Having the best cookware is totally worth the investment. I finally came to this conclusion after so many years of having to constantly shift from one set of terrible cookware to another set of terrible cookware. I want cookware that would last me over a lifetime, a cookware that I would be able to hand down from generation to generation.
In this post I am going to share with you my most favorite cookware, and my terrible cookware. I am also going to share what makes my favorite cookware to be my favorite, and what makes my terrible cookware to be so terrible.
Right off the bat, we will start with my current most favorite cookware.
Even though my most favorite cookware is cast Iron, I do not own any yet that have become my favorite. I still love them very much, and use them on a daily basis, but the ones I own are not necessarily my favorite.
MY MOST FAVORITE COOKWARE 2021
This would be cookware that I currently own, and it is the All-Clad D3 Stainless Cookware, 12-Inch Fry Pan.
I have owned this pan for about 5 months as of the writing this post. I have been using it day in and day out, and I love every bit of it.
Letโs Talk All-Clad 3D Stainless Steel Cookware Quality
- Nothing beats this stainless steel pan. It is designed with three alternating layers of American-made stainless-steel and aluminum, bonded together all the way to the rim with the aluminum being sandwich in between the two layers of stainless steel.
- It has a long handle that stays cool to the touch even after staying for a long time on the stove top, and on high heat. I have so far, never needed to use any oven-mitt, or pot holder to handle this stainless steel All-Clad pan handle.
- It is oven and broiler safe up to 600F. Hello! Who wouldnโt want that! I love the fact that I can cook something like Gluten Free Shepherdโs Pie, or Mediterranean Zucchini Boats in it, and finish it off in the oven in the same pan. I have used it multiple times in the oven so far, on high temps, and havenโt experienced any warping.
- It has a wide flat base which allows me to cook in it something like Gluten Free Tuna Cakes With Mackerel without any trouble. I can quite easily fit 5 burger sized patties in the pan without overlapping.
- It has a high rim, which allows me to fit a lot of food in it in case if I wanted to make crispy potatoes, or shakshuka, or anything that requires a deep pan.
- It has a lid that fits perfectly on the top which allows for simmering, or covering the food after it has been cooked to allow it to stay warm.
- It is dishwasher safe and has a nice polished surface.
- If used properly, nothing should stick to it. If something were to stick to it, a bit of soaking, and a bit of scrubbing with a 3M Scotch Brite Pad should do the trick and get rid of any stuck bits. I personally havenโt had any problem with sticking so far. Make sure to preheat it before you begin cooking with it, and that should prevent any sticking.
- And last but not least, it is USA made which I am all the way for supporting U.S. Made products. It is manufactured right here on our soil in Pennsylvania. If there was no other reason for me to buy it, this right here would be enough. All-Clad 3D, you won my heart.
Letโs Talk All-Clad 3D Stainless Steel Cookware Cons
- Iโll admit, the pan is sort of heavy, but after a while of using it, I got used to it, and I do not find it cumbersome. Just make sure to hold it with both hands if you have something heavy in it, and are trying to lift it.
- The next con is that it is pretty big which means that it would take a big space in the dishwasher if you were trying to wash it using a dishwasher. It also requires a large storage space.
My kitchen cabinet doesnโt close all the way after buying the All-Clad Stainless Steel 12 Inch pan because it is a bit bigger than the width of my cabinets, But I personally do not mind any of that. I love this pan, and I wouldnโt trade it for anything.
I do not like washing it in the dishwasher because I do not want any water stains on it, and because I want to make sure that it is extra clean. - The last con is that it is a bit pricy, but in my opinion, it is totally worth the investment. If you were looking for something that is a bit smaller with a big bang for your buck, you can check out the All-Clad Store. They have a variety of options, and sets, including non-stick pans, and kitchen utensils and appliances. Shop USA Made. All-Clad is not sponsoring this post. I am simply sharing my honest opinion with you.
MY 2ND MOST FAVORITE COOKWARE 2021
I would love for this to be my most absolute favorite cookware, but I currently donโt own any that would make me say, โI have fallen in love with them.โ This cookware would be cast Iron.
I love cast Iron cookware. It is durable, it is versatile, and it lasts from generation to generation. This is the kind of cookware that I want to have, but not the only cookware that I would need.
I use my cast Iron cookware on a regular daily basis, multiple times a day. I use it for preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any opportunity that I have.
I love the flavor that it lends to every dish after each and every use. If you treat your cast Iron with love and care, it would give you so much back in return.
Most people are terrified of Cast Iron, and that is simply because they have never tried to use it, or learned how to use it properly.
Cast Iron cookware requires proper seasoning. Soap should never be applied to it unless absolutely necessary. Water should never be left sitting on it. It should always be dried properly after each wash, heated to evaporate any water left, and gently recoated with a bit of oil, and heated again until it reaches a smoking point. This will keep your Cast Iron cookware brand new, and cause it to last longer than you would ever last.
I currently have 4 pieces of Cast Iron cookware, and I am looking forward to building up my arsenal of Cast Iron pots and pans.
The pieces that I currently own are by two different companies. One of them, I cannot read the companyโs name because it is not clear, and it was handed down to me by my in-laws. The other two are both Lodge Cast Iron Cookware.
I can say that I definitely favor the Lodge over the other two and that is because they tend to stick less. They have a smoother surface, especially my lodge griddle.
The other two Cast Iron cookware with the unknown name have a much rougher surface. I always find myself having to constantly re-season them after each wash. I also need to use a lot more oil with them to prevent them from sticking than I would with my other two Lodge Cast Iron Griddle Pan and Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven.
My Lodge Cast Iron Griddle Pan also has a nicer grip on the handle. It has a longer handle with a nice width and curvature making it a better handle than the other two Cast Iron Pans. I love to make Flat Rice Bread using this pan. Lodge is also USA Made, and its prices are pretty decent.
Last but not least, Cast Iron is not only healthier than aluminum, and nonstick cookware, but it has a great advantage in that it can carry the flavors over to the next dish, aiding in making your cooking taste even better.
For example, if you used your Cast Iron pan to cook bacon with it, you not only helped season the pan, but now when you cook, letโs say, eggs in it, the flavor of the eggs would marry with that of the bacon making them that much tastier.
And now, letโs dish out my most terrible cookware.
NON-STICK COOKWARE
I first want to start by apologizing to any non-stick cookware company thatโs out there. I am not saying that they are all terrible. Donโt get me wrong, I believe that non-stick cookware still has its place, but I am now of the opinion that it should be used sparingly in the kitchen.
I have been on a mission to get myself and my family on a healthy lifestyle. You might think to yourself, โHow does cookware contribute to a healthy lifestyle?โ I am glad you asked.
Non-stick pans have gained a bad rap over the past years. Some claim that they can cause cancer. While the material that non stick pans are made of have changed and is claimed to be safe, It can still break down and cause dangerous fumes that can cause sever health conditions.
The breakdown is said to happen at temperatures above 570 F . While we may not place our non-stick cookware in the oven at such temperatures, we may accidently get it to overheat while cooking with it on the stovetop. Since we are not constantly measuring the temperature of our cookware while we are cooking, we cannot know whether the non-stick cookware is overheating or not.
The safest bet would be, if you do have or want to own non-stick cookware, is to cook with them using low to medium heat. Avoid using high heat as you may end up overheating the cookware.
Another downside to non-stick cookware is that the Teflon surface starts to break down after a couple years of usage. I donโt know about you, but I donโt want to be buying a new cookware set every couple of years.
My last non-stick cookware that my husband bought me is 4 years old now, and you can see in the pictures how it looks like.
Would I still own a non-stick cookware? probably yes, but it will not be my everyday pot or pan. If I were to own a non-stick cookware, which I probably would, I would use it occasionally for very specific things.
The only thing that I would miss about not using a non-stick cookware is the ability to not use that much fat when cooking.
Most of the time when I am making pancakes for example, I do not use any butter to coat the pan when using a non-stick pan, but I suppose if I am using a good and well seasoned cast Iron pan, I would not need to use that much butter either.
I hope this post was helpful to you. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.
GLUTEN FREE RECIPES TO TRY
Gluten Free Double Chocolate Mug Cake
Homemade Gluten Free Pop Tarts
The Fluffiest Gluten Free Sourdough Pancakes
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