Good but cheap cookware?

[mshan]

Is it safe to use a cast iron skillet on a smooth top stove?

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mshan
Is it safe to use a cast iron skillet on a smooth top stove?

Of course it is. They cost like 15 bucks and everybody who wants to cook anything should own one.

 

[Born2bwire]

You get what you pay for. I bought a cheap cookware set when I moved into my first apartment maybe four or five years ago and only two pots are still usable out of it. I actually had the nonstick coating turning into ash and soot as I was heating water on the "dutch oven." I would recommend that you get good cookware, but just the bare minimum of what you need. Get a cast iron skillet, a sauce pan, and maybe a stock pot. You can do pretty much everything with those three and it won't break the bank to get half-way decent examples of each.

 

[sniperruff]

amazon.com

 

[NoShangriLa]

Depends on how much cooking you are going to do & what type of food you are going to cook.

I prefer stainless steel with copper or aluminum clad bottom for most of my cooking, multi-coat non-stick pan for eggs, and plain white corning ware for baking.

Amazon is the best to hunt for deals.

 

[MovingTarget]

Another fan of cast-iron here. Just make sure you clean/maintain them properly. They can last a lifetime and work really well.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mshan
Is it safe to use a cast iron skillet on a smooth top stove?

Of course it is. They cost like 15 bucks and everybody who wants to cook anything should own one.

really? i was informed it's not good to use w/ flat stove tops. I never got a straight answer as to why... and honestly, never bothered to delve more into it because I have a gas stove at home, heh.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: randomlinh

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: mshan
Is it safe to use a cast iron skillet on a smooth top stove?

Of course it is. They cost like 15 bucks and everybody who wants to cook anything should own one.

really? i was informed it's not good to use w/ flat stove tops. I never got a straight answer as to why... and honestly, never bothered to delve more into it because I have a gas stove at home, heh.

I can only think that the rougher surface of the cast iron might scratch the nice cooktop, but that's a pretty big stretch in my mind.

 

[zoiks]

The pinzon brand from Amazon generally has some good quality products and they tend to be slightly cheaper than major brands.

 

[ChefJoe]

Go to a restaurant supply store and look for Linoln Wear-Ever pots and pans. They're fairly cheap but cook well (restaurant quality) and are durable enough to last a long time. They make both unfinished and a few types of nonstick versions.

 

[0roo0roo]

nonstick is ok, just don't use metal utensils or spatulas when cooking with them. don't scratch, don't scour. and don't over heat.
reasonably priced one well taken care of should last at least a couple years. and yes nonstick has its place, but don't go hog wild and nonstick everything. just the pan will do.

 

[cherrytwist]

Originally posted by: zoiks
The pinzon brand from Amazon generally has some good quality products and they tend to be slightly cheaper than major brands.

We have a Pinzon set of anodized aluminum which is well worth the price we paid.

 

[EvilYoda]

I'm moving in a week into a new construction apartment and it comes with an induction stove...I intend on stocking up on 2 or 3 pieces of Lodge cast-iron cookware and then topping it off with some nice All-Clad stuff. Lodge is dirt cheap and it'll last you forever. (The free shipping from Amazon alone is worth it!)

A good site I found for induction stoves