Cheap or Expensive Cookware?

[badjak]

I use cast iron, stainless and carbon steel.
They each have their uses

 

[GadgetGuy]

I have some cast iron cookware, not much. Two skillets, a Dutch oven & a chicken fryer.

 

[TheSoloChef]

Buy cheap, buy twice as they say!

Around 4 years ago I purchased some bamboo chopping boards as bamboo is a sustainable material, what I didnt realise is that bamboo chopping boards are similar to glass chopping boards in the fact that they blunt your knives! Having recently discovered this I treated myself to some expensive chopping boards that need oiling every once in a while so hopefully this will reduce the amount of times I have to sharpen my knives etc.

I've given up with the Ninja brand of products as the two ones I have owned have either died shortly after the warranty expired or just before! The dual air fryer one I had died after just 10 months and Amazon (after picking up and inspecting it) just gave me a refund!

With regards to replacing my Ninja air fryer, I decided I had had enough of that brand and wanted something more reliable. I found something I liked the look of but it was more than double the price and then I took a look around and went down the refurbished route and got a decent air fryer oven at half the price still with a 1yr warranty so buying an expensive brand of cookware doesnt have to be expensive.

My pots and pans that I use are cheap Scoville ones as when I did the maths and compared them to the ones Gordon Ramsey uses (and is a part owner of the company) then even if I replaced all my pans every few years it was still cheaper than the expensive ones with a lifetime warranty.

Sometimes premium cookware is 'better' but not always.

 

[badjak]

The only "brand" name pot/pan I have is a le creuset kettle.
No, not true. I got 3 tefal skillets. 1 is the standard non stick and was about 8 euro
The other 2 tefal skillets are stainless steel.

 

[Barriehie]

Buy cheap, buy twice as they say!

Around 4 years ago I purchased some bamboo chopping boards as bamboo is a sustainable material, what I didnt realise is that bamboo chopping boards are similar to glass chopping boards in the fact that they blunt your knives! Having recently discovered this I treated myself to some expensive chopping boards that need oiling every once in a while so hopefully this will reduce the amount of times I have to sharpen my knives etc.

I've given up with the Ninja brand of products as the two ones I have owned have either died shortly after the warranty expired or just before! The dual air fryer one I had died after just 10 months and Amazon (after picking up and inspecting it) just gave me a refund!

With regards to replacing my Ninja air fryer, I decided I had had enough of that brand and wanted something more reliable. I found something I liked the look of but it was more than double the price and then I took a look around and went down the refurbished route and got a decent air fryer oven at half the price still with a 1yr warranty so buying an expensive brand of cookware doesnt have to be expensive.

My pots and pans that I use are cheap Scoville ones as when I did the maths and compared them to the ones Gordon Ramsey uses (and is a part owner of the company) then even if I replaced all my pans every few years it was still cheaper than the expensive ones with a lifetime warranty.

Sometimes premium cookware is 'better' but not always.

Agree on the replacement schedule. I buy a middle of the road cookware set around 8 years in. It works.

 

[blades]

I don't like raw cast iron cookware. It rusts and is hard to clean. I do like enameled cast iron. It is heavy but is quite a bit easier to clean. I have both the Le Creuset and the Chinese copies and both perform very well. I support the Chinese versions of Hexclad. Thay are solid as a rock and very very easy to clean but it cooks like steel or iron. Go with that or easy-to-clean granite stone. there is no reason to use raw steel or iron with the alternatives we have today. I donated most of my All Clad to Goodwill. A little of it is in storage in case of an unexpected need.

 

[Barriehie]

...
Go with that or easy-to-clean granite stone. there is no reason to use raw steel or iron with the alternatives we have today.
...

I love the granite interior on my cookware. It's tough, nonstick, and yes, easy to clean.

 

[karadekoolaid]

I still use what we're were gifted when we got married, 45 years ago. Stainless steel. The only things we've changed are frying pans, because the maids believe you need to scrub non-stick with a knife to remove burnt stuff.