Kitchen

[Icegoddess]

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@ID2 wrote:

I just got rid of 2 complete sets of All Clad cookware. I hated them. Everything stuck..yuck. My dh just got me a complete set of HexClad. LOVE!! Best thing since baked bread! 

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@ID2 OMG, those things are so expensive.  You better put them in your will.  My husband used up a Curtis Stone Durapan, and decided he wanted one of those HexClad pans for Christmas.  It was the smallest pan in the lineup.  By the time I got through the process with tax and S/H it was like $150.00.  Too much. He got a Blackstone griddle instead.

[Icegoddess]

I'm still using the Kirkland Signature set of hard anodized I got over 20 years ago.  I've only had to get rid of one pan.  I replaced that with Curtis Stone's Durapan.  I've found those to be the better of the nothing sticks to them cookware, all of which nothing sticks to until it does and then everything sticks. 

I won't buy ceramic after my experience with my ceramic insert for my air fryer.  It was another nothing sticks coating that now sticks, so I have to use a slicone piece I cut to fit in it.  

As I mentioned in a post above, my husband has gone through a small Curtis Stone pan and he only cooked sausage and eggs in it.  He just uses it very often.  The largest pan in the set I use mostly for cooking catfish and I probably heat it too high, but if I don't, I don't get the browning I want.  That interior is beginning to discolor.  It's the same thing that doomed my one hard anodized pan, too high a heat. And yes, I preheat my pan.

I'll never go stainless steel only.  I'm not a chef; I'm not even a good cook, but what I do cook is good.  I will always use nonstick cookware.  

[loriqvc]

I'm still using a set of Rachael Ray nonstick pans that I purchased over 16 years ago; the porcelain enamel outside coloring has faded and rubbed off in a few spots, but the coated interior is still absolutely perfect on every pan and they cook everything brilliantly. I keep telling myself I can splurge on a new set when these pans stop performing, but that just doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon.

However, I was totally disappointed when I purchased a similar set of RR pans for my mother three years ago—the interiors of those pans started flaking and chipping within about six weeks of moderate use, even with non-metal utensils. This deterioration could have been aggravated by the fact that my mother puts everything in the dishwasher (a no-no for my metal pans); that certainly ruined the outsides of her pans, which went from deep crimson to a splotchy pink within the same time period.

I replaced her RR set with a set of Ninja Foodi NeverStick cookware, and it has been wonderful for her! The nonstick coating is a bit unusual but does a fantastic job of preventing sticking and it cooks nicely. And my mother continues to put everything in the dishwasher, but after a year, these pans are still like new. I found a great deal on them at Amazon, but QVC sells them as well.

[BunSnoop]

@ID2 , I'm surprised you're using HexClad as they're manufactured in China. You have often reminded all of us to purchase only items made in the USA.

[ncmama]

A great alternative are carbon steel pans. America's Test Kitchen has you tube reviews on these. They come in all price ranges and will outlast most other pans.