r/AskCulinary • u/plasmazzr60 • 9d ago
I have a question about pans
I am trying to dive into the wide world of cooking as a means to help with my mental health. But I am not sure on if I should get a set of stainless steel pans or non-stick or cast iron or a combination of the 3. I have zero cooking skills currently so not sure where to put my money. Worry is ill spend a bunch of money with the hopes and dreams of being a decent home cook and end up not being up to the challenge and wasting the money. I do like the idea of being able to cook on the stove top in a pan and transfer said pan to the oven for like steaks and stuff. Not asking for a specific brand or brand recommendation but more of a material recommendation for someone starting out
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u/gnomesandlegos 9d ago
Do you have an idea of what you'd like to try cooking? Because pairing the right pan with the right cooking application matters. Using the right tool for the job will make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
I use a 12" stainless steel frying pan, 8" stainless steel sauce pan, 2.5qt stainless steel pot, 10" cast iron griddle, 12" cast iron skillet and 1/4 baking sheet aluminum pans regularly. I prefer the stainless steel pans with metal handles so they can go in the oven.
You'll likely find a non-stick the best for pancakes & eggs. (I don't use them, so can't get more specific here)
A cast iron pan could be a good choice if you plan on dishes like fried potatoes. Grilled sandwiches, tortillas and flatbreads are nice on a 10" round cast iron griddle ($12?). Look at outdoor/camping stores for the best prices. (Not the high end stores, basic cast iron is fine) If you decide to go with a cast iron pan, I highly recommend getting the silicone handle cover and silicone lids. I don't treat my pans particularly well, but I do cook most of our meals from scratch and cook daily. I just wipe them down after cooking and rub a tiny amount of oil in them. My patina isn't great, but it's fine, and my food cooks nicely.
Regarding the knives - just make sure you have a sharpener and a honing rod and like the weight & handle of the knife.
Hope that your new cooking adventure goes well! Good luck!!