Cookware-Looking for Suggestions

bendig13 · May 2012

I've already registered for cookware, but now I'm thinking I would prefer a different brand then what I registered for but don't know what brand to get. Any suggestions?

janene1984 · May 2012

I love Farberware.

bendig13 · May 2012

I originally registered for a copper bottom T-Fal set.

Cortney1982 · May 2012

I wouldn't exactly say brands matter, it's quality. The cookware we find to be best is ones with copper bottoms. The heavier the better. My parents have a copper bottom pot they received as a wedding gift over 32 years ago and still have it to this day!

jessicabessica · May 2012

What did you already register for? Why are you having second thoughts? What kind do you want (cast iron, stainless, nonstick)?

hoffse · May 2012

Copper bottom is fine but it will heat unevenly because copper is a very good conductor of heat and stainless steel is not. So the bottoms will heat well but the sides won't heat much at all - that's a problem for saucepans and stockpots. If you want copper, I recommend having the copper line the sides of the pots/pans as well as the bottom, or else look at the all-clad copper core line. Same idea.

All-clad performs very well, but I don't like their handles or the price (very $$$). I could even get over the price if the handles didn't hurt. That said, many people swear by it so I would go to a store and pick them up to see what you think. Their copper core line is very pricey, but I think selecting 4 or 5 pieces that you will use forever are worth the investment. It does bug me when I see the 12 and 13 piece sets at that price range because most people tend to use a select few pots and pans. I recommend registering for either a very small set or else pieces individually so that nothing is supurfluous. Also check out their d5 line at williams sonoma - it's nice and thick, though it's aluminum core. But seriously, those things are really heavey and feel like they will last forever, and if you ever have somebody break into your house you could probably put up a pretty serious line of defense with them

FI and I have registered for le creuset tri-ply. Tri-ply pots and pans have a layer of aluminum in between stainless steel that covers the entire pot/pan - aluminum is also a very good conductor of heat, but is less expensive than copper. We picked le creuset because we really liked the handles, they were thicker (and thus should retain heat better) than either the calphalon or cuisinart tri-ply lines, they were less expensive than all-clad (though admittedly still pricey), we could register for them individually or as a small set at crate & barrel, and they have a brushed stainless outer (which FI likes) but more classic lines than calphalon contemporary (which I like). We ended up registering for the small set plus one extra large skillet. We'll use all of the sizes.

Ultimately, I really recommend going to a mall with a williams sonoma, dillard's (if possible) and a macys - between those three stores you'll be able to feel almost anything that people on TK recommend. Pick them up, pretend to flip the skillets, feel how thick they are, and then evaluate price.

lls31 · May 2012

My aunt bought us an Anolon Nouvelle set. We haven't used it yet, but she raves about it.

gundy21 · May 2012

I had a Analon set long before I got married. Love it. Still use it. We added a few All-clad pieces to fill in some gaps and do not regret that. I wish we would have registered for a Le Crusset dutch oven, too.

heylady87 · May 2012

I registered for Calphalon at the suggestion of my grandmother. I haven't used it yet, but anything is better (I think) than the T-fal I have now.

ingramnusz · May 2012

Personally, I didn't register for a set--I mixed and matched pieces. I wanted a good combination of nonstick for convenience and stainless steel/cast iron for high temps. Most of the pieces I chose were All-Clad (stainless) and Calphalon (nonstick) with a La Creuset dutch oven and an Emerilware griddle/grill. It depends on what you're starting with and what your needs are, of course. As has been said earlier, play around with it and figure out what works for you.