Best place for pots and pans

[bagofpucks]

I know we’ve got lots of folks here with commercial kitchen expertise...so I’m looking for some help. Our pots and pans are starting to show some wear and tear and are almost 10 years old. We pretty much need a full new set I figure. Worthwhile to go to a commercial store? Just go to Canadian tire and buy whatever is 90% off? The bay?

Thanks in advance!

[Scroopy Noopers]

Seriously, Canadian tire. Because the sales on pots and pans are nuts. They sell some solid brands in that department.

[DownInFlames]

I recommend Meyer cookware since they’re made in Canada and high quality. They also make Paderno for Canadian Tire.

[_Q_]

The Bay has had some fairly incredible sales on pots and pans as well.

I got a deeply discounted set of stainless steel Zwilling pots & pans from The Bay close to 8 years ago and they have been absolutely incredible. They distribute heat evenly and are built like tanks. I feel like I'll be passing these things down to my grandkids one day.

[FlamesAddiction]

Aside from spending a lot of money and going to a restaurant equipment store, I suggest Costco. I purchased a Heritage Rock pan and Diamond pot set there and love them. They heat up fast and radiate well. Not as well as cast iron, but much easier to clean and maintain. The trade off is worth it for day-to-day cooking IMO. It was chef that actually recommended the brand to me.

I think Canadian Tire sells this brand as well.

Edit: Just looked it up and several places carry the brand, so worth shopping around.

[Locke]

[Northendzone]

My suggestions are:

. Hot pots - on 15th
. Pots a Plenty - on 15th too
. Peter Pan - also on 15th

As a matter of fact they are all in the same building in the pots and pans district

[blankall]

You do get what you pay for with kitchen ware. Canadian Tire stuff won't last long, will not cook as well, and may result in harmful chemicals in your food.


I'll echo Q's suggestion of Zwilling though. You can find this stuff on sale and it's great.

[PepsiFree]

Carbon steel is the best answer for pans.

But, if you’re looking for something cheap and functional, IKEA makes cookware that’s pretty underrated. Better than most of the stuff you’ll find at Canadian Tire IMO.

I wouldn’t bother with a set from anywhere, though. Figure out what you need/what you’d use, and invest in it piece by piece until you have a custom set that will last a lifetime. If you’re buying a well-made pot, for example, there should be no reason you’ll ever have to replace it from wear.

[photon]

Yeah last time I got some for my parents I just decided a few major things (i.e. stainless vs. non-stick, induction or not, does it need to survive oven heat, dishwasher safe or not, ) and then kept my eye out for sales of the brands I saw good reviews for in the price range I was looking at (Anolon, Circulon, Calphalon, All Clad, etc).

Amazon, Costco, The Bay, Best Buy (got a set there at 50% off), Bed Bath and Beyond, etc I'd just watch those sites for deals.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Carbon steel is the best answer for pans.

But, if you’re looking for something cheap and functional, IKEA makes cookware that’s pretty underrated. Better than most of the stuff you’ll find at Canadian Tire IMO.

I wouldn’t bother with a set from anywhere, though. Figure out what you need/what you’d use, and invest in it piece by piece until you have a custom set that will last a lifetime. If you’re buying a well-made pot, for example, there should be no reason you’ll ever have to replace it from wear.

I’m a big cast iron fan. I think it’s all a scam that there is anything else (other than stainless steel). Always great deals at CD for those, so I should have put a disclaimer as I don’t buy anything else. Nor will I buy pans ever again because I bought cast iron once.

[PepsiFree]

Carbon steel has many of the very same benefits as cast iron! But it’s way lighter! Convert! Convert!

But cast iron is also fantastic and also lasts forever.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

I’m a big cast iron fan. I think it’s all a scam that there is anything else (other than stainless steel). Always great deals at CD for those, so I should have put a disclaimer as I don’t buy anything else. Nor will I buy pans ever again because I bought cast iron once.

I agree. The best kitchen investment I ever made was buying a set of antique cast iron pans.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Carbon steel has many of the very same benefits as cast iron! But it’s way lighter! Convert! Convert!

But cast iron is also fantastic and also lasts forever.

I tell myself I don’t have to lift weights because I cook on cast iron.

[DoubleK]

IKEA stuff is garbage, especially the 365 brand. I had a pot and a pan delaminate. CT or Costco are your best bets.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

IKEA stuff is garbage, especially the 365 brand. I had a pot and a pan delaminate. CT or Costco are your best bets.

My wife bought pots and pans from Ikea when she went to university. Didn't last 2 years.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I think the best place for pots is in the cupboard. I prefer the lower corner one because there’s more room.

Pans on the other hand, I prefer to keep in that drawer at the bottom of the stove.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I think the best place for pots is in the cupboard. I prefer the lower corner one because there’s more room.

Pans on the other hand, I prefer to keep in that drawer at the bottom of the stove.

That's what I thought this thread was about when I first saw it.
Pots and pans in the corner cupboard. The pans stack nicely. The stove drawer is for baking pans/trays and whatever else is used to bake on/in/with.

[bomber317]

I would suggest paying a bit more to get a nicer set. I invested in an all clad set about 16 years ago and they’re still going strong for the stainless steel sets.

Non-stick does not last long as it will eventually get damaged. We have switched to cast iron for our non-stick needs.

[indes]

Cast iron has its place but you want some lighter gear as well, especially if you're cooking with gas. The best part of gas cooking is the absolute heat control, cast retains too much heat to adjust heat on the fly. I only have one large cast pan, for steaks in winter.