re: Be all, end all Cookware Thread

That looks nice, but I'm not likely to pay that for an 8 inch skillet when I get something cheaper that does the job. I got a good set of stainless skillets in 4 different sizes from an outlet store years ago and I'm still using them. I think they say something like "Lincoln WearEver" on the back. They're as good as I need. One of them is huge. I have cast iron skillets and griddles and pizza rounds in various sizes. I'm running out of space and I have a lot of cabinets. You don't have to have the very best in skillets to cook well. Good knives are a must, but cook some more before you buy a hundred buck 8 inch skillet. Show some restaurant supply joints, ebay etc.... People may differ from me, but no one has complained about my food due to the skillets.

If you plan on doing some big pot cooking like gumbo for friends, stocks and you have some freezer space for some of that, a 12 quart is a good thing to get. I would also get a regular sized pasta pot for pasta, steaming artichokes and smaller jobs. A 5 quart dutch oven for roasts etc... For my cooking purposes, I invest more in pots than skillets. That's why I suggest that you get a feel for what you like to cook and invest more money in the pots, pans, skillets that you will use more often for your favorite dishes. Your space is limited, so choose wisely, unless you won the lottery recently.

I'm serious, though.