Tell me about the pots (cooking) you love.

Tink-n-MrIncredible

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 23, 2008
Hi, I am looking to purchase some pots for my child. Will be sharing apartment with roommates. I have some pots from the 80’s, which I love. I am having a hard time finding them, they are made of aluminum. Well after doing some surfing, I have read several places where they do not recommend aluminum for cooking. Any recommendations? Thanks
 
How experienced is your college student with cooking? Does it seem like they'll want to do much beyond very basic?

Inexperienced cooks looking to just cover the basics in a college situation with roommates don't usually need or have space for a large amount of pots and pans. I'd check out estate sales to find a small selection that can do the job at a price where you're not cringing about careless roommates or inexperienced cooks. I would avoid having a non stick surface on everything, because one careless cook with a fork or just a metal utensil will do a lot of damage.

You didn't ask, but IKEA offers a set of dishes for just over $20 that can take a punch and still look great.
 
My DS will moving out of the dorms and into his first apartment this August. He will have one roommate. I ended up getting him this set in November for only $19.
https://www.jcpenney.com/p/cooks-13-pc-nonstick-cookware-set/ppr5007676198?pTmplType=regular

I see that its aluminum - so not sure if you are avoiding that. I cook almost exclusively with non-stick, so that's what I was looking at for him. He will not be cooking much more than the very basics. I figured at this price, no big deal if it doesn't last more than a couple years. We can look at getting him a nicer set after college.
 
I would recommend just going to Wal Mart or IKEA for some basic pots and pans if they are not going to be heavily used by an experienced cook.
 


Hi, I am looking to purchase some pots for my child. Will be sharing apartment with roommates. I have some pots from the 80’s, which I love. I am having a hard time finding them, they are made of aluminum. Well after doing some surfing, I have read several places where they do not recommend aluminum for cooking. Any recommendations? Thanks

With whatever cookware you use, you have to realize what it can and cannot do. Aluminum is no different.

Aluminum is highly conductive and pans heat up real fast. It is also even heating. It is also very inexpensive. For these reasons roughly over half the cookware sold in the U.S. is aluminum. But it is reactive with certain sauces such as tomato. Although those coated with a non stick surface are fine. It also can tend to warp so high heat is out, especially if it is non stick.

And now, we deal with internet craziness.
Is aluminum safe?
Short answer yes. Cooking in untreated aluminum (a rarity these days) adds about 3.5 mg to your daily intake. Most people get 1-10 mg normally anyway just in their food. So no. You're not going to ingest unsafe amounts.
And if that aluminum is anodized or has a non stick coat on it, it adds exactly zero. And no. Aluminum does not cause Alzeimer's.

IMO for young adults doing basic stuff in an apartment and not making complex heat sensitive sauces, Aluminum is fine.
 
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Anything Calphalon. There are different price ranges, but all are very good quality for their price range.
 
Unless your child (and their roommates) are known to be very careful and responsible about belongings, I would not be spending significant money on pots and pans for a college apartment. I saw some "horrors" done to my son's cookware while he lived in a group situation and everything ended up getting thrown out even though some of it was mid-range stuff. I'd save the "lifetime" cookware purchase for when they get out on their own.
 


How experienced is your college student with cooking? Does it seem like they'll want to do much beyond very basic?

Inexperienced cooks looking to just cover the basics in a college situation with roommates don't usually need or have space for a large amount of pots and pans. I'd check out estate sales to find a small selection that can do the job at a price where you're not cringing about careless roommates or inexperienced cooks. I would avoid having a non stick surface on everything, because one careless cook with a fork or just a metal utensil will do a lot of damage.

You didn't ask, but IKEA offers a set of dishes for just over $20 that can take a punch and still look great.

Hi, not experienced at all. Mainly cooking pasta boxed items, instant potatoes and gravies. Thank you, I was trying to avoid non stick items. As far as IKEA we have no store anywhere near us. I went to good will, my next stop check garage sales. Thanks for the reply.
 
My DS will moving out of the dorms and into his first apartment this August. He will have one roommate. I ended up getting him this set in November for only $19.
https://www.jcpenney.com/p/cooks-13-pc-nonstick-cookware-set/ppr5007676198?pTmplType=regular

I see that its aluminum - so not sure if you are avoiding that. I cook almost exclusively with non-stick, so that's what I was looking at for him. He will not be cooking much more than the very basics. I figured at this price, no big deal if it doesn't last more than a couple years. We can look at getting him a nicer set after college.


Thanks the set you bought is sold out. Wish I would have known last year as I probably could have found a good deal last November/December.
 
With whatever cookware you use, you have to realize what it can and cannot do. Aluminum is no different.

Aluminum is highly conductive and pans heat up real fast. It is also even heating. It is also very inexpensive. For these reasons roughly over half the cookware sold in the U.S. is aluminum. But it is reactive with alkaline so it's not suggested for such sauces. Although those coated with a non stick surface are fine. It also can tend to warp so high heat is out, especially if it is non stick. Oh and milk based stuff.
And now, we deal with internet craziness.
Is aluminum safe?

Short answer yes. Cooking in untreated aluminum (a rarity these days) adds about 3.5 mg to your daily intake. Most people get 1-10 mg normally anyway just in their food. So no. You're not going to ingest unsafe amounts.
And if that aluminum is anodized or has a non stick coat on it, it adds exactly zero. And no. Aluminum does not cause Alzeimer's.

IMO for young adults doing basic stuff in an apartment and not making complex heat sensitive sauces, Aluminum is fine.

Thank you very much for the information. I was getting concerned about using my pots. Hopefully I can find some like I have.
 
Unless your child (and their roommates) are known to be very careful and responsible about belongings, I would not be spending significant money on pots and pans for a college apartment. I saw some "horrors" done to my son's cookware while he lived in a group situation and everything ended up getting thrown out even though some of it was mid-range stuff. I'd save the "lifetime" cookware purchase for when they get out on their own.

Ha ha thanks. I have read some horror stories too, that’s why I figured I would ask here. I plan on getting one maybe two (different sizes) pots only and one baking sheet. I don’t want something to be used as a sick bucket, I also don’t want something that will rust/corrode because it sits in a sink for a while ( college life).
 
Hi, not experienced at all. Mainly cooking pasta boxed items, instant potatoes and gravies. Thank you, I was trying to avoid non stick items. As far as IKEA we have no store anywhere near us. I went to good will, my next stop check garage sales. Thanks for the reply.

You will find much more selection more often at estate sales instead of garage sales.
 
This is my go-to skillet:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BFZ1NY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nice thick bottom so food doesn't scorch, silicone handle so you can finish in an oven if you need to, nonstick holds up great as long you don't use metal in it. And the price is right. I have an 8-inch for small jobs and omelets and a 10-inch for large jobs.



Thanks.
I think I want to avoid a coating, can not guarantee what type of utensils will be used. Other roommates are bringing their own items as well, just not sure what they are bringing. I do like the handles though.
 
Pick up a set at WalMart or Target. We bought DD a cheap set while she was in college-- 4 roommates in an apartment. They got trashed. When DD moved into her own place we got her a nicer set and she threw out the first ones.
 
Search Amazon for kitchen starter set. Since you want something that you won’t lose sleep over it may be the most affordable option.
 
I personally love my Le Creuset, but I sure as heck wouldn't buy it for a college kid!!
 

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