by the OP, there are some things I'd never buy new or from the 'expensive' end of the range, such as cars, and others I'd not buy very second-hand, or cheap, like garden machinery.

I've never bought a car under 5 years old, or less than around £2.5k in today's money. I couldn't stand the thought of all that depreciation, and where I live isn't a place for clean, shiny cars, unless they're summer weekend treasures, like a friend's classic sports car.

OTOH, I need my tools to work efficiently, and work every time I use them, which means there has to be spares back-up if they do go wrong. Mr Chinaman's brush-cutters might be 5 times cheaper than the one I use, but mine has done 7 years now and only needed consumables.

The only exception is my Honda lawn mower. Built in the late 1980s and, apparently, indestructible; it just laughs at stuff the shiny ride-on coughs on and dies!

suki1964

The only reason I no longer have my stellar pans, is I got and induction hob

Over 20 years old and as good as new when I gifted them to a student

They don't need to be expensive. Come the blue cross sales they are half price or less

If you are a cook, then don't skimp on knives. Good knives make short work of whatever it is you are preparing

The only thing I buy as 'disposable ' for the kitchen is non stick frying pans. No matter how careful I am they do start to stick after a few years

My Best Buy, the pan I use most every day, is a shallow cast iron casserole. It's used to cook everything. Got a couple of chips, a few stains, but it's just brilliant either on the hob or in the oven

indsty

I was in a position similar to yours - just had big expense, and although there was money in the bank I just felt I had spent enough. I ended up buying basic kitchen equipment at a price I felt comfortable with. Over the next several years it has slowly got replaced with more expensive versions. I don't feel I wasted my money initially as everything did the job it was intended to - and I then bought the better stuff as I saw it in the sales etc. Some of my initial purchases have now been handed down to other family members setting up home.

Grenage

Any decent cast iron/ ceramic coated set should last you a good long time. In fact,. Any half decent steel set should last a long time.

Ceramic is about as non-stick as we've ever gone. I don't personally find sticking to be a problem on simple steel pans - sticking generally occurs when people aren't using them properly.

There's also nothing wrong with second hand, if you want to save a bit more.

TonyMMM

Bluebell1234 wrote: »

I got Stellar saucepans almost 20 years ago and they are still going strong. Unless I buy an induction hob I don't see that I will replace them for many years to come. I am definitely really happy with them. I have burned jam in one of them and was able to get it clean and looking good again. I know they are expensive but not so bad if you calculate a 20 year plus lifespan.

Similar for us - We bought some stainless steel Stellar pans at least 25 years ago and they are still virtually as new. Buy quality - buy once.

Fantastic buy.