By David

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 00:00

I'm looking to buy a good robust set of basic pans but in truth have no idea what I should really be looking for.

While the SKK option seems very good they are out of my price range, at the same time I do not want to end up buying rubbish.

Can anyone offer some suggestions suitable for the more budget concious buyer?

Replies

By Sheelagh, Rossett nr Chester

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 07:24

Yes - these are from IKEA - but don't let that put you off!!
The 2 big pans are great - and I especially love the fact that they have 2 small handles, rather than one big one - means that the handles don't get in the way on the hob, don't overhang other rings and get very hot, and you can pick them up with 2 hands instead of only one.
The frying pan is good, and is still reliably non-stick after quite a few years.
I put them all in the dishwasher too!
And they can go in the oven as well as on the hob.
They really are great value - and I know other people who have them too.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30101168

By Elpe

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 08:26

Hi David - have a look at Delia's Shop, cookware section. The link to the Shop is in blue at the bottom of this page. For more info you might find this link helpful
http://www.pots-and-pans.co.uk/acatalog/Cookware_Guide.html
My most recent pan-purchase is a Circulon sauté
pan which has a clear lid. I'm finding it really useful for so many things - wish I'd bought it ages ago. Got it in Debenham's sale with 25% off. Good luck!

By jeni_hope

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 09:00

I've found some real bargains in TKMaxx - very good quality too

By Campbek

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 09:13

I bought a non-stick saute pan with glass lid from Tesco about a year ago and am delighted with it. No sign of the non-stick wearing and it is a lovely heavy pan. They have a whole range but this is the only one I have tried. It was £11 I think.

By tilly

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 09:55

As the sales are on it's worth looking for Circulan pans they are also sometimes in TK Maxx. There is a site called dael of the day that rounds up offers from lots of places and there are often pans for sale

By The Dinner Service

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 09:55

Hear hear Jeni! I would go for individual pans so you can get exactly what you want and don't have to buy them all at the same time. TKMaxx have a fantastic homewares section - it can be like Aladdin's cave. It's pot luck though. One day you'll find nothing you want; another day you won't be able to get it all in your trolley. They always seem to have a good selection of pans.

By Dolly

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 10:02

David,
John Lewis' own brand are very good....non-stick with glass lids with air hole in....
Dolly
:0)

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 11:38

you don;t want to buy too cheap a set of pans, a little extra now will save you buying new ones in a couple of years, good pans are well worth investing in.

I would wait until debenhams / john lewis have a blue cross sale, they normally have some brilliant pans.

I brought my set 5 years ago, originally they would have been £250 for 5 pans, hard anodise..... with glass lids, including a milk pan and a sort of wok type pan.

There were in the blue cross sale at half price...I went to order them, and they had a further 25 percent off.

But my advise is defo don;t scrimp when it comes to sets of pan.

If you have a birthday coming up, why not ask for vouchers for that shop?

Sam

By gilldoteee

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 15:13

TKmaxx do have very good pans. But I have bought stainless steel pans from places such as Matalan and Homebase and they have been absolutely fine!

By Expat Badger

Re: A starter set of pans
18 Jul 2008 19:06

i have some IKEA pans and they seem great - use them all the time and no prob at all. Stainless steel and quite heavy. Constantly in dishwasher and have put them in the oven loads - no probs.
I bought them as a temporary fill-in while my 'good' pans were being shipped over, but i can't really tell the diff between them!

By David

Re: A starter set of pans
19 Jul 2008 09:14

Thanks everyone for some great advice, the IKEA ones look really good and I'm heading over to have a look at TKmaxx today to see what's available.

I think I will be buying the pans separately as many of the sets seem to include at least one item that is superfluous to my needs.

Again thanks everyone, looking forward to actually being able to try the pans out now!

By Maryyem

Re: A starter set of pans
19 Jul 2008 12:18

David, I bought my daughter a set of pans from M & S when she started Uni 3 years ago, they cost me £9.50, what a cheapskate I hear you say but I thought that if they went awol it wouldn't matter. They are stainless steel and still look as good as they did, 3 years and use and abuse by several students later. I bought her a good wok and non stick frying pan too from other places. I have to say that the M & S set look as good as my own megabucks stainless steel set and perform as well! Happy cooking!