Looking for good new set of saucepans!

[toffeeapple]

Hi there, I'm really relying on your verdict here, please can anyone help?
Basically I'm about to change my saucepans, and I'm hesitating between two kinds:
A set of good quality stainless steel ones (don't know which ones yet I need to browse, any make ideas welcome).
Or a set of hard anodised ones (I heard Meyer Anolon were good).
The idea of non stick is appealing, but frankly I want to be able to use any metal utensils, whisks etc in them. I've tried silicone whisks and other utensils and I HATE them. Can you use metal utensils in a hard anodised saucepan?
Do you need a non stick saucepan if you have a good quality stainless steel one?
Any reply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
P.S: I'm not bothered about them being dishwasher proof.

Bumping for you.

Thank you, any ideas anyone?

Look at the Buyer's Guide on johnlewis.com for ideas. Le Creuset do stainless steel ones which are great but pricey. Do look at the depth of the pans as Jamie Oliver ones are very shallow. Would always go for a non stick frying pan but others not so important. Spend as much as you can as I do think this is one purchase where you get what you pay for.

Do you need to get a set? Could you get one or two stainless steel and one or two Anolon ones? I've got stainless steels ones which I steam and boil things in and Circulon ones which I've had for about 8 years and the main one I've got is wearing out. I was thinking about getting a new set - seduced by the half prices offers on the sets in Debenhams and John Lewis (these now seem to have ended). I then realised that it was just one pan I needed to replace. Have just found this site which might be of use.

If you're not too bothered about them all matching have a look in TK Maxx. Their kitchen stuff is great.

I would rethink your dishwasher position actually. I have some lovely pans that we bought in the sale at our local hardware emporium. They are marvellous but they don't dishwash and it is a huge pain!

Thank you all, yes Tinker I've already had a look in TK Maxx, and there wasn't much choice at the time (there had one small hard anodised saucepan but I didn't know the make so I didn't get it).
I'm definately going to look into bying 2 of each Extremely, thanks for that website it looks great.
Northern, I don't know, I don't normally have the space for pots and pans anyway at the end of the day so I always end up hand washing them.

The other thing is: Can I use metal utensils in Anolon pans?

Hi,

I know some manufacturers claim their non-stick is "metal utensil safe", but I still would not use metal utensils in a non-stick pan. Also think about how long you want these pans to last; if you want them to last a long time I would go for stainless steel and make sure they are induction compatible as your next cooker could well be an induction hob as they seem to be the "next big thing".

this site has a page dedicated to induction cookware (including some non-stick hard anodised with special bases). There is also a link to a "Pan Buying Guide" and they deliver really quickly.

I have a set of three of these which I have used more or less every day for 16 years. I dislike non stick pans and find the coating never lasts even on expensive ones. They are in the dishwasher on a daily basis too.

John Lewis stainless steel saucepans

Thank you GrinnyPig, I was eyeing up those exact same ones, as I've read great reviews about them! Might get them seperately, and on top of that, a good non stick frying pan, which I will only use wood in.
Good point about the induction hob Caitlyn, my god I hadn't even thought about that, but if I have my pans for years, better check that minor detail up!!
Plus I have actually cooked on an induction hob in my Stepmum's kitchen, and IT IS AMAZING. So sensitive, just like gaz but without the pain of having to clean all around the black things, you just wipe clean, no messing!!
God I'd better check wether those John Lewis ones are Induction friendly!!!!

It says "suitable for all cookers" YESSSS!!!!!!

I have ICM Le Pentole saucepans and they are fabulous. I highly recommend.

Hi, I have finally decided to order the John Lewis classic Stainless steel ones.
After that I will get a good quality non stick frying pan.