Need new skillets... what do you recommend?

[memartha]

Hi all,

I am in need of new skillets... I have a set of 3 different sizes, non-stick, WearEver, that I bought at BJ's about 5 years ago. I have liked them alot, but they are worn out (non-stick coating is all dinged up).

I did a search for "cookwear" and got some helpful suggestions... it seems like All Clad is highly recommended. Anyone have any recommendations? Also, is Kitchen Etc. a good place to buy, or Macy's... what do you think? I do like non-stick for the skillets... I do a lot of egg dishes, grilled cheese, sauteed veggies, etc. Thanks! Martha

[funnybone]

I think you really need to have both types of skillets, to cook foods properly. Both cook foods differently.

However, I personally prefer the regular skillets. The only non-stick I have is a Calphalon crepe pan. If heated correctly, the regular skillets do so much more than the non-stick - they brown your food better, and deglazing the pan for certain recipes can only be done in that type of pan, IMHO. I have Calphalon (commercial), in different sizes, plus the grill pan. I have one All Clad because the price were great when I bought it. I look for the way the pan felt in my hand, plus the weight of it. I like the longer handles as well. Really, its a personal choice. I would suggest buying one pan first, and trying it out before you decide to buy several. Really any store that sells quality cookware is a good place to buy. Keep your eye out on sales and coupons, for extra discounts.

Oh, Marshall's and TJ Maxx carry All Clad at times - its hit and miss though.

[wallycat]

Cybernox by Sitram is a good "mostly" non-stick without the gunky teflon coating...they do it with special metal bonding...you can use metal utensils and even place it under the broiler....
Profesional Cutlery is where i got mine, but other places sell it too.

[HRJ]

My favorite piece of cookware in the whole world is my All-Clad 3 qt. nonstick saute pan -- I have the stainless version. It's the item I find myself using the most -- I think it heats well, conducts evenly, has a handle that feels good in my hand -- it's a pan that just really works well for me.

I've had it for maybe 8 years now, and the non-stick is still as good as the day I got it. It comes with a lid. The best thing to do, as funnybone suggests, is find one you can handle at the store, and see how it feels to you. If you like All-Clad, you can be sure, though, that it's a good investment.

Regarding Kitchen Etc. -- I do a ton of shopping there -- but when it comes to something like All-Clad, you can probably find a better deal at an outlet or from an online source. I just checked the All-Clad website, and the Kitchen Etc. website, and they're both selling the 3-quart saute pan for $185. So Kitchen Etc. isn't much of a bargain, unless they're running a sale.

I've bought my All-Clad piece-by-piece at various places, always on sale: Macy's, Crate and Barrel, Fortunoff (when I lived in NJ). And I recently got a great deal on an All-Clad stir-fry pan at T.J. Maxx, but you never know what you'll find there.

I know there have been threads before listing online sources for discount All-Clad -- I also know that there's a cookware outlet in Flemington, N.J. that sells over the internet that has pretty good prices -- you might try doing a search.

I also have a Cuisinart brand regular (not non-stick) 9 1/2-inch skillet, which I also like -- it also conducts nicely and handles well, and costs considerably less than the All-Clad. It was an impulse purchase -- saw it on sale at Kitchen Etc. and decided I just couldn't live without another piece of cookware. I use it mostly for things like frittatas that go from the stovetop to the oven or broiler.

Getting new cookware is so much fun!

Helene

[kimmer99]

Originally posted by HRJ
I know there have been threads before listing online sources for discount All-Clad -- I also know that there's a cookware outlet in Flemington, N.J. that sells over the internet that has pretty good prices -- you might try doing a search.
Helene

I buy a ton of stuff from this store. Hold on and let me see if I have a price sheet from them....Shoot normally I keep their price list in my catalogue drawer.

Ah - found the website - www.outletsonline.com/cookware/ (http://www.outletsonline.com/cookware/)

I use the Scan Pan for everything. I have a large saute pan, a 6qt stockpot and a 10" fry pan. Here's what the website says about it:

Scanpan Titanium Professional Non-Stick Cookware You challenge yourself every time you step up to the store. So does Scanpan. The result is a pan like no other. Scanpan Cookware is the easiest to use and the easiest to clean. Each piece of Scanpan Cookware comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

[tracey67]

Hi Martha!

As long as you don't need the skillet(s) immediately, I'd suggest that you start checking out the Amazon Friday Sales. Every Friday they put a bunch of stuff on sale (from books, to tools, to cookware) and some of the things are discounted as much as 80%. I bought a Calphalon 8-qt. saucier pot for $40 and it was originally $180. And I know that I've seen Calphalon-, All-Clad- and Cuisinart-brand skillets for as little as $20-30.

Tracey