Lets talk Cookware!

[celstu1]

I am thinking about slowly replacing my cookware set in the upcoming year.

Right now I currently have all Calphalon nonstick. I have way more pots & pans than anyone really needs too. Although sometimes I am grateful to have them. My step father used to be a manager for Bed, Bath & Beyond and for a couple holidays in a row, they had great deals on box sets of these and my Mom bought me and my brother a couple sets each. Along the way we've added on and I now have the baking sheets, roaster, utensils, counter top grill, etc...

I'm thinking of switching to All Clad Copper Core cookware. (Calphalon is about 10 years old and looking pretty shabby) I know it's ridiculously expensive so before I do anything I wanted to get opinions from people on what their favorite cookware is and why it's their favorite, what type of cooking you do in it, how easy and nice it cleans up (a pet peeve of the Calphalon is it looks dirty from years of use and does not clean up nicely). Is it ok to use on a glass top stove? Any info anyone can provide on cookware sets would be GREAT!

[my2boyz]

I'm in the same spot as you...way too much Calphalon than any one person should own but glad to have it when it's needed! At one point I had over 100 pieces of Calphalon in my kitchen...roasting pans, searing pans, stock pots, steamers, crepe pans, skillets of all sizes, bakeware, soup pans with rounded bottoms, regular pans of the same size with flat bottoms...it was nuts!

I started out with a 16 piece set of their commercial non-stick that I won, gosh, probably 20 years ago and I do still have some of those pieces. I have added on and on through the years with their commercial stainless steel line and I do like them but they aren't the easiest to keep polished and looking new. We have a lot of lime in our water and it leaves lines in the pans...I don't like that.

I bought one of Paula Dean's non-stick skillets and I actually like it...good weight, size and easy to clean...a good practical pan at an affordable price. I don't use non-stick for all of my cooking but you really need a good non-stick skillet in your arsenol! I am at the point of replacing some of my non-stick Calphalon and I think I might try a few more Paula Dean pans and see how it goes.

[Tessa327]

I'm more of an appliance chic in the kitchen. All the cookware I use are old and mismatched but in good condition. I like stainless steel and could probably use some color but not sure which.

I am a major foodie so good cookware is a must.

[celstu1]

I am not a great cook or baker, but I want to start trying more. I'm good at whipping up a decent meal with stuff that I have, like the other day I made a pasta dish that was good and it was so random, but I seem to know what will work together. I made elbows pasta and for a sauce, I used a can of cream of chicken, diced onions, frozen peas, added some basil, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, then melted some Parmesan cheese and shredded cheddar cheese into it. It was yummy for sure! But I want to try to start making legit dishes. I'm getting a KitchenAid mixer as soon as my kitchen remodel is done. What other appliances do you have that I should get? I much prefer to cook rather than bake. I wonder what else I could use in the kitchen. I have tons of stuff.

[Yorkiedaze]

I LOVE my mis-matched pots and pans. They all have a certain job that works perfectly for them. I love my 8 qt. enameled covered iron soup pot, my large and small iron skillets, an 18 quart roaster oven, Elite 8 qt ele. pressure cooker, ele. skillet, two large slow cookers, 4 different sizes of the old style G H C pots and several size of the G H C Magnalite, and of course a counter top Farberware indoor grill rotisserie. I love that "special" pot, pan and all and now have my eyes on the buffet style three small slow cookers. I love, love, love cooking and entertaining. We just did a big dinner Saturday for 6, and will be doing another one for 2 other couples in two weeks, then some family members will be here in 4 weeks for a few days. Sure brightens winter up.

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I LOVE my mis-matched pots and pans. They all have a certain job that works perfectly for them. I love my 8 qt. enameled covered iron soup pot, my large and small iron skillets, an 18 quart roaster oven, Elite 8 qt ele. pressure cooker, ele. skillet, two large slow cookers, 4 different sizes of the old style G H C pots and several size of the G H C Magnalite, and of course a counter top Farberware indoor grill rotisserie. I love that "special" pot, pan and all and now have my eyes on the buffet style three small slow cookers. I love, love, love cooking and entertaining. We just did a big dinner Saturday for 6, and will be doing another one for 2 other couples in two weeks, then some family members will be here in 4 weeks for a few days. Sure brightens winter up.

Oh yes, me too! I love making something special and having people over for dinner. I have a ton of 'appliances' for the kitchen but never know what to do with them.

I think I am missing a few things, so Im thinking I may need:

- A bigger, better toaster oven - I use mine ALL the time but its small
- A Kitchenaid mixer
- A food processor
- A electric rotisserie oven
- An upright hand held electric mixer

I would like to get rid of my pot holders and get some Ov Gloves, silicon tools instead of the plastic ones, I need new kitchen towels, oh there is so much to get!!!!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by celstu1

I am not a great cook or baker, but I want to start trying more. I'm good at whipping up a decent meal with stuff that I have, like the other day I made a pasta dish that was good and it was so random, but I seem to know what will work together. I made elbows pasta and for a sauce, I used a can of cream of chicken, diced onions, frozen peas, added some basil, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, then melted some Parmesan cheese and shredded cheddar cheese into it. It was yummy for sure! But I want to try to start making legit dishes. I'm getting a KitchenAid mixer as soon as my kitchen remodel is done. What other appliances do you have that I should get? I much prefer to cook rather than bake. I wonder what else I could use in the kitchen. I have tons of stuff.

I have a Bullit that I love and use quite a bit...I use the SS strainer inserts for my pans, especially the one that fits in the 6qt. stockpot...I use that one for pasta and when I boil eggs so I can just lift them out of the water and put them in the ice water...the others are steamers that fit different sized pans and I use them for veggies and fish. Of course a good set of knives is a must...oh and I use bartenders measuring cups instead of measuring spoons most of the time...soooo much easier! I have a kitchen full of gadgets that I love no matter how simple the task and, yes, I actually use them! I would love to have the NINJA but haven't gone out to get one yet...oh, and there's a countertop indoor grill that has removable plates so you can wash them...and I need a waffle iron so I can make cinnamon roll waffles

Some of my kitchen stuff is still packed from our move so I don't even remember everything I have!

If you want a super delicious pasta dish (this is one of only a couple that I make since I don't eat a lot of pasta) that's easy to make try this one:

Bowtie pasta for the amount of servings you need or whatever pasta you want to use)
Shrimp...not breaded but the ones that are frozen for cooking
Alfredo sauce
Frozen veggies like broccolli or a mix.

Boil the pasta and drain
Cook the shrimp according to package directions and drain
Cook veggies and drain
Mix them all together with the Alfredo sauce and heat it all up again.

Serve with a salad and garlic bread...enjoy!

[Lil Sis]

I also used to have the circulion ... I "upgraded" to stainless steel a couple of year ago. I have read so much negative about the coatings on the non stick that I will stop using when they get a little worn. I do have a non stick omelette pan.

I like the stainless steel and the enamel and cast iron. For baking pans I like glass. I do bake and cook a lot.

I love my steamer, crock pot, my vita mix --oh and of course my kitchen aide mixer.

[concretegurl]

I am completely in.love with the Orgreenic cookware-and it's cheap...we just need a new range now.

I want the Nuwave but haven't talked Derik into it.

We just got the Wolfgang pressure cooker...I love pressure cooking but really am not impressed with this one-the vent is flimsy and the settings are annoying to program.

Kitchaid mixer is the bestest lol

Cutco cutlery all the way!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Cutco cutlery all the way!

I swear by my Cutco. We buy a couple a year and have a few now, they are AWESOME! Hubby wants to get the set of 8 steak knives next.

I just want to throw away everything we have and start over. LOL But it's WAY too expensive! I'm going to replace things a little at a time and start throwing the old away! I really need to get LESS things that are more versatile honestly.

I think I REALLY want to get All Clad copper Core pans. They are like $1200 for a 10 piece set! YIKES! Don't see hubby loving that!

I just saw the Ninja a bit ago on the Macys site and sent an email to hubby IMMEDIATELY and said I need this!!!! LOL OMG... that thing is SWEET! The reviews are amazing and well I just need to get one! I need to get my kitchenAid mixer first though! (although .. I .. dunnnoooo.. LOL)

I made a wishlist on Macys to start over replacing everything and so far I'm up to $3,400 in kitchen stuff... but it would be EVERYTHING! LOL I'm crazy. Looks like I've got some shopping ahead of me for many years to come!

[KazzyK810]

I'm mesmerized by this thread...

I'm interested in getting new cookware too. I rarely cook because I'm just not that good at is. I figured anything I make would be better with better equipment.

I currently have 2 fry pans, 3 saucepans, and a big pot with lid. All cuisinart. I don't like them at all. Metal handles..they get hot & I'm always accidently grabbing them & burning myself. Add to that a couple of cookie trays, and a few pyrex bakeware, and that's my whole stuff, along with a toaster, blender & teapot. I feel like I'm missing alot...

So, my question is....where the heck do all you people that have soooo much kitchen stuff, keep it? Does it all fit in the kitchen???

[OwnedByJezebel]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I LOVE my mis-matched pots and pans. They all have a certain job that works perfectly for them. I love my 8 qt. enameled covered iron soup pot, my large and small iron skillets, an 18 quart roaster oven, Elite 8 qt ele. pressure cooker, ele. skillet, two large slow cookers, 4 different sizes of the old style G H C pots and several size of the G H C Magnalite, and of course a counter top Farberware indoor grill rotisserie. I love that "special" pot, pan and all and now have my eyes on the buffet style three small slow cookers. I love, love, love cooking and entertaining. We just did a big dinner Saturday for 6, and will be doing another one for 2 other couples in two weeks, then some family members will be here in 4 weeks for a few days. Sure brightens winter up.

I love my Farberware indoor grill rotisserie! I cooked a duckling on the rotisserie the other day, and it was so cool watching it turn and brown right on top of the kitchen counter top. Those suckers can go for a good price on ebay. I also have the shish kebab attachment, and even though it wasn't made for the particular model that I have, I was able to get dh to modify a couple of parts so that it would work with mine. However, I use the grill more than the rotisserie or the kebab thingy. I have Magnalite, too, and those pots last forever!

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by celstu1

I swear by my Cutco. We buy a couple a year and have a few now, they are AWESOME! Hubby wants to get the set of 8 steak knives next.

I just want to throw away everything we have and start over. LOL But it's WAY too expensive! I'm going to replace things a little at a time and start throwing the old away! I really need to get LESS things that are more versatile honestly.

I think I REALLY want to get All Clad copper Core pans. They are like $1200 for a 10 piece set! YIKES! Don't see hubby loving that!

I just saw the Ninja a bit ago on the Macys site and sent an email to hubby IMMEDIATELY and said I need this!!!! LOL OMG... that thing is SWEET! The reviews are amazing and well I just need to get one! I need to get my kitchenAid mixer first though! (although .. I .. dunnnoooo.. LOL)

I made a wishlist on Macys to start over replacing everything and so far I'm up to $3,400 in kitchen stuff... but it would be EVERYTHING! LOL I'm crazy. Looks like I've got some shopping ahead of me for many years to come!

If your get the ninja be sure you get the one with the 2hp motor. We got the vita mix and I just love it...use it ever day . I got the ninja for my dd for Christmas

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

So, my question is....where the heck do all you people that have soooo much kitchen stuff, keep it? Does it all fit in the kitchen???

I am addicted to kitchen gadgets...I love to cook and bake so I also have a good collection of Wilton cake decorating supplies.

When we move and I set up my kitchen I do it in 'zones' so everything you would do in the kitchen has it's own space to maximize efficiency. Cooking happens at the stove so, naturally, the pans and bakeware are stored in the cabinets there...dishes go in the cabinet above the dishwasher to save steps and I usually set up a seperate area for the baking/fun stuff so those supplies are in that area. A pantry is a must in my kitchen and so are divided cabinets and deep drawers. I have a large corner cabinet and my Grandma's antique cabinet in the dining room so I store the things I don't use often in those two.

Keep the things you use the most within reach and put the other stuff up high...I have a flat foot, 2 step ladder next to my fridge for those things...yah, I'm short

It takes some time but once a kitchen is set up properly you can get so much more done in less time even if you don't have a lot of space.

[concretegurl]

I used to sell Cutco I am still using my demo set from over a decade ago and let mehim tell youthe I used andto still useso those knives on things theywe were neverthe even designedin to do!

Recently I got a chefs knife my Nanny bought in the 70's work great!

Totally worth the investment you can pass Cutco down in the family.

I really want the full homemaker set in Pearl with the 12 peice flatwear set...someday when I go back to work and can afford the investment, been thinking about selling it again just to buy more bit doing in home demos doesn't fit in the schedule yet.