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

Freakbro · 3 Dec 2019 at 13:04

Richdog said:
Still waiting for that review!

Sorry!

Cooking has been so much better, but I'm guessing a lot of that is down to my new hob as well, and yes it is induction. My old induction one had finally bitten the dust. It's an AEG IKE64450FB with Maxisense, so it detects the size of the pan heats the correct size for the base which helps with even heat spread.

So I did an experiment last night with the P boost setting to quickly heat water and tested 3 pans, all 16cm with 500ml of water.

Pan 1 : Old generic non-stick pan with metal base for induction. Even heat across the pan base, time to boil 1 min 55 secs

Pan 2 : S.Steel pan with metal base (old and knackered, base has started to lift off - these are what I replaced). Visibly smaller contact patch of heat due to knackered base, time to boil 3 mins +

Pan 3 : Elite Tri ply S.Steel pan. Even heat across the base, time to boil 1 min 20 secs

So yes, the speed of heating from the Tri ply is very very good leading to a significant decrease in the boiling time in that experiment. Also the distribution seems very even (but like I say, my hob is facilitating that too tbh), and the sides of the pan heat up extremely well too.

I haven't found the lid handles getting hot at all really, though the longest they have been used so far is about 20+ mins of boiling. The glass lids do steam up of course, but enough steam escaped to still allow visibility of the food.

I did notice the lid on the 18cm one 'rattled' due to no steam hole, whereas the 16cm didn't.

Hand washing them after has been a doddle.

Overall very pleased with the saucepan set and chuffed to bits with the new induction hob!

Richdog · 10 Dec 2019 at 09:10

I have also bought this week:

Wusthof Classic 3-Piece Knife Set: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00005MEGJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Denby Dutch Oven 26cm in red https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denby-Roun...ven&qid=1575968645&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sr=8-1

Dexam 34cm Professional Gauge Carbon Steel Wok https://www.hartsofstur.com/dexam-34cm-professional-gauge-carbon-steel-wok-12108514.html

Stainless steel colanders set (16/22/28cm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JGRGNSL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think that more or less covers me now.

Freakbro said:
Sorry!

Cooking has been so much better, but I'm guessing a lot of that is down to my new hob as well, and yes it is induction. My old induction one had finally bitten the dust. It's an AEG IKE64450FB with Maxisense, so it detects the size of the pan heats the correct size for the base which helps with even heat spread.

So I did an experiment last night with the P boost setting to quickly heat water and tested 3 pans, all 16cm with 500ml of water.

Pan 1 : Old generic non-stick pan with metal base for induction. Even heat across the pan base, time to boil 1 min 55 secs

Pan 2 : S.Steel pan with metal base (old and knackered, base has started to lift off - these are what I replaced). Visibly smaller contact patch of heat due to knackered base, time to boil 3 mins +

Pan 3 : Elite Tri ply S.Steel pan. Even heat across the base, time to boil 1 min 20 secs

So yes, the speed of heating from the Tri ply is very very good leading to a significant decrease in the boiling time in that experiment. Also the distribution seems very even (but like I say, my hob is facilitating that too tbh), and the sides of the pan heat up extremely well too.

I haven't found the lid handles getting hot at all really, though the longest they have been used so far is about 20+ mins of boiling. The glass lids do steam up of course, but enough steam escaped to still allow visibility of the food.

I did notice the lid on the 18cm one 'rattled' due to no steam hole, whereas the 16cm didn't.

Hand washing them after has been a doddle.

Overall very pleased with the saucepan set and chuffed to bits with the new induction hob!

Thanks for the positive review, much appreciated! I also think that the lids from my Tefal cookware should also fit if I ever need the steam vent, so I will try that when I get them.

Richdog · 19 Mar 2020 at 12:08

Well guys, I have now had most of my new set for a few months so can give some further feedback on them:

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Procook Elite tri-ply stainless steel 4-pan set (14cm, 16cm, 18cm, 20cm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/ProCook-St...Y8ZJRNCWKNE&psc=1&refRID=6TB50XKMCY8ZJRNCWKNE

These are the daddy, I love them. Thick, pretty heavy, tons of cooking space and they cook very evenly. The handles are comfortable and the lids are fine. When researching I was worried as the lids didn't have vents and I was worried that they would steam up too much to see through and always rattle etc etc. Well, they don't generally rattle (unless they are boiling like mad under high heat) and you can see through them after a few minutes when the initial steam build-up turns to water. You can also easily tilt the lids to let a bit of steam out... it's a non-issue. Pouring liquids is also fine and I have had no issues so far. There is a pan size for every need and as I said... they are VERY deep and spacious and this makes such a big and positive difference when cooking sauces vs my old Tefal stuff.

When you are researching and buying it's easy to get drawn into all of the marketing BS and start stressing about if they have pouring spouts, lids with vents and sieves blah blah blah... but in the end it's a non-issue and these pans are the dogs nadgers. If you do want to replace the lids I have found that lids from other pan sets will fit them, so just buy universal ones with vents if it bothers you.

If I could make one addition to these pans it would be to put a helper handle on the two largest ones as they are damn heavy when full of liquid, but still, it's not unmanageable and you just need to use a silicone glove to steady it if it's really full.

I cannot recommend them highly enough. Buy them.

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De Buyer 22cm and 30cm carbon steel lyonnaise frying pans https://www.amazon.co.uk/Buyer-5110-24-Carbone-Lyonnaise-Diameter/dp/B000ECO7TY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=de+buyer&qid=1574743186&sr=8-1&th=1

Everyone should have these in their collection, the cooking is even and the browning is phenomenal. Amazing for omelettes, meat etc... they give professional results. Buy buy buy.

Oh and yeah... they have to be seasoned. Use this guide and do 6 layers (repeat the process 6 times). https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107614

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Wusthof Classic 3-Piece Knife Set https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00005MEGJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazing quality knives and so sharp. I am very happy I bought them and have not needed to buy anything other than the 26cm bread knife which is awesome. Fantastic knives.

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Denby Dutch Oven 26cm in red https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denby-Roun...ven&qid=1575968645&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sr=8-1

Works a treat and is very solid. I have chipped it but no biggie and I am sure it will alst years. Great value!

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Rosle stainless steel bowls: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ROSLE-Cooking-Utensils-stainless-Silver/dp/B0002F7O9S

Built like tanks with an elegant design and I use them for baking, whisking omelettes or mixing/serving salads. They will last years. Funnily enough I rarely use the silicone lids but I am sure I would if I made larger portions of salads. These bowls are definite purchase recommendation!

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Stainless steel colanders set (16/22/28cm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07JGRGNSL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Again, built like tanks yet surprisingly light and the generous sizes and delicate holes means that they are amazing for large quantities of rice, pasta, salad etc. They were a great buy and I use them all the time.

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Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Clad Stainless-Steel 5-Qt/4.7L 11-Inch Covered Deep Saute Pan https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00421AYK4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Haven't used it yet so I guess it wasn't as essential as I thought it would be, but I am still glad I bought it for future frying of large items.

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Dexam 34cm Professional Gauge Carbon Steel Wok https://www.hartsofstur.com/dexam-34cm-professional-gauge-carbon-steel-wok-12108514.html

Used it a couple of times but had a lot of uneven cooking and sticking food even though I had kind of seasoned it as best I could (it doesn't fit in my oven). it's not ideal on my old ceramic hob, sadly. On a gas or an induction I am sure it would be better.

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Any questions let me know.

DXP55 · 14 Apr 2020 at 12:22

Quite an interesting read this.

We have a Induction hob and when we first had it induction pans were rare and we ended up buying Meyer Circulon Non stick pans.
They have served us well over the 10 yrs we have had them but by heck they are heavy when full of water and veg.
I changed the hob last year for a newer Siemens Induction hob and that came with a free 3 pan set and frying pan but non stick - I couldn't believe how well SS pans cook these days and we are very pleased with them and as Richdog has found out you don't need temp up as high as you did - Wife is still struggling and I say turn it down.
These are the pans or similar. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schulte-Uf..._4:Schulte-Ufer&s=kitchen&sr=1-25&srs=3147471
I did read some reviews once and a woman was so pleased she bought a few more but found they were not exactly the same and didn't cook as well as the freebies.

I think if I remember Merlin5 bought a new hob and one thing I have been doing is getting full sheet of fine wet and dry sand paper and polishing the bases - I have found that after there is no sign of drag or scratches on the hob.