To ask about pots and pans?

[VegHead3000]

Requesting some pans and pots for Christmas: we’ve hammered every non-stick one we’ve had, not through any obvious misuse (not scraping a fork around it or scouring them) but they’re all flaking and non-non-stick now.

Is it worth the hassle and care of getting cast iron ones? Once prepped, are they easy to wash up and look after? Should we get more pricey non-stick brands? Or do we just accept like everything else, mid-range stuff doesn’t last anymore?

Thanks for reading the world’s most domestically dull AIBU!

I tried cast iron but it was just heavy and troublesome.
I bought a set of Tefal Ingenio 2.5 years ago and they are still perfect. They go in the dishwasher and oven and also have tupperware lids for the fridge. And they stack so I have 9 pans where one cast iron pan used to live.
They came with utensils and I‘ve only used those to stir, don’t know if that’s why they have lasted so well or if it’s because they go in the dishwasher so never get scrubbed.

We’ve got stainless steel that just go in the dishwasher and a Tefal non stick sauté pan that’s still good after several years. Mostly don’t need non stick for most pans.

Cast iron is just so heavy.

I have a set of Prestige stainless steel non-stick pans. I inherited them from my MIL and they're amazing even after 16 years (not sure how long she had them before me). There's no non-stick coating to peel off, they go in the dishwasher and I can use any utensils in them. They're also not as heavy as cast iron

Well this is mn so I'm sure the general consensus will be le creuset! I can't personally afford those but I've always found tefal pans to be great, b&m and argos usually have them very cheap.

I have stellar stainless steel without nonstick, they are lovely to cook with and solid without being too heavy and clean well in the dishwasher. If you put price alerts on hot deals and price spy it should be possible to find a five piece set for about £100 in a sale somewhere.

Salter Marble pans are fantastic, I've had mine years and it's never lost its non stick

I second the tefal ingenious. They do they non stick or just 'normal' (they're just metal) my toddler likes to smack our pans with spoons and spatula etc so I chose the normal metal ones and they're still going strong after a year. Also really handy because you can store leftovers in the pan in the fridge because you can take the handle off.

Ingenio* (autocorret!!)

Can you put non stick pans in the dishwasher?
My ex DP said I couldn't ?
(Dishwasher new to me 🙄)

We have the Tesco go cook ones and they're fab! Best saucepans I've ever had.

Brilliant! Thanks wise MNers, will look at the Ingenio range.

My LeCruset non-stock pans are rubbish! I'be had to get them replaced for or five times in a ten year period!

Four not for

Stainless steel with a non stick frying pan/wok is my preference.

I got mine (Meyer) in 2003. They still look really decent.

We recently replaced my Dad’s 40yo wedding present set as the handles had started coming adrift so I would regard them as a long term investment!

We have stellar stainless steel pans. 10 years old and absolutely fine, though the non stick frying/sauté pan is beginning to age and need replacing. I hand wash the non stick but everything else goes in the dishwasher.

Stainless steel but check no aluminium rivets as these don’t like the dishwasher. Also think about induction suitable ones as you may want to change your hob at some point. We moved and there was an induction job so we needed a few new pans

I have Meyer stainless steel that I've owned for over 20 years, not looked after at all, and they still look as good as new.

I do also have 2 cast iron casserole dishes in different sizes and shapes, and I love them for their hob-to-oven capability. But they are heavy and I never liked using my mother's cast iron saucepans for normal things because of that. There's no benefit to it just for boiling vegetables or heating soup.

I got Skoville never stick from Asda, not Teflon coated but totally non stick and survive the dishwasher too. Quite cheap and you can buy them individually.

direct.asda.com/george/home/pots-pans/scoville-neverstick-5-piece-cookware-set/050271545,default,pd.html

I've also got some non stick frying pans from ikea but they only ever get used for omelettes or anything else where you just wipe out with kitchen roll and reuse rather than needing to wash after use.

I don't think pans are something you need to spend a lot on, and a lot of people will find cast iron too heavy to be of practical use.

We had cast iron pans years ago and they rusted! We obvs didn't look after them properly but they were too heavy to use anyway.

We got rid of all of our nonstick pans and trays when dh saw a programme on TV about Teflon being poisonous and carcinogenic when flaking (all of ours were flaking badly) and now we just have bog standard stainless steel ones and they're absolutely fine.

Can't believe no-one has suggested circulon. Best pans I've ever owned!

I have the stellar ordinary ones, bought in the sale and used daily, put in the dishwasher. Still going strong and look brand new after 15 years!

Circulon are amazing pans and bakeware and they do stick to their lifetime guarantee as long as you use the proper implements or wooden spoons etc

Had my set over 20 years

Stainless steel All-clad pans are amazing. They are very expensive but they work so well. I have had mine for 20 years and they still look brand new.

When watching cooking programmes I often see them being used in the chef’s own kitchen and when there was a photo shoot into the Cameron kitchen they also had a set.

My LeCruset non-stock pans are rubbish! I'be had to get them replaced for or five times in a ten year period! Why? What went wrong with them? My le Creuset pans (fortunate buy from charity shop) have been going for well over 10 years with me alone, plus however long they were with their previous owner, and I'm not good with pans, tend to wander off convinced I've no need to set a timer because I couldn't possibly forget them.... So curious as to the damage you're seeing.

My next set won't be cast iron, but that's because I'm finding it more difficult to lift them on to the rack where I keep them - I've already had to put the casserole into a low cupboard.