Oh also, if you're cooking properly, you don't need non-stick except for maybe 2 frying pans.

We've had our Cuisinart Multi-clad pots for over 10 years and they are still going strong. I would definitely recommend them. I have an All-Clad piece that is amazing but can't afford to have everything All-Clad. I find that the Cuisinart pots and pans are similar in quality to All-Clad (maybe a little less heavy) but at a much lower price. I used to have Calphalon frying pans but they're gone now. Anyway, I prefer Cruisinart's handles to Calphalon's.

For the types of pots you might need:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/432440.page#6088826

I like America's Test Kitchen reviews of products. They usually have a "best buy" option in addition to the top recommendation. They recommend not buying "sets" for pots and pans b/c you usually end up with extraneous ones you'll never use vs. the ones you really need.

If your cooktop is glass, I wouldn’t invest in all lecruset b/c the are super heavy.

If you’re looking to splurge:
Get one lecruset big Dutch oven.
All clad roasting pan.

I like stainless steel skillets, but you need one that has a large cooking surface and not rounded sides. The all clad one is super heavy for my scrawny arms. I have a calphlon one with a helper handle that was a pretty budget buy.

Cast iron skillets will provide natural nonstick, but they are heavy, so get one with handle and lip so you can grip it with 2 hands if necessary.

I was just the same as you with aging nonstick and am very happy with my Cuisinart set.

I have three kids and cook a ton (6 nights a week) and these are the only pans I use:
Le crueset cast iron skillet
Le crueset Dutch oven 2.75 qt
Le crueset Dutch oven 5 qt
Le crueset double burner grill pan
Cuisinart stainless 3qt saucepan

I leave all the heavy stuff out on the range full time. Everything else I own sits in the cupboard except for the rarest occasions.

So, I recommend collecting a few of these very expensive pieces and not worrying about getting a big set (like all clad).

Anonymous wrote:In terms of ratings, All Clad gets the highest but they are expensive. I love mine. The next highest ratings are Tramontina - they are quite good too.

I love my all-clad stainless - got a lot of it for my wedding and still going strong 15 years later, but I find the Sur la Table store brand to be a decent and cheaper substitute.

In terms of ratings, All Clad gets the highest but they are expensive. I love mine. The next highest ratings are Tramontina - they are quite good too.

Love my all-clad. Ive been using them for 9 yrs and they still look great too.

I got a set of the Calphslon space -saving nonstick pans from Costco and they are great.

I like the idea of All Clad, made in the USA. But I don't like the handles and I prefer disc-bottom pots.

We're still using our disc-bottom set from Macy's from our wedding. I've looked at the Demeyere ones and eventually I might get one of those. But I also have a lot of weakness in my hands and arms and they might be too heavy.

As for non-stick, I bought a couple of the nice artisan cast iron and they are non-stick, even for eggs, scrambled or fried. But it took us a long time to get there.

I buy Vollrath stainless pans from Webstaurant store. Tribute. They're very nice - aluminum cores wrapped in stainless. Clean up easily with soap and a metal scrubbie if anything is sticking. Also if I'm making anything that burns, I just fill the hot pan with water and a bit of soap and put it back on the hot burner. By the time the water has cooled, everything wipes away easily.

I have one small nonstick pan for eggs and such that's cheaper so that I don't worry about it much and replace when they are worn.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have all non-stick today, and many of them have scratches which I don't like b/c of the chemicals potentially getting into our food. I know stainless steel is better but I think I still need some non-stick pans but want to move to stainless pots.

Can you recommend your non-stick pans and stainless steel pots?

thanks!

What’s your budget and are you planning on buying all the stuff in one go?

OP here - thanks for asking. I am going to ask for some things for Christmas (we have generous parents) so I would say I just want something decent but not necessarily the most expensive. I struggle when I look online at the wide price range, so I'd like something that is good but doesn't have to be the best name out there.

Anonymous wrote:I have all non-stick today, and many of them have scratches which I don't like b/c of the chemicals potentially getting into our food. I know stainless steel is better but I think I still need some non-stick pans but want to move to stainless pots.

Can you recommend your non-stick pans and stainless steel pots?

thanks!

What’s your budget and are you planning on buying all the stuff in one go?

I have all non-stick today, and many of them have scratches which I don't like b/c of the chemicals potentially getting into our food. I know stainless steel is better but I think I still need some non-stick pans but want to move to stainless pots.

Can you recommend your non-stick pans and stainless steel pots?

thanks!