Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadPimp
I like to cook and for all practical purposes all you need a good cast iron pan, a good commercial non-stick pan, an 'all clad' sauce pan or two and then pots of varying size for boiling things. After that a nice ceramic on steel or cast iron dutch oven is handy, as well as a cheap wok that is seasoned right and a burner that puts out enough heat to actually use it right.
In my experience 90% of what they sell as cookware is hyped junk.
Dollar for dollar the knives you can buy for $35-$50 at restaurant supply stores are as good or better than the over priced named knives and yes I have used them both before.
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This is the best advice in this thread. I would just add that the sets are usually a waste of money, although All-Clad sets are really nice. The non-stick pan is crucial if you are trying to eat healthy and cook with less fat. I recommend Calphalon for nonstick. Le Creuset is amazing but really unnecessary for the price. If you have electric burners I would skip the wok. I use my Kitchen Aid food processor constantly. A few gadgets that I love:
Misto sprayer for olive oil:
http://www.misto.com
remote probe thermometer
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=131322
asian mandoline
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=163512