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The Dude

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I am a die-hard Cast Iron Skillet guy but need to pick up a few S/M/L skillets for my mother, who is in her 70's

She can't pick up the heavy skillets (thank god), so I am looking for a few decent pans that are good quality for her to cook with on an electric range.

I got her one of those Kohl's (insert random chef name) $200 kits a few years back, and now all the frying/skillets are ruined.

Know you guys got input or advice without breaking the bank; learn me up!

Thanks in advance.
 
PickyPrincess

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#4 ·
I would look at Amazon. While I love cast iron skillets, the reality is I don't have time to wash them by hand and take care of them as needed, so for Christmas my husband picked up a set of Ninja skillets, and we really like them. I've seen them at Kohl's, and you can buy them individually on Amazon.

I hate to be the one to ask, but how did your Mom ruin the skillets? That is pretty important to know, and maybe someone else will have better ideas.

Welcome to the forums, by the way!
 
Wooleybooger

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#7 ·
I'm a cast iron guy also but I also use Wear Ever ceramic coated skillets and pans and Teflon skillets and pans. You've said CI is out of the picture so probably Teflon is the way to go. From experience commercial cooking they do need to be replaced periodically but for individuals that would be years between replacement probably. Silicon coated or silicon utensils are available. I had bought a set off Amazon for the Wear Ever ceramic set. The ceramic does wear as does Teflon and of course metal utensils may remove the coating. Plain steel or stainless steel in another option, I've used all that I've mentioned. I'd opt for the easiest to care for myself. BTW scrapes etc. in coated pans do not ruin the pan and small ones don't affect the non-stick properties.
As for non-stick any uncoated pan is non-stick if properly heated and a little oil added before cooking in it.
Sorry for the wordiness just throwing out my experience.
 
Shane R

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#8 ·
Walmart has a brand of non-stick called 'Tasty'. I like them so much I bought all 3 sizes of skillet. I don't have any of the pots because I have a stainless set of pots but they have various sizes of those too. They are dishwasher safe but they are so slick usually a wipe and rinse are adequate clean up. Pieces start at about $12.
 
Colbyt

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#12 ·
The Dude said:
She always cooks too hot, walks away, or uses metal utensils on them, which I have been weeding out of her kitchen. :cool:
Click to expand...
I just put a 50 year old, always cooked in with metal utensils, SS tri-ply skillet in the basement. Sure it has a few dings and scratches but nothing that interferes with its suitability for purpose. Quit using it as part of an overall pan upgrade.

My point being buy less and better quality. A single person does not need more than 2 skillets.+ maybe a small coated one for eggs if she does eggs. There is an 8" version of this: Robot or human? that currently sells for about 8 bucks that is fine for eggs. I cooked a few hash browns several time per week and eggs 6 days a week on average for 2 years per skillet.

I recently upgraded to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DTWBKD6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details Very nice and sturdy. Nothing seems to stick.

For the other two look for heavyweight SS tri-ply construction. Walmart has a decent selection from which to choose.
 
KitchenWench

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#13 ·
The Dude said:
She always cooks too hot, walks away, or uses metal utensils on them, which I have been weeding out of her kitchen. :cool:
Click to expand...
Oh good grief! I thought I was the only one with a mother who cooks like that! Although mine doesn't walk away too often because she learned her lesson the hard way. I'd been away for 2 weeks, came home to find the kitchen all over the front yard and the house smelling like a grease fire...

I've heard good things about the assorted granite cookware but the sets can get pricey. A quick Amazon search showed a big assortment of sets.
 
Roll_Bones

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#14 ·
I have been and still am a aluminum pan user. They are very tough and much lighter than cast iron. We have cast iron and some are more than 60 years old. They never get used.
Cuisinart makes some very nice bright aluminum cookware. Thick laminated bottoms. I buy them as pieces not whole sets. My wife picked up 2 the other day and each were under $20. A saucepan and a 2.5 quart medium pan. Bright aluminum. Full metal riveted handles and oven safe. With glass lids.
These pans are very forgiving and tough. They can handle the heat. On the stove top or in the oven.

Secondly you can get her a couple non-stick frying pans for a very reasonable price. These will be aluminum as well. You don't want to spend a lot of money on non-stick. Buy good ones like T-Fal or Tramontina and throw them away after they have given their life.
Costco had 3 non stick Tramontina fry pans. 6-8-10 inch for $29 on sale.

You don't have top spend a lot on cookware to get great cookware. But you can't go bottom dollar either. Look for straight sides, heavy bottoms, rivet5ed metal handles and accompanying lids. Buy individual pans. Pick the pan you like best.
I think if you look at aluminum, you might be as impressed as I am.
I started with a set of Calphalon anodized aluminum. I still use them and have had them for more than 40 years.
Perfect weight for someone who needs lighter cookware with heavy cookware capabilities.
 
KitchenWench

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#16 ·
Roll_Bones said:
I started with a set of Calphalon anodized aluminum. I still use them and have had them for more than 40 years.
Click to expand...
I've got a set of the pro hard anodized that I've had for almost as long and use them daily. Over the years I've randomly added All Clad SS and Calphalon 3 ply pieces to finally have what for me is a well rounded set of cookware. For doing reenactments I've spent 35 years collecting, scrounging and rescuing cast iron, most of which has transitioned to my modern kitchen as needed.

Yep...I've got an addiction. I'm addicted to cookware...lol
 
The Dude

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Roll_Bones

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#18 ·
The Dude said:
Ended up with this set on clearance at Marshalls for about $40 bucks so we shall see.

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: All-Clad E785S264/E785S263 HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick 8 10-Inch Fry Pan Cookware Set, 2-Piece, Black: Home & Kitchen

Shop All-Clad at the Amazon Cookware store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Nice set. Aluminum too. All Clad makes some very nice stuff. I'm sure you will get years out of these pans.
Now you can get the same kind in sauce/cooking pans if needed.
 
Kitchen Ronin

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#20 ·
Just tossing (lol) this into it, but I really like my Ballarini Granitium stuff. Non-toxic non-stick and very tough.

They're not cheap but they're buy once/cry once, and so far in my experience worth every penny... drove hard and put away wet many times and still like new. Bonus... metal handles but they stay non-burn cool.
 
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