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kitty00_gw

need recommendation on induction cookware

16 years ago

I just realize that I haven't bought the induction cookware for my new induction cooktop yet. The cooktop is going to be installed in 2 weeks.

Can anyone suggest some cost effective ones?

Thanks!

Comments (19)

  • 16 years ago

    Ikea has some (always clearly marked), cast iron is nice, Macy's can be good (watch the sales--they have a few lines like "Belgique" that are induction compatible and get dirt cheap frequently).

  • 16 years ago

    I have 2 sets == JA Henckel Int'l Clad for reg pans. My DH insisted on some non-stick -- I have Circulon(?) Infinite. Like them both. I love the ergonomics of the Henckel handles. Not crazy about the lids, they dip in, instead of domes.

    Also picked up a few spare pieces at Tuesdaym morning.
    I got my sets by using points of my credit card, BTW.

  • 16 years ago

    Some of mine are Tivoli from Home Goods. They work great, look good, and are quite inexpensive. Perfect for getting started. Apparently Tivoli is a brand they have made for their stores.

    I found a couple of good ones on clearance at the Calphalon store in the local outlet mall. There's a universal symbol for induction embossed on the bottom of them.

    Cast iron also works great and I already had several.

    There's a good sale at Williams-Sonoma now, but even on sale it's not inexpensive.

  • 16 years ago

    Walmart sells a brand called Tramontina that is surprisingly nice. I bought a good set of stainless many years ago and I don't need any more, but if I ever did, I wouldn't hesitate to buy Tramontina.

    Incidentally, there are several threads on induction cookware in the Appliances forum, too.

  • 16 years ago

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/cookware/

    Here is a link that might be useful: cookware forum

  • 16 years ago

    I just wanted to add some information re: Tramontina. I was looking for an induction-compatible stockpot, and I contacted Tramontina directly about the Tramontina pots I saw on the Walmart website. It turns out that some of Tramontina's stockpots work on an induction cooktop, and some do not. I got the model number from Tramontina for the stockpot I wanted and found that model at Tuesday Morning. I don't know about any of Tramontina's other pots or pans; I simply wanted to pass on this word of caution. There's always the magnet test if you go to a Walmart store to look at Tramontina cookware.

  • 16 years ago

    The configuration of items in the various "one big box of pans" deals is a little different for each brand. I spent an hour with a clerk at Macy's on a slow day. She and I decided that the Belgique would be an economical and practical choice.

    The enameled cast iron pieces that are so popular right now are very tempting, but you need to think about storage--they aren't very good at stacking--and weight to lift. Be sure to test the heft of so many of the new, very heavy fashionable pans and think about how a pan full of something will feel to your elbows and arms as you age. I now have to support one arm with the other arm when lifting heavy things like the bail of a dutch oven full of stew.

  • 16 years ago

    I have some All-Clad which is nice...but honestly I prefer my "Emeril Pro-Clad" set that I bought at BB and Beyond. It is made by All-Clad. I bought a small set, but it had good basics that serve me well. It was pretty inexpensive.

    I added a couple of All Clad pieces, some cheap non-stick pans (maybe that wall mart brand), and some Le Creuset.

  • 16 years ago

    Yes, I should have specified that. If you go to the tramontina website I think it mentions which line is induction-compatible. It's true that the ones in stock at Walmart often aren't but you can have them order in the other ones if they don't have them. Our store usually does.

  • 16 years ago

    Do not buy anything that you have not tried lifting, turning or pretend cleaning. Handles and weights are different for everyone and it really can make the difference in your cooking and cleaning.

    If you are going non-stick take a look at the other induction cookware threads. Many of us are very cautious about what brands we will use because of the chemical issues.

  • 16 years ago

    I have Emerilware stainless, which is made by All-Clad. It is often sale for around $199 for a 10-pc set, sometime with bonus pieces.

    I also have a couple pieces of Infinite Circulon nonstick that I got as a rebate with the Samsung induction range. They're OK, but they do work.

    I have a small Greenpan nonstick skillet. Not all Greenpans are magnetic, so you have to check.

    Finally, I have a LeCrueset grill pan. I had a GC for Crate & Barrel, so I got the LeCrueset and the Greenpan there.

  • 16 years ago

    I second the suggestion of the Tramontina at Walmart. The induction capable is the tri-ply set with tri-ply up the sides. Fantastic buy and equal IMO to the expensive All Clad, and the Tramontina has much more comfortable handles.

    With induction you may not want or need very heavy bottoms as the heating is generally pretty uniform and a heavy bottom will keep the pan from being very responsive to changes in heat--which is one of the benefits of induction cooking.

  • 16 years ago

    We have some Le Creuset tri ply that we found on line and I love it. Same specs as all Clad and slightly cheaper.

  • 16 years ago

    My experience is to take a magnet with you to the store, if the magnet sticks to the bottom of a pan, and doesn't fall off, it is okay for an induction cooktop. The clerks think your nuts, but so what. Test what you already have. I had to leave my induction cooktop when we moved, and miss it A LOT.

  • 16 years ago

    I really appreciate everyone's great suggestions!
    I choose the Electrolux hybrid model because I like some of the pans that I am using now and don't want to throw them away.

    I heard about the one that walmart carries but could not remember the brand name. Thanks!

    I will defintely check out Emerilware and Belgique too.

    Thank you for pointing out to try to lift the pan! I would never thought about that.

    I prefer non stick pans because I will do a lot of stir fry dishes. But I will check the appliance forum for the brands for chemicals.

    I really appreciate everyone's help!!

  • 16 years ago

    I bought some at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls for my Miele induction cooktop. So far everything I have bought works great. I am glad I didn't get suckered into one of those ultra expensive brands.

  • 16 years ago

    Macy's has a good deal (for all-clad) on a 2-pack of all-clad non-stick french skillets. They are really nice.

    Like billp1, we went with the Le Creuset tri-ply and really like them. We got a set at The Great Indoors (used a coupon!) and filled in with individual pans that we got at a Le Creuset factory outlet store. We have a small kitchen and have to stack pots in our drawer, and they stack really nice.

    Goo luck - I think you will LOVE the induction!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Macy's all-clad 2-pack non-stick

  • 16 years ago

    We shopped with a magnet in hand and all the pots, pans we picked that way worked. (We love our induction cooktop by the way. we just wish our cabinets were 100% done...)

    One thing to look out for. We have one pan that has an iron core on the bottom but stainless steel on the side. We find that the side of the pan heats much less (slower) than the bottom, since the sides only heat by conduction, while the bottom by induction. This may surprise you when making scrambled eggs and pancakes and such.

    Of course, on a non-induction cooktop the whole pan heats by conduction only, sides and bottom. It is much slower. So just keep in mind that the bottom on an induction cooktop may heat much faster than the sides.

    So I prefer a full cast iron pan for pancakes (blintzes actually), otherwise the edges are not peeling away nice and easy!

  • 16 years ago

    We got a nice Kitchenaid set from Amazon. There was a choice of glass lids or metal. We paid between $120 and $150 for a full set. They are not as heavy as the premium brands, so easier on my fragile wrists.