What brand pots should I buy?

Posted: Thu, Oct 07 2010, 9:17 pm Post subject: What brand pots should I buy?

I am in the market for buying a new set of pots (I need for both milichigs and fleishigs) -- I specifically do NOT want teflon, so stainless steel or cast iron.

What brand names do people recommend these days?

and of course - other tips on pot buying is more than appreciated Smile

Gold Member Joined: Jun 24 2010 Posts: 1311

Emeril is expensive, but I was very fortunate to get it as a wedding gift and I am very happy with it. Accidentally left in on the stove with nothing in it, burnt it pretty bad, and it just washed out so well that I have no idea which pot I burnt today.

Gold Member Joined: Mar 04 2009 Posts: 2245

Most of my pots are non stick or anodized. I have a set of calphalon by the way and they are great. Expensive but got it as a gift. I am curious why you are set against non stick? Is it something to do with the way it cooks, the lasting quality of the pot, or health reasons?

I need some new pots too and was kinda wondering about this issue too. And also about the level of care it needs. My impression always was that ordinary pots were a lot harder to clean. Do you find that is true?

I checked out the emeril pots -- and even the stainless steel pot sets have aluminum in them ...hmmm...

my reasons for not using non-stick is purely a health reason. I used to be a HUGE fan of teflon but after reading and researching, I found that teflon coatings and aluminum is terrible. According to what ive read, aluminum leaks into the foods (like aluminum pans) and that includes teflon as well....

so im trying to research what are considered the best brands ---

Lodge enameled pots are good, or on Walmart.com they have Tramontina (sp?) Tri ply for a good price. Plain cast iron all come pre-seasoned, and that's a Kashrus issue. Even the Lodge which claims to use OU oil - I called the OU, and they can't guarantee it, because they're not at the Lodge place.
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Moshiach Now!!

wow -- interesting concept -- I hadnt thought of that.

sooo..... whats the best option? someone recommended to me Le Creuset but they're like 80 bucks for ONE pot !!!!! (ONE!)

what to do... what to do... Smile

I have a set of Cuisinart MultiClad Pro that I am very pleased with -- stainless over aluminum, even up the sides. If you have gas, the 3-ply going up the sides makes for more even cooking of things like rice. Excellent quality and the metal handles stay cool better than most. It's similar to All-Clad, but easier on the pocketbook. Cuisinart also makes a less expensive line called Chef's Classic. I have a piece; it's not nearly as good.

Here's a link: Cuisinart Multiclad Pro

Lodge makes superb iron cookware. Inexpensive and Made in the USA. Needs to be dried/oiled after use and the stuff weighs a ton. I bought their grill/griddle. After conferring with Star-K I kashered it in my oven. Great for pancakes.

thanks so much rubber ducky!
I'll check em out .....

I'm happy with my farberware set.
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Live the life you want to live. Be the person you want to remember. Make decisions. Make mistakes. If you failed, at least you tried.
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I don't claim to know everything, nor do I think my opinion rules. It's just that - an opinion. Smile

Love my Fleishig Farberware stainless steel pots. They handle heavy duty cooking and abuse, and have even heat distribution. Price is great too.
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Really Awesome Mom!

Im giving you a tip on what not to buy, I have korkmaz when I bought it at the buzz the worker there persuaded me to buy it over farberware as its better....... Its horrible and washes horribly, and I am not the only one who hates it others who have it also hate it. So whatever you do dont buy korkmaz!
Good Luck finding the right pots.

Gold Member Joined: Oct 12 2009 Posts: 1479

I LOVE my Farberware pots so much that I bought only Farberware for Pesach too.

I have KitchenAid stainless steel set. It serves me well, but doesn't look as shiny as it used to.

Posted: Fri, Oct 08 2010, 11:22 am Post subject:

Am I the only one who hates Farberware and regrets buying it??

Gold Member Joined: Oct 26 2008 Posts: 1295

I got a set of stainless steel pots and pans at Costco - Kirkland brand. They have held up great over 3 years and I highly recommend them. I want to say they were $200 or maybe even less for a HUGE set with everything you might need in it.

Silver Member Joined: Oct 07 2009 Posts: 612

My sister in law bought me calpahlon for my wedding, they are amazing, love them!
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I love my Calphalon pots, and they do come in different grades (ie price points).

Do you have access to Ikea? My Pesach fleishig pots are stainless steel from Ikea, and they're quite heavy and nice. They're also rather old, so I can'tsay if Ikea still carries them, but if so, they were a fraction of name brand prices.

I used to own a set of Farberware for my milchiks, before buying the Cuisinart pieces. -- I've sure owned a lot of pots and pans! I currently own 2 Farberware double boilers (pareve and pareve Pesach). Farberware makes a decent pot at a reasonable price but sauces can burn easily because the construction is thin. Disc bottom and tri-ply cookwares are both heavier.

Emeril cookware, recommended by jaysmom, is actually made by All-Clad, but is less pricey and is made in China (All-Clad is manufactured in Pennsylvania). I've never used it. It is a tri-ply and should be similar to the Cuisinart Multi-Ply.

For frying I use woks. Very Happy

Gold Member Joined: Dec 24 2009 Posts: 2433

I have all-clad LTD that is anodized on the outside. I love them but the anodized part means they can not go in the dishwasher Sad

and so hence I use them less then the sets ten yad gave me 10 years ago and 4 years ago. But the all-clad pots are virtually indestructible. THey do have a new "LTD2" that is anodized and can go in the dishwasher. And the Ten Yad pots from 10 years ago are heavier duty then the ones from 4 years ago and they have held up better. But I seem to have terrible issues with plastic handles and knobs - almost all of mine have broken!

Almost every commercial pot has an aluminum core because it is one of the best metals at distributing heat evenly.

My dream is to own the all-clad cop-r-chef or copper core sets but it's BIG BUCKS. http://www.all-clad.com/collections/copper-core/ http://www.all-clad.com/collections/Cop.R.Chef/Cop.R.Chef.htm Maybe when I win the lottery!
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