Chris in VA Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Dh gets me "whatever he hears me complain about" for Xmas. Unfortunately, my old set of pots is much superior to the new set he purchased, so back they go to Amazon. I have about $75. I'd like a couple of saucepans with lids and single (not double) handles, and a new frying pan. Any recommendations? I'll probably just get a piece at a time, or maybe two, but I would like to not spend all of the $75 on Le Cruset-level quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 If you're looking for nonstick and are a member of Costco, I'd say go there and check out their Kirkland Signature nonstick ones. We used them for years before switching to enameled cast iron, and they were great--we kept one of them to use as an egg-scrambling pan, since egg doesn't clean off the Le Creuset well. I let go of the others because I wanted to use cast iron and because some of them had begun to get scratched after 8 or so years. I've also heard good things about the Kirkland Signature regular ones (the not nonstick ones), but I have no personal experience. If you want enameled cast iron, I think Cuisinart and Lodge tend to get good reviews on Amazon for much less than Le Creuset, but I think the reviews are much less consistent. I have a Cuisinart enameled cast iron Dutch oven that I'm pleased with, but my pans and skillets are Le Creuset, so I can't offer definitive recommendations there. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Both of our sets (one with nonstick and one with just stainless) are Cuisinart. DH's work let him pick a 5 year service award and a 10 year service award and both times we picked pans. Everything else was kind of junk we didn't need, like a $200 watch. We have been happy with them so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Get plain cast iron skillets! Properly seasoned, they are non stick, plus the added bonus of iron added naturally to your food! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I love my cast iron pans. M\y lodge one is excellent, but my favorite is one that belonged to my Grandmother from like 1950 something. Learn how to season it properly and always heat the oil before you use it. pretty much nonstick without the chemicals. I also love my Revereware saucepans. I use them almost every day. I don't use anything Teflon Coated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Tramontina (available at wallmart, and sam's club) get nearly the same reviews as All-Clad (&&&&) from America's Test Kitchen. I've never been misled by America's Test Kitchen :) 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 If you have a Home Goods nearby, check out the kitchen. They have gigantic discounts on stainless, Le Creuset, etc. (But I have never seen plain old cast iron there.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 This doesn't meet your price criteria, but these pans are easily the most useful size/shape ones I have. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-stainless-steel-essential-pan/?pkey=e%7Cquot%253Ball%2Bclad%7C177%7Cbest%7C4294967203%7Cviewall%7C24%7C%252Fquot-all-clad%252Fcookware%7C54&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH The sides are about twice as high as standard frying pan sides, which reduces spattering tremendously and makes stirring liquidy things much less likely to result in sloshing out of the pan. But the curved bottom edges make it still easy to fry in these, because it's easy to get a pancake turner or spatula under the food. The heat transfer is very good, resulting in even heating with no scorch spots, even on the very wide ones. The lid fits fairly tightly so steaming is a breeze. Honestly, I wish I had two of these in each of the two biggest sizes instead of most of the other pots I have. I grab mine preferentially and am never disappointed. Best pots EVER. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 People here told me to get Tramontina and they really didn't lead me wrong. I love my Tramontina stuff. A year ago, I bought myself a set and for Christmas I got a much larger skillet to complete the set. In addition to those, I also make good use of my grill pan from Le Crueset, my Lodge cast iron skillet, and my dutch oven from Le Crueset. And that's pretty much it... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 costco will occasionally have enameled cast iron online only. I've also seen some kirkland brand ones on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I just wanted to add a comment. For some of us, using the cast iron options will not work as they are just too heavy. I have carpel tunnel and arthritis in my wrists and that much weight from the pan plus food, well, I am afraid I would be dropping something at the wrong time. And it causes me pain. I am exploring Kirkland brand pots and pans, as well as what is available on QVC. I would love some input on the Circulon brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) If you want good stainless at a decent price, look at Sitram. They have two lines, Catering and Profiserie. http://www.jbprince.com/cookware/cookware.asp They are also available at Amazon and other retailers. Lots of discussion on Chowhound, if you like reading about kitchenware, lol. ETA I presume you are looking at Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table too -- $$$$$$ :-( Edited January 5, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohsmom23 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I love my Cuisinart Multiclad pots and pans. I've had them for several years now and they still look brand new. I also have a cast iron skillet that I use for a lot of things, but as others have stated, it is quite heavy so might not work for everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooCow Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I have a Cuisinart 5 quart saucepan with a lid. 24 bucks at Sam's Club. My new favorite!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Cuisinart 5 qt stainless pan or clad cast iron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 If you're looking for nonstick and are a member of Costco, I'd say go there and check out their Kirkland Signature nonstick ones. We used them for years before switching to enameled cast iron, and they were great--we kept one of them to use as an egg-scrambling pan, since egg doesn't clean off the Le Creuset well. I let go of the others because I wanted to use cast iron and because some of them had begun to get scratched after 8 or so years. I've also heard good things about the Kirkland Signature regular ones (the not nonstick ones), but I have no personal experience. I used the regular ones at a rental house. They were really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) https://www.americastestkitchen.com/products/3563-tramontina-18-slash-10-stainless-steel-triply-clad-cookware-set-8-piece Get the Trimontina Tri-ply clad! The have other options that are less expensive, but this particular style is excellent! I have had the skillet for maybe 8 years or so and use it more often than my All Clad. The style, size and quality is wonderful. You can buy a skillet and saucepan for $75 or an 8 piece set for $150 at Walmart. Edited January 6, 2016 by Tap 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I was looking at some on amazon for dd (she opted for other) in the more affordable range. (my prefernce is all-clad d5. when they have them, I buy them at tjmaxx, marshalls, home good -possibly. they're all related.) cusinart made some nice stainless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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