Kitchen

[deepwaterdotter]

When it comes to non-stick, I buy whatever skillets are available at Costco.  Inevitably the non-stick coating becomes ineffective with high heat and use.  My regular cookware is All-Clad, and I have never had to replace it.

[Flyer98]

I'm an All Clad fan.  I bought mine individually at Marshall's and Home Goods.  I liked doing that rather than a set so I could get the exact sizes that would work best for me.

[LindaSal]

I am also a huge Curtis Stone fan!  I have several of his pans and love them all, half the time I don't even put them away after washing because I use them almost daily.

[novamc1]

I bought a set of this Circulon Premier Pro at Costco about two years ago and use one or more pieces every day.  They are dishwasher safe, which more  nonstick varieties are now claiming to be.

The saucepan lids have drain holes and the pots have pour spouts, which I can't live without.

Easy to wash by hand in under a minute, but I almost always use the dishwasher "because I can".  Every piece still looks good as new.

This is not ordinary Circulon, so be sure if you buy to get this model.  The set is sold on many different websites at  varying prices.  I got mine at Costco when it was on sale.

Circulon Premier Professional 13-piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set(Gold) 

[novamc1]

I, too, really like my  two pieces of Curtis Stone's DuraPans.

I notice he is scheduled to air on HSN on Feb. 17, according to the HSN website.  

[Icegoddess]

I don't do full cookware sets anymore and just replace what I need.  I do have a couple of Curtis Stone pieces, but even those have failed after constant use.  My DH cooks eggs in the one small pan on an almost daily basis and doesn't use high heat, but after a couple of years it started sticking. 

Besides that, I have Kirkland Signature Hard Anodized cookware from Costco and have used it for years, more like a decade or two, and most of it looks as good as new as far as the nonstick coating goes.  I did need to replace one of the large pans, but it's probably due more to me abusing it with the high heat "blackening" catfish than anything wrong with the pan.  I replaced it with one of the Curtis Stone pans, and it's doing well, but also has darkened probably due to the same reason.  

So, if I were planning to replace a whole set of cookware again I would probably go with a hard anodized set over Curtis Stone.  

[RedTop]

@BiggsE 

I would look at Calphalon.

[luvmybeetle]

I just wanted to say that I have had my Curtis Stone for at least over 7-8 years and nothing has happened to them.  All I can remember is I bought them when he first came on HSN.  I don't ever cook on high heat.  I just didn't understand the previous posts that say after a few years they break down and stick.  I have never had that problem.

[novamc1]

@luvmybeetle

I agree with the premise  that properly used and cared for cookware lasts a long time.  I"ve never had one fail myself, and I am a cookware freak who has tried many different brands and types.

Earlier today, I read  a bunch of negative reviews of Curtis Stone cookware on the HSN website.

Like most other cookware reviews, it's easy to spot the user error that causes pans and pots to "fail",

Use-and-care instructions for  nonstick cookware, as well as TV presentations, make it clear that metal utensils "can be used" but silicone, nylon or wood utensils are preferred to prevent cosmetic scratches.  Cook only on medium heat, unless trying to bring a pot to boil, then lower the heat.

  And many instructions  say the cookware is dishwasher safe but handwashing is recommended to prevent damage to the nonstick surface.

I"m sure user error has wrecked many a pot and pan.

[BiggsE]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.  I'm going to check out some stuff on HSN and the Q.  I dare not go to William Sonoma.  I love their stoves and beef you can buy from them.  I wish I could afford that stuff.