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hoodafukisalice
99
Nov 10, 2017
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Can anyone recommend a value for money full cookware set that doesn't cost a nuke? Unless the one at https://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Resistant-Thermo-Spot-Indicator-Dishwasher/dp/B00TQJWF1I/ is already the best, I'd prefer options from experts.
Nov 10, 2017
AngryAccountant
277
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceI've not been a fan of T-fal products, just too thin in my opinion, and the non-stick stuff they use seems subpar. I'd actually recommend staying away from a full set and going piece by piece that you want.
If you insist on going with a set, nonstick https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Calphalon-Nonstick-Piece-Cookware/dp/B001AS94TY/ or stainless clad aluminum which is going to last you a lot longer than any non-stick pan will, https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12N-Multiclad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/B009JXPS6U/
If you're cool with not a set: Start with an 8 inch and 12 inch carbon steel (or cast iron, I prefer the steel) skillet, look in the $30's for those. Grab lids from wherever you want, an 8 inch lid is an 8 inch lid, etc. Grab an enameled dutch oven, ~6 quart, shouldn't cost more than $60. Lodge brand is good for both the dutch oven and carbon steel skillets. For smaller saucepans, go with whatever you want, they're usually more forgiving, but I'm not a fan of teflon for those, sometimes you want to just use a fork or whatever and not worry about scratching it up, so go with stainless clad aluminum, the Cuisinart 719-18 Chef's Classic Stainless 2-Quart Saucepan with Cover is likely perfect, look for those around $30.
Nov 10, 2017
jkiemele
222
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceI agree that a set isn't necessarily the best way to go and that getting a few versatile pieces, as AngryAccountant mentioned, will be the better way to go and ensure you have longer lasting, higher quality cookware. It will make a difference in the end.
Nov 10, 2017
neongirl
7
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceI also agree with Angry Accountant. Just like I mainly use one knife, I tend to use the same pan over and over. (I have a miniscule kitchen). I have an All-Clad saute pan that I love - and it was a "necessity" because it works with my single burner induction style cooktop. Add pans to your collection as you need them. There also seems to be some redundancy in the set you linked to: I don't think you'd need a 10.25-inch fry pan and an 11.5-inch fry pan (with lid) plus a 10.25-inch square griddle - I'd pick the 11.5" with lid and skip the other two.
Nov 10, 2017
Michele317
2
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceCostco has great sets. I have their hard anodized set and I love it. I have had it for 4 years and it still looks brand new. I use them a lot. They have them online and in warehouse. Some things on line you do not need to be a member. Also free shipping. https://www.costco.com/Calphalon-13-piece-Hard-Anodized-Cookware-Set.product.100080835.html
Nov 10, 2017
Jerzybears
61
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceTrimontia (sp) triply. Walmart.
Nov 10, 2017
Woogity
110
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisalicehttps://smile.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MCP-12N-Multiclad-Stainless-12-Piece/dp/B009JXPS6U?sa-no-redirect=1
This is almost everything you'd ever need. Then just pick up one non-stick pan and maybe a cast iron skillet
Nov 10, 2017
bigman77551
43
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceMagnalite will be the last set you'll ever buy . Nuff said .
Nov 10, 2017
ImperatorMorsus
13
Nov 10, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceHere is the thing, there are too many options out there. Non-stick is a gimmic, it uses a coating that burns off over time.
Teflon was a great example of this, it increased person‘s introduction to cancer inducing agents.
Cast Iron is expensive, but after continuous use and repetitive seasoning is can become as non-stick as you will ever find.
A good quality pan is what you are looking for, don’t look for one that’s “non stick” you will find yourself dependent on it.
My best suggestion is learn how to cook, learn how to deglaze a pan while using it, overall have fun doing so.
The secret to to keeping things from sticking is fat and proper pan temperature.
For my credentials, I was a cook for over a decade, and worked my way through the ranks to Chef. We never used a non-stick anything.
Nov 10, 2017
hoodafukisalice
99
Nov 11, 2017
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Michele317Nice. Thanks for the tip.
Nov 11, 2017
hoodafukisalice
99
Nov 11, 2017
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WoogityI saw this during an earlier search. $200 is a lot, especially when scratches show up after a couple of years of continued use. Lovely set though, with limited items.
Nov 11, 2017
hoodafukisalice
99
Nov 11, 2017
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ImperatorMorsusI agree with your comment on Teflon and cancer.
Asking this out of curiosity though: the T-fal set's description (linked in my original post) says "Hard Titanium nonstick interior". Looks like this is some form of regular non-stick (not sure if it's still Teflon), reinforced with Titanium particles. Do you have any dope on this?
Nov 11, 2017
AngryAccountant
277
Nov 11, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceRegarding the "Hard Titanium nonstick interior", it sure sounds like snake oil to me...
Nov 11, 2017
Woogity
110
Nov 11, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceI mean, it's really not. $200 for a set of stainless pans is really reasonable. And it is absolutely what you should be cooking with. Yes, they all get scratches eventually. You can still use them just fine. And it's the standard for a reason. But if it really is, then just get a few pieces. There's no way around stainless being the best choice for a significant number of things.
Nov 11, 2017
ImperatorMorsus
13
Nov 11, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceAgain, it’s a shell ontop of metal. It’s more “snake oil” than anything. It allows you for a limited time to keep from having thing stick, but it’s easy to scrape with metal tools of the trade.
Once you you scratch past that enough the non-stick factor will disappear.
Its best to learn how to deglaze and cook properly than to depend on something that you have no real way to know about long term affects on the human body.
Nov 11, 2017
ImperatorMorsus
13
Nov 11, 2017
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WoogityPersonally I use cast iron and SS. Both of them you’ll never go wrong with. Cast iron can be handed down to family members, SS possibly, but there is no guarantee.
Nov 11, 2017
Kingprankster
4
Nov 11, 2017
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hoodafukisaliceThis is an area where you DEFINITELY do not want to skimp! Avoid spot-welded handles AT ALL COSTS. That is the first true sign of inferior construction. They WILL fail, just a matter of time. Try to look for deals, and be patient. Do NOT settle for less...buy once, cry once. I am a former professional chef, and I have cookware that I started collecting 30 years ago! Buy a GOOD starter set, and build from there.
Nov 11, 2017
MTGustavo
78
Nov 12, 2017
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JerzybearsTrimontia is a fine brand
Nov 12, 2017
ms
77
Nov 20, 2017
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hoodafukisalicetefal/teflon stuff will degrade over time so it's not what you should be looking at for long term investments. Cookware lasts the average person a long time anyway but if you wanted to hedge your bets then carbon steels and cast iron will stick around to piss your great grandkids off with the maintenance. If you buy non-stick anything, expect to have to replace it after a few years.
You can buy triple plys but they are expensive and there's the possibility you leave them on the burner and get distracted when there's nothing in the pan which breaks the lamination and leaves you with a crap, expensive paperweight.
Finally, hardly anyone needs all the pans included in the usual "full cookware set" so unless you're flush with cash and can afford the eye-wateringly expensive ones get yourself a decent saucepan and frying pan for less money and that will cover you for pretty much anything you would do.
Nov 20, 2017
ScouterMom
4
May 23, 2018
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hoodafukisaliceHello, I thought I would give you a practical opinion hoping it helps. I am not a professional chef but I do love to cook. My dream set of cookware would be without question FALK of Belgium. They are the best quality for the price. They will even let you buy one of the small saucepans at a significantly reduced price to try them out. They are copper with stainless interiors and they are pricey. But you wanted an affordable price. I next fell in love with a beautiful set of multiclad stainless Allclad but they are ridiculously overpriced! $700 for a set online. I finally found a set of Cuisanart MCP multiclad pro online. They are made in China, but they are 95% as good as Allclad. They have the same multiclad layers and cook beautifully. I bought the set for $300 two years ago and have added several open stock pieces since. They are superb pans for the price. Good Luck!
May 23, 2018
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