Do you have durable, long lasting kitchen equipment. Please come and tell me about it.

[BerthaBlythe]

Not just gadgets, but pots, pans, cutlery etc too.

I’ve massively decluttered my kitchen and I’m newly aware that I was buying cheaply and buying multiples of things. I have a suspicion that if I could exorcise my spirit of cheapness, and buy better quality things as they are needed, it might be a saving in the long run for me, and probably the environment as well.

I’m particularly interested in woks, and saucepans right now (for induction).

And for my own contribution I have a Porsche knife that I was gifted by a chef, that is just a perfect weight and is a single piece of steel so it can’t break. It’s easy to sharpen and there’s nowhere for crud to build up. Still perfect after 20 years of daily use.

And the slightly cheaper garlic rocker that does a far better job than the two garlic crushers I’ve snapped so far. It’s also far easier to clean.

Please tell me what has lasted the distance for you (particularly if you’re a bit heavy handed or clumsy), and what you think is worth spending a bit extra on.

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This thread is quite old now, but we’ve recently refreshed both our best wok and best saucepan guides with plenty of high-quality products recommended by Mumsnetters. We hope you find it useful.
MNHQ

My oldest item is my great grannies porridge spurtle, made by my great grandfather who's been dead for about 70 years! (it's basically a sick with a carved handle made of beech).

@TooMuchSugar22

And reccomenedations for a decent tin opener I'm all ears. I so rarely use one. But went to use mine this week and it was horrible and stiff to use.

I have an OXO one and it is marvellous

Another vote for Duralex glasses.

Oxo good grips tin opener - recently replaced a 15yo one. Also replaced the peeler bought at the same time because the handle had become irretrievably smelly. It still peeled fine! It was just stinking the drawer out.

Loads of old Pyrex. Mum still has the jug I used to make birds trifle in the 70s!

Don't rate my Pyrex baking trays, though. Far too flimsy and don't conduct well. Also hate my neverstick pans. They seem to be made to last but my neverstick frying pan bloody sticks to water and fresh air and is so rough that it shreds any veg I cook in it.

@Wbeezer I love that you have a spurtle!

I've got a cheap wok, I think tefal that's about 20yrs old and still going strong.
A cheap Argos value hand blender, bought it when I was weaning my now 18yr old. The white plastic is marked and scratched, but it was still blending cat food and meat for my almost toothless old boy when we lost him in summer.
A massive steel pan, possibly once also a pressure cooker. Must have been around since just after ww2, possibly older. I was the second generation to cook linseed in it, once that wasn't necessary it became the pet meat pan. It would still look ok in a kitchen now if you didn't mind it's former use.

Stellar pans. Expensive but amazing.

Oxo silicone tongs.

Magnetic toaster tongs - never knew these were a thing but they've saved many a scorched finger.

Robert Welch knives.

Re woks, our stir fries have become so much better since we DH started seasoning the wok before every use

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.firstwefeast.com/features/2016/10/how-to-cook-with-a-wok/

Crane C-Series cast iron cookware (which is about to be discontinued so discounted on their website, ‘TWENTY’ gets an extra 20% off). I have Le Creuset also but prefer this.

‘WMF Gourmet Bowl Set’ on Amazon, all you’ll ever need bowl-wise.

‘WMF Gourmet Spoon’ on Amazon, still looks brand new - doesn’t stain or warp.

‘WMF Spatula’ on Amazon, same as above.

I also adore these two textile items from David Mellor. They have been so badly abused and still look new when washed:

www.davidmellordesign.com/kitchen-essentials/kitchen-textiles/natural-oven-glove

www.davidmellordesign.com/kitchen-essentials/kitchen-textiles/large-plain-oven-cloth

My set of 3 stellar stainless pans plus steamer which are 35 years old.

Tupperware colander/ strainer which must be of a similar vintage. Brussel sprout green for the main bit with a white small strainer set into the top.

Hand held 'basics' mixer which has to be between 25 and 30 years old.

Oh, and another vote for Pyrex baking trays (as well as the casserole dishes).

My Sabatier 8" cooks knife was given me in 1991. My Ike 365 stainless pans were second hand in 1997. Still the best things I've got.

I have to recommend my teapot too which unlike my various glass and ceramic ones refuses to break regardless of how I drop it. But even more importantly pours perfectly.

Stellar stainless steel pans - I have several in different sizes acquired over the past 20 years.
Sabatier chefs knives, I have 3, the oldest is 22 years old. And a proper sharpening steel (the long type).
Viners stainless steel cutlery, still looks very nice after approximately 20 years of daily use.
I recently bought Denby tableware to replace our old stuff, my parents still have theirs which was a wedding (engagement?) present in the '70s.
A proper solid wooden cutting board, I've had it since I went to university, I'm now 40. I don't use serrated knives on it though, only the good Sabatier ones (smooth blades).

@TooMuchSugar22 I also recommend the OXO tin opener. Definitely worth the money. We used to have an electric opener but wouldn't bother now.