Cookware recs?

I was at Cracker Barrel last night and their cast iron (Lodge, which is GREAT stuff!) was all 25% off--and it's not very expensive to begin with! 

I was going to say cast iron too. Half a dozen pieces would be the same as a single piece of good stainless. I used to be anemic and need iron supplements but not since I started cooking maybe 50% on cast iron.

I'm not stuck on matching sets of anything so I customize my cookware. Lots of sized cast iron skillets, dutch oven and a pancake skillet. I prefer buying old used ones as I like the quality better. One good large SS frying pan with lid. SS saucepans in many sizes with very tight fitting lids and one 8 and 16 qt SS pots. Unless you don't mind cooking on low to med heat setting I'd steer clear of porcelain cookware. Requires to much care for my cooking style. 

Mama Roxy wrote: I'm not stuck on matching sets of anything so I customize my cookware. Lots of sized cast iron skillets, dutch oven and a pancake skillet. I prefer buying old used ones as I like the quality better. One good large SS frying pan with lid. SS saucepans in many sizes with very tight fitting lids and one 8 and 16 qt SS pots. Unless you don't mind cooking on low to med heat setting I'd steer clear of porcelain cookware. Requires to much care for my cooking style.

Um, this is my house! Roxy, did you take my cookware?!

Yeah, we have maybe 6 different sizes of cast iron skillets, as well as a pancake one and a bacon one. One cast iron pot/dutch oven, and the rest of our pots are stainless. I think we have 6 of them in various sizes, and one stainless skillet that we haven't used in...3 years maybe?

Half of our cast iron is Lodge, the other half was either DH's grandma's (all rusted out looking, but we saved them!) or a piece or two that we lucked into another way.

jberrec wrote: We have a 12" skillet and are getting a new 10" one for Christmas. Personally I really can't see needing a smaller one. We have some smaller cheapo ones now that never get used so they're actually holding up great.  What do you cook in a smaller skillet? I do like my 6.5 qt dutch oven and wish I had a 3 qt one. As far as saucepans I haven't tried them, but have one from this line http://www.amazon.com/Wearever-Strain-Stainless-10-Piece-Cookware/dp/B0002T1T3G/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t on my wishlist.  I'm also hoping for a griddle like this http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-Double-Reversible-Grill-Griddle/dp/B002CMLTXG/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1322511929&sr=1-3 for Christmas.

I forgot about our double reversible griddle! Yes, we have that too.

We cook loads of stuff in smaller skillets--dh makes eggs every morning for himself, so that's a must-have for us. We also bring it to MIL's when we travel. Her non-stick stuff is all scratched up. Yuck.

Also, we don't have a microwave, so we reheat leftovers all the time in our smaller skillets--I think we have 4", 6", and 8" ones.

I don't think I stole yours Tess, but I'm not always in control when it comes to cast iron. Currently have 3- 8" skillets. Yes, I use them all. Three smaller one, a bigger one, a square one with handle for cornbread or bacon, a big dutch oven and a  round flat skillet. I have a cast iron waffle iron that has a fire ring that sets on the stove.  I had 4 8" but I gave one to my son's wife when they married in Sept. I fret over that darn gift wondering if they are taking proper care of it. I'm just not going to snoop in their cabinet even though I want to.  I actually have lots more SS that I don't use often.  I have the hardest time walking away from a good cast iron pan when I find one at a flea market, yard sale, etc. They speak to me. One of my biggest regrets and it was totally impulsive was selling my 14" cast iron skillet because I just never used it much because of it's size. It would fry two chickens at one time. Wished many of time that I still had it with my big growing family. 

Edited by Mama Roxy - 28 Nov 2011 at 5:01pm

I replaced all my non-stick stuff with SS and cast iron...I have a glass top stove and I wouldn't want all cast iron partly because of the weight being much more likely to hurt the stove if I drop it and partly just because its hard to handle...SS is much lighter for sauce pans/stock pots, etc.  My set is Cuisinart - not their cheapest line, but the stuff that has SS lids and stuff too - I love it!  I hardly ever have to turn my burners above medium because the heat transfer is so much better than non-stick stuff.  

my question is where can i get good ss pans? i don't get out much.