Registering for Pots and Pans

talon1226

Looking for advice on the best pots and pans. I know this question is asked a lot but I did have a few specific questions if people don't mind giving their opinions. I don't cook a whole lot but would like a nice set. I am thinking about hard anodized. I am also interested to see if anyone has used any of the new "Eco Friendly" non-stick pans. I saw EarthPan and Cuisinart Green Gourmet had decent ratings on Consumer Reports but a lot of the customers that rated them did not have good opinions of them. Any recommendations? Thanks!

banana468

I'm a big fan of All-Clad, Le Creuset and cast iron. If you want ratings of pans, go to Cooks Illustrated. They're America's Test Kitchen and they rate everything kitchen related from recipes, to can openers to pans. I highly recommend.

SirJuliusVonHaast

I highly recommend calphalon unison. It has a lifetime warranty and can be washed in the dishwasher. I have one pan of this, but I'm planning to register for more. 

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-pots-pans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:4ba32f11-a7c1-47b2-93e6-98315ecc60e2Post:2938b83e-e149-4cae-8b5c-c2936a51a12e">Re: Registering for Pots and Pans</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm a big fan of All-Clad, Le Creuset and cast iron. If you want ratings of pans, go to Cooks Illustrated. They're America's Test Kitchen and they rate everything kitchen related from recipes, to can openers to pans. I highly recommend.
Posted by banana468[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, I second the reccs for All-Clad and Le Creuset, as well as Cooks Illustrated.  With Le Creuset, make sure you know whether you're picking cast iron (can go in the oven and on the stove) or stoneware (no stove).  One thing we learned about nonstick pans from CI is that there's not going to be a nondestructible nonstick pan that can take years of use and abuse, so it's not really worth shelling out extra money for top of the line nonstick, because you'll have to replace it every 3-4 years, most likely (although it might be worth it if the manufacturer has some kind of warranty, but as far as we could tell, All-Clad doesn't have it for the nonstick).  </div>

samanthajeremy

Calphalon is what we registered for.  I love to cook so we took a lot of interest in figure out what would work best for us.  I think our whole pots and pans set is around $400.00 at BB&B. 

kellybee83

We registered for an all-clad set a few le creuset pieces and calphalon non-stick frying pans.

mary9449

Calphalon for non-stick, all-clad for stainless steel and LeCruset for a good cast iron/enamel. A good combination of pots and pans is good too for different dishes. 

TEA&Co

Yep, All-Clad and Le Creuset...we have some and registered for more!  Love both brands.

RebeccaB88

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-pots-pans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:4ba32f11-a7c1-47b2-93e6-98315ecc60e2Post:bbb5eb95-5585-4aae-a9a7-e430ada8a79d">Re: Registering for Pots and Pans</a>:
[QUOTE]Calphalon for non-stick, all-clad for stainless steel and LeCruset for a good cast iron/enamel. A good combination of pots and pans is good too for different dishes. 
Posted by mary9449[/QUOTE]

x2

kellya01

I have a set made by All-clad for Sams Club (from a while back) and they are just fantastic.  I also supplemented with a non-stick covered saute pan from Calphalon Contemporary, and plan to supplement with a Le Creuset french oven at some point. 
so I guess it would follow that I'd recommend all-clad, le creuset, and at least 1 non-stick from calphalon. 

I know nothing about the new eco-friendly pans, so I'm not much help otherwise... good luck choosing!!! :-)

hoffse

If you're a member of Costco you could look there.  I know they sell both stainless steel with a copper core (apparently made by the same factory that makes All-Clad Copper Core... or so they say) as well as hard adonized (again, this is to mimic Calphalon) and they both get awesome reviews.  The sets for both are under $200.  If you look to get real All-Clad you're probably going to spend around $1200+ for the same pieces.  You can't register for them necessarily (unless you do the Amazon universal registry thing), but I'm going to tell my parents that this is a gift we'd really like if they ask.  If they don't, I'll get a set with whatever $$ relatives, etc. send us.  I figure it's a good quality starter set that won't be disastrous if we ruin as we're learning.

noodle_oo

We bought a few pieces of Calphalon Contemporary non-stick and I love them!  I believe they have a lifetime warranty and reviews online say they are very good about honoring their warranty.   I also have a Le Creuset dutch oven that I love (bought at the outlet for significant savings). 

For cookware though, I'd recommend you look at them in store before choosing.  Everyone loves All Clad, but we felt them in store and the handles really hurt my hands.  I can't imagine trying to cook with them.  I'd feel out the pans at BBB or somewhere similar and see what feels good to you.

LauraT25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registering-pots-pans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:4ba32f11-a7c1-47b2-93e6-98315ecc60e2Post:4d0c4c88-b178-4ab6-88c7-339a87dad5bd">Re: Registering for Pots and Pans</a>:
[QUOTE]We bought a few pieces of Calphalon Contemporary non-stick and I love them!  I believe they have a lifetime warranty and reviews online say they are very good about honoring their warranty.   I also have a Le Creuset dutch oven that I love (bought at the outlet for significant savings).  <strong>For cookware though, I'd recommend you look at them in store before choosing.  Everyone loves All Clad, but we felt them in store and the handles really hurt my hands.  I can't imagine trying to cook with them.  I'd feel out the pans at BBB or somewhere similar and see what feels good to you.</strong>
Posted by noodle_oo[/QUOTE]

I was just going to say this.  I have an all-clad pan that I have used only one time because the handle is so uncomfortable for my hands.  It's a really good idea to go to a store and see the items in person and actually feel them. 

We have a mix of Calphalon Unison and Calphalon Contemporary, and they have been really great to use.  I did have to replace my large Unison skillet (which gets used 4+ times per week) because the nonstick finish was coming off, but it wasn't extremely expensive to replace, I just waited for a sale at BB&B and used a coupon. 

I also have a Lodge cast iron skillet and I think it's a good idea to have at least one in your kitchen.  Our Dutch oven is the Martha Stewart knock-off of Le Creuset and it gets a lot of use; I recommend getting one that can be used in the oven. 

boston88

Also, whatever kind of cookware you get, make sure you read the type of utensils to use.  If you use metal utensils on non-stick you'll ruin it.  Stick to Nylon or wood to be safe.

banana468

That is correct for everything except a whisk. A good nonstick should be able to handle one.