I have a pan problem. I have every pan I need, really, but I can’t help myself when I see pictures of new pans, particularly some specialty pans that I may never need more than once or twice. I think the only thing worse is my love for camera lenses, but at least that has an emergency stop built-in because lenses are too expensive to buy on impulse. But show me a cute little cast iron skillet that can barely hold one egg, or a pretty comal when I already own two, and I have a hard time looking away.
I know I’m not alone in my love for cookware, and though I have my share, I do have a few favorites. I know you do too! Tell us:
Of all the pots and pans you own, what’s your favorite and most used, and which one do you use the least?
My most-used pan is a three-way tie between my 9″ cast iron pan, an 8″ stainless steel skillet, and my Dutch oven. I feel like, with them, I can tackle anything. Least used? I bought this really cute canning vessel for small batch canning (holds 1 jar) one or two years ago. I haven’t used it yet because it’s apparently too small to balance on my stove grates, so I think zero times counts as the least used, yes?
How about you? What can’t you live without? And do you regret any impulse buys? Time to look through your kitchen and survey those pots and pans!
59 Comments
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Dogmom on 8.20.2014
My favorite is a 7.5 quart Le Creuset dutch oven, eggplant color, that I won in one of Ree’s contests several years ago. I live alone and I never thought I’d use a pot that big, but I use it all the time for soups and stews that I make up on the weekends and use for my lunches all week long. It really sold me on enameled cast iron. My least favorite is a crepe pan that I bought after I took a cooking class about crepes last year; I’ve only used it once and it was really difficult to use and get a pretty crepe from.
Mary D. on 8.20.2014
My 12″ caphalon skillet. I use it for everything from rice and pasta dishes, to grilled cheese and quesadillas, bacon and eggs, sausage and gravy, poaching, sauteing, caramelizing, browning, fried chicken and vegetables, stews, hamburgers, and more than I can think of right now. Least used? Probably my stock pot.
Pat E on 8.20.2014
I love my “store brand” cast iron dutch oven. I use it all the time. My big stock pot doesn’t get used that much. It is bulky, but does come in handy when I make chili or pasta sauce to can.
Allyn on 8.20.2014
My dutch oven! It’s always on my stove top. Can’t live without it
Leslie S on 8.20.2014
Now that I’m only cooking for two I use my 9″ fry pan the most. My all time favorite pan is my 1 Qt Saucier Pan, it’s the best thing ever for sauces. The pan I use the least is my square grill pan, not that I don’t like it but it’s a pain to clean.
Anne Weber-Falk on 8.20.2014
I use my skillets all the time as well as my 2 quart pot. What I use least is my great big deep stock pot. It’s too big. Maybe I use it once a year at Thanksgiving. I can hardly lift it when it’s full of stock stuff. I think I’ll donate it this year.
Erika (TK) on 8.20.2014
Patty, I love that story about your husband’s grandmother. How wonderful that you had the chance to cook with her, and that you have the pan to remind you of all those good times.
Patty Paulsen on 8.20.2014
I love, love, love my cast iron pieces especially the skillets! Recently added a cast iron grill pan and something called a chicken pot–a little deeper than a skillet with a lid…
But, I have a little pan than came from my husband’s grandmother, has drain holes in the lid. She won it from a radio contest back in the 50’s. I used to cook with her when we visited, and that pan was always on the stove. When she passed, I got it. Everytime I use it, she is with me in the room. I can still hear her chuckle.
Patricia @ ButterYum on 8.20.2014
I love all my cast iron, stainless, enameled cast iron, etc, but I think the one I have used most often through the years has been my 6-quart all-clad stockpot. I have used it to make absolutely everything from boiling pasta to braising short ribs to making homemade ricotta cheese. My 2nd favorite is a 7.5-quart non-stick skillet that I found at Costco several years ago – I can brown 5 pounds of ground beef at a time in that thing. It’s wonderful.