Like to cook? In this forum, both amateur and pro chefs can share recipes, procedures and cooking tips and talk about local restaurant recipes.

Favorite Metal Pans

no avatar
User

Madeline M

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

516

Joined

Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:17 pm

Location

Greater 'burbs of Detroit

Favorite Metal Pans

by Madeline M » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:00 pm

I'm on the search for a new metal pan since my old one has decided to separate at the base. I have been looking at Stainless Steel, but I'm open to other metals. I need one that is large, say 12" diameter and higher sides so it can be a multi-purpose go to pan.

I had initially picked out this 4qt. Saute/Simmer pan but after playing with it for awhile in the store, decided it's not weighted well and the handle is uncomfortable and hard for me to hold. It's a bad combination that would have dinner on the floor. DH has pretty much ruled out the entire All-Clad line because of the handles, the bump/thumb guard is in a weird spot for him.

I want something I can have for the next 20 years and am not afraid to invest if needed. What pans have you had the best luck with or do you reach for in the kitchen?
User avatar
User

Dan Thomas

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

2466

Joined

Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:19 am

Location

Sunny Forest Hills

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Dan Thomas » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:39 pm

I'm a big fan of the hard anodized Calphalon pans that we got as a wedding present 9 years ago. Still holding up great!
You should definitely check out TJ-Maxx, Marshall's and Tuesday Morning as they have some good deals on All-Clad seconds and other discontinued name brand items such as Kitchen-Aid, Cuisinart, Calphalon, Le Creuset and others.
Dan Thomas
Operator Specialist
Waypoint

dthomas@awpwaypoint.com

"People who aren't interested in food seem rather dry, unloving and don't have a real gusto for life."
Julia Child
User avatar
User

Robin Garr

{ RANK }

Forum host

Posts

22986

Joined

Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:38 pm

Location

Crescent Hill

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Robin Garr » Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:43 pm

Don't overlook black-iron for skillets and dutch ovens. They go back a way and don't cost much, but there's nothing better for sauteeing, frying and such.

I got a stainless saucier from Calphalon a few years back as swag after they did a big advertising campaign on our wine pages, and it's in many ways my favorite, particularly for its intended purpose - it actually makes sauce-making and roux easy, especially with a balloon whisk, and is also awesome for risotto and anything else requiring frequent stirring. My one objection - more for Mary than me, since I've got bigger hands - is that the handle is narrow and doesn't provide much leverage - she sometimes has to fight it tipping left or right when she tries to pick it up by the handle without grabbing the far side with a potholder.

I also have a Calphalon gray-anodized soup pot with two handles that I like a lot. It's heavy, distributes heat well, and has lasted forever.
User avatar
User

Barbara A

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

119

Joined

Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:45 pm

Location

St. Matthews

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Barbara A » Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:08 pm

I have all of the above mentioned (and one revere sauce pan for Steve.) and each one holds a special place in my kitchen. I can say you cannot go wrong with any of them. I think all of them are wonderful for their intended purposes but could not say any one pan is a go to. This has been many years of fine tuning for prep needs. Asking for a favorite is the whole choose your favorite kid question. I have donated all pots and pans that do not suit me and like you have invested in what is the best for my cooking eccentricities. I have no problem investing in quality as long as it is the right thing. Always wanted a copper pan...hmmm.
If you can't cope you can always cook
User avatar
User

Mark Head

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

1729

Joined

Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:44 pm

Location

Prospect

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Mark Head » Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:11 pm

My main requirements - heavy to hold heat and a metal handle so I can jam it in the oven. We have cast iron, enameled iron, assorted Caphalon, and copper - all work well. I think I bought some Caphalon pans at Bed Bath and Beyond for a very reasonable price. I've also picked up cast iron and high quality French copper pieces at estate sales for almost nothing.
User avatar
User

Beth K.

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

535

Joined

Wed May 23, 2007 2:18 pm

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Beth K. » Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:29 pm

If you can find one, we LOVE our alluflon brand skillet. We picked it up at TJ Maxx about a year and a half ago and rave about it all the time. It's an Italian brand ceramic coated non-stick, so it doesn't have any sort of chemically non-stick coating that will come off on your food. And it cleans up super easy. We've tried to find a local dealer, but have yet to find anyone else who carriers it. They had several sizes at TJ Maxx when we bought ours, and I lament all the time that I wish we had bought all they had. I always look for them when I'm there...
User avatar
User

Steve P

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

4848

Joined

Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:18 pm

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Steve P » Thu Jun 02, 2011 3:08 pm

For some reason I keep reading this as "Favorite Metal Bands"...The answer to that one is Metallica. Otherwise, we're Calphalon ONE people...with a fairly good stash off cast iron laying around for good measure.
Stevie P...The Daddio of the Patio
no avatar
User

Madeline M

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

516

Joined

Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:17 pm

Location

Greater 'burbs of Detroit

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Madeline M » Thu Jun 02, 2011 5:13 pm

I have a good collection of the Calphalon ONE that I use most of the time, looking for something that's a little less delicate and there are some things I just prefer to cook in Stainless Steel. I've been pretty careful to not scratch the Calphalon so far, but I need something that I don't have to worry about getting scratched. We are going to be having a lot of family coming up in a few months once the baby is here and my Caphalons and Le Creusets are going into storage until after they leave since they will be cooking for us. I know that none of them are use to cooking in higher quality cookware or on gas, much less the high fire, professional quality gas range which I'm still adjusting to myself. I'd rather have burned food than a scratched pan...just hoping they don't all get warped from cooking on too high heat.

I have a random collection of stainless steel/aluminum pans, mostly smaller sizes, that I've picked up over the years, mostly Tivoli Pro Stainless (a knock off All-Clad) from TJ Maxx but haven't seen any of that brand/line in quiet awhile. I'd completely forgot about Calphalon making stainless steel cookware, I just always think of the hard anodized stuff so I'll have to look for some.
User avatar
User

Dan Thomas

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

2466

Joined

Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:19 am

Location

Sunny Forest Hills

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Dan Thomas » Thu Jun 02, 2011 5:35 pm

Another idea.
If your worried about what your relatives will do to your nice cookware, you could just go to Dine Co., or Sam's Club and get some professional grade aluminum pans that pros use in restaurants everyday. They are fairly inexpensive and you don't have to get the Teflon coated ones. :D
Dan Thomas
Operator Specialist
Waypoint

dthomas@awpwaypoint.com

"People who aren't interested in food seem rather dry, unloving and don't have a real gusto for life."
Julia Child
no avatar
User

Jeff T

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

278

Joined

Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:45 pm

Location

Louisville

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Jeff T » Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:05 pm

For cost and durability I have a couple of deBuyer blue steel pans. 8" and 12" saute. Everything safe (oven,broiler,volcano) You have to season them once in awhile but they will last forever. If you want pans for a show kitchen these are not for you. I got mine at World Market in St Matthews.
no avatar
User

Tim Y

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

133

Joined

Mon May 04, 2009 2:20 pm

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Tim Y » Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:21 am

I agree with Mark. Heavy and goes in the oven, ... or fire. I got it in the "divorce". :D Brass handle and stainless bottom. Paul Revere, from the early 80's.. I take it camping and have seared off lamb chop loins at night and scrambled eggs and bacon the next morning! Versatility is good. Do invest, or get divorced :wink:
User avatar
User

David R. Pierce

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

1732

Joined

Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:02 pm

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by David R. Pierce » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:53 pm

Steve P wrote:For some reason I keep reading this as "Favorite Metal Bands"...The answer to that one is Metallica. Otherwise, we're Calphalon ONE people...with a fairly good stash off cast iron laying around for good measure.

Metallica, Pantera, and the regular hard anodized Calphalon.
Cheers,
David R. Pierce
The Original BBC Brewmaster
Bluegrass Brewing Co.
St. Matthews branch
Craft Brewing Louisville continuously since 1992
no avatar
User

Madeline M

{ RANK }

Foodie

Posts

516

Joined

Tue Sep 01, 2009 3:17 pm

Location

Greater 'burbs of Detroit

Re: Favorite Metal Pans

by Madeline M » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:43 pm

David R. Pierce wrote:
Steve P wrote:For some reason I keep reading this as "Favorite Metal Bands"...The answer to that one is Metallica. Otherwise, we're Calphalon ONE people...with a fairly good stash off cast iron laying around for good measure.

Metallica, Pantera, and the regular hard anodized Calphalon.


Good choices...though I'd have to argue that Metallica lost their touch after the black album...but I'd still go see them in a concert again...been twice and have yet to see them perform as the whole band.

I found a deal on a Calphalon I couldn't pass up, it's the right size and depth to handle a large variety of dishes. Though I won't be letting anyone else use it on this stove. I'm still getting adjusted to it and scorched one of my Calphalon Unison pans on what the stove claims is "medium" heat :( Think I'll check the restaurant supply stores for a few pans the family can abuse, Tim can use them on the grill once they are gone.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests

Powered by phpBB ® | phpBB3 Style by KomiDesign
cron