Cookware sets
 

(New thread - the only ones I could find here or OMNI were quite old and better not to revive given the options are probably a lot different)

My 20 year old nonstick set is going ... a few pieces are gone and replaced by one-offs, but it is time to get a new "complete" set (2 and 3 qt saucepans, various sizes of saute/fry pans, etc.). I've not shopped around in ages so ... suggestions for something, preferable non-stick that hasn't been proven to kill laboratory animals, that doesn't require a second mortgage? Oven safe to a decent temp preferred. Costco member, so those options are also available. Traditional gas range, for the foreseeable future.

I like All-Clad, which Costco carries. We have several of their three ply stainless steel pots and pans. Used correctly, nothing sticks. There is a non-stick hard anodized aluminum set, with a bonded stainless steel base, which we don't have experience with. The polytetrafluoroethylene non-stick coating is supposedly chemically inert; however, Consumer Reports have determined that such claims can’t always be trusted.

Teflon coatings all wear off in time. 20 years is really impressive. I just use all-stainless All-Clad pans. I have a small pan I just use for eggs that is Teflon. I believe it's T-Fal and I got it on Amazon a few years ago for about $15. It has held up really well. The issues with Teflon coming off and being a health risk are mitigated if you only use up to a medium heat so the pan doesn't get to the 600 degrees F or so where Teflon starts to break down.

I think stainless is the best of all worlds: even heat distribution, good heat retention, oven safe, easy clean up, zero maintenance. If you get the pan ripping hot before putting in oil (hot enough that water drops dance around instead of evaporating immediately) it is even almost nonstick. I buy my All-Clads from their factory seconds sale, so they're about half price.

My parents have a set of 20+ year old All Clad nonstick cookware and the nonstick coating has definitely worn off. But like my dad says, my mom's stove only has two settings: off and nuclear.

I am gradually replacing what has been used over the last 6 years (and before since it came with the house). I am not careful with nonstick especially since my favorite potato masher is steel. I opted for a set of uncoated 1/2/3 quart pots from Michelangelo. So far, no issues but I’m not the one who has to clean up. I think I paid around $70.

I ordered a GreenPan Rio 5 quart frypan but haven't used it yet. $41.24 on Amazon. I do want the healthier coating and also ordered silicone tools to keep everything unscratched. I have more to replace but these 2 purchases are the most heavily used stovetop items for me.

Most of my cookware is Ikea's 365 series, which I've had for nearly 20 years. It was one of the first decent sets available which supported induction cooktops. At the time, I believe the majors like All-Clad and Calphalon did not. Still using it and still happy with it. I also have a nice collection of Lodge cast iron, well-seasoned and smooth. I don't like using teflon-coated cookware.

I clicked on your second link (...nothing sticks) and there is absolutely no way to opt out of them using my info.
We care about your privacy. By clicking "Agree," you agree to the Visitor Agreement and to the collection and use of your information by cookies and similar technologies, as set forth in our Privacy Policy.

"Agree" was my only option. I thought they had to give you a way to opt out? Anyway, now I guess I will never know how to make sure nothing sticks.

Try using a VPN and maybe looking like you’re in Europe. Just a guess, but their privacy laws seem more stringent.

Eastbay1K, we've been using the top of the line All-Clad D3 and D5 (3 ply and newer 5 ply) cookware literally for decades. They heat quickly and evenly, and are designed to last for an eternity. They also seem to be the most ergonomically well-designed cookware we've tried, despite the weight of the larger pieces. We've tried several brands over many years, and with the exception of one large Calphalon pan, everything we now own is All-Clad. Be aware that they now make a wide range of product lines, so you have to be sure about which one you're buying.

I have a couple of recommendations for you:
1) Rather than buying an 8 piece (or more) set, where you are likely to get at least one piece that you don't need, buy just the individual pieces you need, whenever some of your existing pieces bid you adieu. Start with an 8" fry pan, which is perfect for a burger, grilled cheese, etc. See how you like the way it cooks, and how it feels in your hand. (The larger pieces are pretty hefty.) Costco has a limited selection of All-Clad. I do see that they carry a set of D3 first quality Stainless steel 8" and 10" pans for $154 on their website, but they're out of stock. When/if they get more in, you could start there, or if you're itching to start the hunt for new cookware, just find an 8" pan on sale somewhere and give that a try.

2) Go to this site: https://homeandcooksales.com/index.php/ and go to MyAccount>New Customers and create an account. Pretty sure this is the All-Clad factory sale site for factory seconds that gfunkdave mentioned earlier. The seconds are cosmetic, not functional, and in some cases are nothing more than a scratch, or sometimes just a damaged box with the pan in perfect condition. The only time you can buy is when they have one of their periodic sales. Those last anywhere from 3-5 days, and they send out announcements when each sale is starting. While not exactly cheap, the prices are significantly below any "President's/Memorial/Labor Day sale" at stores that are selling first quality. And they offer flat rate $9.95 shipping as well.

Good luck!

All great advice. I too am an All Clad fan & have never bought a complete set just individual pieces
​​​Another place to look is Home Goods or TJ Max. I got a very nice smaller All Clad stock pot at Home Goods because it was missing the lid. I knew i could find a lid at home so I grabbed it & got a bargain.

Corky, I've read recommendations from folks like yourself who have done just this, finding a piece here or there at one of these deep discount stores like TJ Maxx. Congrats on having been successful. For me, the problem with those types of stores is that from what I've heard the selection is pretty small, and day-to-day availability is very hit and miss.

I don't shop at those stores, so without knowing if they had any inventory, I would be spending far too much time going to the store(s) and sorting through the merchandise. Perhaps worth my while if I manage to find what I want, but much too frustrating if I keep going away empty-handed. I'd prefer identifying a need for a couple of pieces, searching one of the periodic sales at the online outlet store, and ordering exactly what I want.

One other option: Attend one of their massive, twice-yearly outlet sales outside Pittsburgh, PA. I've never been, but here's what that looks like:

Yeah, all my All-Clad are D3 or D5. The D3 is their baseline series (three layers of metal - stainless on the outside and inside with aluminum between). The D5 has 5 layers and is fancier, but more expensive. For 97% of home cooks D3 is totally fine. I got D5 because that's the factory seconds set my parents gave me for our wedding. I don't really notice a difference between the two.

The homeandcooksales.com website is All-Clad's factory seconds site. I think I've only bought factory seconds (aside from a roasting pan) and the damage to each piece is totally cosmetic. Most of them don't even look damaged at all. The only pan whose damage I can see was just a tiny scratch on the cooking surface. The sale ended a week or two ago.

Made In is a newer competitor to All-Clad and of similar quality.

Very, very true about having to constantly check Home Goods. Fortunately or unfortunately that isn't an issue for me and I never walk out empty handed even if it is just a new dog toy or olive oil. ;)

Two types of shoppers at HomeGoods/Marshalls/TJMaxx. Those like my wife have a product in mind when they enter the store and often leave disappointed. Those like me are open to whatever is on the shelves and racks and often leave delighted. The truth is neither one of us needs a damn thing, But two different fishing styles: I’ll keep and eat anything I catch, she thinks she’s in a bass tournament.

All-Clad VIP Factory Event 1.19.26 thru 1.21.26
 

For anyone interested in All-Clad discounts, their periodic online factory seconds sale started today, runs thru 1.21.26. https://homeandcooksales.com/

Hard to decide. I finally settled on a saucepan and it was out of stock! lol. The problem is that I don't really need anything.