I need new pots and pans - recommend me a brand

[Curly]

Wow all the votes for Baccarat! My best friend has Baccarat too - I've also been consulting via email with some foodie mates.

But...DH has authorised Scanpan

We have a Scanpan roasting tray that is still in great shape and he is biased towards it because it's the only one that has stood the test of time. Mind you it's the only one that gets treated with respect because it cost a fortune to start with.

He was saying replace one pot at a time with a Scanpan, like pregagainpan suggested. But I then put my thinking cap on and Peters of Kensington have Scanpan at awesome prices which makes it within reach. No Baccarat there unfortunately...and DH is saying Scanpan, Scanpan so who am I to argue???

Thank you so much ladies, this has been interesting (and fun...I love homewares).

[Rouge]

Copper ones if I had a gazillion dollars. With metal handles (for reasons mentioned above) and Le Creuset or Chasseur Dutch ovens of varying sizes...

When you start dreaming about the day you can polish your copper saucepans you know you have a problem.

[Phteven]

Have you looked at victoria's basement?
They often have great specials

ETA - I can't walk past Le Creuset without fingering it lovingly.....

[Curly]

Ooooo thanks I forgot about Victoria's Basement...

*off I go*

[Unimum]

We have a beautifu scanpan set and I would have to say that are pretty good. They really get hot and retain their heat well. We have one copper scanpan fry pan with lid, its unbelievable I can cook a rack of lamb in it on the stove top, keeps the meat unbelievable moist.

One down fall is they are a bit of a pain to clean. I havn't kept on top of mine and most of them have black stains on the bottom, apparently I am meant to gumption it? The inside is cleans fairly easily though.

[Curly]

We did get a buildup of black in the corners of our Scanpan roasting pan but some lemon juice, bicarb and a Vileda teflon scourer with some elbow grease got it back like new. We'd neglected seasoning it after washing it.

[Curly]

Okay might have changed my mind about Scanpan. It has a lot of bad reviews about the surface bubbling.

Oh well...at least I know that DH will let me spend reasonable money on decent cookware. Time to put the research cap on.

[Floweryfields]

Oopsy

[mbear]

Havent heard any bad press re: scanpan...im like pregpainagain....i love scanpan, have 5 pots and pans and serioulsy would not be without it.
Try TVSN too...they offer part payment options and good bundles.

ETA: I have jamie oliver huge pasta pot with drainer, my DH bougth it for me one mothers day - it cost $359 or something - ridiculous....and i find i still need oil/cooking spray to prevent from sticking.

Good luck....its great your DH is taking an interest.

[LimeSlice]

I would use Telfon pans if you paid me - they are so dangerous and unnecessary - we well seasoned pan is just as non-stick and they can go in the oven! They wont degrade and wont flake off toxic chemicals into my food.

WRT to cleaning copper pans. Is the copper exposed? If you have an exposed copper pans (the pretty one lol) then dont use gumption!!
There are 2 ways to remove tough marks on copper, particularly older more blackened tarnish. First, try the Tomato Sauce Method. Yes, tomato sauce!
Spread it on the base and leave it for about 10 minutes or so, then wash off in hot water with a soft dish cloth. (dont use scourers it will compromise the surface)

The other method is how we clean them at work - the same way Escoffier's copper pans were cleaned. (gotta be good enough if they used it for his pans!! lol)
Mix together 1/4 of a cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of coarse salt.
Then apply the paster to the copper using a sponge or dishcloth and then rinsed in plenty of hot water. This cleans the copper thoroughly but does not strip the patina.
If you want a brighter shine, you may wish to use a proprietary copper cleaner regularly. (like Brasso)

[MamaPan]

Curly - i havent had any probs with the scanpans and I have hadthem for 6 yrs and i cook a lot! i havent heard anything.... hmmm... did you look at swiss diamond? they are awesome as well.
BTW girls - i always thought it was a french oven??? isnt a dutch oven something quite different???!!!!

[Life is Good]

preagainpan - haha, yeah it is a french oven. We have a Chasseur one and it is amazing.

The nice thing about the Swiss Diamond pans is that the handles are NOT metal, but in fact a plastic that is heat resistant. You can use them in the oven up to about 260 degrees celcius without having to deal with the piping hot handles when you take them out!!

[Curly]

I'm also going to investigate Swiss Diamond...haven't had a chance yet.

Limeslice...I don't think I know HOW to cook on a non-nonstick surface?!!! How on earth do I clean a pan after I've been frying meat in it or if you burn something on it? Can I keep it looking nice and new?

I did come across a bit about teflon in my googling last night and it made me start to wonder if perhaps I should look for a different option.

Or am I getting mixed up and you can get nonstick surfaces that aren't teflon?

Pregagainpan....Dutch ovens = French ovens...same same! (And I know what you are referring to, but the cookware really is called a Dutch oven).

[Unimum]

WRT to cleaning copper pans. Is the copper exposed? If you have an exposed copper pans (the pretty one lol) then dont use gumption!!
There are 2 ways to remove tough marks on copper, particularly older more blackened tarnish. First, try the Tomato Sauce Method. Yes, tomato sauce!
Spread it on the base and leave it for about 10 minutes or so, then wash off in hot water with a soft dish cloth. (dont use scourers it will compromise the surface)

(like Brasso)

this was an amzing tip!! Thank you so much.

our copper one is looking quite sad actually, we were accidently given two of the exact same brand so DH has decided his is the nice shiney un-used one and mine is the stained one!

[Bengal]

Well you wouldnt believe it, as I was doing the weekly shop, I happened to walk past, accidently on purpose, a kitchen shop called "House", and they have 50 % off Baccarat and Scanpan ... so in I popped with all my BB knowledge and put a set on lay-by .. I can't wait to pick them up ... Thanks for all the advice girls, even though I didnt post the thread