Looking for a good stainless steel cookware (pots and pans etc) set...

Well guys thanks for all the advice. In the end my choice surprised me... I went for the Tefal Ingenio Stainless Steel set from Amazon UK (big saving vs CH) and I added a couple of extra handles at crazy cheap prices (literally around 30% of the swiss price per handle) as they were on sale for £11. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008P6YWM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So, what made me choose them?
  1. Reviews are universally fantastic across all consumer websites.
  2. People praise the build quality and even heating.
  3. The space saving stacking design is phenomenal and will make a huge difference to my cluttered pot cupboards. Not only that but you can whack it in the oven or fridge without worrying about any handles taking up space.
I will then choose either other items from the Ingenio range and will be free to choose other more premium or specialist products for things like Saute pans and woks. The plan is to only use non-stick pans for things like eggs, or maybe I'll just buy a cast-iron skillet and learn to season it like the pros. :)

Mason- said:
@Richdog I have that exact set, they're really good. My mum recommended them to me, she got hers as a wedding gift set 2 years before I was born (I'm 26) and they're still going.

The big one when full of water and spuds is quite heavy but it's manageable. The handles big enough that you can put two hands on it if you're really struggling. The vent holes are really handy for draining water when boiling rice/pasta etc.

I've never had a problem with hot handles, unless you have the handle angled over another hob that's on. I always angle my handles out of where the burners are.
Edit: just reread what you wrote "lid handles" yes they do get hot, depends on your tolerance, I can grab it to take it off and it's okay. If you held it for a long period of time it would probably burn you, sometimes I take the lids off with a tea towel.

I want to get one of their SS frying pans now as my frying pan was a cheap one I bought for uni nearly 8 years ago and it's seen better days.
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jpaul said:
Stella ones are good have one 7000, picked up in TKmax a couple of years ago, but even so, with a ceramic hob, which along with induction, have one ring beneath,
I can scorch stuff ... that never happened with gas before; electric is probably good too though, since heat source is spread.
(oven cleaner is great for removing burnt stuff!)
that's the main reason I will probably try a tri-ply the next time round, or some good friday deal jumps out at me.

not sure you can't get the stella ones individually for ~ the same price
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stellar-Draining-Stainless-Steel-Saucepan/dp/B015B23XT6

the real big one we have gets little use so I wouldn't replace it.

.. never had one with a spout .. picture show spout on left .. which seems wrong for me, rhanded, usually carry saucepan in left ?
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Thanks for the detailed feedback on the Stellar pans guys much appreciated!
 
I've been keeping an eye on this thread since I'm looking to replace my pans, and so far it's down to the :-

ProCook Elite Tri-Ply https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProCook-Stainless-Induction-Construction-Heat-Resistant/dp/B00WI1WKYI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=248QW5XERYGEW&keywords=procook+elite+tri-ply&qid=1574512734&s=kitchen&sprefix=procook+elite,kitchen,139&sr=1-1 or the

Stellar 7000 set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stellar-S7C4D-Piece-Saucepan-Draining/dp/B07KL2Y13F/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2CHOKA4V4M1F0&keywords=stellar+pans&qid=1574504766&sprefix=stellar+,aps,141&sr=8-6

Though the other Stellar 7000 set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stellar-S7...ords=Stellar+7000+S7C1D&qid=1574512795&sr=8-1 is cheaper as it has a milk pan instead of a saute pan, though it has a much larger frying pan than the other set.

I'm using an induction hob
 
Freakbro said:
I've been keeping an eye on this thread since I'm looking to replace my pans, and so far it's down to the :-

ProCook Elite Tri-Ply https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProCook-Stainless-Induction-Construction-Heat-Resistant/dp/B00WI1WKYI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=248QW5XERYGEW&keywords=procook+elite+tri-ply&qid=1574512734&s=kitchen&sprefix=procook+elite,kitchen,139&sr=1-1 or the

Stellar 7000 set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stellar-S7C4D-Piece-Saucepan-Draining/dp/B07KL2Y13F/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2CHOKA4V4M1F0&keywords=stellar+pans&qid=1574504766&sprefix=stellar+,aps,141&sr=8-6

Though the other Stellar 7000 set https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stellar-S7...ords=Stellar+7000+S7C1D&qid=1574512795&sr=8-1 is cheaper as it has a milk pan instead of a saute pan, though it has a much larger frying pan than the other set.

I'm using an induction hob
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Based on my research if I were you I would buy the Procook (£150) or the Tefal Ingenio stainless teel set and then buy a carbon steel frying pan or two to go with it https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000FCOVAS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1

I have done a lot of research the last few days and carbon steel pans seem to really be the chefs choice and get very non-stick and easy to maintain.

I am doing my best not to buy anz non-stick Teflon pans from now on!
 
Hmm damn I am regretting ordering the Tefal Ingenio set... reasons being that a) I didn't realise that the lids were so damn awful as a result of the clip-on handle and b) the capacity is really low per pan. I think I may send them back and instead get the STellar 7000 or Procooks.

My thoughts are:
  • The Stellar 7000 are feature-packed (steam vents, pouring spouts, lid filters, measuring marks) and have decent capacity but are not tri-ply (does it really matter?) and apparently the lid handles get really hot.
  • The Procook Elites look bombproof and have great capacity but don't even have damn steam vents on the lids (seriously, wtf).
Sigh, I never imagined it would be this tough to fine a pan set I like. :(
 
Ok guys I am sorry to multipost as I know it's annoying but the Procook Elites are now 20% off for Black Friday, making the total £100 for the 4-piece set, all of which and tri-ply anre have lids.

My only niggle is that the lids do not have steam vents... but in the end is that really a problem? I figure I can just tilt the lid if needed to let out steam and its actually advantageous to have a lid that completely seals and doesn't let any moisture out to trap in the flavour and stop things drying out? :)
EDIT - Ok screw it i just bought the Procook Elites and am confident they will be great. If needed I have some vented lids from an old set and also I could buy universal stainless steel ones if ever that was an issue. They seem a great set of pans with very generous capacity. :)

EDIT EDIT - I also bought the Cooks Standard 3-ply saute pan 11 inches... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooks-Stan...ds=cooks+standard+saute&qid=1574699492&sr=8-3
 
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I went with le pentole when I was looking at the start of the year. I've been really happy with them, I always expect the handles to not be comfy but they've been great

I do wonder whether I should have gone with le creuset tri ply instead but decided I wanted to try something I bit different. That, and that everywhere that I looked up le pentole seemed to rave about them
 
...
I think steam vents are often counterproductive this one time at bandcamp the stella has one and it will boil off steamer basket water faster than other pans with heavier fitted lids, which don't jiggle either.
 
Well guys, thanks for all of the recommendations I really appreciate it. After all that palaver I have now ordered the following:
I also plan to buy:
  • 14-inch carbon steel wok (for stir fry's, duh)
That 'should' do me fine I think as a set for the majority of my needs. If you identify anything else you think would be really useful though, please tell me. :)

Cleisthenes said:
I went with le pentole when I was looking at the start of the year. I've been really happy with them, I always expect the handles to not be comfy but they've been great

I do wonder whether I should have gone with le creuset tri ply instead but decided I wanted to try something I bit different. That, and that everywhere that I looked up le pentole seemed to rave about them
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They seem like good solid pans.
jpaul said:
...
I think steam vents are often counterproductive this one time at bandcamp the stella has one and it will boil off steamer basket water faster than other pans with heavier fitted lids, which don't jiggle either.
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Yeah I agree. It's amazing how sometimes the more features we are presented with, the more we forget that we did without them before perfectly fine. :)
 
I just came home with an Ikea stainless steel saucepan. 2 litre capacity. Only £8. Nice quality, reasonable weight although obviously not as heavy as their more expensive pans, and has cup and litre measurements printed on the inside. I mostly want it for my steamer gadget so it doesn't scratch a non stick surface, and to caramelise sugar which shouldn't be made in non stick pans.

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Merlin5 said:
I just came home with an Ikea stainless steel saucepan. 2 litre capacity. Only £8. Nice quality, reasonable weight although obviously not as heavy as their more expensive pans, and has cup and litre measurements printed on the inside. I mostly want it for my steamer gadget so it doesn't scratch a non stick surface, and to caramelise sugar which shouldn't be made in non stick pans.
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Ikea pans are good value for the money, are decent quality and well made, except I find that their non-stick coatings seem to be pretty fragile. They start to chip/peel pretty quickly compared to other brands, at least in their cheaper pans.
 
Steampunk said:
Ikea pans are good value for the money, are decent quality and well made, except I find that their non-stick coatings seem to be pretty fragile. They start to chip/peel pretty quickly compared to other brands, at least in their cheaper pans.
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Yep, very nice quality even on the cheaper stuff.

I've got an Ikea 365+ non stick frying pan and 365+ wok which I bought years ago and tbh have found the non stick coating solid on both, they're both still like new. Granted they don't get heavy usage and I don't fry on very high heat to really push them, but they're used regularly. Compared to a previous frying pan I used to own where the coating did deteriorate, I think these are fantastic.
 
I went for the ProCook Elite Tri ply in the end, they've just turned up and I must say they look excellent, feel a good weight and I really like they are a one piece construction instead of the separate thick base.

I'll use them tonight, on the new hob which I need to get used too as well, so that's going to be fun :p
 
Well, I received my De Buyer carcon steel pans (man they are heavy duty) and am now starting the seasoning process... will take a few days I guess as I have to coat them in a light layer of oil then heat them at 250c for 2 hours then let them cool down naturally in the oven. Can probably only do one coat per day, hah. :D

Merlin5 said:
I just came home with an Ikea stainless steel saucepan. 2 litre capacity. Only £8. Nice quality, reasonable weight although obviously not as heavy as their more expensive pans, and has cup and litre measurements printed on the inside. I mostly want it for my steamer gadget so it doesn't scratch a non stick surface, and to caramelise sugar which shouldn't be made in non stick pans.
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Wow, £8? :eek: that is crazy good value, let us know how you get on with them. :D

Freakbro said:
I went for the ProCook Elite Tri ply in the end, they've just turned up and I must say they look excellent, feel a good weight and I really like they are a one piece construction instead of the separate thick base.

I'll use them tonight, on the new hob which I need to get used too as well, so that's going to be fun :p
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Good man, if you can give me some feedback on them that would be much appreciated as I won't get to use mine till after Christmas! Is your new hob induction? Mins is sadly still glass ceramic electric.

Good info would be:
  • How quick to heat up
  • How even the heat distribution is
  • How hot the lid handles get and if they steam up to the point you can't see through them (as they have no vent holes)
  • How the clean-up is (I will be handwashing)
Cheers. :)
 
Merlin5 said:
I just came home with an Ikea stainless steel saucepan. 2 litre capacity. Only £8. Nice quality, reasonable weight although obviously not as heavy as their more expensive pans, and has cup and litre measurements printed on the inside. I mostly want it for my steamer gadget so it doesn't scratch a non stick surface, and to caramelise sugar which shouldn't be made in non stick pans.
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I've got a full set of those pans (and pots), got them earlier in the year and have been great.
 
Hmm I kind of feel a bit silly for missing something obvious during my research...

I was so focused on checking out the top tests for winning cookware that I completely forgot to check IKEA, assuming it would be purely stainless steel stuff without the sandwiched aluminium layer. But no, the IKEA 365+ cookware is actually Tri-ply https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/ikea-365-cookware-series-14888/?sort=priceAsc :eek:

Thick base with one layer of aluminium between two layers of stainless steel. Gives an even and energy-efficient heat, which reduces the risk of food burning and sticking.
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For less than £90 (half the price of the Procook Elites) you can get a full set of tri-ply pots and pans and they are very well reviewed. The only negative seems to be the handles are not the comfiest.
 
silverblack said:
If only someone had told you earlier :p
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Sorry I didn't mention that of course people in the thread mentioned IKEA (*doffs cap* but I automatically assumed that they would be low-cost or stainless steel only and I was so blinkered on looking at "high-end" tri-ply stuff that I didn't think to just go and check. My bad, but still I don't regret buying the Procooks as they have deep, larger capacity saucepans and the handle looks way more ergonomic..

The IKEA 365+ knives also seem worth checking out... https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/products/?q=ikea knife
 
The, referenced, pro tri-ply set for £100 was a deal ..I missed that on Amazon, but maybe it will recur.

Richdog said:
Mins is sadly still glass ceramic electric.
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as i said, thats what I have too, and it is the most tricky .. 20yr pans - the milk pan - that had never scorched on gas will catch if I don't pay attention.
 
jpaul said:
The, referenced, pro tri-ply set for £100 was a deal ..I missed that on Amazon, but maybe it will recur.
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I made a mistake, they were around £143 with the black friday deal.

jpaul said:
as i said, thats what I have too, and it is the most tricky .. 20yr pans - the milk pan - that had never scorched on gas will catch if I don't pay attention.
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Ok cool, thanks!

Freakbro said:
I went for the ProCook Elite Tri ply in the end, they've just turned up and I must say they look excellent, feel a good weight and I really like they are a one piece construction instead of the separate thick base.

I'll use them tonight, on the new hob which I need to get used too as well, so that's going to be fun :p
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Still waiting for that review! :p
 
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Wow, I really need to adjust to how hot carbon steel pans get and how well they retain heat! I got my pan ready and hot to fry a steak and decided to also put some potatoes in that I had just roasted, to give them some 'extra browning'. To ym surprise they started to char within seconds so I took them out and put them into a dish sharpish and ended up with lots of black potato bits in my pan. Thankfully though the steak cooked perfectly and almost immediately started to brown and caramelize like you see on cooking shows. Then when I was finished it all wiped off super easily with hot water and a soft sponge (and paper towel to dry), proving that my seasoning attempts were indeed a success! :D

My current ans soon-to-be-replaced Tefal aluminium teflon non-stick saucepans in comparison are paper thin, slow to heat up and far too quick to cool down... the heat transfer and retention are terrible! When cooking with them I have to set the hob to maximum (it has 9 levels) to really get things frying in them. In contrast, the carbon steel pan gets crazy hot pretty quickly even on the 4 or 5 setting and just keeps the heat for ages. Mind blown. :eek:
My only concern is that the 22cm frying pan that I bought seems a bit too small in terms of cooking area for omelettes, but I will wait and make a few before making my mind up whether to get a 24cm or 26cm "medium " size. :)
 
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