Tell me the best set of pans to buy please!

[ImJustMadAboutSaffron]

I've just chucked out a set of Prestige Lifetime Guarantee (ha!) and using a couple of cheapo pans from Aldi atm, I need a whole new set of pans. I'm prepared to spend up to £200. I fancied real copper but apart from not wanting to spent a grand on a set of pans, I haven't had any reviews.

I want something that looks cool on display, cleans up well and will last. Nothing that is Teflon coated and scratches and looks a bugger after about six months!

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

Really great recommendations, loving them all. I'm going to make my mind up later this week. Thanks everyone. Keep them coming though!

I'm still using a Prestige SS set I bought in 1990. Half tempted to buy new pans to go with my planned new kitchen (later this year) but there's nothing wrong with them, apart from needing a bit of elbow grease on the copper bottoms!

I really like the fact that the interiors are entirely smooth, so much easier to clean so if I do end up buying new they won't be from Le Creuset but the JL ones look good. .

I quite like the look of the Le Creuset enamel ones (I remember my grandmother had these) but I'm concerned the wooden handles would come loose.

Pro Cook Stainless Steel. We got a four piece set Elite Tri-Ply set for under £200.

i always recomment the JL Classic range, I have had mine 30 years and if i was a better housewife they'd be immaculate. As it is the insides are still as new, and no issues whatsoever with the dishwasher.

I must look and see if they still have them!

Costco Kirkland pans. Got a full set including stock pot for about £150. I'm pretty sure that they are made by curculon.

We had a set of M&S heavy stainless steel pans and a steamer set in the same heavy S/S for our wedding 26 years ago. They have been used and used and used and are still fabulous.

We have Tefal ingenio and love them. We got the Jamie Oliver ones because they are nice stainless steel on the outside. They are so practical, the non stick is amazing - we just don't have any metal cookware (silicone spatulas are my best friend), super light, go from stove to oven easily. Love them.

We bought wmf function 4 when we got our induction hob, they're £100 ish each so we did buy one at a time so that we knew they were good, kids are brilliant for straining, really good even heat conduction and wash well, sturdy without being too heavy to drain when full. I don't put the lid in the dishwasher but don't hesitate to put the pans in and they look lovely (subjective, they might be a bit 1970s for some)

Ah I researched this on MN going back years couple of weeks ago as my copper bottom Prestige set had two handles fall off.
Stellar 7000 got the most positive comments so we bought two and planning to add more. Criteria: induction compatible, dishwasher safe, no plastic parts, straining lid, handles that don’t collect water in the dishwasher, not stupidly expensive.
John Lewis classic was the front runner but they had no stock and I wanted to see the pans for real. Middle range pro cook was the reserve.
Got to say, the Stellar are excellent so far. Highly recommend. Definitely going to add to the set.

Stellar 20+ and still pristine

Lids not kids. The kids are crap at straining things.

Stellar. Had them as a wedding present over 20 years ago and still in good condition.

@NotMeNoNo

Ah I researched this on MN going back years couple of weeks ago as my copper bottom Prestige set had two handles fall off. Stellar 7000 got the most positive comments so we bought two and planning to add more. Criteria: induction compatible, dishwasher safe, no plastic parts, straining lid, handles that don’t collect water in the dishwasher, not stupidly expensive. John Lewis classic was the front runner but they had no stock and I wanted to see the pans for real. Middle range pro cook was the reserve. Got to say, the Stellar are excellent so far. Highly recommend. Definitely going to add to the set.

That's what happened to my Prestige too. I got them when I first started work in the late 90s. Not exactly a lifetime guarantee!

Lakeland the stainless steel ones, had ours 9 years and still look brand new. DM has the same ones and hers are at least 20 years old and still look brand new too

www.lakeland.co.uk/brands/lakeland-stainless-steel-pans/

@ImJustMadAboutSaffron same here, had them from the late 90s. It's like something corroded inside the handle. I guess 25 years isn't bad.
The Stellar just don't stack quite as well when you turn the lids over but we can live with that.

Another vote for Stellar. My parents bought us a set as a wedding present nearly 29 years ago. Still going strong.

[quote mrsmacmc]Lakeland the stainless steel ones, had ours 9 years and still look brand new. DM has the same ones and hers are at least 20 years old and still look brand new too

www.lakeland.co.uk/brands/lakeland-stainless-steel-pans/[/quote]
We briefly had some of these, there just have been a batch issue or something as they pitted super fast, within a week or two, and went back (twice, before we just had a refund and bought the WMF ones).

[quote Knotty10]**@pickingdaisies* @chocolateorangeinhaler* @Datsandcogs please could you post a link to the John Lewis pans? These sound excellent but there are a few different ones on the website. Thank you [/quote]
These ones.

Got the Stellar ones. Thanks everyone, enjoyed your contributions!

We have Meyer cook and look, stainless steel. Bought in 1984 and still look brand new. Amazing pans.

@Datsandcogs

John Lewis, straight sided stainless steel. Mine are 28 years old and still shiney.

These. I came to recommend the same. Mine get used daily and look like new.

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-classic-lidded-saucepan-with-helper-handle-22cm-3-7l/p230729404

Ah, sorry, only just seen this was an old thread in my excitement to recommend the pans.

I've got a set of Schulte Ufer pans which came free with my Neff induction hob. They are 7 years old, look like the day they arrived and clean beautifully.

Been using my Viners ss pans almost 20 yrs, still as good as new.