Looking to pick up some stainless cookware......

[pnoon]

Assuming you need a set:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...121348&RN=397&

Depending on what you already have, you also might consider buying one piece and see how you like it before buying a complete set. And while it may be more expensive in the long run, buying pans piece by piece will give you what you really use. (A shame to buy a 10 piece set when you really might only end up using 3 or 4)

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Depending on what you already have, you also might consider buying one piece and see how you like it before buying a complete set. And while it may be more expensive in the long run, buying pans piece by piece will give you what you really use. (A shame to buy a 10 piece set when you really might only end up using 3 or 4)

Wise words. I have plenty of pots/pans, but use 3-4 regularly. A nice 10-12" fry pan, 4-5 quart stock pot, 8" fry pan and a small 1qt pot. I do have others that I use from time to time, but probably could get away with just those 4.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Assuming you need a set:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...121348&RN=397&

Depending on what you already have, you also might consider buying one piece and see how you like it before buying a complete set. And while it may be more expensive in the long run, buying pans piece by piece will give you what you really use. (A shame to buy a 10 piece set when you really might only end up using 3 or 4)

Thanks for the info Pete. I do quite a little cooking really but have always use cheap teflon stuff from walmart. Christmas was good to us and I'd like to upgrade to stainless steel.

I have never used stainless steel so It will take a bit of learning i'm sure but I want something nice.

I see myself using a set as much as we cook. Seems like the only thing I never really use is small skillets (6").

We are planning a trip to BBB sometime to actually handle the cookware. Pictures don't seem to do cookware justice IMOP. I like to handle it and see for myself.

This is another set I had looked at. It has a copper and aluminum core. I don't know that having copper in addition to an aluminum core make much of a difference though.

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by smitty81

I have never used stainless steel so It will take a bit of learning i'm sure but I want something nice.

I see myself using a set as much as we cook. Seems like the only thing I never really use is small skillets (6").

We are planning a trip to BBB sometime to actually handle the cookware. Pictures don't seem to do cookware justice IMOP. I like to handle it and see for myself.

This is another set I had looked at. It has a copper and aluminum core. I don't know that having copper in addition to an aluminum core make much of a difference though.

SS does require a learning curve. You do need to preheat the pan, otherwise you'll get sticking no matter how much oil/butter/etc you use. I happened to be using a pan going this weekend to toast a hamburger bun and made a fried egg in it. No problems with sticking since it had heated up sufficiently while toasting the bun. Another nice thing is you can really crank the heat if you need to. Not advisable with non-stick.

I'm guessing the addition of copper/aluminum is for more even heat distribution/conduction.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

SS does require a learning curve. You do need to preheat the pan, otherwise you'll get sticking no matter how much oil/butter/etc you use. I happened to be using a pan going this weekend to toast a hamburger bun and made a fried egg in it. No problems with sticking since it had heated up sufficiently while toasting the bun. Another nice thing is you can really crank the heat if you need to. Not advisable with non-stick.

I'm guessing the addition of copper/aluminum is for more even heat distribution/conduction.

Thats what I have heard I guess..........

When I cook ground burger, do I still need to use some oil even after I let my pan preheat?

I'm just tired of our flimsey chipped teflon crap.

[Chainsaw13]

Originally Posted by smitty81

Thats what I have heard I guess..........

When I cook ground burger, do I still need to use some oil even after I let my pan preheat?

I'm just tired of our flimsey chipped teflon crap.

Yes, you'll still need a small bit of fat to coat the bottom, before you add your buger and it starts rendering it's own fat. You don't need a lot. I will say I'm still learning to use my SS pans, as I tend towards the non-stick.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

Yes, you'll still need a small bit of fat to coat the bottom, before you add your buger and it starts rendering it's own fat. You don't need a lot. I will say I'm still learning to use my SS pans, as I tend towards the non-stick.

I'm tossing that teflon crap just as soon as I get some new stainless. I have an 8" & 10" cast iron skillet if I need some non stick.

Love my cast iron cookware as well.