In need on some decent saucepans

[mynaughtylittlesister]

But do not have a massive budget. At a huge stretch could go to £100 but that needs to cover the whole set.

Is it possible?

Yep, its possible. (I think).

Last year we bought some fabulous stainless steel pans from IKEA. Amazing quality steel, not cheapest, and they have a 10 year guarantee. (Or possibly more I think).

How many were you wanting? Would you need a frying pan also?

John Lewis

ikea

M&S used to have good ones. not sure now. I have 2 with glass lids which have been excellent and definitely John Lewis. Tefal pans are good.

Charity shop?

Our local Oxfam Wastesaver has amazing pans - I got a double tier steamer & a paella pan for a fiver each the other day - both fab quality steel & in as-new condition.

Worth building up a collection gradually if you aren't that bothered about a perfectly matching set (just get Ikea starter set to tide you over - we have them too & they're excellent).

If you live near Homesense they have some brilliant one's - they are the same co. as TKMaxx, so they have a fairly good range - but you need to get them all at once as you won't necessarily be able to get matching ones later.

I recommend you have a look at the Judge Vista pans, they have that 'sandwich' style of base (some sort of layering of materials) which helps with even heat distribution and stops you getting hot spots, and they come with glass lids too which I find v useful. Really happy with the Judge pans I have at home. Nice sturdy handle. Think I got mine from TK Maxx, but they're cheap elsewhere too (you'll have no problem getting several from this range within your budget)

When you say a set OP how many do you mean?

Ours are John Lewis (the Classic range), are nearly 14 years old and look like new. I'd really recommend them - they are £100 for a set of 3 saucepans.

I got a set (frying pan, milk pan, 3 other pans) of v posh Circulon pans from TKMaxx a few days ago. £210 reduced to £80. These ones.

I'd been keeping an eye out in TKM for a while, they often have sets of pans in.

I have Stellar pans, mid price range with steel or glass lids. Used daily. Come with a lifetime guarantee.
Disappointed recently when the handle of the milk lid came off, then remembered the pans are 23 years old and still look brand new.
You can add to your pans from TKMaxx as and when they come in. Should get frying pan and three pans for under £100.
If you burn them, boil pan gently with soap powder e.g Persil (other soap powders are available),wash again, new again.
Love the look of le Crueset, but know from experience I don't have the strength to lift the massive casserole full of food out of the low level oven without injuring myself. If I can't manage to use the biggest, it wont match the rest, so went with stainless steel. My friend has le Crueset and badly broke her toe when she dropped the lid on her foot.

I got a set of Judge Vista at Robert Dyas when they were on "66% off special offer" and then topped up with some huge matching casseroles in Debenhams, I probably got those on a Sale day.

Very pleased with them, a set is always much better value than individual pans. Dyas are now selling a look-alike that seems thinner.

However the frying pan is not much good. Like all stainless, it sticks, and you can't stop it. I prefer cast iron for frying, or a non-stick that you don't mind throwing away.

Avoid exposed aluminium on the base, it will leave grey marks on worktops, and corrode in the dishwasher.

We have got some Le Creuset but they are very heavy. DP can't lift them, and I found it hard when I injured my arm.

Debenhams have ranges at all price points, their "vrai Gourmet" is just to the budget side of mid-range.

Pick plenty up so you get used to the feel of a thick heavy base. Feel the edges of the pans as cheaper ones are thinner. Disregard the weight of the lids.

Brushed stainless is easier to keep looking good that mirror-finish.

We have Stella too, they are fab, if you shop around online you should be able to get a set for £100.00 I imagine.

I was thinking about 3 or 4 saucepans. Don't really need any frying pans or woks as I already have them and they are okay.

Thank you for all the suggestions, think an afternoon of shopping is called for! Will definitely have a look in the charity shops and then pop over to TK Max. Unfortunately Ikea or John Lewis are no where near me.

I bought my Stella set in TK Max. Hope you find what you're after!

Shame you're not near IKEA. I treated myself to a set of Meyer Circulon Infinite when I changed to an induction hob two years ago but the extra IKEA pans I got recently are now my 'go to' pans. The Meyer are heavy, take too long to heat up and the top edges are already showing wear. The frying pan in particular is useless, just doesn't get hot enough, the base is too thick.

Thank you for all your help - I got my new saucepans delivered today - I ordered the Stellar set, 5 saucepans for £114, they were in the sale reduced from £400. Very pleased, just had a peek and they feel lovely and sturdy.

sounds good, where from?

My analon pans still look great 10 years on - as lobg as you don't use stainless steel utensils and hand wash them. Would recommend

mynaughtylittlesister loved those books

Where did you get your saucepans from? Ours are awful. My life would be enormously improved by some new ones

Another vote for Stellar pans. Sorry, I have no idea about prices as I bought mine about 8 years ago, but they are very good and still look pristine.

This is the set I got

www.hartsofstur.com/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?REFPAGE=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartsofstur.com%2Facatalog%2FSpecial_Offers.html&page=search&SS=+S1C1++&ACTION=Go%21&PR=-1&TB=A

Ours are circulon and great!

P.s. would recommend Harts of Stur to buy them from. My Circulon came from there, delivery was lightning quick and all the pacakaging inside was biodegradable.

I needed some new pans and looked up some reviews on Which. I ended up buying the Prestige This Morning 3 piece set in grey, and they are brilliant. According to Which Prestige make most of the supermarket own brand non stick pans as well