So essentially I want to buy one pan, I don’t want to care about what utensils I use in it (metal, plastic, or wood), or what I cook in it, and I want to clean it easily by just putting some soap on it, using the rough side of a sponge and drying it off and tossing it back in the cupboard.

Ideally, I’d also like this pan to last longer than 2-3 years.

So overall I am thinking I want enameled cast iron because it seems like it could take all of that but then I recently read how you don’t want to cook something like eggs or fish in it because they’ll stick.

The other bit I’ve seen is just buying a coated non-stick pan of any sort but be prepared to throw them away in 1-3 years and don’t use anything metal in them.

Should I just buy enameled cast iron and cook whatever I want in it? Should I buy multiple types and cook different things in them? Should I just stick with non-stick?

Overall, I am a very novice cooker who simply cooks for a family of 4. Typically using something like everyplate. I’m not looking for fancy but I am looking for “buy it once then use it until I die with low maintenance.” I essentially want the Toyota Camry of cookware. Reliable, low maintenance, not going to win any cooking contests.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

  • catsdoingcatstuff@lemmy.nz
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    1 year ago

    It can take some abuse, but I wouldn’t use metal utensils. Eventually you will damage the coating from all the scratches. I think they are easy to clean, like you said. I’ve burned food and it comes out with a good soak and a wash.

    • MJBrune@beehaw.orgOP
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      1 year ago

      Interesting. I might just toss all my metal utensils and stick with wood. Silicon or plastic seems to always kind of melt or wear. At least with wood if it wears I don’t have to worry about ingesting plastics.

      • catsdoingcatstuff@lemmy.nz
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        1 year ago

        Yeah, I mostly use my metal spatula in the stainless pans.

        I’ll walk back my statement a little though. I don’t think it’s as delicate as I made it sound. :) You can use metal, but you just can’t go crazy with it. It’s not as touchy as non-stick.

        • MJBrune@beehaw.orgOP
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          1 year ago

          I don’t typically toss around my pans or anything. I don’t even lift them unless it’s to put them on or off the stove. I’m not trying to pan-flip anything. My current large 12-inch pan is flaking and I don’t know what it is but it’s probably some sort of teflon non-stick. So I should at least probably replace it. I have a smaller 10-inch non-stick which is newer but already looks a bit worn. Getting sick of non-stick. I still have to use butter or oil for eggs otherwise they will stick. So I might as well buy something that won’t fall a part.