Keen Cooks Corner

[feral chile]

Can anyone recommend any family proof pans?

My latest set managed to last just a few months.

2 Have ended up with deep gashes in the non stick, because my husband and son insist on using metal utensils in them.

The other one got dropped by my clumsy husband, and got so bent out of shape the lid no longer fits.

They were a Tefal set.

It's a waste of time expecting my lot to take care, they just do as they like.

So I'm just going to buy the most expensive, durable equipment I can get.

Any suggestions for a set that can withstand lots of abuse?

(Preferably both hob and oven proof)

Ta.

Edited March 14, 2015 by feral chile

[t8yman]

The more you spend, the better you will get. I would use nisbets online tbh - or an actual catering supply shop, and totally avoid all gimmicky shit. Heavy copper bottoms are the very best you will get (and I mean 10mm+ of base) especially on frying pans. Avoid the gimmicky ceramic ones - they are no better than normal non-sticks and dont go for ones that look "nice" you want functional, premium cookware. I have a premium "jamie oliver" frying pan that I love.

Also, buy pans with metal handles so they can go in the oven without melting the handles. But be sure to remember that the handles are going to get hot!

Le creuset are great as a catch all, but they are seriously big bucks.

[viberunner]

Have ended up with deep gashes in the non stick, because my husband and son insist on using metal utensils in them.

Either don't bother with non-stick or get a new husband. No non-stick that I am aware of is going to survive a chiseling with metal tools. It's like asking what kind of dingy you'd use on the A1, or what kind of brick you'd use as a parachute.

PS, to poster above, I have a ceramic frying pan, my ex does too (slightly bigger version) and they're brilliant. They're by Renberg, £14 to £18 depending on size. Amazon have them. Looks like Jamie has added his name (and price tag) to standard Tefal fare?

Also have Renberg pots & pans, they're great and cheap, beautiful on my ceramic hob, note they quite thin sides (but not bases, they're very good) so not sure they'd stand up to the abuses being described. But for me, a careful cook, they cook and clean wonderfully.

Howsever, they're right that Le Creuset are the top-end of pots and pans, certainly in terms of durability, but one of their pans is twice the price of my entire 7-piece pots & pans set.

[feral chile]

Yes, it's seriously annoying, and almost wilful.

I threw out every metal utensil I had, because they did the same to my previous set, so they resorted to using metal cutlery instead.

And avoided using all my old pans, and all my nylon and wooden utensils, choosing instead to use my brand new pans to stir around tinned ravioli with a fork.

They clearly both have a death wish, as both were caught and warned before any damage was done.

I was looking at a set of Tefal Ingenio, because you can use them on the hob and n the oven, and the handles come off, they also come with plastic lids to use in the fridge and freezer.

But they're non stick, so not vandal proof.

[Thearg]

Sainsbury have their own range of le cruset pans at a fraction of the price and just as good, also I find charity shops, car boots etc good places to get good cast iron pans if you don't mind them not matching.

[feral chile]

Thanks, might try them.

but still have the problem of keeping them out of careless hands

[russycarps]

How difficult is it to use a wooden spoon rather than a metal fork to stir?

That would seriously piss me off and wouldn't be tolerated in my house

[feral chile]

I don't find it difficult at all

getting someone ELSE to use a wooden spoon, however....

short of violence, if gentle persuasion doesn't work....

(it has just been suggested to me that a male taking care of things has been pussy whipped).

I am not a happy feminist today.

[russycarps]

In these circumstances extreme violence is perfectly acceptable...

[viberunner]

Sainsbury have their own range of le cruset pans at a fraction of the price and just as good, also I find charity shops, car boots etc good places to get good cast iron pans if you don't mind them not matching.

I got the Sainsbury's version of a Le Creuset oven pot at half price, they discontinued them for their January sale. It means a cast-iron ceramic casserole dish I can barely lift cost me just over £22. Delighted with it. Even at £45 they're a good price.

[Ted Dansons Wig]

Where's the best place to get decent wooden (not acrylic) spoons? Cant find decent ones round our way they are these brightly coloured plastic things.

[feral chile]

In these circumstances extreme violence is perfectly acceptable...

Yes, and I do have to find a creative use for an underused wooden spoon and some ruined saucepans....

[feral chile]

Where's the best place to get decent wooden (not acrylic) spoons? Cant find decent ones round our way they are these brightly coloured plastic things.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/p17042/Lakeland-Beech-Wood-Utensils

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I have a set of Prestige stainless steel pans. They must be over 20 years old by now and should last me out. I get pissed off with non-stick frying pans and I stick with a cast iron griddle for most things.

[Ted Dansons Wig]

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/p17042/Lakeland-Beech-Wood-Utensils

Cheers FC - you got these? Had some Lakeland stuff previously which didnt last too long.

[feral chile]

Cheers FC - you got these? Had some Lakeland stuff previously which didnt last too long.

I can't remember if mine are from there, I've had them ages. I'm thinking of switching to silicone utensils, but can't find a good set anywhere.

[Ted Dansons Wig]

I can't remember if mine are from there, I've had them ages. I'm thinking of switching to silicone utensils, but can't find a good set anywhere.

Sick of melting the plastic ones. Not the best organised cook in the world..

[viberunner]

Instead of vinyl (which I have, Joseph Joseph) you can go to a sturdier silicone construction.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Silicone-Cooking-Utensils-Masher/dp/B00E9D0EK0/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFXGJ9O/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFWT578/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Silicone-Cooking-Utensils-Masher/dp/B00E9CPNFC/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFX1DSQ/

I was considering them but the colours they don't do is black or grey.

Wooden spoons are great for a bit of sauce-stirring and you can flip bacon with wooden spatulas, but for more delicate foods you'll want a better slice than that, let alone the ladles, slotted spoons, etc.

I guess it depends if you're a Heinz Spaghetti Bolognese or a roux kind of guy.

[feral chile]

Instead of vinyl (which I have, Joseph Joseph) you can go to a sturdier silicone construction.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Silicone-Cooking-Utensils-Masher/dp/B00E9D0EK0/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFXGJ9O/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFWT578/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Silicone-Cooking-Utensils-Masher/dp/B00E9CPNFC/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchencraft-Colourworks-Silicone-Cooking-Utensil/dp/B00JFX1DSQ/

I was considering them but the colours they don't do is black or grey.

Wooden spoons are great for a bit of sauce-stirring and you can flip bacon with wooden spatulas, but for more delicate foods you'll want a better slice than that, let alone the ladles, slotted spoons, etc.

I guess it depends if you're a Heinz Spaghetti Bolognese or a roux kind of guy.

procook do black ones, but not in a set:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dkitchen&field-keywords=procook+silicone+utensil+black&rh=n%3A11052681%2Ck%3Aprocook+silicone+utensil+black

Edited March 15, 2015 by feral chile

[Thearg]

I got the Sainsbury's version of a Le Creuset oven pot at half price, they discontinued them for their January sale. It means a cast-iron ceramic casserole dish I can barely lift cost me just over £22. Delighted with it. Even at £45 they're a good price.

Same got mine last Summer sale,bargain!

For anyone interested Lidl are selling quality enamel roasting tins at 6.99 a pop,I just bought three today,haven't used them yet but they look really good and at that price couldn't resist.

[grumpyhack]

When we did up our kitchen we ended up going for an induction hob which works by some scientific magic that I don't understand. What I did understand is that the bottom of the pans has to respond to magnetism, so all of our aluminium and copper bottomed pans had to be replaced by straight stainless steel.

It may not be an issue for many, but induction hobs are becoming more popular so I'd advise anyone going for new pans to make sure they also work with induction.

[t8yman]

If you buy an induction or ceramic hob - you need to join ISIS.

Gas is for cooking on, shiny flat surfaces are for german kitchen brochures.

[gary1979666]

If you buy an induction or ceramic hob - you need to join ISIS.

Gas is for cooking on, shiny flat surfaces are for german kitchen brochures.

Completely with you on this. Afterall there isn't an expression 'cooking on an induction hob'!

Really struggle when I have to use a non-gas hob - so difficult to judge the head and it takes so long to react to a change!

[viberunner]

If you buy an induction or ceramic hob - you need to join ISIS. Gas is for cooking on, shiny flat surfaces are for german kitchen brochures.

My preference was for gas (it was at my previous tenement flat) but I moved to a tower block where gas is banned.

My previous experience of electric hobs has horrible (not ovens, I've always though electric fan ovens are better than gas ovens). My parents (who lived rurally and therefore couldn't get gas) had those coil ring ones, then sealed plate. Both were crap, ages to warm up and if you turned them down it would take ages to respond. The sealed plate also started to crumble and break up.

But my ceramic hob is actually very responsive, and it cooks more evenly than gas. As you increase the gas the size of the gas ring expands meaning there are definitely spots within the pan that are hotter/cooler than others. With a ceramic hob the heat is evenly distributed.

[Katster]

I've been forced into liking electric as I live in a flat and part of our conditions of sale are to not use gas ovens. The trick is if they aren't as responsive as you'd like just lift the pan until it cools down a bit. Snot that difficult.