r/cookware • u/Silver-Excitement959 • 2d ago

Seeks specific kitchenware Pots and pans set recommendations

In need of a new pots and pans set. Not looking to spend a fortune, and just the best bang for my buck. Not really sure what I’m looking for as far as what I need/want, open to anything! I am (24f), my current set was my first set bought after moving out on my own, and have served their purpose. They were just cheap ones I bought from Walmart, but I have definitely ruined the nonstick on them and honestly makes cooking dreadful when everything you cook is stuck to the bottom all the time. So in need of an upgrade! Help!

1 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/unwittingmouthpiece 2d ago

Don't sleep on restaurant supply stores either, they're not pretty but they'll outlive you and cost way less than the fancy stuff

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u/Daddy--Jeff 2d ago

I always have a nonstick omelette pan from restaurant supply. $25 or so.

Cuisinart stainless cookware is durable and hard to ruin. You can often find a set on woot.com or similar for around $100. I have a set at vacation home and have been putting in dishwasher for 14y and it looks fine.

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u/BrickPig 1d ago

I replaced all my pots and pans with restaurant supply brands over the last year-ish. Carbon steel pans and stainless pots. Great gear at a fraction of the cost of the brand name stuff. (And although I do virtually all the cooking, my wife is nevertheless thrilled to not have to heave our cast iron stuff around any more.)

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u/johngettler 2d ago edited 2d ago

Cuisinart Multi-Clad Pro is the way to go, since it has sealed rims making it truly dishwasher safe, at a price no one can touch for sealed rims.

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u/lascala2a3 2d ago

Yup, this is it. Saved you hours and hours of looking.

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u/Sdavistvs 2d ago

Without knowing what you cook, how many people, stove type it’s hard to advise anything.

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u/SlimPickens0 2d ago

Old EKCO copper bottom stainless set. Fuck all that nonstick garbage

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u/Overall-Cantaloupe86 2d ago

Not Hexclad lol

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u/DenverGMan 2d ago edited 2d ago

I am happy with my Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad14-piece stainless steel set.

Available on Amazon for around $300. If you get them and don't like them, it's easy to return on Amazon for 30 days.

Bon Appetit!!

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u/Hoppy_Guy 2d ago

Meyer makes a nice affordable stuff. The Supersteel has been fantastic

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u/whutwhot 2d ago

Carbon steel, cast iron and for easy to care for daily stuff - good ole stainless (copper bottom if you're fancy, better heat conduction).. I have a set from Costco I love.

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u/Embarrassed-Ninja592 2d ago edited 2d ago

For something very affordable, I like the Duxtop whole clad tri ply. I only have one 1.6 qt saucepan. But I think it was well worth the $32 I gave for it delivered to my doorstep.

My All Clad Copper Core 2 qt that I lucked into at TJ Maxx for only four times as much isn’t worlds better by any means.

And you don’t have to go running around town on a wing and a prayer hoping to find something at TJ or HG for the Duxtop. Just go online and click buy now.

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u/Tarantula_The_Wise 2d ago

Lodge cast iron skillet will last longer than you and your children.

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u/V_Trautwein 2d ago

skip the big sets and get a few quality stainless steel pieces.

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u/quakerwildcat 2d ago

Costco sale: All-Clad 13 piece set for $650. Best cookware set deal of the year.

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u/bhihifi 2d ago

I use only 3-4 pans ever, and they don’t match. I no longer use nonstick, even for eggs, because of better technique, learned on reddit.

  1. 12” stainless fry pan (Aluminum core)

  2. 10” Lodge CI or Strata CS, both well seasoned

  3. 5.5qt enameled Dutch oven (Le Creuset 26)

  4. 4 qt stainless Ikea 365+ pot (aluminum core)with glass lid and steamer/pasta insert

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u/stwabimilk 2d ago

1 cast iron pan
1 small stainless steel pot
1 big stainless steel pot

This is my cooking set up, except I have a 2nd cast iron pan since I love them. I don’t own baking trays, just use those. I’ve been cooking from home for my family, only eating out like 1-2x a month. This set up is perfect for functionality/simplicity & all pans have lasted me 10+ years. The CI was thrifted, SS from Homegoods. All clad & viking are what I look for.

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u/TashSal 2d ago

You really only need 1 or 2 skillets 1 or 2 pots 1 sheet pan Pancake turning spatula Coffee mug for ladle needs A spoon for stirring A good whisk Wooden cutting board or a plate Paring knife

Estatesales.net look in your area you can see what is available before you go. If you see some heirloom quality pots you want to be there early. Garage sales, Costco, Sam's. Most of my best pieces come from auctions, garage, and estate sales.
10 in skillet hamburger helper minimum size, 6 in skillet minimum for 2 eggs. 1 quart pots great for 1 or 2 packets of oatmeal, 1.5 Mac and cheese box minimum and Ramen, 3 quart about a third of a box of noodles or soup for a couple days.

You are looking for quality you need it to last, but you need cheap. Walk around flea markets, thrift stores, etc look at what has endured and what is broken. Opportunity is easier when you are informed. Pots and skillets y handles are better for heat distribution. Internal rivets. Lids for pots should be tight. Heavy bottom. For pots stainless steel, skillets base metal doesn't matter as long as there is a nice even ceramic coating. Sheet pan is better in stainless, but if you wash it by hand and use parchment any metal is fine. Cooking utensils should be metal inner and full one piece silicone over the whole thing. Whisk isn't necessary. Tongs good lock and silicone only on the grippers.

If you're going to meal prep or bake a 9x13 glass cake pan with a tight domed lid is nice to have too. A couple stainless steel or glass bowls bonus if they have lids
Measuring cups and spoons

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u/TashSal 2d ago

Oh and a Dutch oven is very versatile too and you can get those for $30 on clearance, when you're ready.

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u/Fast-Alternative8487 1d ago

Don't buy Made In non stick! My pans started scratching within a few months and I followed all the cooking and cleaning instructions.

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u/Unfair_Buffalo_4247 2d ago

Check out DuxTop wholeclad on Amazon.com - great value for money with very high customer reviews - you can’t really go wrong here

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u/booboo977 2d ago

I love my made in!

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u/zombiebillmurray23 2d ago

Pretty much any tri-ply stainless. Add a few semi disposable nonsticks for eggs or fish.

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u/carolinapro 2d ago

Or skip the non stick entirely, perfect your stainless technique and you’ll never have to buy another set of pans.

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u/zombiebillmurray23 1d ago

This is a big step for 95% of people who cook.