Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Non stick pans  (Read 18139 times)

Offline beerocd

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1429
Non stick pans
« on: November 13, 2009, 06:54:27 pm »
Dunno about you guys but I just lose my mind when the omlette doesn't slip right out, picture perfect. So I've mostly been buying a new one every 12-18 months. Where'd the non-stick part go?  :-\
Anyhow - longest lasting pan I've had to date is from Pampered Chef - around 3 years, and about time for another one.
Anyone got something better? (buttload of butter is not the right answer)

-OCD
The moral majority, is neither.

Offline tubercle

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1639
  • Sweet Caroline
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2009, 07:01:18 pm »
I use my wife's great-grandmothers cast iron skillet. Nothing sticks to it.

I don't use pots or pans with a non-stick coating. That crap is poisonous.
Sweet Caroline where the Sun rises over the deep blue sea and sets somewhere beyond Tennessee

Offline tygo

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2622
  • Sterling, VA
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2009, 07:05:31 pm »
I really liked my Calphalon non-stick omelet pan for about 4.5 years.  Then the non-stick stuff started to flake off.  With heavy use I just don't think they last that long.  I'm thinking of getting and conditioning a cast iron skillet for eggs and meat and a stainless steel tri-ply saute pan for everything else.
Clint
Wort Hogs

Offline beerocd

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1429
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2009, 08:19:03 pm »
Tubercle, you don't do omlettes in cast iron do you?
I know the wonders of cast iron, have 4 pans and a dutch oven for bread baking.
Use cast iron for pretty much everything but eggs.

-OCD
The moral majority, is neither.

Offline pdbreen

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 28
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2009, 08:21:32 pm »
I've got all kinds of all-clad, but I just love my Lodge cast iron!  I only have one (got it to make cornbread), but it's become my everyday pan.

No soap for you!
Atomic Dog Brewery
On Deck: Imperial Stout, Nut Brown
P: American IPA, Irish Red, Barley Wine, Smoked Porter
S: British IPA, Hefe Weizen, Zinfandel
K: Apfelwein x 2, Graff, Phat Tyre, Lefse Blonde, Cream Ale
T: 3 Hearted, Dry Irish Stout

Offline capozzoli

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1689
  • Lat 40* 6 m. 2.24 s. Long -74* 51 m. 21.75 s.
    • Capozzoli Metalworks
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2009, 08:38:54 pm »
Non stick pans or Teflon or whatever, is like the training wheels of cooking.

Just let go and get real pans. They will last a life time.

Al-clads are great.

Omelets come out of a well seasoned cast iron pan great.

The most important rule is timing. Hot pan, cold oil food wont stick.

For me non stick pans suck. But I can see how they are useful to the every day guy.
Beer, its whats for dinner.

http://theholyravioli.blogspot.com/

http:// www.thecapo.us

Offline tygo

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2622
  • Sterling, VA
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2009, 09:01:24 pm »
I agree capozzoli.  I don't see myself buying any non-stick pans again.  It's either stainless or cast iron from here on out.  Although I do have my eye on a porcelain enamel dutch oven...
Clint
Wort Hogs

Offline capozzoli

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1689
  • Lat 40* 6 m. 2.24 s. Long -74* 51 m. 21.75 s.
    • Capozzoli Metalworks
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2009, 09:15:50 pm »
O yeah man. That sounds sweet!

Im in the market for a new dutch oven. Man, even the old used ones are not cheap.
Beer, its whats for dinner.

http://theholyravioli.blogspot.com/

http:// www.thecapo.us

narvin

  • Guest
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2009, 09:23:55 pm »
Lodge Logic pre-seasoned cast iron skillets rock.  About $25 wherever you can find them (got mine at Bass Pro Shops).  Pre-sesasoned, 12 " skillet that is great for the stove, or camping, or anything.  As long as you keep it seasoned, it will never stick.

America's Test Kitchen rated this the top bargain for non-stick pans, too.

Offline tygo

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2622
  • Sterling, VA
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2009, 11:14:10 pm »
The cast iron dutch ovens are relatively inexpensive.  But yeah, the porcelain enamel ones are not cheap at all.  Which is why I don't have one yet.  But they look very nice.  I'm trying to reboot my homebrewing system at the moment so my expendable $ are going there instead of the cooking hobby.
Clint
Wort Hogs

Offline nicneufeld

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1049
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2009, 06:36:48 am »
Non stick pans or Teflon or whatever, is like the training wheels of cooking. 

Generally I agree, and I like my stainless pans most of all (they are hand me downs, and not supreme quality, but they do the job), but I have seen a lot of respectable expert cooks wielding (I should stress not hawking) non-stick pans on occasion.  In recent memory, Jacques Pepin and she who is your avatar!

I occasionally use a non-stick griddle pan for breakfast stuff...but all the rest of the nonstick stuff got scraped and destroyed and has since gone in the trash.  I don't like working with cast iron, so its stainless steel and LOTS of BUTTER for me!  :D

Offline scottyb

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 71
  • avatar changed at mods insistence
    • national ghost hunters
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2009, 07:09:22 am »
The cook in our family, the wife, has had two Emeril cook pans for two years now and she says they are the best non-stick she has ever used.  We also have/use cast iron and SS Wolfgang Puck pots and pans.  Recently she found a 3 gal Calphalon stock pot on Amazon for $30 and a Calphalon flat iron griddle for $5 at a yard sale.
Boat,Brew,Ski, Repeat

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1367
  • Rebelling against cheap swill since 2005
    • Bauhaus Brew Labs
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2009, 07:57:29 am »
I have an All-Clad non-stick omelette pan that's been working great for several years.
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
AHA Member

Partial-Mash Pictorial
All-Grain Pictorial

Offline nicneufeld

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1049
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2009, 08:16:54 am »
Cap I just thought what all the forumites need to chip in and get you for your birthday or something...a non-stick crock pot!!!!

 ;D  ;)

Offline beerocd

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1429
Re: Non stick pans
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2009, 09:09:01 am »

For me non stick pans suck. But I can see how they are useful to the every day guy.

OK, since you said I suck (or am I being too sensitive?) I went ahead and tried making omelettes this morning.
I used a tablespoon of butter, and was able to flip them even - they just look a little more rustic than what I was serving out of the non-stick. The higher sides of the pan make it more difficult to flip, and I have to wear an ove-glove; but I was surprised that I was actually able to turn out some decent omelettes.

Sometimes you just need a little shove from a fellow brewer.  ;)

-OCD
The moral majority, is neither.