So should I shell out the cash for the super nice stainless steel cookware

[ET Awful]

from Costco? It's their own brand (Kirkland) and has been rated VERY highly by Consumer Reports (if I recall, it was number one in their testing).

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Good cookware is a godsend.

Spring for it!

[ET Awful]

4. Hehehe, I'm just debating with myself whether or not to spend it

It's about $200 for the set, it's got more pieces than the Emerilware stainless set and is of equal or slightly better quality.

I guess I should just say screw it and do it :P But I have pots and pans . . . not NICE ones, but they serve well. They just don't have that lovely super thick base that retains heat so well when cooking on an electric stove.

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. If you enjoy cooking, once you buy GOOD cookware,

you will want to kill yourself for all the years you denied yourself the pleasure of using quality tools.

Cooking is like carpentry or any other artform involving tools - get the best tools you can't quite afford.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

23. "...get the best tools you can't quite afford."

I never thought of it that way before. Brilliant, I say! :beer:

[patcox2]

11. If it only compares to emerils stuff, be careful.

That stuffs crap.

Go to marshall's and buy all-clad one at a time as they show up, thats what I have been doing, though there is a discontinued line of farberware, it was their best, its copper-aluminum-stainless, just like the most expensive all-clad, for real cheap, when you can get it.

No teflon, never, its evil and poisonous. Stainless interiors never stick, once you learn to use them, gotta get them hot before you put anything in them.

[ET Awful]

13. You're thinking of the wrong Emerilware. There are two, one non-stick

which sucks, and one all stainless steel that is made by All-Clad which is actually GOOD stuff. Remember, the Kirkland stuff was rated, if I'm not mistaken, number one by Consumer Reports which says a lot.

Here are a few user reviews, I don't have a Consumer Reports membership, so can't post their review

http://www.epinions.com/Kirkland_Signature_Tri-Ply_Stainless_Steel_Cookware_22642/display_~reviews

[patcox2]

19. I am just biased against the pots that don't have core going up the sides

I don't like the stuff thats stainless with just a sandwich of aluminum in the bottom, they actually develop hot spots right above where the aluminum ends. I like the full aluminum core, and I have managed to find some good ones, same construction as the top level all-clads, at Marshalls, one piece at a time.

[ET Awful]

20. That's what both the Emerilware and this have, it's tri-ply all the way

through.

[patcox2]

21. Then I'd definitely go for it.

I have only seen the other emerilware. How much was this set again?

[ET Awful]

24. The Kirkland stuff is $200 for a 14 piece set

of which some of the pieces are a steamer, etc. so in my opinion don't really count.

It has very nice curved bottoms to the pan too which is something I really like. My current pans are only slightly rounded in the corners, so having complete control of the contents of the pan is a chore.

Plus, hey, it's Costco, if I don't like it they'll take it back with no complaints :P

[GoddessOfGuinness]

22. $200 is a steal for good stuff!

If I had the money to spend, I'd get it myself!

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. If it actually is good - nice heavy bottoms, non-non-stick,

and has non-plastic handles so you can put them in the oven, then go for it.

and yes, that's non-non-stick. Or at least, non-teflon.

[ET Awful]

8. Yup, it's non-non-stick.

:P Nice stainless throughout and majorly thick bases. Good in the oven up to 500 degrees.

[GOPisEvil]

3. I'm thinking about it myself.

It's good stuff, and not as expensive as those big name brands.

[ET Awful]

6. If I'm not mistaken, much like the Emerilware stuff, it's made by one of

the big name brands . . . All-Clad.

[GOPisEvil]

9. Oooooh...if it's made by All-Clad, do it!

That makes me want to spend money...must. resist.

[ET Awful]

12. Of course, if I buy it, I'll have to immediately hit the grocery store

to buy all kinds of fixin's for cookin' with :P

As it is, I just have very basic ingredients at home. . . . hmmmmm.

I know this stuff would just kick major ass on a ceramic top electric stove compared to my mid-range aluminum stuff (which doesn't suck but isn't great either).

[GOPisEvil]

14. I have a couple of old copper-bottom Revere Ware pieces and

a heavy Calphalon non-stick skillet. What I really need most of all is a skillet which is NOT non-stick. So, I might just get one of those, maybe another Calphalon so the lid will work. :shrug:

My old aluminum skillet sucked eggs in comparison, but then it cost me $5.99 at Ikea. :D

[ET Awful]

15. Hehehe, Ikea is great for some furniture and for down comforters

but I draw the line at their cookware :P

[GOPisEvil]

18. I have a set of their fine flatware.

Service for 4: ten bucks. :D Actually, it's not bad stuff.

[AngryAmish]

16. Heavy cast iron frying pan

Once properly treated it is almost non-stick and distributes heat wonderfully. Plus it is good for the oven, too.

(on edit, the pan gets seasoned, not treated, but I hope you get my drift.)

[GOPisEvil]

17. Oh, I have a cast iron skillet.

But sometimes, I don't feel like dealing with it.

[Gormy Cuss]

5. If you love to cook, go for it.

The difference between cheap and good cookware will have you kissing your new pans on a regular basis (but don't try that when they're on the stove.);-)

On edit: if you think it's made by All-Clad, definitely buy it! I have All-Clad (not non stick) and they're not only really good pans, they're American made.

[lizziegrace]

7. You'll have them forever

I have a set of heavy stainless steel pans with metal handles bought before my daughter was born, over 18 years ago. I would do it! And yes, do not get non-stick. If you use them correctly, the stainless aren't that much harder to clean up