Should I go out and buy really nice pans for cooking, or will the k-mart specials do it?
[ Answer this question ] Want to answer more questions in the Domesticity category? Maybe give some free advice about: Cooking? chaos answered Thursday November 6 2003, 10:15 am: Ok. I have cooked in inherited pans, kmart pans, thrift store pans, and pampered chef. If you are setting up permanent housekeeping, it would be a good idea in some really nice pans. If you are a college student, you may want to experiment to discoverwhat you like. After about 15 years of cooking for myself, there are a few things I love. MY PIZZA PAN from pampered chef. I have bought them for all of my friends. You can cook pizza or cookies or biscuits on it. It makes them nice and crispy. I love pyrex. I love a big frying pan. I like a good sized saucepan. I could use maybe 4 pans on a regular basis.
metawidget answered Thursday October 23 2003, 10:51 am: The midrange cast-iron pans are where it's at. Season them (wash well to start, brush on peanut oil, bake for an hour, let cool, wipe off residue, wash with hot water and no soap, brush again, repeat) when you get them and you'll get decades of loyal service with no worries about scratching the coating. They're usually cast in one piece, so the handle will never come off (without a hacksaw). You may be able to find them at k-mart, or you can probably find pre-seasoned ones at garage sales and auctions. They're basically indestructible, so old is as good as new. [ metawidget's advice column | Ask metawidget A Question ]
Belgand answered Saturday October 18 2003, 4:28 am: It really depends on what you're looking at specifically. I suggest doing some research into what sort of pans you might be interested in and why the features are there (i.e. copper bottoms conduct heat well, but are often coated with another metal since copper isn't very practical alone). Compare the features and price to what you can spend and what you expect to get out of them.
If you have the money, the interest, and know what you're getting then I suggest getting the best pans you can reasonably afford and take good care of them. They should last you a lifetime with proper use.
Myself? I'm 22 and finishing college before moving on to grad school. I'm using cheap $40 or so for a 5-piece set pans and they do their job well enough even if they aren't the best. They'll last until I have the money to buy something better. [ Belgand's advice column | Ask Belgand A Question ]
Splitzy answered Thursday October 16 2003, 9:47 pm: I would just try TARGET ones. Not KMart. WAL-MART works too. If you are not happy with your purchases, go out and buy the nice ones. [ Splitzy's advice column | Ask Splitzy A Question ]
SMINT answered Thursday October 16 2003, 7:34 pm: I would buy the really nice ones. They'll probably last longer, and they'll do a better job with your food. [ SMINT's advice column | Ask SMINT A Question ]
oncebeyondyears answered Monday October 13 2003, 11:53 pm: Do not shirk here unless you are roommating with someone or in a travelling field like the military! Take care of your nice pans and they will continually pay off in helping you make good non-stuck meals. That means, wash by hand and no metal utensils!
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