I am one of those strange women who love to get practical gifts for Christmas & Birthdays and such. I am asking for a new set of pots & pans for Christmas. What brands do you use and do you like them or not? I currently have T-Fal and they're fine (worn out) but the handles are metal and get so hot that I have to use a potholder to take them from the stovetop. I also want them to be oven safe so if I want to finish something in the oven I can. Any advice on what the best ones are???

By Colette on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:03 pm:

Dh who does most of the cooking swears by calphalon. I like my cast iron pans the best.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:04 pm:

If I could get new pots and pans, I would get All-Clad, or the Emeril pots and pans.

Currently, I have revere wear, which works fine for me. I do have a Martha Stewart skillet, since my RW skillet warped on me. It does have a metal handle, though. My kids choose to use hotpads, but I can usually just touch it.

By Pamt on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:29 pm:

I love my Calphalon too!

By Tarable on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:38 pm:

I love my calphalon but i would like it better if i had more of the non-stick.

By Tink on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:40 pm:

Calphalon is my favorite! I do have a cast-iron skillet that I also use frequently but for a whole set, I'd get a starter set of Calphalon.

By Cat on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:48 pm:

We just ordered a set of Calphalon for our Christmas present to ourselves. We have a few pieces now and love them. We ordered them from Amazon.com.

By Karen~admin on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:51 pm:

Ditto the Calphalon!

By Cocoabutter on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 12:53 pm:

I don't think you are strange. I asked for a new electric frying pan last year!

By Andi on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 01:48 pm:

My MIL just bought me a new set this weekend as a early Birthday gift. It is a 12 piece Stainless Steel set with non stick from JC Penny. I think they are called COOKS. So far I really like them and they seem to be just what I was looking for. They look really nice and they have a Lifetime warranty. I think sahe said they were $300 and she got them for $160.

By Reds9298 on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 01:52 pm:

Love Cooks Essentials from QVC. I have the hard-anodized. I'm just like you...always ask for practical gifts! LOL I got them about 4 years ago for Christmas and they still look brand new and I really love them!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 02:03 pm:

I love practical gifts, too! I asked for a set of new pots and pans for my birthday. I got a Calphalon (hard anodized) set and love them.

By Breann on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 04:22 pm:

I love practical gifts as well! We asked my inlaws for new silverware for Christmas. Pretty boring huh? LoL But, it's something we could use and it's something that I don't want to just run out and buy. So, that's what we asked for.

By Tonya on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 04:41 pm:

We asked for a new microwave this year and gift cards for Home Depot. We always ask for practical.

By Bea on Monday, November 6, 2006 - 06:14 pm:

I have Calphalon and love them!