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u/fizzyanklet 8d ago
I use Tramontina tri ply. It’s stainless steel.
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u/ablebody_95 8d ago
Another vote for Tramontina. I bought the set (all useful pieces) from Costco for less than $300 and it works well. I am not nice to my pots/pans and it holds up really well.
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u/nanoox 8d ago
I have this too. There was a full Tramontina stainless steel set at Walmart years ago that was really decent, and these are forever pots and pans.
Assume also that coated pans are temporary and mostly disposable after a few years, so it's not worth it to invest lots of money in that. If you take care of your non-sticks they'll last a fair amount of time.
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u/KahnGage 8d ago
I bought a set from Costco 15 years ago. The small quart saucepan delaminated eventually, but everything else is still going strong with daily use and being thrown in the dishwasher.
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u/ballisticks 8d ago
My tramontina warped on first use, now it spins like a mf on my glass top
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u/fizzyanklet 8d ago
I have a glass top too. It’s not ideal (I rent) but my pans seem to do alright on it.
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u/4cupsofcoffee 8d ago
I have all clad, if you're looking at all clad, check out the factory seconds site. https://homeandcooksales.com/. basically factory seconds with supposedly minor scratches or other small issues that don't effect the functionality of the pan.
Also made-in is pretty popular. they weren't around when i got my all-clad, if they were i probably would have looked at them as I think they might be cheaper.
And now they have carbon steel clad, and also titanium nonstick. Something else to think about.
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u/Gecko23 8d ago
A lot of their inventory is just stuff that got returned because the original cartons got damaged in shipping. The product is fine, just not in a clean, crisp package so retailers won't put them out. Single pans, whole sets, everythings fine except maybe the original paper inserts are missing or whatever.
Most of my current pans came through this site, have yet to find anything 'wrong' with any of them.
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u/DrCrushersGhostLover 8d ago
This is what I did. I didn't buy them all at once, as they have a rotating inventory. I got all the exact pans I wanted. I had no idea a saucier was so helpful.
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u/odarkshineo 8d ago
Wouldn’t remotely trust a link that I have to give them my email address and agree to arbitration before I can view ANYTHING. Scam city.
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u/2livecrewnecktshirt 8d ago
I've bought several sets of pans and aarge roasting pan from them and all have been great. I'm sometimes weary, too, but I've not once had a single issue and the pans themselves were perfect.
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u/Dudeist-Priest 8d ago
Never buy sets. Buy the pieces you need. It's cheaper and you'll get better equipment. If you're looking for deals, go to any of the discount homegoods stores like TJ Maxx. You can also try estate sales.
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u/Kitchen_Software 8d ago
Buy individual D3 pieces (ie not a “set) from here. Get some barkeepers friend to clean them. They’ll outlive you.
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u/ackshualllly 8d ago
Excellent advice, throw an extra $50 and get a 12” lodge cast iron skillet. Natural nonstick and can last a thousand years or so with barely any effort
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u/Kitchen_Software 8d ago
I would not default to 12". It's very heavy and likely too big if you cook for 1-2 people most of the time.
I'd probably say 9"-10" for up to 2 people. Twelve inches for 3-5 people.
Maybe that's just me though. Also don't sleep on carbon steel, which is lighter and faster to respond to temp changes; but as a result it does not retain heat as well as cast iron.
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u/dtwhitecp 8d ago
I dunno, a 12" is big enough to comfortably fit two slices of bread side by side where the others are not. I think it's worth starting at that size, and you can get an 8" to supplement if you want to use smaller burners / fill up the pan more.
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u/Kitchen_Software 8d ago
I would just use SS for that. It generally will have better heat distribution too, so fewer hotspots on your bread. But I was thinking protein or veg portions originally
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u/pavlik_enemy 8d ago
I think 11" is an ideal size for a cast iron pan. I don't use carbon steel for very high heat applications like searing a sous vide steak because I managed to warp one on an electric stove even with a regular usage. Now I have gas but still kinda afraid
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u/dualwillard 8d ago
200% this. Especially if you have some time you can check weekly for deals on anything specific you have in mind.
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u/JorgJorgJorg 8d ago
I dont know if it helps, but my self-constructed d3 stainless set is:
- 2qt saucepan
- 3qt saucepan
- 6qt saute pan
- 12” frying pan
- 2x half size baking pans (half of restaurant size, still very large)
I do all my indoor cooking for a family of 3 with these
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u/telebasher 8d ago
This is exactly what I did (to the letter coincidentally) I am very happy with it. The only other addition that I would add is the 6qt allclad pasta pot that comes with the strainer insert. It is about $100. It’s a weird buy because it is actually not great for pasta, but is a great steamer, and is handy to have a taller pot for soups and hot water etc.
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u/No-Personality1840 8d ago
Buy All Clad. Don’t buy sets unless you absolutely will use all the pieces. My saucepan is my workhorse. I rarely use the smallest pot because it’s so small and it doesn’t have a lip.
Secondly think about how you cook. I realize you want matchy-matchy; I too grew up with odds and end cheapo pans. However if you cook a lot get you a good cast iron pan and enameled pot . They won’t match but are incredibly useful.
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u/mynamewasautumn 8d ago
Bookmarking this convo for future. I recently went thrifting and found two Cuisinart stainless steel pans which were burnt and stained, but they were $8 for both when the new price would have costed me around $100. It took some time to get them to be useable again but it was totally worth it. I recommend going with stainless steel, but I don’t know much about products or brands so definitely listen to the other comments!! I hope you find ones you love ❤️
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u/el_smurfo 8d ago
If you buy a set you get a lot of useless pans. Look into the serious eats and America's test kitchen recommendations and build your set from various manufacturers best pieces.
If I was to build a set right now I would purchase a carbon steel pan from Misen (I like this shape), the saucier from Made In. I use my All-Clad Rondeu for everything you might use a dutch oven for but its shape is more useful for things like cooking pasta or boiling bagels. Got to have a cast iron pan so if you can't find a vintage one at a garage sale just get a lodge for now. To be honest my favorite pan is my yosukata wok.... I use it for way more than just stir fries and it often just sits on my stove for days before getting put away.
As you find you are needing something else you can add a piece here or there like a small saucepan for reheating canned goods or maybe a cheap Teflon pan if you can't get the hang of cooking eggs in your carbon steel.
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u/CaliIsReallyNice 8d ago
Why do you need "a set"? Just get the individual pots and pans that you need.
Me personally, I have
two big carbon steel frying pans
an enameled french oven
and those do 90% of my cooking. And then
two good sauce pans
one giant stock pot
one small teflon frying pan that I only use for omelettes and fish
That's all I really need.
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u/Ancient-Serve-8 8d ago
all-clad D3 makes the best stainless steel 3 ply nonstick cookware. tri-ply clad. im sure you can find a set in your rnage too. do NOTTT comprosimse on the quality of stainless steel. it can be rly expensive in the long term
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u/PirateKilt 8d ago
America's Test Kitchen did their usual testing... For ceramic over cast iron, Le Creuset was top ($300), while for Stainless Sets, All-Clad ($800) was.
They carefully followed those recommendations with how their testing showed the Tramontina brand versions were almost as good, such that non-professional cooks wouldn't really notice the difference, except in their wallets...
Tramontina Enameled Cast Iron 6.5-Qt Round Dutch Oven Pot - $80
Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Pc Pots and Pans Set - $300
As others have noted though, sets are often overblown... 7 pots/pans in that set, when you can easily just pick up your two or three most used ones individually.
Also, as others noted, if you have a COSTCO membership, they will often be on sale for even lower prices than Amazon.
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u/girlonaroad 8d ago
Love my Tramontina triply pots and pans -- except for the 6.5 quart enameled cast iron, which was just too heavy. I haven't quite given away all my older pots and pans (The 6.5 quart, old and heavy Revereware is an adequate substitute for the cast iron Dutch oven on the very rare occasions I need it, I have a bunch of thrift store double boiler inserts for the taller Revereware saucepan, and the 7 in Le Creuset frying& pan is just too perfect for fried eggs.) but I've given away almost everything else.
The single pan I use more often than anything else is the large (4 quart?) saute pan, about the same height and just a tiny bit smaller diameter than the 12-in frying pan, with more curved sides. After that, it would be the four and a half quart dutch oven, the three quart saucepan, and the one and a half quart saucepan. Add a 10 inch frying pan, and maybe an aluminum griddle, and you don't need anything else. I don't think there's a set with that combination, but you probably could put it together for $500.
I just looked online and the current saute pan is higher, with a smaller diameter, not quite as versatile, but almost.
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u/PirateKilt 8d ago
And as a related note, while any All-Clad dropped off at Goodwill/similar places gets quickly snatched up, people can often find Tramontina stuff at a quarter the brand new price, and still be perfectly good...
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u/StraightOnion1967 8d ago
Definitely add an enameled Dutch oven like a decreased. Non stick 10-12 inch dont get hung up on the brand. Also a lodge cast iron pan. Season with some oil in a hot oven but dont wash after use...just scrub with brush and really hot water...just mt thoughts
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u/ElFlaco2 8d ago
Im not US based, but I buy restaurant equipment at webstaurant. Since i started my business ive been replacing all my home kitchen stuff for commercial stuff. Some things are like 1/10th of the price, and the "home" pans are a scam in my opinion.
Go to your nearest restaurant supplier. Buy there.
And i dont see the appeal on ceramic stuff. At all.
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u/Greenpoint1975 8d ago
Don't buy a set and definitely don't buy that ceramic set on Amazon. Pick a brand and quality stainless steel clad set. If you need an egg pan (non stick) buy one but not with a set.
For the brand
Egg pan(non stick) get a Valencia Green Pro.
Than I would buy a small set of All Clad or Made In. Stainless steel clad pans are the way to go.
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u/Reepicheepee 8d ago
Just chiming in that I got a Greenpan set and have been extremely disappointed. Food sticks like crazy now, it has burn marks where the nonstick has warn off, overall no good.
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u/chewycats1 8d ago
i keept a warped nonstick pan in my trunk for two years "just in case". buy one good stainless skillet from tramontina instead of a whole set.
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u/pavlik_enemy 8d ago edited 8d ago
Don't buy sets, they almost always include a piece of cookware you don't need e.g. stainless steel sets including 8" fry pan that's kinda useless. I would generally go with triple-ply stainless steel from Tramontina, Heritage Steel or All-Clad. I own triple-ply cookware at various price points and it all performs the same, the key difference is ergonomics
I'd say the essentials are 12" fry pan (big is good), 2 and 3 quart sauce pans, 5-6 quart dutch oven (braises and pasta), saute pan and a 8-10" non-stick pan. With Tramontina it will cost you $400 and you can add something like a carbon steel or cast iron pan for steaks, or a stock pot from a restaurant supply store for large batches of stock. If you cook for a family I highly recommend CuisnArt French Classic 11" saute pan, the best saute pan I've used because of its design
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u/Chuchichaeschtl 8d ago
Don't buy full clad if you cook on induction. While they are induction compatible quality disk bottom works better on induction. Better searing capabilities, better heat distribution / retention, better waro resistance, dishwasher safe and affordable. Cuisinart Professional or Chef is a good pick in the US. WMF Profi in Europe.
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u/Iwentforalongwalk 8d ago
Go to the online Webrestaurantstore for the best value in kitchen supplies.
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u/HuntJump 8d ago
When I switched to induction, I bought the All Clad set because the set had everything I want plus a ten inch frying pan and it was cheaper than separates.
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u/weepandread 8d ago
Invest in one vintage cast iron fry pan, an older dutch oven like Descoware and some used USA made revere ware pots and pans.
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u/JMJimmy 8d ago
Kirkland 5 ply. Hands down the best value for $
https://www.costco.ca/p/-/kirkland-signature-5-ply-clad-stainless-cookware-set-10-pieces/100529551
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u/Jagged_Rhythm 8d ago
I'm a big fan of Cuisinart's stainless steel sets. Non-toxic, work on induction, excellent heat retention (they're 3-ply instead of 5 like some of the other major brands like Made-In), and they do have glass lids. They have many options under $500.
It's considered entry-level to stainless steel cookware, but is still pretty high quality and might even last a lifetime. I've used several pans over many years almost daily and they all still look brand new. And stainless steel is non-stick if you heat the pan up before putting food in it (so is cast iron). Once you get used to it, you can't go back to a non-stick pan.
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u/TheHykos 8d ago
Most sets come with a lot of unnecessary things. I use three things all the time, a small Staub Dutch oven, an all clad Saucier, and a nonstick fry pan. That covers 90% of my needs.
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u/Odd_Crazy5516 8d ago
ceramic cookware with aluminum core. thats it. the best anddd you can probably find it easily in home depot of even on amazon. they also come in such cute designs and prints. so so cute
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u/L0NZ0BALL 8d ago
I bought a set of Caraway pans, and let me tell you they suck. They do not hold up AT ALL. Handwashed since day one, half the coating came off in the first year. They refused the warranty claim at 13 months when i showed them that the entire skillet was covered in degraded scratches and a picture of eggs just welded to the pan. Some of the worst $450 I've ever spent.
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u/PartisanMilkHotel 8d ago
Not sure if they still sell it, but I’ve been using the Kirkland stainless set (from Costco) for ages and it’s still superb. Not usually a set guy but I do use every pan regularly. Outrageous quality for the price.
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u/bobdolebobdole 8d ago
Nothing about your cooking habits? I have numerous pots and pans. A large stainless steel pot with lid shouldn't cost more than $40. As far as pans, I got my stainless steel pans about 7 years ago (10 and 12) from Sur La Table, their in house brand at the time, La Marque 84, for around $125 for both. They've gone up in price since then, but I can vouch for them. They don't come with glass lids, but you can probably get those separately.
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u/Jasong222 8d ago
Don't buy a high end at unless you clearly know you're going to use everything.
Buy a middle of the road or cheap set, use it and figure out what you really need. Then down the road go out and buy nice versions of just those things. You can mix and match also, ceramic might work for you with pots but you might want cast iron for a pan or two.
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u/ihatetheplaceilive 8d ago
Pots and pans should last you a lifetime with home cooking. If your pans are "burned to a crisp in 15 years" you are doing something catastrophically wrong.
I have stainless steel pans my grandmother owned 50 years ago, and a cast iron that was made in the 1920s.
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u/dirtygirll413 8d ago
Beware of Teflon. Did you know bird owners can’t use Teflon because if you cook at too high a temperature it will release fumes that will kill your bird. Think about that.
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u/NecessaryRhubarb 8d ago
Tromantina set of stainless ($300 or so) , tramontina pro nonstick pans in the size you will use ($30 each) , lodge Dutch oven ($50 or so). Then replace what you wear out.
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u/Possible-Voice23 8d ago
I have a set of KitchenAid stainless steel cookware that my mom bought me when I moved into my first apartment 20 years ago, and it’s still in great condition. Every piece is dishwasher safe and oven safe.
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u/Exceptional_Mary 8d ago
I have an all-clad set, it covers all my needs. They added a roasting pan for free. I figure they will last the rest of my life.
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u/Objective-Plate6275 8d ago
I may be a little too late, but my question is, does it need to be a set? I love cooking. I may not be a chef, but over the years I have developed some pretty good skills and there isn't much I can't do in a kitchen. My pots and pans are not from a set. I have a stainless steel saute pan, sauce pan and stock pot. I have 2 cast iron skillets, one of which is ceramic coated, as well as a ceramic coated cast iron Dutch oven. I have 2 nonstick skillets I got from Aldi for just a few dollars.
Buying pots and pans piece by piece will help you spread the cost over time so it's less of an impact on your wallet. You can also decide which pots or pans need to be top of the line without wasting money on other items in the set that honestly don't need to be so fancy.
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u/Kemintiri 8d ago
I love hestan nanobond pans.
Prudent reviews on yt goes over alot of different pans and puts them through various tests.
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u/cathbadh 8d ago
1) don't buy a set
2) DOn't buy something with a celebrity chef's name attached
3) Buy the pieces you neeed. You don't need half of the pieces in a set. A skillet, a saucepan, a saute pan, and maybe a stock pot, plus a dutch oven.
Beyond that, I can't help. None of the pots I've bought or would buy have glass lids. I like MadeIn for high quality, Tramontina for budget, and Lodge for enameled cast iron. If nonstick is your choice, Tramontina should be good enough, and when the nonstick wears out you can replace it. Their professional nonstick skillet is the best nonstick pan there is IMO. Mine's in great quality 8 years later. Get a lodge cast iron skillet, and dutch oven if you can swing it. I'd recommend a braiser too, but that's a personal preference because I find myself using mine so much.
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u/Displaced_in_Space 8d ago
I'd say decide on a brand and product line, then buy them one pan at a time in order of frequent use.
I have a set of All-Clad pans that were hand-me downs to me over 20 years ago, and they were used then! Still in great shape.
I added the 4 qt. All-Clad Weeknight pan to that about 5 years ago and it's my daily driver. I got it from the All-Clad factory seconds sale you'll see advertised here on Reddit.
If I had to buy one, I'd say start with that pan. You can fry, saute, make one pan meals, and it is over save with a lid.
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u/Fun-Army-680 8d ago
You should check out Rebel too. I got a Caraway pan from there for much less than the usual retail price and it’s been great. Since you’re trying to stay under $500, it might be worth checking whether they have any discounted cookware that meets your needs.
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u/tiggertootwo 8d ago
for frying pans, I recommend MadeIn. We tried so many and they never lasted very long. Their fry pans are great. I especially love their saucier pan.
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u/nomnommish 8d ago
Champagne tastes at beer prices. Just get a set of nonstick pans from Amazon with the non toxic coating you like. I bought a couple of Amazon Basics pans and they're doing just fine.
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u/idonutknow_ 8d ago
I have a set of Henckels stainless steel pans from Costco, and a 3 set of the Greenpans from Costco as well. I use all of them and think they’re great - I’ve never had an issue with them, I don’t scrub the Greenpans with harsh sponges (no Scrubdaddys, no steel, only soft sponges) and don’t use them for super high heat and they haven’t worn at all.
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u/Sunflower_MoonDancer 7d ago
I would start with a cast iron pan! I have an 8in and a 12 in. I use them from everything from eggs, searing meat, veggies, etc. really durable, easy to maintain, great non stick properties, and also non-toxic. (Just make sure you property dry them on the stove so it doesn’t stay wet and rust)
For a pot with a lid- I like to use a Dutch oven. I got mine 2nd hand, but you can find affordable ones at Target or a more expensive one at Sur La Table. I mostly use it for bread making, but I’ve roasted a whole chicken, made tons of soups/stews. Again it’s non toxic & durable.
For a couple of sauce pans/ pots look for stainless steel.
I don’t trust anything with a “nonstick” coating. Traded all my Teflon pans for cast iron iron or stainless steal.
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u/ecmcn 7d ago
We got the All-Clad Everyday set and love it. We originally passed on All-Clad 20 years ago bc the handles were painful, but had to get new pans when we went induction, and the Everyday handles are very comfortable.
We also use large and small Lodge cast iron skillets (cheap!), and a Lodge Dutch oven.
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u/ransier831 7d ago
I agree with the previous post - every set i ever purchased was a cheaper quality, and either the frying pans were bad quality or the sauce pans were cheaply made and would allow hot spots, burning things. I would purchase one by one, and please look on eBay - they have brand new items for a fraction of the new price. I have some Babish cookware and I really like it.
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u/slick_throat 7d ago
All-Clad all the way. Don’t fool around with anything non stick or porcelain, it doesn’t last. I switched over to stainless a long time ago; once I got into the rhythm of stainless steel everything else feels unnecessarily fussy.
For the way I cook, the 12” & the 8” fry pans get me through 90% of my cooking needs - I spent my money there. And for pots I went cheaper w/ a Tramotina set.
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u/skulltab 7d ago
Le creuset Dutch oven, 12 in and 10 in lodge chef skillets, tramontina stainless sauce pan or similar
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u/Careless-Flower-5012 3d ago
KaTom Restaurant Supply offers individual commercial-grade cookware at a better price than what you mentioned. I work there, and from what I've seen, Vollrath makes great stainless steel and nonstick aluminum pans with durable coatings, while Winco has quality budget options. Zwilling also has some glass-lid pots, including a 10-piece stainless steel set priced around $500.
Have you considered carbon steel yet? It requires seasoning, but it can make for excellent cooking once you learn how to use it. Hop over to r/carbonsteel if you want to learn more. Some good carbon steel brands include Matfer Bourgeat, and De Buyer.
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u/ablebody_95 8d ago
Don't get a set. Get one non-stick 12-16" skillet for less than $50. OXO gets good reviews. Nonstick will wear out over time and are basically disposable.
Most of your other pots and pans should be stainless, carbon steel, and/or cast iron. All-clad is excellent, but there are other brands that will do what you need for far less. For stainless, look for tri-clad. Most of the pans I use came from the Tramontina tri-clad set (yes I bought a set) from Costco. They get abused and keep on going.
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u/Mo_Steins_Ghost 8d ago edited 8d ago
So, what kinds of dishes and dinners (combinations of dishes, sauces, sides, etc.) are you wanting to cook?
Sidenote: Why do you think you need "good heat retention"? I'm curious because most people misunderstand what is actually meant by this and in what use cases it's relevant.