I Need New Cookware

Don't buy a set, it's a waste. Buy good pans but only the ones you need. All Clad is a good investment, will last you forever!

Calphalon is an excellent brand. I've used it for years. It is expensive, but taken proper care of, it will last a very long time. The nonstick does not flake off. They have an awesome warranty.

All-Clad is the best there is. I can't tell you how many times one of the "men" in my family has forgotten to turn off the stove and the pot was nasty black from the water boiling off. I would have thought that pot would have been a goner long ago. But it is just fine. All-Clad will last me the rest of my life, and I'll hand it down to my kids.

It also is relatively light-weight. I think of that for when I get older and it's harder to pick them up and carry them, especially when they have food in them.

Look for sales - you can find it online at a discount place, and sometimes department stores have sales too.

Dawn

I never bought a "set" of cookware, what I have done is collect pieces over the years from places like TJ Maxx and Ross. You get some REALLY good deals on high end cookware that way, one piece at a time! And I don't really care that it all "matches." It's not like it's on display!
Anyhoo, I would suggest that stainless steel is really not that hard to cook with, it will just be a matter of getting used to. And you may want to keep one good nonstick skillet in your collection. I have one for making pancakes, eggs and other fragile, easily stuck-and-burned type foods. I only use a rubber spatula with that pan so there's no flaking :)

I really like the Pampered Chef cookware. It can be expensive, but it is well worth it. I have had my set for over 15 years and have not had to replace anything. I had two parties to pay for most of it, and the rest I purchased. Well worth the price!

I, too, am a Pampered Chef consultant. I agree with CookingMom that their cookware is definitely high quality and will last forever. However, their stainless is also a very heavy cookware, and depending on your stove surface...well let's just say that I dislike using such heavy cookware on my flat top stove as I'm afraid it will scratch the surface if I drag the heavy cookware across the stove.

On the other hand, the Pampered Chef's non-stick cookware is a little bit lighter and has a lifetime guarantee. I love cooking with it, and have never had a problem with the surface flaking off (as I have with several other brands). Definitely the best way to buy Pampered Chef cookware is to host a show so you get it for free or at least half-price, and a catalog show is quick and easy to do with no mess for you.

I also love my copper-bottomed Revere cookware, especially for saucepans. I've had them for over 20 years! And best yet, there is a Corning/Revere Outlet Store in the AZ Mills Mall where you can get them for awesome prices.

I recommend you buy just one piece of whatever you choose to try it for a while, and then if you really like it splurge on a set. Happy cooking!!

If you never want to have to replace your cookware then get All Clad. The last two Black Fridays, Macy's has had All Clad sets & pieces on sale 25% off. This is unheard of!!!!! I purchased my set at that time & got some pieces that I absolutely love. BTW the sale wasn't just on Black Friday, it was for a week long & you could buy it online & use coupons too.

I just switched to all stainless steel cookware and have purchased the Kirkland Signature™ 18/10 Stainless Steel, 13-piece Cookware Set
from Costco. It is a little heavy, but I feel so much better cooking in it knowing that I'm not putting more toxins into my family's and my body. It takes getting used to since it is not non-stick, but totally worth it. Good luck!

I like All Clad - which is very expensive. It has stainless on the outside and an aluminum core which helps the heat distribute. We registered for it and got it for our wedding. Otherwise, I would not have it.

I think you can get a less expensive aluminum set which still would work well.

With stainless - look for something pretty heavy/thick on the bottom. The heat will disperse more evenly, and you will be less likely to have hot spots that cause things to burn and stick.

You could go to Kohls or Macy's and get something on sale, with a coupon, that should be pretty decent.

Your whole set can be stainless steel, with the exception of a couple of skillets which can be teflon coated. For the most part, you dont need non stick for a sauce pan and the care is so much easier with stainless steel than non stick. You can put in the dishwasher and use any utensils you want on it.

If something DOES stick or burn on to your stainless, you can scrub it off pretty easily with Bar Keepers friend.

(PS- Used to work at Williams Sonoma so I know more than i should about cookware!)

I wanted to switch from nonstick to stainless steel. I recently got the Cuisinart 77-10 Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon.com and LOVE it. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008CM68/ref=oh_detail...

It's an amazing deal, and they are quite lighter than my nonstick Calphalon cookware. It was a great purchase!

I'm a Pampered Chef consultant, so I may be a bit biased but I've had all types of cookware over the years and I've seen A LOT of cookware in Host's houses when I do cooking shows for them. NEVER NEVER NEVER use cookware when the teflon is flaking off - did I say NEVER??? My best friend replaced her Calphalon with Pampered Chef and she is in love with it - she Hosted a show and got most of it for half price or free which is a great deal.

Ours isn't coated with teflon. It has a lifetime guarantee and it will never flake - never. It goes from the stove to the oven to the fridge beautifully. I, personally, don't like cooking with stainless (although PC has that type too). I prefer non-stick. Message me if you'd like my website info.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just remember that if you cook on a regular basis, try to get the best possible cookware you can afford. I cook almost every day and I am hard on my cookware. It's never disappointed me.

I love Paula Dean's line, epspecially the non stick skillets.

Pampered Chef cookware is pricey but you get what you pay for and it has a lifetime guarantee! Find a rep and host a party to get it cheaper. Now as far as inexpensive sets go, I still have my revereware (copper bottom) that my mom bought me over 25 years ago and it is in terrific shape.

Bottom line is You get what you pay for.

That said, I LOVE my All-Clad Stainless and after about 6 yrs it still looks brand new and I use it a lot. I got a deal when I bought a small set for $600. The smaller saucepans, etc are around $120+ but it is worth it. They are not hard to clean either.

I also LOVE my cast iron. I have several well seasoned pieces and I love it as well.

Good Luck.

Not sure what brand you have, but if they are calphalon and the flaking is due to normal use (not from metal utensils) they may be covered under warranty.

Really though, news ones are a personal choice, you want a pan with more even heat distribution, but not too heavy for you too lift. I love cast iron (Lodge). When they are seasoned they have a nuatural non-stick coating. And when necessary they can be cleaned with brillo and re-seasoned. Down side - they are heavy... I do not mind, but some folks do.

Good luck!

I have Calphalon and it is worth the price. I will not need to replace them anytime soon. Bed, Bath and Beyond sells them by the piece so you could look into getting one and see if you like it.

When I got married my husband had a Kirkland set from Costco, I absolutely love them. A few years ago we purchased a different size stainless steel one from Ikea. Love that one even more.

Good luck with your decision