I'm in the market for a new set of pots and pans. The very cheap set we got as newlyweds 18 yrs. ago just isn't cutting it any more. LOL! What are good cooks using these days?? My best friend is a cooking fanatic and loves cast iron. Yuck, no thanks! How about a hard anodized set? Are certain name brands better than others? JC Penney is having a cook sale but I noticed there are several name brands and prices vary a lot. I'm looking for a decent set that is reasonably priced (ie: no more than $200 or 300). Any recommendations? TIA!

By Cat on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:19 am:

I've got some Calphalon hard anodized cookware and I love it. It cleans up really easily. Eventually I'll replace all of my older stuff with it, but it can be pricey so it'll take a while. You can gets sets for around what you want to spend, though. Here's a set at Amazon.com. If the link doesn't work just go to Amazon.com and search for calphalon.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:21 am:

I LOVE Cooks Essentials from QVC. I have the hard anodized set for about 4 years now. I think they are GREAT! I recommend them to everyone and a few friends have bought them and loved them, too. Good luck!

By Angellew on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:31 am:

I love the Calphalon too!!! They are great! But, I have to say that for a lower price range set of pans, I really love Macy's store brand called Tools of the Trade! They have been great! We got a few when we got married and have gone back and added to the set! Pans that are not anodized and have a thin bottom burn foods and ruin the finish of the pan, as well as warp easily. The burning is the worst. Someone gave us a pan that was not heavy bottomed and all I did was saute broccoli on low/medium heat and it left a burn mark that never came off! It wasn't worth what little money was paid for it!

I think the important part of any pany is to look for the heavier bottom.

By Colette on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:51 am:

I love cast iron too and I have both that and calphalon. Given the choice I'd pick cast iron, if it's seasoned properly it's a piece of cake to clean. My calphalon cannot go in the dishwasher so I do not like to use it.

By Fraggle on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 10:08 am:

I have All-clad stainless steel and love it, but....sets start at $300-$500. I just bought a few pots at a time to replace my old ones. I like them becuase they are very heavy, can go in the dishwasher, are very solidly constructed and can go into the oven.

By Tink on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 10:49 am:

Another Calphalon fan here! A set like Cat linked to is great but Amazon often puts a piece or two at a time on incredible sales like 85% off so your set can be added to pretty easily. As Colette said, it can't go in the dishwasher (neither can castiron) but everything wipes out so easily that I never mind handwashing it.

By Hlgmom on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 03:05 pm:

I am a calphalon fan as well...and a chef! I have used it for years and it really holds up and cleans up well!

By Annie2 on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 08:37 pm:

I love my Revere Ware pots (which can go into the dishwasher). I also have a large Calphalon frying pan.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 08:14 am:

I would love to have All-Clad! I do have RevereWare and it works fine, though!