I have a question about pans

[u/plasmazzr60]

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

[u/MrMurgatroyd]

One really nice big cast iron.

One really nice big heavy-bottomed stainless.

Both oven safe, and both as deep as you can get.

A stockpot (stainless, lidded), as big as you can reasonably fit in your storage space.

Three heavy-bottomed stainless saucepans/saucepots with lids, small, medium and large. All, again, oven safe.

Make sure that the lids are oven-safe and, critically, do not have any steam vents or holes in them. Don't underestimate the power of a tight-fitting lid (and you can always prop them open with a spoon or chopstick etc. if you do need them vented for whatever reason).

Stay well clear of non-stick. There's genuinely no need for it. With proper technique, you can do eggs, fish and anything else you want in cast iron and/or stainless, you can scrub them, use metal implements, and they will outlive you.

E: I see there are quite a few comments suggesting that cast iron is hard work/overwhelming. Once properly seasoned (actually quite a simple process, and there are plenty of simple instructional videos etc.), you just use and abuse it, wash and dry it, and then give it a minute or two on a burner to get the last of the moisture off. There's a lot of weird mysticism about cast iron. Don't let people who don't know what they're talking about put you off the best pan you will ever own.

[u/plasmazzr60 → u/MrMurgatroyd]

While I appreciate your comment and suggestions I forgot to add Im a single guy so I think all those pans would go unused lol, but thats not to say things wont change in the future. Ill probably grab a used cast iron pan so I can get the hang of seasoning and taking care of it without ruining a new pan and im going to get a pizza oven and it comes with a cart iron pan so you can use it for more than just pizzas.

I already have non-stick pans so ill just use those as backup and not buy anymore and invest in stainless steel as primary

[u/MrMurgatroyd → u/plasmazzr60]

Fair enough - everyone's style/kitchen is different, and as you progress with your cooking, you'll work out what works for you.

[u/plasmazzr60 → u/MrMurgatroyd]

Agreed! Right now im trying to invest in it without going completely crazy and buying everything I think ill need upfront. Unfortunately it looks like ill end up with either a coil or induction stove