Anonymous wrote:Please do NOT get a novice cook cast iron. It takes work to clean and care for a cast iron pan and if you don't know how, you can easily damage the non-stick surface (many novices will not know to avoid soap and hard scratching cleaning pans) and it is a pain to reseason.

When I was in college, I had an inexpensive used Revereware set (stainless steel) with one Woolworth non-stick pan that was replaced every couple of years. Now, I'd agree with the PP's. Go with Ikea and one non-stick pan. But, please warn your novice cook not to put the non-stick pan on the burner with nothing in it. Easy way to release toxins from overheating the non-stick coating.

Hummm... Do I trust my kid to remember the cleaning ritual for cast iron? If she fails, she has an unseasoned pan. OR, do I trust het to remember not to put it on a burner empty, or scrape it with metal utensils? The result of this oversight being TOXINS.
You revso right, the toxin route is the best option. And why bout educating her roommates on he risk of the toxins?

Ikea. I got Ikea ones in College and they still look brand new almost 18 years later.

YOu can get an amazing deal on a whole set at Macy's or Kohl's. They always have sales running.

Get some cheap T-fal cookware. Easy to clean and great for a beginner.

Thanks for all the advice! I printed the topic and we're headed to Ikea this weekend for a home-goods shopping spree. She's been researching recipes and texting her roommates with ideas. She's very excited. Hopefully this lasts, as the BBQ joint down the street is very tasty and easy. Thanks all!

Please do NOT get a novice cook cast iron. It takes work to clean and care for a cast iron pan and if you don't know how, you can easily damage the non-stick surface (many novices will not know to avoid soap and hard scratching cleaning pans) and it is a pain to reseason.

When I was in college, I had an inexpensive used Revereware set (stainless steel) with one Woolworth non-stick pan that was replaced every couple of years. Now, I'd agree with the PP's. Go with Ikea and one non-stick pan. But, please warn your novice cook not to put the non-stick pan on the burner with nothing in it. Easy way to release toxins from overheating the non-stick coating.

I 2nd ikea

I've gotten great deals on individual Circulon pans at Ross.

PP, I love cast iron but they are not super easy, especially for beginning cooks. Teflon is not great material -- but super easy.

Cast iron. Naturally non stick. Get the 10" signature series Lodge skillet for her. It is about $60, and will last a lifetime, despite what her dumb roommates scrub it with (ideally no soap. No really, you don't use soap on cast iron). We own a cabinet full of All Clad worth $1,000 or more. We neve use it. Only our cast iron skillets get use. We are heavy, and experienced cooks. The downside for you daughter will be that they are heavy.

Definitely get the Teflon covered pans. And maybe an aluminum stockpot or two.

Just explain to her that those Teflon ones will go bad over time, and that she needs to replace them when they're badly scratched.

Ikea

buy a cheap dishwasher safe set from Target or Walmart. That is all she needs. That way, when roommates destroy it, you won't be so mad about replacing it.

In college I would get fairly cheap frying pans because they will get scratched up quite a bit by roommates.

My daughter doesn't cook, and gained a freshman-15 last year because of it. Back down in weight and wanting to start her second year off right, she's been practicing cooking quick, healthful meals, but can't seem to get the hang of cooking in my stainless steel triply pans. I want to buy her a set of pans, but I fear if I get her a set like mine, she'll either quit cooking because they're tough to keep clean or quit cooking because she's ruined the pans. I wonder if just getting the teflon covered pans would be best in her case.

Anyone have cookware suggestions for a newbie chef? Looking for easy use and maintenance and bonus if it's fairly inexpensive. She'll be sharing with 3 roommates, and cooking for 1-4 people.

Thanks in advance!