Suggestion Box

[Brwneyed Goddess]

I need new cookware so bad. I watch ITKWD weekly but I still can not decide on what cookware I should purchase. My daughter is starting culinary school and is anxious to begin the process at home. Any suggestions???

[KYToby]

All Clad is the best.

[chickenbutt]

ITA about All Clad. You cannot beat it.

Personally, I'm not one for 'sets' of cookware. I have lots of stuff, including All Clad (both the clad steel and some hard anodized), cast iron, enameled cast iron, other brands of hard anodized, and some 18/10 stainless steel.

Somebody who wants to learn to cook via culinary school would probably want the variety because different tools work best for different tasks.

A lot of what QVC has been pounding out lately is hardcoat enamel. This is the lowest end of aluminum cookware you can get and I would definitely NOT recommend it.

If she wants good quality, there are some brands out there that will give you the best quality. All Clad, of course, Le Creuset. For regular cast iron - Lodge. It's inexpensive, made in the US, and great quality. Some of my hard anodized is Calphalon's Unison line. Great quality hard anodized.

Too bad that QVC has dropped some of their better in-house lines. The Technique II line of hard anodized was exceptional quality - every bit as good as any national brand. I'm glad I have numerous pieces of that. After quite a few years they are like new.

Anyway, those are my view on the subject FWIW.

[TX-starlight]

The 1 mistake I made was getting the pans with 2 handles, instead of the 1 long handle. I thought they would store much easier, & they do. BUT.....they are hard for me to manuver. I use a spoon alot to scrap, you have no spare hand for scraping,lol. I never realized how much I needed that other hand til i got those pans. Btw, they are Cooks Essential, & I love them except for the handles.

[SuzyBailey]

I agree! All Clad. I use Emeril's T-Fal pots for my rice and his paella pan which is big and wonderful!!! This new Q cookware is not good, IMO.

[Daysdee]

QVC doesn't seem to offer much any more.

[blackhole99]

Cephalon brand from Boscovs, I inherited a few pieces from my aunt and the pots and pans I got from the Q are junk compared to them.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

I'm in the same boat. I bought some hard anodized several years ago and they're starting to go. Prior to them I had a really nice set of the waterless stainless stuff with the multiple-ply core (5 or 7, I can't recall). When I replaced them I had no real good reason other than just wanting a new set and thought the hard anodized would look better in my newly redecorated kitchen. Dumb, I know. Secretly I've always wanted All-Clad, but DH has little knowledge or interest about cooking or using the best kind of tools for the job. Just yesterday I was perusing the Internet and found some good sales on All-Clad. I'm tempted, but still thinking.

[vicalynn]

On 2/8/2014 TX-starlight said:

The 1 mistake I made was getting the pans with 2 handles, instead of the 1 long handle. I thought they would store much easier, & they do. BUT.....they are hard for me to manuver. I use a spoon alot to scrap, you have no spare hand for scraping,lol. I never realized how much I needed that other hand til i got those pans. Btw, they are Cooks Essential, & I love them except for the handles.

I will add my mistake to yours on the short 2 handles.. my stove vents with heat directed over top of stove top, vs having to have a hood and fan ... and with the handles on side to side position, one pointing toward middle of stove gets ouchy hot, and if I turn them to go front to back, and then I can use the back burner for the flame on the one will add heat to the handle. Hard to describe... after the third ouchie hot scream of mine... they are outta my kitchen !!!

[circles]

ok....where did my post go....I was sure I let you know that Emeril has a TSV...10 piece...all clad cookware set this Wednesday....$159.99....might want to watch for it.....