Large Frying Pan and Cookie Sheets

I have a coated cast iron pan which I got when I moved away to college almost 20 years ago. Not a scratch or ding, and the only signs of it being used as a little browning on the outside edges.

I always line my cookie sheets with parchment paper...makes them last longer. If I have to wash them I always dry them right away so they don't rust out.

I am with ally with regard to cast iron pans...I have some that were my grandmothers...nicely seasoned and wonderful for cooking.

With respect to cookie sheets (and I am not much of a baker) the silicone 'pads' seem to work...

But again, I do not bake much.

Best!

I've had similar concerns about nonstick skillets. I went to Macy's and asked which skillet would hold up better. I bought a hard anodized non stick skillet. I think the brand is Anolon because it was on sale. The clerk recomended a couple of brands. I've only used it once. I'm thinking that in the case of nonstick we do get what we pay for.

I also have connected my use of high temperatures with the degrading of the nonstick surface. I'm going to be more careful.

I have Calphalon frying pans from Bed Bath and Beyond. They have a 10 year warranty. I had them a few years. The non-stick flaked off of just 1 of the pans. I called BBB. They had me bring the set in, and they just handed me an entire new set! I didn't even have the receipt. I just said - these are about 3 years old, and should be under warranty. And they replaced them.

You don't need to get Calphalon. But know that if you buy something from BBB and it has a warranty - they will honor it, and replace it for you if it flakes off after a year or so!

I have All Clad Stainless and it is the best in my opinion. Yes, it is pricey but it is worth every penny. It cleans up super easy as well. You can get a fair deal at Macy's or Bed Bath and Beyond with some of the specials they have during the year.

I think my 1 qt stainless pot was pushing $125 so I have no idea what my large fryer would retail for since I've had mine so long and it still looks brand new.

I also use a lot of cast iron and I love it as well.

I do not use coated pans.

My cookie sheets are a double insulated something that my husband bought at a restaurant supply store once. LOVE them and they are still so nice and shiny. One trick when making cookies, etc is to use parchment paper.

We have a great one from target you can't use metal in it at all. It's kitchen aid I think it's super heavy bottomed we use it all the time but can not use metal in it or it'll cut the coating and ruin the pan

looking forward to good answers on this one!

we go thru a nonstick pan each year. & I replace my cookie sheets regularly. My roaster is a mess....

soooo great timing!

There are things that are good generic items and then there are those that you get what you pay for.

Garbage bags is one of those. The cheaper it is the more you'll need to use to bag, re-bag, and re-bag the trash while trying to carry it to the trash can outside.

Pots and pans are another. Buying higher quality will give you a longer lasting pan that won't have to be replaced in just a couple of years.

If you season them and take care of them cast iron is the way to go. They can last for generations. I have a cast iron dutch oven that is more than 50 years old. One of the best things about cast iron is you can use them not only on a stove top, but in the oven, on a grill over a camp fire, and even in the cinders. Can you tell I love love love my cast iron?

My husband bought cookie sheets at a restaurant supply store. We use a silpat mat to bake cookies and they turn out great. They were inexpensive and they will last.

I bought him a Calphalan pan last your from Target. It seems to be holding up well.

You may be using too much heat with your pans. My new ones (which I'm not crazy in love with) say not to heat above medium high.

I agree...cast iron is the way to go. BUT if you have a smooth top cooking surface, cast iron can scratch the surface.

Since we can't use cast iron on our stove, we made the switch to All clad. I absolutely LOVE them. Yes, there are an investment, but worth every penny in my opinion. Personally, I am not a fan of tephlon pans. Just the idea of flakes in my food, grosses me out.

I can only speak to the cookie sheets. I got a set of smallish (maybe 8.5 x 11 inch ) type that is two layers with air between the layers as a wedding gift. They warp a bit over time, but the cookies always come out crisp and never burn on the bottom. There are a lot of different brands of them, I think that any of the brands will serve you well.

B.,

You talking about a covered roaster?

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?pro...

or

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?pro...

cookie sheets?

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?pro...

I use parchment paper or this
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/silpat-silicone-c...

to keep my cookie sheets looking new.

Hope this helps!!

You are a cook and you will use these pans for quite some time so spend some bucks and you will come out ahead. You say you get a year or so out of the pans times how many times you buy them. Don't get the Teflon coated pan again.

Get some good professional grade stainless steel pans with the heavy bottoms. Get some good baking (cookie) sheets that are a bit heavier and got for it. Once you learn how the pan heats and holds the heat, you will be able to cook all kinds of things.

If you have access to a Costcos, Sams or whatever they usually have a decent set of cookware for around $100. Otherwise go to the higher end store and buy a piece at a time to get what you want.

Look at the cookware as an investment in your marriage.

Have a great day.

the other S.

PS I use my stainless steel to do sauces, soups, stews. I have an extra large one or two to make homemade soap.

We changed to Stainless steel. They are not perfectly non stick like my moms but they are nice non the less.. we have Caphlon

Stainless steel pots n pans last forever . Roasting pan!

I got rid of all of my Teflon pots but will not part with my nonstick skillets. I buy the 3 pack of nonstick skillets at Sam's Club because they are dishwasher safe. I realize I could probably get far more life out of them if I hand washed them but that's something I'm just not willing to do. The three pack is currently on sale for 19.98 so I'm not out a lot.

I also have one TFal egg pan that I picked up a few years ago. It is far better than the TFal available back when we were married.

As for cookie sheets, I buy the baking sheets at Sam's Club as well. They are from their 'professional' line of items and are less than $11 for two. They are dishwasher safe as well.

I do not like the airbake sheets because even if I hand wash them, water gets into that little hole in the bottom and rust develops between the layers.

Stay away from all things that are "nonstick" they have cancer causing materials that can be ingested when they flake, and are not good when brought up to very high temps.
Stainless, enamel are better choices.
There are a wide range of products that are safer. chefs dot com usually has a nice selection.
Good luck!

Don't know if you cook on gas or electric, because that will make a difference in what pans and cookie sheets you can use. If you cook with gas, you can use anything your heart desires. (I miss my gas.) The best pans and cookie sheets you can buy is uncoated stainless steel. (Not aluminum, must be stainless steel.) Why? If you cook and clean like I do, a coated pan is nothing more than a nuisance. Stainless steel can take a beatting and still look and perform like new for years to come. It's really worth the investment. You will get tired of the pans before they wear out. The only problem I have had with my stainless steel is having to occationally tighten up the handles when they get old. (You just use a screw driver to tighten them up.) My steel cookie sheets and pans are over 22 years old and still look great. You can clean them with steel wool and not have to worry about coatings coming off or some toxic substance leaching into your food when you cook. If something sticks to them, just soak them in a little hot soapy water and baking soda. If you heat up your pan first and then heat up your oil, the food won't stick that much at all. If you buy stainless steel, you will never have to buy another pan or cookie sheet again. They are the original "forever cookware." Wait till Black Friday to get good deals on the pans and cookie sheets, that way they become more affordable.