Spec me a pan

robfosters

robfosters

robfosters

Caporegime
Joined
1 Dec 2010
Posts
53,734
Location
Welling, London
I need a good pan for cooking curries, chillies, casseroles and the like.

I need it to be able to be used solely on the hob or also in the oven.

Silly as it may seem, I feel a little confused as to what I actually need. Can spend up to about £50.

Anything?
 
robfosters said:
Cheers. Although that seems quite shallow for a casserole dish. looks more like a saute pan. Maybe the pics are deceiving.
Click to expand...

It's huge.
I can get some measurements, but it's not shallow at all.
This might give you an idea, curry to easily serve 4 probably more

imagevti.jpg
 
I'd recommend a decent quality, enamelled dutch oven. The one I have (Le Creuset 29cm , round) can be used on and in every type of cooker. It's easy to clean, retains heat extremely well and they're built to last. Le Creuset are pricey though (but worth it IMO as they last so long... my mom has two Le Creuset casseroles which are thirty odd years old and still perform excellently) but I have heard that Lakeland's range of enamelled cast iron is very good* for the money but they aren't dishwasher safe - http://www.lakeland.co.uk/14318/Lakeland-Cast-Iron-Lidded-Casserole


*http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/f...-The-cheapo-pans-putting-heat-Le-Creuset.html
 
+1 for the lecreuset, built to last a lifetime and more, still looks as good as the day we bought it and the ennamel coating makes it really easy to clean.
 
SkeeterUK said:
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs...dcrumb=Home~txtle creuset?CMP=AFC-ANET-385281

Duno if its normal price but apparently saving from 90 quid somit down to 47 quid something.
Click to expand...

That's a good price... the one concern I would have though is it might be a bit too small. I have a 20cm round Le Creuset which is only big enough for two or three servings.

Speaking of good prices for Le Creuset. Last January I bought this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003XU7JPI The RRP was £200 but it was 50% off in the sales... they've had the same offer for the last three years so top tip, if you're buying Le Creuset, January is probably the best time to do it.

Back to the OP. Le Creuset is brilliantif you're umming and ahhing over whether to buy it, just bare in mind that it should last you decades but if you don't want to spend that kind of money, as I've said, Lakeland might be your best bet.
 
Rather than starting new thread, can anyone find a 30.5cm/12"x5cm/2" cast iron pan without handles, or if handles close by one, not long ones. Similar to this
1329698694310.jpg


Prefflably £50 or under.
All I can find is long handle types ones around £35
Or small handle ones like the pic but theyre 17"+
 
Le Cruset really is good, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives in the big department stores nowadays. Just make sure it's got an even base, is of a decent weight, the handles are securely fastened on and it doesn't have an overly metallic smell.

I use some big, heavy, red pots that my parents bought in France before I was born. They are still going strong (at least 25 years old now!).

robfosters said:
Glaucus,

Can you quickly tell me please. Whats this price like for this dish and can it be used on hob and oven?

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs...dcrumb=Home~txtle creuset?CMP=AFC-ANET-385281

Never mind, it's out of stock :(

Is that pan not a bit Karahi like?
Click to expand...

Rob, that's a bargain for that pot to be honest. You can use it in the oven and the hob just fine (though unsure how well they'll work on an induction hob).
 
We've just sold all our Cast Iron Le Creuset stuff it's too heavy for day to day use and IMO very over rated considering the cost and far to precious about how it needs to be cleaned, we have just bought a Stellar set in place which is much better and easier to use and bullet proof and cheaper.

Try asking your missus to lift a hot 20cm cast iron Le Creuset full of par boiled potatoes.
 
No wonder that's out of stock, that's an insane price. I would off grabbed one myself at that price.


What's a kharaii?

I want a cast iron uncoated for the BBQ.
 
Le Cruset is massively over priced for what it is it has managed to attract a totally weird scene tax, the big department stores and super markets are full of excellent quality cast iron pots for half the money. We got a Sainsburys 'Different by Design' big round pot about 5 years ago and it has been used regularly since for exactly what you describing and it's been so good that when I recently was cooking for about 20 I got another one to give me the required volume!

So in summary Le Cruset if you loaded or bothered about names, cheaper alternative if all you want to do is cook, our pots have no makers identification so nobody even knows they are cheapos.
 
Glaucus said:
No wonder that's out of stock, that's an insane price. I would off grabbed one myself at that price.


What's a kharaii?

I want a cast iron uncoated for the BBQ.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of a kharaii but there's a 'karahi' which is a indian pan thing. It's what you get in curryhouses, the rounded, almost wok shaped dishes.

PyschoSonny will be along shortly to tell us that it's not authentic and we are committing a cardinal sin by even mentioning Indian food and that particular pot/pan/thing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom