Just got engaged and the fiancee got us introduced to the Vita Craft cookware brand.

Does anyone have an opinion or review of these. There isn't much online other than beware of the scammers selling the items. There is no function review/data of the actual cookware that I can find.

Are they as functional as they seem? Are they worth the cost? At this price point are other brands (All Clad, Le Crueset, Viking, Calphalon, etc.) better options?

I have never used them. Don't think i have even seen them. After a very quick look at their site, I'm skeptical- too much propaganda/buzz words in their description.


"Comfort fit" grip: The long handle is designed with a special grip that allows it to fit comfortably in your hand and makes it easy to hold."

Looks like a plastic handle to me, BIG no no

"No rivets or rolled edges: Grease and food particles can be trapped around rivets and rolled edges, making them difficult to clean."

the pros use rivets and rolled edges for the vast majority of ALL cookware. Rivits are strong (and cheap) and rolled edges actually aide in the movement of food and clean up....that is why kitchen floors often require "rolled edges" where the floor meets the wall.


"Warp resistant bottom: The bottom of the pan is designed to assure the utensil hugs the burner for maximum heating efficiency. This feature makes Vita Craft cookware practical for all types of ranges, including smooth glass top surface ranges."

Warping is not really an issue when it comes to home appliances(unless you buy really cheap stuff). Can it happen, Sure. But it take forgetting about a pan for a few hours then dropping it.

Here is another little secret, the pan will still work if it is warped.....hide it in teh cupboard.



If they are in the price point of all those others, GET THOSE INSTEAD!

Thanks for the response.

It seems more expensive from the little research I have done.

You can get the All-Clad d5 Stainless-Steel 27-Piece Cookware Set from Williams Sonoma for about the same price they were selling a 16ish piece set we were looking at (they do throw in some extras you get to choose from like knives, crystal, flatware, etc.).

They don't leave you with any materials or pricing after their sales pitch. So I can't really do an apples to apples comparison. And as mentioned before I can't find an honest or non-biased testing of their equipment.

A) Paragraphs are your friend

B) Le Creuset has been in business since 1925 so that's 86 years > 65 - but who cares how long anyone been in business....if it is a good product it really doesn't matter.

C)

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The manufactures of the ranges says.....you MUST USE A FLAT BOTTOM PAN

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Ever heard of a wok???? I do not understand why you think you HAVE to have a flat bottom pan.

D)

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Sounds like Bondfire don't do too much cooking.

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Really....personal attack...? Nice grammar "dont do too much," you obviously dont write much do you....( I really have no leg to stand on here)

I was giving an opinion, that I qualified to begin with. "I have never used these"

But since you started it I have 13 years professional kitchen experience and I am starting my first restaurant.

E)

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Also the handles are NOT plastic they are Phenolic and oven safe to 425

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I said it "LOOKS" like plastic - again see the qualifier at the beginning of post

F)

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You can take a hot hot Townecraft pan and stick it in cold water without warping it.

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Cool, so can my AceMart Specials - I do that 100's of times a day.

G)

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. With Le Crueset it might just crack the surface paint and the pan itself being as it is a painted cast iron pan.

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First, its Enameled Cast Iron - its not just painted. Honestly we are comparing apples to oranges here - with anything enameled you go into it understanding that they require special care. But they have better heat retention to than ANYTHING that is Aluminum or Stainless Steel, and they clean easier than anything straight cast iron.

h)

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mine will cook without water or grease on most foods

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Huh.....I do not understand this comment - both aid in heat transference thus preserving color/nutrients(debatable) when boiling and much better searing with oil.

I)

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If you want to know about cookware ask a professional not a novice.

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We have already addressed this.

J)

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If I was going to have my heart operated on I certainly would not ask my mechanic for him to tell me all he knows about it! The long and short of it is that you get what you pay for......yes even in cookware

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Hey we agree on something!!!!!

K)

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"HIDE IT IN THE CUPBOARD" as Bondfire suggested as it is beautiful enough to sit on the stove when you have company even after 40 years of cooking.

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Yea, all it is and all it will ever be is a TOOL - If the looks of a pot or pan are important to you GREAT - i suggest investing in Copper cookware - they are functional and beautiful.





That all being said nice troll!!!!




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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 1/27/2012 12:55p).]

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Uername: Panman
Number of Posts: 1
Account Created: 1/27/2012 5:22:50 AM
Homepage:
Occupation:

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You really created an account to attack me???




My Bet: Hes a rep for Townecraft.
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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 1/27/2012 12:46p).]

dp..

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 1/27/2012 12:50p).]

I think someone's on the payroll.

Ooohhhh! Maybe a sn "cutco" will show up on the knife thread.

What a pitch. I can't believe bondfire would lead astray like that.

What's the odds this guy comes back to play?


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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

Since he's a rook, I'm betting it's somebody like drive on or whoever just to get baconfire stirred up.

Would bea great troll!

But looking into the company, about 1/2 of the google hits are a link to townexradt being a scam, I bet is real

Has anyone here ever heard of Townecraft? I think I know my way around a kitchen, as well as Williams-Sanoma and Sur Le Tables, and I have never heard of this brand.

That is odd since they have been around 65 years and such...

"Today, we showed the resolve of the United States. Today we made a statement to the world... That you can hit us, you can knock us down, but we're gonna get up. And when we do, we will find you and kick your ass!"
- Robert E Clark II, Cpt USN, Commandant of Midshipmen May 1, 2011

Could this be the first sign that spambots have achieved sentience? Someone call Sarah Connor now!

Sudden turn of events, I didn't expect. After his sales pitch on his product I thought this thread would be done.

Either way I will keep researching. The more I look into it the more I like the All-Clad stainless steel since they are dishwasher safe, and I can't always get out of doing the dishes. Even though I thought that it was part of the marriage contract that I no longer did cleaning chores.

You thought his pitch was successful?


Aw man they pulled the pitch.......come on texags this was gonna be fun if he came back

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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 1/30/2012 8:14p).]

Not successful at all, it just was a blatant advertisement for his product.

It sounded and felt like the other cookware pitch, albeit terribly written.

But they kept the thread and removed the post.

So onward I continue to review and see what makes the most sense.

ahh I see, sorry.....<black eye>



What are you wanting out of you Pots and Pans?

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 1/31/2012 9:23a).]

I picked up cooking as a hobby while unemployed. It gave me something productive to do with my time while the girlfriend was is grad school and I was looking for work.

So I'm looking for a set that lets me continue to work on cooking and if I get the time, actually use it expand/develop my abilities. I also want something that I have pride in and compels me to continue cooking more.

I currently don't have the room to hang/show them off so copper doesn't seem necessary (this also probably isn't conducive to the ease of care). However, a copper core seems like it may have some value to the cookware. I'm not aware of the benefits that a La Creuset porcelain set would offer.

I'm a wannabe foodie and enjoy cooking for groups of friends (between 6-12 generally, sometimes more). There isn't much I'm afraid to attempt even if I'm not quite proficient at it yet.

This may not have pointed you in a specific direction, but at this point I'm not sure I have a specific goal in mind, its just to continue cooking. We are looking for something other than my original beaten up bachelor non-stick cooking set.

That helps!


a) does the look of stuff matter to you? Does it all have to match?

-If not hit up a restaurant supply for your pans. The can take ANYTHING you can throw at them and you'll save on the name brand expense.

b)I would not get aluminum pots from restaurant supply place. They take special thought into what you are using them for (mainly NEVER ANYTHING ACIDIC) - but if you wanted to get their stainless steel models they could work - but they are similar price to name brand.

c) hit up some antique stores for cast iron pans - sure they take special care, but not hard to learn. find the smoothest cooking surface - make sure there was no welding repairs (especially at the handle) and check for rust pitting. Some surface rust is bound to be there - but as long as it hasn't deteriorated through the metal at all.

d) look for thick, heavy bottomed pots w/ small tolerance/close fitting lids- name brand here is fine.

e) the enameled cast iron stuff, honestly can wait, these are for braising. And they are NOT REQUIRED. But they do tend to produce a better product. you have to watch how you heat them (slowly) The metal expands at a quicker rate and can crack the enamel - this would defeat the purpose of the tool.



Now if you want it all to match and have the coin - by all means buy a complete set. But stay away from the infomercial stuff - there is a reason that we dont talk/or even hear about these companies.


Hope this helps.

Bondfire, no I did not create an account just to attack you. I read your post and saw that you was wrong on several points. i have an opinion too being as I have been in the cookware business for 40 yrs and have come across several others just like you....giving wrong information out to others who believe every word you say. i for one do not go along with all your points as noted in the previous posting. But I see how this works....I disagreed with Bonfire and got booted off the forum. Why do you not allow different opinions to be posted and let others make up their own minds. Or is it that you are "protecting" others from people who disagree with you thereby making yourself look good. Disagreeing with you is not a personal attack. Speaking of personal attacks some of the posts that followed mine seemed to attack me! In your by-laws it stated something to the effect that personal attacks would not be tolerated. Have they been booted off also.......don't think so!

BWAHAHAHAHA HE CAME BACK!!!!!


<popcorn gif>

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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

Yes I did and would have been back sooner to defend myself but it seems someone booted me off the forum! How much do you want to bet I get axed again?

Bonfire did say something correct.......look for thick, heavy bottomed pots w/ small tolerance/close fitting lids...........he just described Townecraft.

Anyone wanna share?

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 2/14/2012 12:56p).]

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Yes I did and would have been back sooner to defend myself but it seems someone booted me off the forum!

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Took you that long to think of just creating a new account? Good for you bub! Your catching up!

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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

Wadd96 said....."Has anyone here ever heard of Townecraft? I think I know my way around a kitchen, as well as Williams-Sanoma and Sur Le Tables, and I have never heard of this brand." Townecraft is not sold in stores. If you ask around I am more than sure you will find that Townecraft as well as Vita Craft is well known. Maybe you don't know your way around the kitchen as well as you think you do!

This place sounds like a bunch of Obama Democrats to me! If it don't go your way........cut him off!

a)

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Bondfire

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alright its "Bonfire" and it is something that many of us hold very dear to our hearts. Get it right.

b)

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no I did not create an account just to attack you.

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Ok, you didn't, but you did create an account to push your inferior product, AND in the process took a few directed shots at me.

c)

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I read your post and saw that you was wrong on several points.

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"you was wrong"...again really?

And no, I was not wrong, there is a reason many of the better cooks on here, many that are professional chefs and restauranteurs have never even HEARD of your product. Likely, because your product, is not good enough to stand up to our demanding standards.

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....I disagreed with Bonfire and got booted off the forum.

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I am not staff, never have claimed to be. I was actually saddened when you were booted and I made a comment AT staff, that I wanted to keep you around.... You were booted for pushing your product without being an advertiser on this site. Simple as that.

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Disagreeing with you is not a personal attack.

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No disagreeing is not personal attack. Saying stuff like "you obviously dont do too much cooking" is.

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Speaking of personal attacks some of the posts that followed mine seemed to attack me!

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No one attacked you. We called you out as rep, which you are. Your opinion is biased and therefore is less relevant. Period.

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Have they been booted off also.......don't think so!

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Because they did not attack anyone, they only stated the obvious.....









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Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 2/14/2012 10:15a).]

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Maybe you don't know your way around the kitchen as well as you think you do!

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ANOTHER personal attack, your thick dude....

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"Has anyone here ever heard of Townecraft? I think I know my way around a kitchen, as well as Williams-Sanoma and Sur Le Tables, and I have never heard of this brand."

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Maybe you don't know your way around the kitchen as well as you think you do!

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That was a question, he was seeking more information on your product, your sales pitch piqued his interest, but then you the OUTSTANDING SALES GUY you are, decided to throw away a GREAT opportunity at a sale, and bash a prospective customer..... great job man!

_______________________________________________________
Bacon: the candy bar of meat.

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 2/14/2012 10:09a).]

BWB--I saw the original post. It cracked me up. That's why I brought popcorn this time.

THAT is what that icon is! NICE

I think Im the slow kid in class....

[This message has been edited by bonfirewillburn (edited 2/14/2012 2:02p).]

I wouldn't say his sales pitch piqued my interest... in fact, as a professional sales person and trainer, it was downright terrible and full of personal attacks. But it is gone now so I cannot reference it.

That being said, I am always on the look out for new and improved products. It just the way I am. And, having spent several years in my OWN kitchen and in several highly reputable cooking stores, I simply have never seen this brand. But, also not being a professional chef, and never having claimed to be one, thought perhaps I was missing something so I asked.

To be responded to in such a manner as followed guaranteed I would never, even if it were free, look at this product. Guess they didn't tell this guy in his sales training that trying to make a potential customer look like an idiot is not a very effective selling tactic.

"Today, we showed the resolve of the United States. Today we made a statement to the world... That you can hit us, you can knock us down, but we're gonna get up. And when we do, we will find you and kick your ass!"
- Robert E Clark II, Cpt USN, Commandant of Midshipmen May 1, 2011