Pots n Pans?!

[JamesMio]

One for any cooks / chefs on here, we're about to move into our new pad (at last!) and I'm about to invest in some decent cooking kit.

The cheapy Tesco's stuff I'd had in the past almost always either falls to bits or goes rusty.

All I want is a decent set of stainless steel pots & pans to get me started, but there's so much to choose from my head hurts!

Can anyone point me in the right direction please!?

Ta muchly

[Paul the 6th]

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/ - some amazing stuff you'd never have thought of in a million years on there

giant cupcake shaped cake tin?
http://lakeland.scene7.com/is/image/Lakeland/13072?$normal2$

http://www.procook.co.uk/ - these guys, nuff expensive but amazing..

[454697819]

Aga related pans are good, anything with a good thick base to it...

Lecrouse, not steel but will last forever

[Quedos]

Go to makro and get the professional stuff.
either that or Tefal has lasted with me and I so abuse them
have a look at circulon

[Bluepete]

Analon make good sets, four pans and a frying pans, all heavy duty, anodised aluminium and none-stick. Mine are about 10 years old now and are literally, as good as new.

http://www.only-kitchenware.co.uk/items/item.aspx?itemid=5333197

First site I found listing the current version, may be cheaper elsewhere.

Can't reccommend them enough!

Pete ;)

[BoltonSte]

www.nisbets.com.uk (http://www.nisbets.com.uk) sell catering stuff at a good price so may be worth a look.

[Luckypants]

Stellar 1000 Cookware is very good IMO. I know you seem to see it everywhere constantly on 'sale' and might make you think it's iffey, but I have had my pans over 12 years now, constantly in use, washed in the dishwasher and they still look great. Nothing has broken or worn out on them. You get a good even heat across the base, safe for the oven, etc. The only pan I have replaced is the non-stick fry pan, the non-stick wore out from someone using metal utensils on it (grrrr). I still use that pan for sauté-ing stuff and keep the new non-stick pan for eggs and the like that need non-stick. :D

I have added to my basic pan set over the years, so I have a full matching set of everything I need.

Something like this is worth it IMO - http://www.ecookshop.co.uk/ecookshop/product.asp?pid=S1D1&m=4&d=

[beabert]

Big jessies. :D

[Bibio]

prestige. got the parents and me some 25 years ago and they are still like new. if you can try and get the ones with stainless lids. dont buy cheep pots n pans spend the money now and it'll pay later. frying pans it has to be tefal. wok it has to be from the chinese supermarket do not under any circumstances buy a non stick wok.

[Sudoxe]

I just bought a 4piece set of le cruiset 3ply stainless (http://www.lecreuset.co.uk/Product-Range-uk/3-ply-Stainless-Steel/)

I've been looking for some decent pans for a long time. I didn't want copper based ones, as they are a real pain to keep clean. These are the next best thing imo.

Dan

[maviczap]

prestige. got the parents and me some 25 years ago and they are still like new. if you can try and get the ones with stainless lids. dont buy cheep pots n pans spend the money now and it'll pay later. frying pans it has to be tefal. wok it has to be from the chinese supermarket do not under any circumstances buy a non stick wok.

+1 Had some Prestige lifetime pans, they were good. But my non cooking wife didn't like them, so got rid of them Why? :confused:

I've got some other Prestige cooking stuff which I inherited from my Nan. Fish slice, masher & a slotted spoon. Wooden handles and probably getting on for 40+ years old. Still good.

Wooded handles need oiling or varnishing, but that's it

[gruntygiggles]

For what it's worth, I have these...very similar to the ones Luckypants posted :-)

They have a nice heavy base and conduct the heat very well so the food cooks evenly. They have two pouring lips, one either side and the lids are draining lids, so you can either have them turned so that no air escapes (other than through the steam hole) or you can line the sieve area (two different sizes) with the pouring lips and drain the water without have to use a colander or sieve.

This draining capacity has been incredibly useful and as I have to test recipes for the book all the time, not a day goes by that they don't pretty much all get used. They have been fantastic and if I ever ran a pro kitchen, these are the pans I'd use.

http://www.ecookshop.co.uk/ecookshop/product.asp?pid=S707D&m=4&d=

Very similar to the ones Luckypants posted up. I've had countless different sets of pots and pans and kitchenware and these are by far the best I've ever had. I just feel sorry for Dan, he paid full whack when he bought me these for my 30th with the rest of the family :-)

Prestige are also great and if you're loaded, copper base are excellent.

HTH :-)

EDIT : my stellar pans also came with very handy sleeves for protecting your fingers when lifting the lids and holding the handle. Never need the handle one and only used the lid ones a few times, but good if you don't have asbestos hands :-)

[Specialone]

We had a set of stainless Meyer pans bought for us as a wedding present in 1999, they stll look perfect.
Very heavy and strong pans and i would defo recommend them.

[gruntygiggles]

+1 for not buying a non stick Wok. Get carbon steel and season it properly before you use it. Stainless is ok, but read the following, it's said better than I can say it. And do find an asian supermarket to buy it from OR buy from an online asian cookware supplier :-).

+1 also for tefal frying pans for normal cooking, although I prefer stainless steel or cast iron for fry pans and griddles. With anything cast iron, never use soap on it. Always season it by heating a little high smoking point oil on it before and after use and just wipe clean ot use a damp cloth.

Oils with a high smoking point are the ones mentioned in the link and groundnut oil, walnut oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil and a few more.