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Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Buzz
Date: October 28, 2010 11:45AM
We can't use our Macs properly unless we are also properly nourished, and thankfully Mrs. Buzz is an incredible cook. Unfortunately, our cookware is pretty ancient... we have tons of Magnalite Pro, which will last through anything short of a nuclear catastrophe, but at its advanced age, some of the non-stick pieces are getting a bit ragged on their non-stick surfaces. Does anybody here have a positive first hand experience on getting cookware re-coated w/ a non-stick surface? I've heard a few horror stories from failed experiences, so we're looking for a solid recommendation, or two, for companies that do it correctly.
Thanks,

Buzz
==



Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



==
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: freeradical
Date: October 28, 2010 11:52AM
This sounds like it would be expensive if it's even possible. It might be better to just invest in some new pans. The only thing I use non stick cookware with is eggs.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: michaelb
Date: October 28, 2010 12:00PM
I use nonstick sometimes and with frying pans. but I buy them cheap and throw them away when they get worn. I am not sure how dangerous it may be, but I didn't think we were suppposed to use nonstick pans that were damaged. Good reason to buy stainless pots and pans instead. I didn't know that recoating was even something possible. There is an alternative nonstick pan these days that allows use of metal utensils, but it is not as nonsticky, and I have never used that kind before.

But if Mrs. Buzz loves to cook, she really needs to decide this question.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Z
Date: October 28, 2010 12:01PM
Enameled cast iron, my friend. Heavy, heat retaining and will also survive re-entry or thermonuclear detonation.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: freeradical
Date: October 28, 2010 12:04PM
I use stainless steel pans with a thick aluminum base for excellent heat conduction.

Aluminum is almost as good a heat conducter as copper for a fraction of the price.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: billb
Date: October 28, 2010 12:04PM
I've tossed everything with teflon coating and replaced with half way decent Calphalon stainless steel. The bottoms (outsides) stain a bit, but they're cooking utensils.

I still have some really old Revere copper bottoms that I don't use, just keep
and also bought 2 cast irons.
Cast iron is better with gas than electric stove, but it's what I've got.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: mattkime
Date: October 28, 2010 12:11PM
Take a look at Walmart's Tramontina brand stuff. It gets very high reviews and the price is great.

...and I'm not the sort of person to shop at walmart.



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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Pam
Date: October 28, 2010 12:12PM
Bought this recently to replace old T-Fal cookware
[www2.jcpenney.com]|72115

Works for me.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: M A V I C
Date: October 28, 2010 12:23PM
We completely avoid non-stick pans (except for eggs, wish I could find a solution for those.) We use amex points years ago to get a set of all-clad stainless pans. Studies have shown that toxins from the non-stick surfaces seep into food, even when not flaking. Flaking is really bad.

I'd also avoid Chinese made stainless pans as they use lead as a filler. Cast iron is another option.




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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: mattkime
Date: October 28, 2010 12:47PM
>>(except for eggs, wish I could find a solution for those.)

place them in warm water for a few minutes before cooking.



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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: M A V I C
Date: October 28, 2010 12:49PM
Quote
mattkime
>>(except for eggs, wish I could find a solution for those.)

place them in warm water for a few minutes before cooking.

In the shell, or crack them open and drop that into the water? I usually cook them over-easy. Our pans are well seasoned, but eggs stick to them no matter what we try (though have never tried putting them in warm water first.)




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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: mattkime
Date: October 28, 2010 12:51PM
in the shell

sticking is more of a problem if cold food is placed in a hot pan. if the food warms a bit first then the problem goes away.

its my impression that real chefs don't use non-stick.



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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Mike Johnson
Date: October 28, 2010 12:52PM
Don't get a set. Get a variety instead: a cast iron pan, a stainless saute pan, a stainless 4-5 qt pot, a stainless 1 - 1.5 qt, a nonstick saute pan or two.

I like Calphalon commercial nonstick. I don't like cheap nonstick pans because they don't last very long, and if the pan isn't heavy it doesn't cook evenly. That's a problem if I'm making pancakes or an omelet, or most of the stuff I cook on the low heat necessary for a nonstick. My Calphalon 1392 is probably seven years old and is in great shape. The trick is, never overheat a nonstick pan.

Nonstick is overused. You can buy all sorts of absurd nonstick cookware -- a nonstick stock pot? seriously? -- but it doesn't mean you should. By design, nonstick inhibits browning. If you brown some chicken breasts in a stainless pan, they'll stick, sure, while they're browning. When they're brown, they release. You can do it in a nonstick pan, and it won't stick, nor will it brown as well.

I have some Tramontina stainless pans, made in Brazil. They were super cheap at Tuesday Morning and are well built. Tramontina makes everything from low- to high-quality, so choose well.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: AlphaDog
Date: October 28, 2010 01:13PM
Thank you, Mike Johnson; you said much of what I was getting ready to post. I've never understood how one set of pans could serve every purpose. I have some wonderful enamel-coated cast iron, both skillets and dutch ovens, that are perfect for many things. Other times I want a relatively light weight sauce pan to quickly heat up something, and the ancient Revere Wear is perfect. I also have a couple of throw away nonstick frying pans - the cheap ones that I do toss as soon as the surface starts to wear. I can't imagine having just one choice in terms of cookware material. Cooking ain't that simple. I also have a couple of specialty pots, including a wonderful, huge stockpot. I've noticed that even the cooks on TV use a variety of pots and skillets, depending on what they're cooking.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: M A V I C
Date: October 28, 2010 01:19PM
Some sets contain multiple types of pans. Our all-clad set wasn't all stainless.




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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: michaelb
Date: October 28, 2010 01:39PM
I agree with Mike and Alphadog on the mixed set; which is what I have. I could use more too.

But I still think that choice is one for Mrs. Buzz? She may want a matching set, or one that looks good, etc. Buzz may prefer an iPad + cheaper pans vs a fancier set too.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Buzz
Date: October 28, 2010 01:48PM
We have plenty of pots and pans, and a bit an assortment of different manufacturers, so we're pretty well stocked, but we do have three large Magnalite pans that are in need of attention... we were hoping to find a high quality re-coating source for them. We have other pans that we use, but since Magnalite is no longer around, we can't readily replace them...



Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



==
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: DeusxMac
Date: October 28, 2010 03:30PM
Standard, anodized Calphalon = great for the cook, lousy for the washer of dishes; can't be put in the dishwasher. cry smiley
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Ombligo
Date: October 28, 2010 04:12PM
Go to a restaurant supply house and see what they offer. I've gotten some very nice pans at good prices that way.



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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Dennis S
Date: October 28, 2010 04:57PM
I agree with much posted above. I don't think a set is a good idea. If starting from scratch, I would get:

1 small and medium (if needed) non-stick for eggs from Sam's or Costco (I have had 2 bad ones from Caphalon)

Lodge or equal cast iron. If using on a smooth glass top, try to find them where the bottoms are smooth for good contact. They are OK on the glass if you're not rough.

All-Clad stainless classic-type. I found specials at Dillard's and the net over a period of a few years. I looked for something almost as good for cheaper, but didn't find anything.

I have picked up some All-Clad and Caphalon sauce pans for really cheap looking for specials.

I don't really have a good big pot, except for a cast iron one.

I have a box full of miscellaneous cheaper stuff and weird sizes that I don't use because I zeroed in on what I want. I think the same thing would happen if you got a set - many pieces would be in no-man's-land. Same thing with knives.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: AlphaDog
Date: October 28, 2010 05:24PM
Quote
Buzz
We have plenty of pots and pans, and a bit an assortment of different manufacturers, so we're pretty well stocked, but we do have three large Magnalite pans that are in need of attention... we were hoping to find a high quality re-coating source for them. We have other pans that we use, but since Magnalite is no longer around, we can't readily replace them...

Yours must be either much newer than my Magnalite or a totally different style, because mine never had a coating! It's still going strong after almost 40 years, though, and it still makes great fried chicken.

You did get me curious, so I found a site where the subject was refinishing Magnalite. About halfway down someone has posted the name of someone in California who did refinishing for them. They were so happy with the work that they've continued to buy up older pieces from estate sales. Not all of the posts were dated, but it looks like the info is from 2008. Good luck.

[www.finishing.com]

"To update you on having your Magnalite pots refinished, I just had 36 pieces of mine done by this company here in Los Angeles. My pots are back to a new and even better shine! This company is willing to refinish any cast aluminum pot, i.e. MagPro, Magnalite Classic, All-Clad, Revere-Ware, Wear Ever,Vintage aluminum pots and pans like Wagner Ware, Guardian Service and 18 grade Stainless Steel. His specialty is anodizing. He does Residential or Commercial Pots and Pans (like for restaurants and such). I took pictures of my pots to show to anyone interested."

and

"For all that is interested here is the name of the company in Los Angeles, CA that cleans pots including copper and brass: Kaleidoscope Polishing. The company is in the City of Gardena, which is a suburb of L.A. The owner is Mr. Ray H. Johnson, when contacting his office, speak to him and let him know I referred you to him from this site."

There's also a picture of his shiny collection of Magnalite. smiling smiley
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Buzz
Date: October 28, 2010 07:08PM
Quote
AlphaDog

Yours must be either much newer than my Magnalite or a totally different style, because mine never had a coating! It's still going strong after almost 40 years, though, and it still makes great fried chicken.

Most of ours is the old 1980's GHC dark anodized Magnalite Professional stuff, along w/ a couple of pieces stamped w/ the Chicago Cutlery logo on the bottom. We have two 13" pans and one 11" pan that have the non-stick coating in question, as well as several normal, non-coated pots and pans. The big non-stick pans are used mostly, almost exclusively actually, for cooking fish. We've gone through a few sets of smaller Costco non-sticks for eggs and other potentially sticky foods. I suppose we could check out Kaleidoscope Polishing, and see about blowing off the non-stick, and getting the pans re-anodized inside instead, and then go about finding some large replacement pans to take over fish duty. There is just something about the way the old Magnalite stuff feels, and cooks, that is tough to beat, though we have many task specific pieces from other makers. I was bummed when the successor Magnalite owners killed it off in favor Farberware, though somewhere around here we also have a full set, and then some, of 1970's Farberware... the rolled edge stainless steel stuff w/ the layered clad bottoms and black plastic handles that we're saving for Baby Buzz if/when he moves out.



Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



==
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: mrbigstuff
Date: October 28, 2010 08:46PM
if you travel, be sure to check out cook shops in those countries -it's one of my favorite things to do if I'm travelling. although, to be honest, I don't want to carry pans back with me but I have bought foreign-made pans in the U.S. for example, I have a great French crepe pan that is just not made here. but I do have a great Griswold cast iron pan that is about 60 years old. works great for eggs.



And a pony in the river turning blue...
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Dennis S
Date: October 28, 2010 10:38PM
Quote
mrbigstuff
if you travel, be sure to check out cook shops in those countries -it's one of my favorite things to do if I'm travelling.

Yes. I have a 9.5" skillet I brought back from Sweden. It is my favorite pan.
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: Buzz
Date: October 28, 2010 10:45PM
Mrs. Buzz has been a flight attendant for over thirty years, and has brought quite a few goodies back from faraway places, but not much in the way of cookware as I recall. We're pretty well stocked at this point in our lives, and it is really just a matter of trying to maintain the high quality fish cooking we've grown accustomed to. I must've spoke too soon about exclusive use earlier, because while I was out picking Baby Buzz up after baseball practice this evening, Mrs. Buzz cooked up taco fixin's in one of the fish pans... when I asked her what was up w/ that, she said she was too tired to get one the "right" pans out from underneath the range; it's really kinda crowded under there. We got the matching 13" pans, because we like to buy the big whole fish filets at Costco, or the fish market, and cut them in half to cook all at once; hot and yummy night one, then sandwiches/appetizers/salads until it's gone. Gonna start keeping an eye out for high grade 13" replacement pans... will start w/ one and see how it compares, and then go from there, but it sure would be nice to get those Magnalite's back like new again...



Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



==
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: qdog2
Date: November 01, 2010 09:03PM
If price is no object try looking at some Healthcraft sets.



Portsmouth, Va
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Re: Real world cookware recommendation needed...
Posted by: katiepotatie
Date: November 07, 2010 05:58PM
I've had a few pieces of Magnalite Professional cookware for 20+ years. The bottoms of the older pieces are marked with "Magnalite GHC" or "Magnalite Professional". They were made in the US and were some of the first anodized aluminum cookware. They were/are incredible pieces of cookware.

Though they *seem* like non-stick pans, the Magnalite Professional cookware never had a non-stick finish. The anodized aluminum starts out a dark grey (when new) and turns to a solid black when seasoned. When they are seasoned they release food easily, like a non-stick coating would.

After time, mis-use (cleaning in the dishwasher), or with frequent high acidic food contact, the anodization can wear away leaving the inside of the pan (usually toward the bottom) lighter in color...sometimes right down to the bare aluminum. None of mine have such signs of wear, but I've seen PLENTY on ebay that do.

If you are in the market for the older Mag Pro, you CAN find good pieces on ebay...sometimes even new ones that weren't used. Don't expect a bargain though....the good ones are in high demand and bring a good price.
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