[LisaArbo]

I was wondering if any of you have had a good experience with certain brands of cookware? I had bought some from QVC .....Cook's Essentials, and loved them at first. They are supposed to have a lifetime guarantee.

Well, now the black coating keeps coming off and I don't even use metal with them. I have had to send in skillets and pots for replacement several times now. AND I have to pay the shipping. I'm done with them. I'm afraid the black stuff is coming off in our food!

I need some reasonably priced, non-stick skillets and pots.

Any ideas?

[SoccerMama]

I use the Emerill cookware that can be purchased from LNT or BBBeyond. I've had it since 2002 and am still very happy with it.

[wolfspirit7]

Try the pampered chef line, Lisa. I don't sell anymore, but there are people in here who do. I love the cookware myself. It's not cheap, but it does have a lifetime warranty and they won't make you pay the shipping!

[AngieP]

I've always been happy with calphalon~~I've got several sets and they seem to hold up really well

[GrannyGodley]

I rarely use non-stick because of the very problem you mentioned. My DD sold Pampered Chef and I bought a small skillet/frypan from her that was non-stick. DH uses it and uses too high heat consequently the coating is beginning to deteriorate. He has been through several and is on his 2nd Pampered Chef. However, if you use as instructed the PC line would probably be very long lasting.

1. Use heat properly
2. Do not place in automatic dishwasher.

Personally, in our early years of marriage any pot had to "do." So when I could begin getting pieces of Revere Ware, I was in 7th Heaven! Alas, that brand quality has gone downhill in quality. Mine is still in very good condition and cooks nicely. Current pieces and sets on the market are thinner, though.

My DS and wife gave me a set of All Clad which is great. It is hefty, cleans easily, has nice clean lines. I do not have any non-stick pieces, but I believe they make them. If you get a set, it is cheaper than buying piece by piece. I believe the frying pan is well over $100 if bought separately. Wasn't DS great to give his Mama such a nice gift?!!!! Makes me get all happy inside each time I think of it.

Back to the Revere Ware. When my children first got to the age where they could buy Mama something besides "a packet of straight pins" or a small bottle of lotion, they went together and bought me a nice Revere Ware stock pot. It STILL makes a great pot of soup! Nice memories.

[scorpio99]

I use Kitchen Aid and love it. I had my last set for 10 years and they still looked great. My DH updated me to the new red set for Christmas to go with my kitchen. They have a few colors to choose from and styles.

[cry24]

I have Kithchen Aid, and Farberware. I love both brands.

[TigerGirl1226]

The only non-stick I have is my PC grill pan and I love it!! I was given a PC bridal shower and was fortunate enough to totally rack up. If I had to pay for it, I doubt I would ever have this awesome pan, but they are totally worth the money.

[QBMOM]

Caphalon is my absolute favorite! It's quite pricey, but well worth it in the long run.

[breezy2]

I am a kitchen stuff junkie! And used to sell pampered chef. I would say that having had many different pans I would recommend stainless! Or cast with enamal (like la cruset) Now these may be a more pricey option BUT it will be an investment that will last, even to be passed down.

I was so excited to my the PC professional set at 1/2 off (as a consultant) and now wish I had not wasted the $$

My daughter got the emeril set as a gift (from sams) and it is really nice.

with stainless you can scrub to get it clean, no worries about scratching, cooks well. As a matter of fact some things you cook you want to "stick" so you can get the flavor when you deglaze the pan.

Buy the best of these two you can afford. Look at Goodwill, I have gotten some really great enamaled cast sets there.

Wendy

[hghent]

I LOVE my Pampered Chef cookware!! I have the executive line and now they have a stainless line!! I'm also a Consultant, so if you are planning on getting the PC kind, it is best to have a show. You can get it 1/2 off!!! PM me if you are interested... I don't want to post my website for fear it will be erased!

You need a good set of cookware, it is an investment!! PC cookware is all lifetime guarantee!!

[southerngirl]

Lisa -- I use the Magnalite line as my heavy pots/saucepans etc.

However I have two Nonstick Farberware that I bought from Amazon via Kmchamplins posts a year or so back. I think I paid 14.99 plus got a $5 rebate or something.

I am still using these two skillets and love them. I have gone through several sets of "other" brands through out the years and these have been wonderful. I am sure I would buy them again when it is time to replace them.

[autumnrainbow]

Stainless steel is recommended. I would not get non-stick if I were you. When it comes off in your food that is really dangerous, you can read about the dangers of it on the EPA website I believe. I am amazed that it is still on the market after all they have learned about it. I have switched to stainless steel for that very reason, although I would not reccomend the brand I have, I think its phillip something from jcpenney, I got it on a rebate and they are thin and the food seems to burn onto it if you use a high heat. If you want something nonstick I would get a wok because they are made for high heat and they don't stick or tear off like that, or mine hasn't anyways, but I don't use it often either.

For stainless steel get the best you can afford, people are reccomending pampered chef and they are probably the best, plus they are guaranteed and they are a company that is going to be around in the future to keep that guarantee.

[KellyMarie]

Lisa, I bought these last year, I had to buy everything new when the house burned and I had Farberware before and got it again! It's affordable, reliable, durable and attractive!

[Faith]

I think that's the set I bought too. But mine also came with this huge 'jumbo fryer'.


Somebody here (it might have been Kelly) posted a great deal on them and I think I got the whole set for about $60. I love it! It so easy to clean.

[LisaArbo]

Thanks so much for all the ideas. I have some good ideas now. I LOVE kitchen gadgets.......I have WAY too many......but LOVE each and every one!!! I have been really careful with the cookware I have, but for some reason,........well, they must just be crap! I have a pot that I use only some of the time. I noticed what I thought were food particles.....looked closer and it was the non-stick stuff missing. That freaks me out. And I'm tired of sending them back at $15-shipping a pop.

Looking forward to some new stuff soon!!

[A20SomethingMother]

We've had Royal Prestige for about 4 years now and love it. It cost a BUTTLOAD, though, but it came with a free cruise, free hotel stay, and great financing. And, it lasts forever and has a lifetime warranty. Against anything. A tornado could come through your house and they would replace it.

But like I said, it costs way too much. It was my husbands big idea. But my grandmother had the same Royal Prestige pan for like 20 years

[momofsophia]

I have had my calphalon for 8 1/2 years and think it is as good as the first day we got it. Most of ours is the anondized, we do have a stainless steel saute pan and stock pot as well. The only nonstick piece we have is the small omelet pan. I know we paid $400-$500 for our set but I know it will last a long, long time. The stainless pieces I got at Younkers for a very reasonable price because of a sale. Check into BB&B or LNT because they always have coupons.

[QBMOM]

I forgot to add that I buy the anondized as well. I LOVE IT! I also have some of Emeril's cast iron grill pans, and 2 Le Creuset baking dishes that I purchased at JC Penny's for 80% off!!!

Do any of you who use cast iron, have an issue with smoking oil? If I use the grill pans on the stove top, I have to open my windows, turn on the attic fan, and run the exhaust, otherwise my smoke alarms go crazy! *Not because I'm burning anything, they just seem to smoke horribly*