Quality Cookware for ~ $150

[Medako]

I'm on the hunt for a quality set of cookware for around $150 (my Christmas budget from my parents). I've had the same cheapie set that's done it's job "okay" for the last several years, but I'm really ready to upgrade to something a little nicer.

Any suggestions?

**I don't know exactly what I want either. I have non-stick now, but I'm not tied to that. I'm open to just about anything that will hold up well and cook evenly.

[AmandaLeigh]

I have a set of the Circulon II non-stick cookware. It is a 10 piece set and cost about $200 when I got it as a gift (off of wedding registry), but I have seen it for sale for a good bit less. I really like it. It is pretty heavy and cooks evenly. The only negative is that it is not dishwasher safe because of the non-stick finish. I also have a set of three cast iron skillets that I love. They were only about $20-30 at JC Penny's a few years ago. It took a while to season them, but once I got that accomplished it was awesome. They brown food really well and can go into the oven. Only negative is that they can't go in the dishwasher either.

[Janey]

Some of the "Celebrity Cookware" is supposed to be pretty good -- Emeril, Wolfgang Puck, etc. Calphalon Commercial is supposed to be really good too -- the 9 piece set is a little more than your budget (http://www.amazon.com/Calphalon-Commercial-Hard-Anodized-9-Piece/dp/B0007KQZ3O) though.

That said, some people say you're better off not to get a set, and to instead collect a few pieces here and there to do different jobs. If you currently have cookware, I might suggest going that route. Replace/add a pot or two at a time, and get ones that are specifically designed to do the job you need them to do. 'Course, the only problem with doing it that way is that the sets are so attractively priced (You could easily spend your entire $150 budget on one open stock pan!) that it's hard to say no.

[paiger]

I have some decent cookware from QVC. They have a line called Cooks Essentials. I've had it for 3 years, and it's been a great purchase for me. I got a 10 piece set for $95 and free shipping right before we got married as we didn't receive any from the expensive stuff we registered for. We decided to go with it and slowly replace with more expensive later. It's been really great and really held up well.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.nav/params.class.H204/walk.yah.0102-H204?cm_re=MH-_-COOKINGDINING-_-COOKWARE&cm_sp=MH-_-COOKINGDINING-_-COOKWARE

[Medako]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll look into some of them and see if they might be a possibility.

I'm opting for a "set" because it's going to be a gift and well, it's just easier that way. I have a few pieces that I will hold onto if a new set doesn't come with the ones I want - but really, if I get the basics of a set, that's pretty much all I would need to replace my old stuff.

[DallasLady]

JC Penny has a good set called "Cooks" and the 8 piece is around $150 I think.

[Medako]

DallasLady,

It's funny that you mentioned them because I did look at JCP's website today (after seeing the cooks line in the store) and the 10 pc. set is marked down to $130. I think that's probably the set I'll end up with. Not the best set in the world, but far superior to what I've been using. :)

[SingleWhiteFemale]

I've had Cooks Essentials from QVC. We don't cook often, but not only has the Teflon coating peeled off (Teflon is carcinogenic!!), it has also rusted. Not just one pan, the ones that are used once or twice a week in the last year... all of those. Very unhappy. It has taken a few months, but we've sent it back and we're getting credits issued to our account. Never again with the Cooks Essentials cookware!

[Anna]

I have several pieces from the Calphalon Commerical Hard Anodized set, and they are fabulous. The pans heat quickly and evenly. We've had the cookware about 3 years, and the pans are still in perfect condition.