Cookware

[furrycute]

About knives, why in the world are these knife sets so expensive?

My everyday knife is a butcher's knife with stainless steel blades that cost me $25. My other everyday knife is a cheap piece of peeling knife with plastic handles I got for free from walmart (literally this is the most versatile knife I have ever used, great for peeling fruits, and sharp as hell).

 

[furrycute]

Did a bit of searching around for good deals.

Samsclub has a 19 piece Wolfgang Puck stainless steel set for $99. Now that's quite a deal.

Anyone has a Samsclub membership?

 

[majorloser]

About knives, why in the world are these knife sets so expensive?

My everyday knife is a butcher's knife with stainless steel blades that cost me $25. My other everyday knife is a cheap piece of peeling knife with plastic handles I got for free from walmart (literally this is the most versatile knife I have ever used, great for peeling fruits, and sharp as hell).

Check out the cost of a ceramic paring knife it you want sticker shock

 

[racquetman]

About knives, why in the world are these knife sets so expensive?

My everyday knife is a butcher's knife with stainless steel blades that cost me $25. My other everyday knife is a cheap piece of peeling knife with plastic handles I got for free from walmart (literally this is the most versatile knife I have ever used, great for peeling fruits, and sharp as hell).

Knives are like just about everything else. The more you know about them, the more you begin to appreciate the little things about them. Because most fixed blade knives (like kitchen knives) have no moving parts or anything really complicated to them, price usually comes down to the quality of the stock steel used to make the blade. The rest is in the details and whether or not you can appreciate them.

A quality kitchen knife is usually full tang (the steel extends all the way through the handle). This gives the knife heft and proper balance. Cutting through anything in the kitchen should be almost effortless, and is with a properly sharpened knife.

It pretty much comes down to the point of diminishing returns. You can have a lousy cheap knife that cuts okay and you may have to replace periodically, or you can spend some money on a quality knife that comes with a lifetime guarantee that could last you forever. Most high end knife companies are very friendly and will do nearly anything to make their customers happy.

 

[ducker]

I hope this set I just recently got is alright... then again it was a killer deal... if I saw this thread earlier I would of posted it!
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1350728

Features
Constructed from heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel
Riveted solid stainless steel handles
Encapsulated aluminum and copper disk bonded to the base for even heating

Set Includes:
8" Open Omelet Pan
10" Covered Skillet with Assist Handle
1.5qt. Covered Saucepan
2.5qt. Covered Saucepan
4qt Covered Casserole
8qt. Covered Stockpot with Pasta Insert

the deal might still be active, just need a 20% discount code... and then you get a $50 rebate on top of it... nice set of pots for $30 or so... At least I think it's an ok set.

ha!! I found it:

Free Shipping
20% off coupon 918200000000 (Ends 12/18)

how's that for the price?

 

[majorloser]

I hope this set I just recently got is alright... then again it was a killer deal... if I saw this thread earlier I would of posted it!
http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1350728

Features
Constructed from heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel
Riveted solid stainless steel handles
Encapsulated aluminum and copper disk bonded to the base for even heating

Set Includes:
8" Open Omelet Pan
10" Covered Skillet with Assist Handle
1.5qt. Covered Saucepan
2.5qt. Covered Saucepan
4qt Covered Casserole
8qt. Covered Stockpot with Pasta Insert

the deal might still be active, just need a 20% discount code... and then you get a $50 rebate on top of it... nice set of pots for $30 or so... At least I think it's an ok set.

ha!! I found it:

Free Shipping
20% off coupon 918200000000 (Ends 12/18)

how's that for the price?

Copper clad bottoms can get ugly or wear off after a while. Still a good buy! They also carry some of the other brands talked about here.

 

[furrycute]

How much is the set after all the discount? The link appears to be dead.

 

[Tomorrow]

Furry,

Here's a good price (about to expire on ebay) for the 7-piece aluminum core ALL-CLAD. (~$280)

http://cgi.ebay.com/All-Clad-7-pc-Master-Chef-2-MC2-Cookware-Set-NEW_W0QQitemZ4423689872QQcategoryZ46277QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[furrycute]

That set ended up for over $300.

All-Clad has a LTD line that has anodized aluminum exterior with stainless interior. Anodized aluminum is harder than steel, so it wont scratch as easily. But the money... Oh well, at least they look beautiful.

 

[Tomorrow]

That set ended up for over $300.

All-Clad has a LTD line that has anodized aluminum exterior with stainless interior. Anodized aluminum is harder than steel, so it wont scratch as easily. But the money... Oh well, at least they look beautiful.

Sorry, Furry.

You might keep an eye on individual pieces on ebay. I saw some while looking for sets for you that were as amazing prices. (I might have to add a dutch oven, lol.) That set went for way too much. $280 would have been a good buy. Not over $300. You can get them new from the licensed stores for that much. I wish I could help you on the emeril sets. I haven't seen them...but the pricing sure looks good. But again...you tend to get what you pay for on this stuff.

 

[furrycute]

Thanks for the thought. I'll keep an eye out on ebay.

 

[MrKlister]

You might want to check out the Sur La Table cookware. Similar construction to All Clad, but considerably cheaper. I haven't used them, but certainly look good and have quite the heft.

http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?dmode=browse&StartRow=1&CRPCGNBR=27&CGRFNBR=42&PRRFNBR=12337

I do own and use All Clad MC2 series of cookware. Stainless on the inside but brushed aluminum outside. Doesn't look as beautiful as the stainless outside, but works just as well.

I used to own and use the old Calphalon. I had problems with the anodizing coming off. I don't know about the newer lines.

A lot of foodies go for Sitram cookware from France, specifically the Catering line. You can read all about it and other high end cookware here:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=22979&hl=sitram

You might want to check out some Japanese knives as well. They are a bit lighter than the Euro knives which some people love. They are also a bit sharper as well. I can vouch for the Shun knives.

 

[ducker]

fury... the deal I posted comes out to around $30 I believe. not sure if you ment that one or the Ebay auction.

 

[loserwife]

One thing I hate about some cookware is that they use a hollow rolled steel handle. The handle should be a solid piece of metal. But my biggest gripe is a pan needs a completely flat bottom and it need to be heavy so it doesn't move around when you stir something. I hate it when a pot or pan wobbles on the stove!

 

[furrycute]

I finally decided to pull the trigger on this Cuisinart multiclad set,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007KQZWU/qid=1134009869/ref=br_lf_k_1/103-7019197-4850261?n=656740&s=kitchen&v=glance

I had some Amazon coupons, and with the current promotion, came out to be just shy of $250 for a 12 piece set.

Ordered it with next day delivery, just got them now. I must say it's quite a beautiful set. The sides are really thick, thicker than I expected, you can see that thick layer of aluminum sandwiched between 2 stainless layers. Cooked some porkchops in the big saute pan, came out to be really good. But did have to srub the bottoom of the pan for some residues.

The saute pan heated up really quickly, even up the sides, I guess it must be the aluminum doing its magic.

But one thing I can't figure out, what do you use the 1 quart sauce pan for? And what about the 8 inch skillet? Haven't cooked any eggs in it yet. Will it stick to the stainless interior?

 

[majorloser]

Use cooking spray or light oil coating. Egg Beaters are the worst for sticking.

The 1 quart pan is good for gravy or sauce.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Doesn't anybody use cast iron anymore?

It's relatively cheap, has great heat distribution and heat retention, and it looks cool (IMO).

 

[furrycute]

I have 2 cast iron skillets. Almost as good as non-stick as long as I use adequte vegetable oil.

But the bottom of the skillets have started to show signs of the seasoning being worn off (I have an electric range, and tend to use the high setting). I'm not sure if I should scrape off the seasoning to re-season it.

 

[Tomorrow]

Wise posts by the Loser fambly!

Also, Furry, we use a great product on our ALL-CLAD to keep food from sticking for many cookings. It's called WENOL (pronounced wee-nawl ...I can hear Majorloser, now). It's a super polish/cleaner that leaves the steel non-sticky. Use it on the bottom of your cool new set, as well! You may have to do a little searching to find it, but it's well worth it.

Merry Christmas!

 

[Tex-amp]

I'm a chef and use Wusthof and All Clad. Henckels and Gerber make excellent knives too. My advise to handle the different knives and see which feels most natural in your wife's hand. Henckels don't feel good in my hand and someone posted on this thread that Wusthofs don't feel right to them. Finding the knive that fits your hand is very important. The younger guys are big on Shun knives. I haven't tried them. I do pick up my 20-25 year old $17 Forschner 10" chef, that I bought as a no budget teen, nearly as much as my Wusthof.

I do use a cast iron skillet frequently. For non-stick skillets, I buy inexpensive ones at restaurant supply stores and replace them every few years.