Cookware

[Anna]

Recently I purchased from Walmart a nice set of Tramontina cookware which Cooks Illustrated recommended: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-7-Piece-18-10-Stainless-Steel-Tri-Ply-Clad-Cookware-Set-with-Bonus-3-Piece-Cast-Iron-Set/11072506 . It included a 12" skillet and I love the set but now I want and see a need for a smaller skillet as well. For a family of four (incl 2 college kids) which size do you think would be more useful-- the 8" skillet or the 10"?

[Ellie]

Oh, that's hard. Hm. Get the 10".

[Anna]

Thanks, Ellie. That's what I was thinking. Any other opinions?

[lisamarie]

Huh. I guess maybe I like bigger skillets because I only use my 12 and 14 in skillets. The littler skillets never get used unless someone is making eggs for themselves. So with that background, I would go with the 10 inch. I'm not sure what you're wanting to cook, but I would think an 8 in skillet wouldn't be big enough to cook 1 lb of meat quickly.

[dansamy]

I like omelets, so I would want an 8in or even a 6in.

[Anna]

I'm not sure what you're wanting to cook, but I would think an 8 in skillet wouldn't be big enough to cook 1 lb of meat quickly.

 

These skillets can go from stovetop to oven so the main reason we'd want a smaller size skillet is when browning meat/fish for 2 on the stovetop that we would want to finish in the oven.

[Anna]

I like omelets, so I would want an 8in or even a 6in.

 

The set we purchased came with a 10" nonstick skillet which works well for omelets and things like that.

[dansamy]

These skillets can go from stovetop to oven so the main reason we'd want a smaller size skillet is when browning meat/fish for 2 on the stovetop that we would want to finish in the oven.

 

Then get the 10in

[Anna]

Here's a new twist---

 

I can either purchase the 8" for $25, or the 10" for $32 or get both as a set for $44. Thinking about getting the set. Thoughts?

 

either 8 inch sauté pan, $25, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-8-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan/5716484

 

or 10 inch sauté pan, $32, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan/5716486

 

or 2 piece set incl both 8 and 10 inch, $44, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan-Set/14170524

[Ellie]

Here's a new twist---

 

I can either purchase the 8" for $25, or the 10" for $32 or get both as a set for $44. Thinking about getting the set. Thoughts?

 

either 8 inch sauté pan, $25, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-8-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan/5716484

 

or 10 inch sauté pan, $32, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-10-18-10-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan/5716486

 

or 2 piece set incl both 8 and 10 inch, $44, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tramontina-TriPly-Clad-Stainless-Steel-Saute-Pan-Set/14170524

Get the set.:)

[Carol in Cal.]

You can never have too many really good pots and pans.

I have both as well as a 12 inch braising pan. The nice thing about the 12 inch is that it has loop handles, so I can put the whole thing into the oven. If I'm making some 'company' dish like veal rolls, that's wonderful.

 

I use the 8 inch for a fried egg or omelet. It's also great for sauteeing an ingredient for another pot, like when you want sauteed garlic to add late in a recipe instead of at the beginning (so you would need to saute in a separate pan than the cooking pot.)

 

I use the 10 inch the most of the three, though. It's big enough to brown a pound of ground meat, or to make meatballs for 6. It's just right for sauteeing veggies for a pasta topping. It has enough room for meat for 2-3 of various types--lamb tenderloins, lamb chops, little filet steaks, tuna steaks, chicken pieces.

 

If I had to pick, I would select the 10 inch, but in the long run I think you'll be very glad to have both the 8 and the 10.