Pots and Pans recommendations

We have a mix of stainless, cast iron and non stick. We get the members mark non stick pans from Sam's, they last and are cheap. Most of my cast iron is Lodge, made in the USA and not expensive. I honestly don't know who made the Stainless set we have but they are heavy with thick bottoms that work well.

I use cast iron as much as I can, well seasoned iron is the best non stick you can use.

Didn’t think about my cast irons.

But yeah I have like a 8 and 10 inch and also a massive like 16 inch monster that I use pretty regularly.

I agree with another poster
You should mix it up.
Mostly I buy the AllClad line of stainless steel --- indestructible.
If there where ever a nuclear war three things would always survive: Roaches
Plastic
and AllClad

But lately I have been buying a new line because it is made in America:

It is called - Made In

LINK

Their stainless line is fantastic and they are not as expensive as AllClad. The pots are easy to handle and distribute the heat evenly over the cooking surface.
Simply amazing
I also have a large assortment of DeBuyer pans because I like their carbon steel
Then you have Lodge - I have a lot, even a cast iron garlic roaster. If you ever have a chance, go to the Lodge Factory Store --- what a treat. LINK
Then you have LeCruset --- which I USE A LOT

But over the years my collection has been each pot or pan has a very specific use.
Like for instance I have one frying pan that I will ALWAYS use for frying chicken made by Hackman, a Finnish company. The reasons are: very large pan 12" with 3 inch deep side walls. The pan is a monster and you can't find it anywhere that I know of.

But one thing I do not cook with( or try to ) is cooking in a nonstick pot.

I like to see what I am cooking and I'm not doing it in a black pot
But that's just me.

quote:

---

Mostly I buy the AllClad line of stainless steel --- indestructible.

---

Same here

For stock/soup/gumbo pots, you can’t beat Tramontina for quality and value. I have a 6qt, 12 qt, and 20qt. They are awesome.

quote:

---

My wife mentioned those ceramic caraway ones

---

We have the caraway set and the non stick coating is already
coming off after 6 months

I use my solidtechniks AusIron pan a lot from kickstarter. Kinda annoyed how expensive they are now that not on kickstarter. I was debating replacing my 12" lodge with one.

Now you have to know that restaurant pot and pans are not durable -- at all
So if you like to combat cook then use those pots

Take for instance a 4quart stock pot made of aluminum
Now these chefs will abuse that pot to no end ---

After a while the bottom will be warped and sides being out of shape
The same with frying pans
Most chefs like to bend the "away lip" of the frying pan to get that perfect inward curve so you can flip with ease without actually stirring the ingredients

Restaurant pots and pans are made for abuse

quote:

---

I'll use Lodge Carbon steel to make my kids quesadillas and stuff.

---

I use one of these for quesadillas, pancakes, toasting sandwiches, and cornbread: