Many moons ago, 30+ years, we purchased a set of Anodized Aluminum Calphalon Cookware. It was expensive back then at $499. We have also added pieces here and there along the way, so we have a large investment in our cookware. We recently noticed that most of our pots have de-anodized making it something that we no longer wish to use due to health concerns. We believe that they have a lifetime warranty. We will see what the company will do for us as far as the warranty goes. They should have been a purchase that lasted a lifetime. We believe that if you buy quality the first time, then you only have to by it once. This is a rule that we follow when we are making decisions about large purchases.
Some of the larger pots that are not used as often are still in usable condition, but I see the same signs of wear and fear they are heading in the same direction as the others. I absolutely loved cooking in these heavy duty pots, but I did not like cooking in the skillets.
I prefer cast iron skillets and cookware above all other cookware. I have many cast iron pots, pans, skillets and Dutch ovens that I use regularly, but not all foods can be cooked in cast iron.
My next favorite would be enameled cast iron. I have a very large Tramontina Enameled Dutch Oven that I purchased years ago. It has held up very well and I use it often, but I don't care for enameled skillets. I will continue to add affordable pieces as I find them, but they are very expensive to purchase all at one time. And as my mother pointed out this morning, they are heavy and as you age they get even heavier and harder to lift.
I have spent a lot of time investigating cookware. I knew without a doubt what I was not going to buy, so once I figured out what I needed and what I was willing to pay for that need I decided on a quality stainless steel cookware set. Then, all the sudden I was thrust into the endless world of stainless steel cookware.
I knew just enough to be dangerous, but at least I knew that 18-10 stainless steel is the highest quality. No matter how shinny a set was that did not mean that it was a quality product. Some cheaper products can leach toxic metals into foods. There were huge price differences. I did not want to waste money. I only wanted to buy once. I wanted a quality product that would last a lifetime, like my cast iron.
I had to weed out the reviews that were so obvious that the new owner did not know how to cook with nor care for stainless steel. I obviously was not going to spend thousands of dollars on high end chef quality cookware when I could purchase high end quality stainless steel cookware for less, but which one?
18/10 Stainless steel mirror-polished exterior
- Tri-ply base construction for even heating
- 18/10 Stainless steel lids
- Riveted, cast stainless steel handles
- Flared edge for easy and dripless pouring
- Oven-safe up to 500°F / 260°C
- Dishwasher-safe
- Lifetime warranty
Country of Origin: MADE IN BRAZIL
Even the name brands that I expected to have a quality product didn't meet my standards. They definitely had a big price tag, but not the quality that I was looking for. When a company won't tell you what the product is made of beware of that company and their products. I just was not satisfied, so I continued my search.
It finally all came together after days and hours of research. I decided on Tramontina Gourmet Stainless Steel Cookware. Tramontina is a company that I am familiar with not just because I own a product of theirs, but because I personally spoke to them years ago when they first started branching out into the United States. They are a Brazilian company and their products are made in Brazil. In fact, it was because of this interaction that I understood the company's standards and the types of materials that they allowed to be used in their products.
Tramontina was also voted "The Best Cookware" by several magazines, popular websites and people in the know. And to top it off, their standards matched my standards and their products matched my needs. But it was still out of my price range, until I added up a Black Friday Sale that I found, a new customer discount that I received plus free shipping. I was able to purchase a higher end quality product at a huge discount. A 60% discount plus free shipping to be exact. So, I ordered new cookware.
I am very excited and a little nervous about learning to cook with and care for stainless steel. It is similar to cast iron, because it needs to be cared for differently than regular cookware. This cookware is very efficient and uses less energy.(Another plus) It cooks evenly at lower temperatures for less time. We live at a higher elevation, so everything already cooks differently up here. I'm sure there will be lots of trials and errors. I look forward to the challenges ahead as I prepare healthy meals in healthy cookware.
Do your homework, it pays off. Be patient until the right deal comes along. I believe that there will be an abundance of goods that people will not be able to buy this season and there will be many bargains to be had soon. Eventually, I will need to replace items like my larger stock pots, my pasta strainer, my colander and my steamer. I also want to purchase additional pieces that were not included in this set. I will keep an eye out for additional deals, so I can expand this set.
I will be sharing my adventures with you, good and bad, as I learn how to cook with and care for stainless steel. I will be doing an unboxing soon, so keep and eye out for future posts and the next chapter in this series.
Update your kitchen with the Tramontina Prima 12 Pc Cookware Set specifically crafted to cover a wide variety of cooking tasks - on your cooktop or in the oven. The Tramontina Prima cookware line combines a modern style, exceptional performance, durability, and quality for chefs and cooking enthusiasts alike. Its tri-ply base is impact-bonded with a pure aluminum core between a layer of 18/10 stainless steel and a layer of magnetic stainless steel, providing even heat distribution and compatibility for all cooktops, including induction. The 12 piece set includes: 8 in fry pan; 10 in fry pan; 5.5 Qt covered deep saute pan; 1.5 Qt covered sauce pan; 2 Qt covered sauce pan; 3 Qt covered sauce pan, and an 8 Qt covered stock pot - everything you'll need for everyday cooking on a cooktop, in the oven, and under a broiler.
Things To Be Happy About:
Balls of yarn
Scuba Diving
Swimming
Moms
Dads
Joy
Pecan Pie
Honey Crisp apples
A river running through a canyon
Used book stores
Candle holders
Discounts...
Blessings,
Mrs. Smith
noiance
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