Stovetop Cookware... What Would You Buy?
Hi all! Getting overwhelmed with the options and opinions out there for stovetop cookware so looking for some help/recommendations. (Note: I have a gas stove). What would cooking pros use at home for some basic cooking like:
- 7.5-qt tomato sauce where you brown meatballs in the pot before adding the sauce ingredients and toss in some country pork
- Boiling eggs and pasta
- Pan frying breaded chicken and pork
- Pancakes
- Burgers & steaks
- Heating up veggies or jar sauce for a quick meal
- Eggs - everyone seems to agree to just use a non-stick pan and replace as needed
- Wok for stir fry
- Deep frying (mostly desserts like zeppoles or donuts)
Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
- 8 to 9-qt cast iron enameled dutch oven (Le Creuset round?)
- Stainless steel stock pot (All Clad? Made In? Tramontina?? Not sure if expensive is better)
- Enameled cast iron pan (Le creuset but stuck on their everyday pan vs skillet vs braiser!)
- Electric griddle??? 12” non-stick?
- Same as #3?
- Not sure if stainless or cast iron or non-stick?
- Non-stick pan (8" & 10")
- Stainless steel?
- Use #1 above?
I went and bought a ridiculously expensive non-stick set during Black Friday before researching and now realize my mistake. Returning so I can buy by-the-piece based on my specific cooking needs. I’d like to buy good stuff even though I don’t cook anything super fancy. I’ve always been super frustrated with my current set, which my ex mother-in-law bought me in 2002. They are old QVC non-stick and I now understand why cooking with them is so frustrating. Been reading a lot on cookware over the past month (probably too much) and yes, the pans are not good/safe. Hoping good cookware will make cooking more enjoyable and I can start exploring and learning more, rather than dreading cooking even my favorites. :-) If you’ve read this far, thank you!!