Good pans without non stick?

ThePrettyDamned

I'm after some stainless steel pans - I have regular pans, but would like a sauté pan (preferably with a glass lid) for reducing big dishes. 

I have some carbon steel pans that are ace once seasoned properly, but the seasoning gets absolutely wrecked when anything acidic goes in (in a way cast iron seasoning seems to sort of survive). To this end, I suppose a cast iron one would work but I'm not sure they exist... 

The only ones I've found are le creuset and Eva, both of which are quite expensive although appear very high quality. Does anyone else know of some? 

stickyfiddle

I don't know about others but I've had a bit of everything from Le Creuset and they are seriously good. Our stainless pans (saucepans, not frying) are still like new after 7 years of almost daily use. 

Sporky

I have some John Lewis ones I was given 25 years ago, still going strong.

They look much like these:

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-classic-pan-set-3-pieces/p2647369

duotone

http://www.judgecookware.co.uk/Products/Cookware.html

No prices and you can’t order online I don’t think, but you can see what range they have.

Bought one a few years ago half price in Fenwicks and it’s been great.

Modellista

stickyfiddle said:

I don't know about others but I've had a bit of everything from Le Creuset and they are seriously good. Our stainless pans (saucepans, not frying) are still like new after 7 years of almost daily use. 

^ This. Our Le Creuset pans are 10 years old this year and still as new. They have properly riveted handles which I like - no going floppy or falling off. Pans for life. 

octatonic

+1 for Le Creuset.
We have a full set of them and they look brand new after 10 years.

thumpingrug

I have a couple of Le Creuset pans.  Probably getting on for 15 years old and in close to daily use.  Not a mark on them.  Totally fab.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

On the advice of a chef friend I got most of my cookware from a catering industry supply store. A lot more choice and good value, including brands that you would never see in department stores.

Something like this might fit your bill (though you have to buy the lid separately)…

https://www.nisbets.co.uk/vogue-tri-wall-saute-pan-240mm/gg031

I have a number of Vogue pans. They're not fancy or built for aesthetics, but they do the job.

octatonic

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

I have a number of Vogue pans. 

Do you have to cook standing still?

ThePrettyDamned

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

On the advice of a chef friend I got most of my cookware from a catering industry supply store. A lot more choice and good value, including brands that you would never see in department stores.

Something like this might fit your bill (though you have to buy the lid separately)…

https://www.nisbets.co.uk/vogue-tri-wall-saute-pan-240mm/gg031

I have a number of Vogue pans. They're not fancy or built for aesthetics, but they do the job.

Mate that looks really good, and more affordable for sure. 

I do like the le creuset stuff and the lady may want it anyway as it's quite attractive, but if not this will do the job great for half the price. 

duotone

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

On the advice of a chef friend I got most of my cookware from a catering industry supply store. A lot more choice and good value, including brands that you would never see in department stores.

Something like this might fit your bill (though you have to buy the lid separately)…

https://www.nisbets.co.uk/vogue-tri-wall-saute-pan-240mm/gg031

I have a number of Vogue pans. They're not fancy or built for aesthetics, but they do the job.

Useful website, cheers!

ArchtopDave

I've got Le Creuset pans also. Be aware that, whilst excellent, they are fairly weighty.

I thought I'd ruined one when I forgot about some plums that I was stewing. I had to initial use a screwdriver to get the worst of the solid blackened residue off the bottom of the pan. However, apart from superficial scratch marks, the pan has since been perfectly useable. 

TheBigDipper

We've got several Le Pentole pans. Stainless steel, with a composite base that adds a little extra. Had them for 20+ years, use one or two of the saucepans every day and they still work brilliantly and clean up properly inside and out. 

sev112

This thread title is a brilliant example of why double negatives sometimes aren’t not needed

Zoolooter

These are quite good.

https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/designers/fissler

ThePrettyDamned

sev112 said:

This thread title is a brilliant example of why double negatives sometimes aren’t not needed

I agree, but it's really hard to find quality pans than don't have Teflon. 

I use metal utensils and tbh don't have many problems with sticking .. 

EricTheWeary

We have a large le creuset pan still in regular use that must be at least 20 years old, doesn’t look brand new though! We also have a frying pan that’s nearly as old but rarely gets used as it’s so bloody heavy. 
They often have shops at outlet stores, not sure how much cheaper the pans are at them though. There’s a le creuset outlet at Bicester for example. 

BigMonka

I like the higher end stuff from ProCook. I’ve got a non-Teflon set of pans from them that is great. I’ve also got a couple of non-stick frying pans from them and when the Teflon started peelig at the edge of one of them after a few years of dishwasher use they replaced it without question by just posting out a new one for free!