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Original poster

To ask for your advice on saucepans!

35 replies

snapdragongirl · 10/01/2026 13:48

I’m looking to treat myself to a set of saucepans. Current pans are a mish mash and are really tatty, things I’ve inherited over the years or just cheap ones I’ve picked up as and when. Would love to have a nice matching set of decent quality.

What should I be looking for? I love the look of stainless steel, and have heard the non stick coated pans aren’t great as they start to wear out and the coating gets into your food? Pro cook seem to have some good offers on for pan sets, I’m looking to spend up to £150 ish on a set of 3 or 4 good pans.

What would your advice be on what to go for?

OP posts:
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DinoLil · 11/01/2026 16:19

I've also got a set of Procook. They're great.

Catsandbikes · 11/01/2026 16:15

I bought some le creuset stainless steel a few years ago. They still look brand new and conduct heat SO much better than my old ones. I'm sure I'm using significantly less gas to cook as before!

Discobooloo · 11/01/2026 16:14

Tom Kerridge from M&S

FartyAnimal · 11/01/2026 16:12

We've had our stainless steel ones for over 25 years and they still look like new! Dishwasher safe and durable. Just checked and they are Stellar.

Bonbon21 · 11/01/2026 16:10

Stellar pans.. 45 years old and counting....

Haricot · 11/01/2026 15:28

Stainless steel pans will be non stick if you use the Leidenfrost effect to cook with them. You just need to heat the pan up until a tiny splash of water skates across the surface as a little ball (before it evaporates). Then add your oil and the food you’re cooking. Knowing this was a game changer for me.
all those instructions on oven chips etc to preheat the baking tray also then made sense - the chips etc no longer stuck!

Elsbetka · 11/01/2026 15:13

Like others, I have Prestige SS (induction-compatible) pans that are honestly immaculate after 20 years, and I remember they were bought cheap in TK Maxx!

I also have a (cheapish SS) stockpot, a few Le Creuset/Chasseur casseroles of various sizes, a JL SS sauté pan and 2 x cheap but excellent SS IKEA frying pans.

The JL SS sauté pan is versatile because of the high sides - you can do a lot on that one.

deeahgwitch · 11/01/2026 14:42

Have you good storage space @snapdragongirl
I don’t, so the Tefal Ingenio range with a removable handle is brilliant for us.
They come in stainless steel and also in black with a black non stick interior surface.

silkyfilament · 11/01/2026 14:02

DP just bought a set of Hexclad pans at great expense which annoyed me, until I actually used them and I’m impressed so far.

TheGrinchWasHere · 11/01/2026 13:42

Also looking for an upgrade.

I love the Le Creuset stainless steel range. Going to go and have a look at Stellar now.

Wildflowerwonder · 11/01/2026 13:42

Prestige copper bottomed pans. Theyre not non-stick but you can take a Brillo pad to the inside to ensure they’re totally spotless, and you don’t have to worry about ruining any non-stick surfaces. We’ve had them 28 years and they’re in perfect condition. We also use a non stick lidded saucepan for bolognaise etc, but this needs replacing way more often, every couple of years.

LeftFooter · 11/01/2026 13:40

I have the Stellar pans — the ones with two handles which I find easy to use and store. Really pleased with them. Got them from Harts of Stur which was also excellent.

DivorcedButHappyNow · 11/01/2026 13:37

Circulon. John Lewis sell them. Non stick. They are amazing.

FcukBreastCancer · 11/01/2026 13:36

Things to look out for - handles that collect water upside down in dishwasher. Got dh to drill holes in mine... the handles obviously, not the pan 😁

hohahagogo · 11/01/2026 13:33

Highly recommend procook. But don’t buy a set unless you actually use all the sizes, I just buy the sizes I actually use

Papyrophile · 11/01/2026 12:56

I don't have any Stellar knives, so can't comment. My knives are mostly Japanese or French. Anyone caught putting them through the dishwasher is dead!!

caringcarer · 11/01/2026 11:39

You can't go wrong with Stellar. They wash and still shiny 20 years later. One of my best buys.

Original poster
snapdragongirl · 11/01/2026 11:36

Thanks for all the comments and recommendations. Stellar seem to come out well! Does anyone have their knives? Thinking of adding a knife block too as our knives are also old and rubbish!

OP posts:
ThirdStorm · 10/01/2026 17:12

My favourite saucepans aren’t expensive. I like the lid with drainage and they are substantial but not too heavy. Current,y with 1/3 off. https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/sainsburys-home-aluminium-saucepan-16cm-black

I like tefal excellence aluminium for frying pans.

LovelyGranny · 10/01/2026 17:07

I came to recommend Procook. Goes in dishwasher, lid doubles up as strainer, stacks up and has a lip to pour liquids. I also have a great frying pan from tk maxx!

Sgtmajormummy · 10/01/2026 17:04

Stainless steel with heavy base for me. Induction cooktop. Most of my cookware is 20cm diameter so lids are interchangeable.

I’m a fan of pressure cooking (2 handles, not the bulky single handle Prestige style). I have two Lagostina pressure cookers (7 and 5 litres) and use them as saucepans every day. I also have a steamer pan where the insert works as a colander, and a Staub cast iron casserole.
Frying pans come and go but I currently have a large Alessi Edo non stick frying pan and a Le Creuset omelette pan. I don’t have a milk pan, just use the microwave.

I cook twice a day for 3 people and just rotate them.

1 Lagostina make ordinary stainless steel pans, too.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lagostina-Mia-Pressure-Cooker-LagoeasyUP/dp/B085SB1VHF?adgrpid=174656078805&gad_campaignid=22332429073&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-8zpRmLuEC6JlOfx8Z6GCIqcU3Wb&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvZXNkLiBkgMVzKeDBx1VEzqkEAAYASAAEgJ9WPD_BwE&hvadid=738120047724&hvcampaign=homeandgarden&hvdev=c&hvlocint=2826&hvlocphy=9210119&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8862358168056802960&hvtargid=dsa-1599129282449&source=dsa&th=1Lagostina%5D%5D&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5473507-to-ask-for-your-advice-on-saucepans

Tallypoo193 · 10/01/2026 16:55

My grandma bought me a set of these when I left home; 28 years later I am still using them and the large one in particular must have been through the dishwasher literally thousands of times as we use it almost daily. I later added a big stockpot and a sauté pan from the same range to my everyday set. They're great pans and I will probably buy the same for my daughter when she moves into her first proper home:
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-classic-stainless-steel-lidded-saucepan-set-3-piece/
Do 100% agree about not buying non stick pans though - they just don't last in the same way as stainless steel.

Superscientist · 10/01/2026 16:34

Another vote for stellar. My in-laws set are 40 years old, ours are 5 years old and you can't tell them apart!

Bert2e · 10/01/2026 16:27

Have a look at Meyer. Mine are 30 years old and as good as new.