Cookware Recommendations Please! (Budget $500 - $700)

Uvani on 09/01/2021 - 10:40
Last edited 11/01/2021 - 12:57 by 2 other users

Hi all

I looking at finally doing the grown up thing and getting myself some decent cookware.

But where to start!

I have read so much and cannot for the life of me understand what is good and what is not. A lot of websites and blogs are affiliated so not sure if u can trust what they say.

So what you do turn to the brains trust on here.

I am looking for stainless steel cookware. My budget is around $500 - $700. I am essentially after a couple of saucepans, a casserole pot, a stock pot and a sauté pan.

They don't have to be in a set. I am just looking for suggestions on good quality brands and models.

Thanks all!

• 

  Stewardo on 09/01/2021 - 11:25

  This: https://m.petersofkensington.com.au/Products/Scanpan-Impact-…

  With this:
  https://m.petersofkensington.com.au/Products/Le-Creuset-Sign…

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  SuperGeek on 09/01/2021 - 11:35

  Excellent choice on moving to stainless steel assuming thats without any non-stick coatings. The patents for triply stainless steel have expired so Scanpan isn't the only choice. There's lots of good brands out there with full tri-ply to the edge of the pan. Just don't buy any sandwich bottom pans like the 'Impact' range from Scanpan. Pay particular attention to the rims. The ones that have full non-drip easy pour rims like Ikea's 'Sensuell' range are very convenient instead of just a spout. Target also carry an excellent range of quality tri-ply stainless steel cookware. So does Myer with their Essteelle range, You should easily be able to get a great set and stay well under your budget.

  • 

    Uvani on 09/01/2021 - 11:42

    Thanks Supeegeek do you have any specific recommendations?

    • 

      SuperGeek on 09/01/2021 - 15:05

      Even if you buy a set, you will end up buying sizes that weren't included in the set.

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  SuperGeek on 09/01/2021 - 11:57

  +1

  Scanpan have discontinued marketing their 3ply and 5 ply range in Australia which was the one that made them popular. Now they are using their brand to sell their sandwich bottom 'Impact' range which has a base that is bonded to the bottom of the pan. Any bonded sandwich bottom cookware can only be average.

  We have a mix of 3ply and 5ply cookware brands pans, saucepans and stockpots purchased while on discounts and they're all excellent. Myer currently have a special on theirs. I suggest that you physically visit Ikea, Myer and Target to get a feel of whats on offer. Internet pictures don't do some products justice.

  I was pleasantly surprised with the price of a 3ply stainless steel 10 litre stockpot from Target, which ticks all the boxes, provides capacity, is wide and not very tall unlike the other stockpot choices out there.

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  Belistic on 09/01/2021 - 13:53

  Cooking with gas, induction, or normal/standard hobs?

  • 

    Uvani on 09/01/2021 - 14:08

    With gas

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  nse on 09/01/2021 - 15:26

  +1

  I recently went through the same process and chose 3 Scanpan pots (I don't see the need for more sizes than that), Lodge 5 piece cast iron set (keep an eye out for Amazon sales a few times a year) and a Solidteknics wrought iron pan (Christmas gift).

  https://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au/Search-KWH?stq=scanpan

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  CommanderCrumbcake on 09/01/2021 - 15:30

  +1

  I'm in the same boat as you; same requirements and price point.

  This is what I'm looking at getting:
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Tramontina-80116-Stainless-Inducti…

  Tramontina is a well regarded brand out of Brazil but their manufacturing is done in China now. Most of the negative reviews seem to be from people annoyed that they received made in China cookware when they thought it was made in Brazil. It's similar in quality/perfromance to All-Clad D3 but a third of the cost.

  In-depth and, from what I can tell, unbiased reviews:
  https://www.centurylife.org/in-depth-product-review-tramonti…
  https://therationalkitchen.com/tramontina-tri-ply-cookware-a…

  • 

    nse on 09/01/2021 - 15:44

    Downside for me would be the S/S lids, I prefer glass lids to see if the contents are boiling, simmering, etc.

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  follow on 10/01/2021 - 11:06

  https://www.amazon.com.au/Cook-Home-02644-Stainless-Cookware…
  https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00PGYV53G
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Lagostina-Q553SA64-Martellata-Stai…
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Cuisinart-MCP-12N-Multiclad-Stainl…
  https://www.amazon.com.au/Kitchara-Stainless-Steel-Cookware-…

  they all claim to be tri-ply 18/10. can save a bit of cash on shipping cost with a prime membership