Edit: Thank you, everyone, for providing such great information! Truly, thank you!

I’m looking to buy someone a set of good cookware. Hopefully, I’ll have them to gift in time for Christmas. My kitchen consists of a pot, pan, and a rice cooker (probably all from Big Lots or something), so I’m in over my head here.

In talking to people IRL, I’ve been told Amazon is not a good place for a quality set - which I believe based on mixed reviews of my recent purchases and my own lack of knowledge on what makes a good set. I was also told to search antique stores and consignment shops for pieces. So, I’m doing that without much luck as, again, I’m just out of my depth and it’s possible it will take much longer to find enough pieces to make a complete set (between 5 and 9-ish).

Does anyone have recommendations for what I should look for in a good pot/pan? Or, what are some solid brands that someone who loves to cook would be proud to own?

I’m not sure what is a good budget. Is anywhere between 500 and 1000 USD a good start?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

  • TachyonTele@lemm.ee
    0·
    17 days ago

    You don’t need anywhere near $500 for a cast iron pan. I bought one on clearance from Kmart 15 years ago and it’s still cooking meal for me. It was probably $30 full price. It’s literally just a pan made out of cast iron. That’s all any of them are.

    It’s more important that you take care of the pan, than what the price point is. Sure, you could spend an obscene amount of money on one, or three pans. But if you don’t take care of it it’s a waste no matter what.

  • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    0·
    17 days ago

    I’m not sure what is a good budget. Is anywhere between 500 and 1000 USD a good start?

    I mean, you can definitely get really nice stuff for that price. But it’s also overkill. Get yourself a nice set of Lodge equipment and some chainmail “sponges” for cleaning.

    Le Creuset is also a good brand for a few more buc

  • Donebrach@lemmy.world
    0·
    17 days ago

    Lodge cookware is fine and cheap, but you need to figure out why you want cast iron. It is true that it is basically indestructible, but it has certain properties that can (slightly) affect cooking (specifically it retains a lot of heat for a long time and also heats incredibly unevenly).

    Unclad stainless steel is basically the same as cast iron in that it doesn’t have artificial coatings and is nearly indestructible, but also heats faster and more evenly, is lighter, but doesn’t retain heat as well.

    But seriously a 12 inch lodge pan is like $20 bucks and is basically all you’d ever need to cook most things

  • Kaiyoto@lemmy.world
    0·
    16 days ago

    Lodge is perfectly good. It’s not about how much you spend on it but how you take care of it.

    You can also try antique stores to see if you can find any. A lot of older cookware shows up at the ones in the Eastern US

    • 0ops@lemm.ee
      0·
      16 days ago

      Unfortunately in my area it’s rare to find cast iron in thrift stores, and when I do it’s priced high enough that I might as well go to Walmart and get a brand new lodge

  • I'm back on my BS 🤪@lemmy.autism.placeEnglish
    0·
    17 days ago

    I got this Lodge set plus an extra 10.25" skillet. I also got silicone handle covers because I don’t like burning my delicate fingers🤌💅

    That should be enough and under $150. If anything, get an extra 10.25" dutch oven/pot.

  • Lenny@lemmy.world
    0·
    17 days ago

    Be careful getting second hand, make sure to do lead tests of anything you buy before you use it for food.

  • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    17 days ago

    Honestly, I would steer clear of sets and go for nicer individual pieces, as you would knives. A skillet, one or two saucepans, and a pot (with lids for all) will get you very far in a kitchen.

    I don’t recommend cast iron grill pans, they’re a pain to clean for no real benefit aside from pretty grill marks.

  • Drunemeton@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    17 days ago

    Lodge is an American manufacturer of quality cast iron cookware. Buy what you need and read the “care and feeding” insert, then follow it.

  • NaibofTabr@infosec.pubEnglish
    0·
    17 days ago

    Can I ask, why have you settled on this particular idea for a gift if you really don’t know what to get?

    Also, if you’re buying this for someone who loves to cook, they must have some cookware already. What kind of stuff do they have in their kitchen? Do they really need an entire set of cookware, or is there maybe a particular thing that they might appreciate?

    • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
      0·
      17 days ago

      This is a really good point

      I fucking hate when someone buys me cookware, I have everything I want

      Plus cast iron is heavy and nowhere near as good as other materials. You’ll never see a professional chef using it

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
    0·
    17 days ago

    So, I have an inherent bias… I inherited my grandmothers Le Creuset dutch oven that she bought in the 50s. It’s still usable, so I built out a full set around that.

    Problem: Le Creuset is STUPID expensive.

    But here’s the secret… Find an outlet store near you and sign up for their email list.

    They will regularly offer sales from 30% to 70% off.

    https://www.lecreuset.com/outlets.html

    They also regularly run “Factory to Table” events in certain cities.

    Build your own set currently up to 30% off:

    https://www.lecreuset.com/buildaset

    Spend $200, Save 20%

    Spend $500, Save 25%

    Spend $1000, Save 30%

    Use Code BUILDASET at checkout

    I just knocked out this set:
    Dutch Oven
    Skillet
    Saucepan
    Braiser
    Cassadou

    $1,460 -30% = $1,022…

    My set, grammas is the 70 year old pot with the loop handle in the middle.

    Foodporn:

  • Paradachshund@lemmy.today
    0·
    16 days ago

    I don’t know if they will be a good choice for where you live, but look up “Sur La Table”. They’re a high end cooking supply store from my area and they do ship. It’s going to be pricier than Amazon, but they only sell good stuff.,

  • pastermil@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    17 days ago

    A bit of topic, but with the DIY getting more and more in style, I was wondering if casting your own pan is a thing.