Can You Spend Too Much on Cookware? – What Cooking Equipment Do You Truly Need?
As a beginning cook or an advanced one, you've likely been seduced by those shiny ads showing beautiful omelet pans, copper skillets or the like. You may yearn for that one pan that will turn you into a regular Julia Childs, but when you check out the price tag, you have sticker shock. So is it a good idea to spend hundreds of dollars on a single pan when there is a discount variety available? Is cheap the way to go on something, like cookware, that is used often?
You may be tempted, especially when on a budget to go shop for cookware at discount stores. But this isn't always the best idea, since cheap pots and pans really are that - cheap. They are manufactured as inexpensively as possible and are meant to last. Take the ordinary non-stick skillet - perhaps just a few dollars at the discount store. The first few times, it will work great. Your eggs or chicken won't stick. However, the non-stick coating will wear off quickly and you'll soon have rust flakes in your country herb omelet. Yuck. Same thing with cheap baking sheets - rusty chocolate chip cookies will not impress anyone.
In order to determine what you spend on a piece of cookware, you just need to do some simple math - and I truly do mean simple. Take the initial cost of the pan and then figure out how many times it can be used. Now consider the cost of a replacement pan - something you will have to buy if you go cheap. You might find that the cheaper pan may not be the bargain it's cracked up to be. There is one exception - you might find a great sale at a high end cooking store. Also be sure to check out discount restaurant supply stores. It will take a bit seeking and price comparing to understand the difference between just plain cheap and a true bargain - be sure to shop around and get familiar with full the price of cookware before you go discount hunting.
If you must, and money truly is an issue, don't deny yourself the pan - you can purchase cheap. Just be prepared to replace the cookware sooner rather than later. The best option is to save up and purchase one quality piece of cookware at a time. Play the part of an educated consumer and shop around. Ask the chef at your favorite local restaurant and check in with family or friends. Quality cookware is an investment, and when taken care of properly, those pots and pans can truly last a lifetime.
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Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $42.10  |
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3 choices for easy - automatic cooking: Probe - Program and ManualThermometer probe for meatClip-on spoonClip-tight gasket lidEasy - automatic cookingFull-grip handlesPower interrupt protection |
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Snow Peak Trek Combo Titanium Cookset Sale Price: $99.94 |
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The Snow Peak Trek Combo Titanium Cookset combines the classic Trek 900 and Trek 1400 cooksets into one perfect lightweight package. Perfect for the camper who may need more than one pot, the Trek Combo also excels for the dual campers who can pass of the set to one. That's because the smaller of the pots nest into the larger one so no more room is needed within your pack. The two pot lids of the Treks can double as fry pans for extra versatility. Made of titanium, this Snow Peak cookset is lightweight, resists corrosion and provides virtually no metallic smell or taste. With the Snow Peak Trek Combo Titanium Cookset, twice is definitely nice. |
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12" Extra Deep Square Skillet Sale Price: $36.61 |
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72212 Features: -Skillet.-Temperature control is adjustable for accurate cooking.-Warm setting allows you to keep food warm for serving.-Glass lid with steam vent allows you to easily view food.-Deep sides prevent spills and increase capacity and versatility.-Unique tilt leg makes cooking healthier by draining grease away from food.-Non stick interior.-Large handles and cool touch lid knob for easy and safe handling'.-Dishwasher safe. Dimensions: -Overall dimensions: 17'' H x 8.5'' W x 12'' D. |
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17pc Stainless Steel Waterless Cookware Set List Price: $1,595.00 Sale Price: $183.86 |
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Features heavy-gauge T304 stainless steel for outstanding durability and cooking performance. Every detail of this high-quality 17pc cookware set reflects fine craftsmanship. The extra thick impact bonded bottom assures fast and even heating with no hot spots! The precision formed waterless rim and cover create a waterless seal while you cook. A light flutter of the cover will tell you it is time to reduce the heat to low to allow the stored heat of the extra thick bottom finish cooking your food. Other high-quality features of this professional series cookware include high-quality, heavy-duty stainless steel capped rivets on the heat resistant phenolic handles; gleaming mirror polished exteriors; easy cleaning satin polish interiors; and self-storing covers. Each pan bottom clearly indicates the size of the pan so you can choose the perfect size pan every time. Set includes: 3.2qt saucepan with cover, 2.5qt saucepan with cover, 1.7qt saucepan with cover, large skillet with helper handles and cover, 7.5qt roaster with dome cover, egg poaching rack with 5 egg cups, and steamer insert. Limited lifetime warranty. 3.2qt Saucepan with Cover2.5qt Saucepan with Cover1.7qt Saucepan with CoverLarge Skillet with Helper Handles and Cover7.5qt Roaster with Dome CoverEgg Poaching Rack with 5 Egg Cups Steamer InsertHigh-Quality Stainless Steel Capped RivetsLimited Lifetime Warranty ; Set of 0. |
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Kraftware 95001 XiDoc Docking Station in Charcoal List Price: $171.43 Sale Price: $97.95 Used From: $128.57 |
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Incredible surround soundUser friendly push button functionalitySleek contemporary space saving designUniversal docking station: Recharges iPod, iPod touch and iPhone30 pin connectorAlarm gets gradually louder and more frequentUniversal line in cord for all MP3sEasy to see LCDBattery backup in case of power issues8 in. W x 6 in. D x 6 in. H (1.5 lbs.) Kraftware's Collegiate Collection brings the best in Officially licensed Collegiate Barware and Tailgate Entertaining items. The XIDoc is the only speaker utilizing exclusive and patent protected Unique Weave Technology. This technology allows the system to utilize super small, very portable, totally colorful, completely versatile, incredibly crystal clear "Omni-Directional" sound. No instruction manual needed. To use the iDoc Clock Radio (set the alarm etc.) the interface is intuitive and simple. This is NOT a menu driven, impossible to use digital device that someone from the Geek Squad has to set up. Press the "Alarm Set" button and the hour number blinks. Simply use the + or - buttons to select the correct hour. Press the "Alarm Set" a second time and the minute?s numbers blink. Again simply scroll through to the preferred time. Press a third time and the alarm is on. Press a fourth time and the alarm goes off. All other functions are just as simple to master. |
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Wow Hits 2012 List Price: $17.98 Sale Price: $9.45 Used From: $9.44 |
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All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. |
Filed under Food And Drink by on Apr 12th, 2010. 
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