Opinions on the best cookware to buy? My wife wants a new set and I am debating between Viking stainless steel or the Hard Anodized.

Based on my research stainless is better but harder to clean? Is it worth the hassle?

Considering I was going to basically start a thread with the same question allow me to resurrect this thread/question.


Any input y'all?

Thanks

Enamelled Cast Iron and copper are my personal favourites.

I have a few stainless steel pieces as well.

Really is dependent on what you are cooking, how often you are going to be using these pieces, amount of maintenance you want to do etc.

Better to buy individual pieces than sets in my opinion.

Believe it or not, Tramontina brand carried by Walmart (online) comes in almost toe-to-toe in comparisons to All-Clad and for a fraction of the price. It's got to be the "Tri-ply Clad". There's a 13 piece set for sale for about $300 right now. You can also buy pieces individually.


Do a Google search for comparisons. It's not going to have the same name recognition or "wow" factor if you like name brands but it performs almost identically.

Fitz, Combat, thanks for the input.

I'll take a look at y'alls suggestions.

So the wife nixed the enameled cast iron. She feels it will be too heavy. Considering she'll be using the cookware many more times than I, who am I to argue with that reasoning.

The All-Clad looks nice, but pricey. Combat, have you had personal experience with the Tramontina? If "yes", no issues? You're satisfied and happy with the product?

I have one pan. I like it enough that I'm thinking of replacing some of my "lesser" cookware with a set of Tramontina Triply. It's really well made and I like it a lot. And it's very attractive cookware, too.

I'm of the opinion that if you cook enough you really need a variety. Stainless set of pots/pans, 2-3 nonstick frypans, 10-12" cast iron pan, and a cast iron dutch oven.

Tramontina actually makes some good nonstick pans you can get off Amazon (the red handle ones). Use them until the coating wears out then replace.

Really, most any of the top name brand tri-ply stainless sets are good - go with what you like: All-Clad, Calphalon, Cuisinart, Tramontina, etc.

Lodge for dutch oven and either Lodge or something more boutique like Stargazer for the cast iron pan. https://stargazercastiron.com/

Yes! I have a couple of Le Creuset dutch ovens, lots of cast iron, some non-stick pans, and some stainless steel. I use them all. It depends on what I am cooking.

I just added that 14" Butter Pat to my wish list. That'd make a great anniversary or birthday gift.

To sum this up, I inherited 2 extensive kitchens worth of cookware. Prolly have 15-20 pieces of Le Cruset and about the same amount of older, nice Lodge and the other old brand cast iron stuff. Plus some stuff that we/I acquired before getting that stuff.

When we were living out of the country I bought a top end Tramontina set, not because I knew it but because it looked good. The stuff I bought was made in Brazil, I don't know where the US stuff is made.

But that Tramontina stuff is very, very nice I line it as much as the Le Cruset, easy. As I learned, Tramontina is an upper end brand amd very sought after in South and Central America. My experience with it started about 15 years ago. I had never seen it before.

I have glanced at some of it in the US, but only glanced. It looks good. I have it boxed up, except for one large pan that I use frequently, so as to save it as I like it so much.

They're certainly proud of their product

I've had my D3 All Clad for years and love it. Seems pretty indestructible and performs great.

You should try a d5 if you ever can get a deal.

HomeGoods and TJ Max have the Viking alot of the time a huge savings, just FYI. Personally I have SaladMaster SS pans, I think they are the very best, this set is 40 plus years old and still going strong.

I've had All Clad for two decades. Recommend.

But my favorite piece is cast iron skillet.


Also have nonstick but I bought a cheap All clad nonstick set.

Read wire cutter because they say about the same thing.

We've had William-Sonoma for about 8 years. Bought from open stock as there wasn't a set that fit our needs. At the same time also bought a set of 2 All-Clad nonstick. They held up well. In fact just gave the kid the same set for Christmas.

Also have 2 Lodge skillets that I love. Have owned a Blackstone for about 3 years. Awesome piece of equipment. I don't use the Weber grill much anymore.