Stainless Steel or Non-Stick?

[Melissa Bennett]

I am looking for new pots and pans. Hubby wants me to get something good this time. Something that will last. What do you recommend? Brands? Benefits of Stainless Steel or Non-Stick? Help!! LOL!!

[lauren grier]

non stick is bad for you. boo. go SS :]

[Darcy Baldwin]

Stainless Steel all the way :) Though I do have one anondized skillet for eggs.

I am one of the million victims of teflon poisoning aka teflon flu (http://www.wisegeek.com/is-teflon-dangerous.htm). LOL Sounds so dramatic, doesn't it? While it's better now than in years past, the teflon coatings on pans do wear out and do chip off...and where does that go? Into our food. And if you heat them at too high of a heat, they release their chemicals that can lead to teflon flu in humans (gives off every symptom of having the flu, but it's all from your lungs where you've inhaled the chemicals) and can kill birds. If you do decide to go wtih a non-stick, just remember that you should never heat them above medium.

SS does take getting used to, but now that I've been cooking on it, I won't go back.

[ColleenSwerb]

I vote Stainless + Non-stick.
We registered for this set for the wedding (I lusted after teh 13 piece set, but decided it was too expensive):
Calphalon Contemporary Stainless 8 Piece Set with Double Bonus (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/cookware-sets/calphalon-contemporary-stainless-8-piece-cookware-set-with-double-bonus/s531522)
(The double bonus was SA-WEEEEET!!! A dutch oven and a pasta strainer.)
Jordan however, hates stainless steel pans, so I also used some gift cards to get this set:
2 Piece Contemporary Non-stick fry pans
(http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/individual-cookware/2-piece-calphalon-contemporary-nonstick-frypan-set/s576050)
So now we're both happy :) I really want the matching roaster, but we never host holiday meals (yet). And I want just about every other piece that comes in that line, but neither my kitchen nor my wallet are big enough for that ;)

[profiler_mar]

I really like non-stick myself....but I would definitely go with the Calphalon, like Col recommended! Fabulous brand, in stainless, or non-stick! :thumbup:

[jessica31876]

I have only ever used non-stick (and never had any problems from it). I dont heat them to really high temps though and get rid of them as soon as they start to show signs of wear. My husbands family mostly cooks on cast iron pans. I know alot of people who prefer the cast iron pans and that is how we will most likely eventually go as well because they really are the best pans in my opinion.

[Sharon Kay]

I have had Circulon (spelling?) ... wore it out.

Pampered Chef (non-professional version...bought family skillet before that was available...and then dh bought rest of pans in the non-pro style because of price)...basically have worn out the skillets.

I just ordered this today ... it is QVC's Today's Special Value... I got it in RED ... my dining room is decorated in Coca Cola ...

http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/k/16/k33316.001?$uslarge$ (http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.tsv!.tpl.tsv.cm_scid.TSV)

image is linked ... if that doesn't go through ... it's item #K30948

[scrap2day]

We use both.

My mother had her Farberware stainless steel for decades so I've been buying that from Bed, Bath and Beyond with coupons. Although the Calphalon might even be better.

[ColleenSwerb]

I love my Calphalon. It is amazing. It's heavy duty, well built stuff that I know is going to last us YEARS. It's awesome having nice dishes and pots and pans after using hand me down ancient junk through college and until last year, LOL!

[profiler_mar]

I love my Calphalon. It is amazing. It's heavy duty, well built stuff that I know is going to last us YEARS. It's awesome having nice dishes and pots and pans after using hand me down ancient junk through college and until last year, LOL!

If my boyfriend ever decides to propose, I know my parents will buy us Calphalon, like they did for my bro and SIL. It is totally amazing like you said. So glad you have nice cookware now!

[MommaTrish]

I love my stainless steel pans. :) But all-in-all... I prefer cast iron.

[EvaK]

haha Obviously I am the only non-cook here. I am the one who doesn't care. :D

Hubby does most of the cooking in our house. I hate to cook.

[newfiemountiewife]

I have stainless steel, except like Darcy, I have 1 non-stick that I use for eggs.

[NettieB]

k - this is going to make me sound like a complete snob - but have you checked out All-Clad (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/cookware/cookware-all-clad/?cm_type=gnav)? I've been hoarding gift cards and buying my pieces one at a time on sale, so I have a mix of stainless and one Really Excellent Non-Stick Pan (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-brushed-stainless-steel-nonstick-fry-pan/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad%7Cckwallnon#BVRRWidgetID), but the new d5 (http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-ltd2-10-piece-cookware-set-with-gift/?pkey=cckwalltwo%7Cckwalltwoset) set Goes IN The Dishwasher!!! :thumbup:

As you are making an investment, maybe at least consider it?

I've had quite a few brands - Scanalon, Anolon, Calphalon, LeCreuset, and now that I've found this I'm a total convert. 'Course my style of cooking is all over the map, from pretty violent asian style to the basics, but it can keep up with the abuse just fine.

I'm slowly over time replacing my old old Anolon and Calphalon with All-Clad and really like the improved results.

[Jennifer]

non stick is bad for you. boo. go SS :]

Yep, ITA. :)

[*Celeste*]

we use all clad stainless for all of our pots - we have one fry pan that is non stick and skillet for making pancakes. can't go wrong with all-clad!

[MandaT]

I have a set of Cooks SS pans. A non-stick skillet & saute pan.

I've had them for almost 3 years, and they are the best pans I've ever had.

[Stacey42]

I have stainless pots and a mix of stainless, non-stick and cast iron pans. The pots and my medium sized non-stick pan are all Calphalon, I have a large stainless pan from Wearever and a small & medium cast iron from lodge. Plus a cheapy small nonstick from Wal Mart that ends up being replaced every couple of years when the coating gets scratched up.

[MamaBee]

Stainless Steel all the way :) Though I do have one anondized skillet for eggs.

I am one of the million victims of teflon poisoning aka teflon flu (http://www.wisegeek.com/is-teflon-dangerous.htm). LOL Sounds so dramatic, doesn't it? While it's better now than in years past, the teflon coatings on pans do wear out and do chip off...and where does that go? Into our food. And if you heat them at too high of a heat, they release their chemicals that can lead to teflon flu in humans (gives off every symptom of having the flu, but it's all from your lungs where you've inhaled the chemicals) and can kill birds. If you do decide to go wtih a non-stick, just remember that you should never heat them above medium.

SS does take getting used to, but now that I've been cooking on it, I won't go back.

Ditto... Also have two non-stick for eggs. I also with the others for Calphalon... You can find some nice box sets at Sam's Club... that is where I got my set last Christmas. My non-stick is iCook... Awesome! I've had that pan for 6 years (and used it exclusively until my SS pans last year) and it's like in perfect condition... and I have used it a TON! iCook is sold through Amway.

[Milmomma]

I prefer my non stick. We have a whole Calphon set that I love. We just got it two years ago and only use wood spatulas/spoons. My pans are all stoneware from Pamper Chef (expect my Wilton baking stuff).

[Sarah8914]

Hmm... we have both. I really don't like how the non-stick ones are SO worn out, but I really don't like how much things stick to my stainless steal! No matter what it is (okay not true, rice never does much...). Anyway, does it heat up faster or hotter because I have to stir a lot more often... maybe I need to be keeping the heat lower. so what's the trick with stainless steal? We've had our set for a couple years--intending to replace our non-stick ones, but I haven't ever been able to completely switch! Help, what's wrong with me?? ;)

And now I'm scared of my non-stick ones.... they are not in good shape, but I didn't know how bad it was for us.

[Joana1n]

Stainless steel, with a small non-stick pan for eggs. Teflon's bad. I got our SS from Ikea and it's really good stuff.

[Joana1n]

so what's the trick with stainless steal?

And now I'm scared of my non-stick ones.... they are not in good shape, but I didn't know how bad it was for us.

I think the trick with stainless steel is to let it get hot before adding anything to it. I don't have a lot of trouble with stuff sticking. Well, there's always a one-grain-thick layer of rice that sticks to the bottom of the pot but an overnight soaking in the sink solves that problem.

If your non-stick ones are in bad shape, replace them. If the stuff is flaking off, it's going into your food and into your body, not good!

[juliemarie]

My saucepans are all stainless. My everyday frying pans are cast iron (both the regular style & porcelain coated), as well as my enameled cast iron dutch oven. I also think non stick is yucky but I have a anodized pan that I use only for eggs because they just don't cook as well in cast iron IMO.

[ariesfl326]

My new pots and pans are from QVC and I LOVE them!!! They are the dishwasher safe hard anodized ones from Cook's Essentials. I have used both SS and NS and haven't had many problems with sticking...I usually use Pam spray when cooking anyway regardless of what kind of pan it is.

[robinforman]

Glad to see that I am not the only one that can't cook eggs in SS- I thought I was doing something wrong :)

[meems]

Stainless & cast iron here. Although I do have one nonstick double burner griddle pan that I use for pancakes. I think I will replace that with a cast iron one eventually. Got my stainless steel set from Costco.

[KristinCB]

well... currently we use non-stick but after reading here we'll be switching to stainless! I've always been so scared of getting burned on the handles. Are their stainless stell pots that have handles that you don't have to have an oven mit to touch? (yes i'm that dumb with stuff..) apparently I was meant to read all this though because yesterday night i was reading a magazine and it had an article about the dangers of non-stick also. Also good to know is that they coat microwave popcorn bags with the chemicals used in non-stick cookware as well..

[Gemma]

I'm awful with ruining pans, I've had SS and NS, adn killed them both off within a few months! :(

I've just bought 2 new frying pans, more expensive this time, to see if they last a bit longer, lol!! They are NS ones again!

If I could afford it, I would totally buy La Creuset, but it's not happening any time soon!

[digideb]

well... currently we use non-stick but after reading here we'll be switching to stainless! I've always been so scared of getting burned on the handles. Are their stainless stell pots that have handles that you don't have to have an oven mit to touch? (yes i'm that dumb with stuff..)
Yes! They do! My Kitchen Aid has the handles that you want! :)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D3WYXTV0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-Essentials-10-Piece-Stainless-Cookware/dp/B0001FSYQ6/ref=sr_1_1?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285865044&sr=8-1)

[DawnMarch]

We use mostly stainless, with a few specialty omelet and frying pans for particularly sticky stuff.

Martha Stewart has a great trick for getting off the gunk that gets stuck on pans when you cook -- fill the pan with water and actually put it back on the burner to "cook" for a while. It loosens the gunk so that it's easy to wash off.

[Melissa Bennett]

Thanks everyone for your input!! I am leaning towards the stainless steel set with a couple of NS frying pans. This thread was really helpful to me!!