Quality Cookware

[herenthere]

With my culinary skills I only need a microwave and a toaster, but my partner loves to cook.

His birthday is around the corner, and I want to buy him good high end quality cook ware?

Any suggestion on what I might look at?
I know there are some great chefs out there...would love your input

Shalom
Shaun

 

[trawler69]

I swear by my Le Cruset enammeled cast Iron pans. Thick copper bottomed stainless steel is good too. I would avoid non stick as it wears out.

 

[naughty899]

I love Calphalon. Great sets available, will last forever.

 

[mega]

If you want to make an impression, Le creuset has a real wow factor. It will put a dent in your bank account, but if he is a serious cook, he'll love it.


http://www.lecreuset.com/

 

[RationalLunacy]

May I suggest a nice witches cauldron.

 

[winterknight]

I third the reccomendation for Le Creuset.

Get him a set of Sabatier knives as well. You really can't spend too much money on knives.

 

[WYSIWYG]

Stay away from nonstick pots, etc....cause cancer. Wolfgage Puck makes nice stainless cookware. Bottoms are stainless with a copper insert. Glass covers to see how things are cooking. Comes in many set sizes, etc., depending on what you want to spend. Bigger sets come with stainless utensils also. There is the Cafe and Bistro sets, I think. Bistro set of pots have an extended lip on the cover with holes for draining liquids before taking food of the pots. I have the Cafe set and they are easy to clean and with stainless you save on gas or electicity because most times the burner is on the lowest settings for cooking!

 

[anthok2]

All-Clad is the Best. While Le Crueset is very nice, it is far too heavy to own a whole set. It is better suited for specialty pieces.

Buy All-Clad and you will never regret it.

 

[naked gent]

Another vote for Le Creuset.

Its one of those expensive products that is actually worth the price.

 

[thermodynamics]

Calphalon, AllClad rise to the top on my list. I was surprised at how well a $150 set of Cook's Essentials from QVC did though.

I'd recommend having a look at ConsumerReports though. They put the pans to the test, and they've got the people around who know what to look for.

 

[sissyboy]

Got a great set of Silverstone(non-stick) from Target.com. Been using it for over a year, no wear& tear visible. Also have a few pieces of Calphalon.Like it too.

 

[LotusOnBuddha]

What does he like, non-stick or stainless steel? I have a mixture of both, Calphalon and All clad and i love them both. Le crueset is sooo heavy to have everything in it, BUt get a few good standards, like a 14in pan with led from le Cre uset, u can sear stuff on the stove then pop it right in the oven. Le creusets huge pots are great too

I think its a good idea to have a mixture of cookware, like the calphalon non-stick frying pans, how easy is it to quick cook a few eggs? but for more focused, slow cooking i whip out my All-Clad or Le Crurse

 

[Riverrick]

I have Circulon which are nice but I don't like that food gets trapped in the little grooves.

 

[Orlandude]

Stay away from nonstick pots, etc....cause cancer. Wolfgage Puck makes nice stainless cookware. Bottoms are stainless with a copper insert. Glass covers to see how things are cooking. Comes in many set sizes, etc., depending on what you want to spend. Bigger sets come with stainless utensils also. There is the Cafe and Bistro sets, I think. Bistro set of pots have an extended lip on the cover with holes for draining liquids before taking food of the pots. I have the Cafe set and they are easy to clean and with stainless you save on gas or electicity because most times the burner is on the lowest settings for cooking!

I would agree. I have a set of Wolfgang Puck and they are excellent! I am buying some additional pieces this year.

 

[trawler69]

I will now state my reasons for Le Creuset. They are very heavy and have great thermal mass. If you want to seal meat quickly to retain its moisture your cooker will not be able to deliver the energy required and you will end up stewing it. With a heavy pan you can store up the energy required in the mass of the pan. You can preheat it for some time before you put the ingredients in and the mass of the pan and the energy it has stored will seal the meat and you get all the flavours that this process brings out. It is the difference between boiling a burger and frying it. Enough said!

 

[nwdavis]

I love Calphalon. Great sets available, will last forever.

I was going to recommend this as well. I bought a set for my mother last mom's day at Costco.com. You don't have to be a member to order from the site and they will ship to where ever you want.

 

[wetdreamer]

Check out Martha Stewart Everyday at KMart. She does knock-offs of Le Creuset, All Clad, etc. The quality is remarkable for the prices. Her carbon-stainless knives are just as good as Wusthoff or Henckels. I have been happy with all the products she does. Amazing values and designs.

 

[gefsmith]

All the galls at my work swear by Scan Pan...

Thier wok is fantastic.

G

 

[_AJ_]

All the galls at my work swear by Scan Pan...

Thier wok is fantastic.

G

i would go with scan pan as well

if you want some knifes Füri knifes are great

 

[seven_sins]

You can't beat a cast iron skillet, but it has to be seasoned correctly.