Alright, fellow frugals: Recommend good cookware - pots and pans - that aren't teflon

[Flaxbee]

coated but yet don't cost a fortune.

Why does a simple stock pot cost $60?

Most of my pots and pans are now defunct, either from losses, scratching, whatever. I need to start replacing what I use and want to buy quality, but don't want to get fleeced.

Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[intaglio]

1. Get cast iron or pressed steel and "season" it

coat with oil and bake in a hot oven until you get a brown surface. I think you can do the procedure several times. It is similar to how a real wok is treated when you first get it.

Do not ever use aluminium or wire wool pan scrubbers when washing

[Flaxbee]

7. what's a fair price range?

An ex's mom loved her cast iron skillet; my mom didn't enjoy cooking so I didn't really inherit any particular cookware/bakeware knowledge.

What's a fair price for cast iron items?

edited for typo

[tinrobot]

13. Cast iron is cheap

If you shop, you can pick up a good pan for $20, most items cost less than $50.

Considering that they last forever, it's a very good deal.

[kristopher]

14. They are also common items at thrift shops.

[HereSince1628]

2. I have a mix of stainless steel stuff

My favorites are now 15-20 years old and including a 10-inch clad bottom frying pan made by Trimoninta in Brazil.
I think I bought that one for $10 at Les Target

[Flaxbee]

8. I don't think those prices apply anymore... unless you want tissue-thin pots and pans

Unfortunately

[RevStPatrick]

3. We have several COPCO pots and pans...

It's porcelain enameled cast iron.
And it lasts forever!
Most pieces have wooden handles, and it's very stylish.

Sweetie bought a skillet on eBay a few years ago.
We liked it so much, we bought another.
And another.
And a dutch oven.
And a covered sauce pan.
And another.
And a casserole dish.
And another...

It's VERY expensive new.
But well worth it.
We only bought one item new, which was on sale and then marked down even further.
All the others we bought on eBay.
If you look there now, you will see quite a selection.

At first, I was bothered by the notion of using someone else's old cookware, but I got over it real fast when I started using the first skillet we got.
Things cook so nicely and evenly, and it cleans up quickly, no matter how how much the food burns, which it won't.

Between COPCO and stainless steel, that's all we have in our kitchen any more.
Highly recommended!!!

[jwirr]

4. Isn't that what they are suggesting we replace our teflon pans with?

[Flaxbee]

9. Checked eBay; they're still in the $50 range, but I'll keep an eye out.

They're lovely, though and would be fun and colorful in a kitchen.

[cbayer]

5. I went to the coolest restaurant supply store yesterday.

Almost everything they were selling in the pots and pans area was just plain old stainless steel. I suspect there is a reason that chefs prefer them. They were heavy and extremely durable.

The only other cookware I saw there was a few glazed ceramic pieces and some cast iron.

I have one cast iron frying pan that I use for a lot of different things. I love how it can go from stovetop to oven.

[Flaxbee]

10. I'd like one or two good cast iron items, then a nice set of stovetop pots and pans

I just want quality items that will last forever. Is that too much to ask? Without paying the equivalent of rent for a nice set...

[cbayer]

12. Cast iron isn't that much. Target carries Lodge products at really

reasonable prices.

If you take care of them, they will last forever.

When I got my boat, it came with the kitchen supplies. I have a set of what I believed is enameled cast iron. They are very heavy, don't have a problem with sticking and easy to clean. I would look at yard sales for something like that.

Best of luck to you.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I use a lot of cast iron and heavy duty stainless steel.

I got my pots and pans when I first set up housekeeping almost 40 years ago and still use them. What you want to look for is a heavy duty metal, not the thin and lightweight stuff. I know mine were pricey but they will never be replaced.

Try looking at thrift shops and garage sales. This way, you can get good quality items for pennies.

[Flaxbee]

11. Goodwill just had a bunch of scratched teflon crap, unfortunately, but I'll keep looking

since the trick is getting there on the right day.

[Catherina]

15. Cinsa or Imusa Enamel Cookware from Mexico

I bought some because I didn't want to use my fancy pots and pans that require so much care to stay pretty.

I've been hooked ever since

If there are Mexican stores nearby, you might find it there. It's usually blue or green with white speckles.

They last forever and work very well. They're very easy to clean too.


Imusa Enamel Dutch Oven, 4.5 Quart, Turquoise - $13.99 on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Imusa-Enamel-Dutch-Quart-Turquoise/dp/B00164T33Y/ref=sr_1_14?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1337526722&sr=1-14


Imusa Enamel Stock Pot, 12 Quart, Turquoise - $34.26

http://www.amazon.com/Imusa-Enamel-Stock-Quart-Turquoise/dp/B00164W8C2


Imusa Enamel Stock Pot, 7.75 Quart, Turquoise - $10.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00164U4EG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00164W8C2&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Z3EZ07GMDM8B5N1YVE9