Cooking

Thank you everyone. I think I'm going to go 3ply stainless for everything and have a cast iron for other stuffs. Y'all are awesome.

I have no experience of my own, but at least in my country, IKEA offers a 15 year warranty on their stainless steel cookware, except the ones with nonstick coating (which isn't nearly as durable). It's fairly affordable too. I'm thinking of replacing some nonstick pans of mine with their stainless steel offerings, but haven't yet pulled the trigger.

I figured it might be interesting to add here because it's one of the few companies that sells in most of the western world and I believe the lineup is similar everywhere. If anyone has experience with their cookware, I'd be happy to hear about it.

Try looking for all-clad seconds. They pop up frequently and are much cheaper. I have a set of their entry level pans and I like them a lot.

Whatever you do don’t buy anything non-stick. It always flakes off sooner or later.

It’s also a good time to think about what and how you cook. Packaged sets often include items you’ll never use and omit ones you might want. You might want to buy single pans as you need them.

Make sure whatever you get is compatible with induction stoves - not everything is and one is likely in you future.

I got an induction stove a couple years ago and had to replace some of my pans. I went with the Vollrath Optio line and I like them a lot. I chose them for their smooth flat bottoms that are thick, they make good contact with the surface of the stovetop and heat evenly, and bonus no handle screws inside the pans. https://www.vollrathfoodservice.com/products/smallwares/cookware-bakeware/optio-cookware

I have one small non-stick pan I use for eggs and I only use rubber spatulas when cooking with it and a soft dish cloth to clean it.

You might also try in the buyitforlife community too, just a suggestion

As for stainless, I have a small pot and pan from swiss diamond that I've been very happy with. I don't know how they compare to other brands, but they've served me well. https://swissdiamond.com/collections/stainless-steel

I bought cheap tri-ply stainless steel set and a couple carbon steel pans from

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/

For less than $300 for the whole set.

If it's good enough for a professional kitchen it's more than enough for the rest of us.

Edit: This was 4 years ago and everything is still in great shape and is used constantly. The stainless is as good as any tri-ply. Vigor stainless steel and Vollrath carbon steel. Can't go wrong at the price really.

I like my stainless pans from Costco. The exact item is "Tramontina 12-piece Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set". I got it because it only has the pans I actually use. If you want a buy it for life set, stainless is pretty much your only option.

I really thought I would miss the glass lids from my old set, but I've come to like the solid lids.

If you don't want Stainless Steel, LeCreuset is enameled cast iron and has life time warranties they are known to honor. I find it slightly less sticky / needs less oil than stainless steel, and they hold heat better than stainless steel.

For seafood I use copper-tin cookware. You can just re-tin them if the tin wears out over the years.

I'm cooking on stainless that is just a hair older than I am. It's the set I grew up on. When a handle breaks (x4 in 50 years and three of those being in the last 10) I know I can go to eBay, type in the brand name and get a replacement handle because they are still making and selling the same cookware after half a century.

Here is the problem. It is the Queen brand from MLM evil company Amway. But maybe you don't need to give them any money. Maybe you can find used pieces and avoid some of that cry once cost because there are half a century of these pots and pans out there to buy up and know that they will still last. Mine have been used nearly daily for five decades and still look brand new.

As for ceramic: I buy them but know that I will abuse them. They will need replacing in five years so I'm not spendy lots of money on them. I just get a new one from Walmart when it's time.