What is the best beginner cookware set?
I’m looking to purchase a set of cookware around 0. What is the best type (stainless steel, hard anodized, copper bottoms, non stick, cast aluminum, etc)? I’m looking to spend more money then the traditional beginner set that will last a few times. I would like to purchase something that will last a long time. Do you have a favorite brand (Paula Deen, Wolfgang Puck, Tfal, Faberware, Hamilton Beach, etc)?
2 Responses
Anna E
26 Feb 2010
Baffled
26 Feb 2010
I bought a cheap set of Revere Ware cookware over 35 years ago and am still using it. It is stainless with a copper bottom. I’ve bought other pots and pans over the years, but still gravitate to the old Revere Ware. A teflon skillet is better for cooking eggs in the morning, but teflon usually doesn’t hold up more than a few years and has to be replaced, so I would not recommend it as your primary set. There are many good brands on the market. Make your decision carefully, because once you buy it, you will probably be using it for a long time. Shop at a store where the different pieces are on display. Pick some up and get a good feel for them. I bought a Calphalon skillet awhile back because it was on sale and I thought it was a great brand name. But after I got it home and started using it, I discovered that the handle was too slim. It was difficult to grasp and pick up when it was full of food. Another suggestion is to check out buyer reviews online before you decide on a set. Amazon.com has a large selection of cookware and lots of comments from people who have purchased those sets. Here is an example of a set with sturdy handles:
http://www.boscovs.com/StoreFrontWeb/Product.bos?quantity=1&itemNumber=33711&type=Product
It is also probably dishwasher safe. However, I have no personal knowledge of that particular set, so can’t give you any other info on it. It is a good price, but I can’t tell from the picture how good the quality would be. Unless you know what you’re buying, it’s better to shop locally.
I actually prefer non stick or hard anodized. In non stick, Tfal and Faberware are two well known, heavy duty cookware. I have seen the Emerilware and Racheal Ray cookware before and it looks cheap to me. For hard anodized, Calphalon (who made the first hard anodized pans) is a good bet. I only have one of these pans, that I picked up at a thrift store, and if I get enough money, I may buy an entire set, but they are costly.