Saucepans - stainless steel, non-stick or both?

[TheDayOfMyDoctor]

Having just bought on the spur of the moment some new non-stick pans to replace our current set, I've been looking at different threads about different brands of pans.

Brands aside, which type do you use - stainless steel, non-stick or both? And why?

Non-stick fine when new, but coatings can deteriorate quite quickly.

Stainless steel will last pretty well for ever if they are decent ones.

We have quite a few pans.

Cast iron for casseroles and slow cooking (deep, shallow, big, small), stainless steel tri-ply saucepans and steamer, and tri-ply non stick frying pans. We also have a couple of copper pans from France but they don't get used very often.

We splashed out on the tri-ply saucepans after having a new kitchen fitted this year and after being fed up with buying new pans every couple of years that deteriote quickly. We decided to spend more and get a set that will (hopefully) last a lifetime.

I wish I'd bought them years ago, love them. I'll admit that I may be a little addicted to buying pans though.

*deteriorate,
Shouldn't mumsnet when I'm tired.

We have a three decent stainless steel pans in varying sizes, plus couple of smaller ikea cheapies. Then non-stick frying pan & wok, which currently need replacing as the non-stick is breaking down.

Used to have a cast iron wok which I loved, but we have ceramic hob now so can't use it.

Heavy base stainless steel. Ours are going strong after 18 years.

Woks and frying pans are non stick, and get replaced much more frequently

Got some quality non stick ones earlier in the year, but have kept one of our old, burnt, wobbly handled stainless steel ones as the "Mash pan" ie cook spuds in it, drain, return to pan to mash. Don't want masher battering my new non stick pans!

Mostly stainless steel. 13 years and still going strong.

Enormous Le Creuset casserole dish - hoping this will last forever

Cast iron frying pan which has become non-stick through use. Can't imagine it ever wearing out, just need to choose my favourite child to bequeath it to

I am tempted to buy one really good stainless steel pan for now in addition to the new non-stick one (especially for mash!!!) and then building up a collection. Back to the 'which stainless steel' threads for me!

we were bought stainless steel pans as a present they're indestructible!!

I think we've got thro several non stick frying pans since owning the SS ones