My dear friends,

I apologize for my lack of entries lately.  I can't seem to put into words what I'm thinking.  My home has not been on my forefront, shame on me.  However, getting the boys to and from school, making breakfast and lunch before 7am, chores, business work, and my terrible chest cold have been keeping me away from enhancing my home.  Hopefully by next Monday we will have gotten used to the time change (we're up 1.5 hrs earlier than ususal) and my lovely, God-given brain cells will kick back into gear.

In the meantime, I would like to know what type of cookware everyone uses.  About 5 years ago my darling bought me a beautiful Calphalon anodized cookware set.  One day he came home to me washing all of them by hand and asked why I didn't put them into the dishwasher.  I told him the directions said not to, he said it shouldn't hurt.  Well, unfortunately, they are coming apart.  I called Calphalon and they said if they were put into the dishwasher it destroys the warranty.  Consequently, I now have enamel coating coming off of my cookware.  There are terrible scratches all over.  Darling said since it was his advice that I was following that he would have to purchase for me some new cookware. 

Dr. Joseph Mercola, www.mercola.com, recommends cast iron.  Dr. Andrew Weil, www.drweil.com, recommends stainless steel.  I do not want to use anything that could possible put trace hazzardous materials into our bloodstream, as enamel.  Again, what do y'all think?

Have a great rest of the week!  I promise to comment on all of my friends blogs as soon as I have the chance!

Blessings,

~Farrah 

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Posted by mejerrymouse

I use stainless when I need to bring things to a boil, when cooking something highly acidic, or when something needs to be in the pot for awhile due to cast iron's ability to rust. :D I don't know which is better for you, but either is bound to be better than aluminum or non-stick. ;)

Good luck!

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Posted by annre

I have a stainless cookware set and a nice collection of cast iron skillets. The only aluminum pot I have is a large one I use for processing canning jars. Nothing like cooking an omlet on a well seasoned iron skillet. :) Ann'Re

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Posted by texasflute

I would avoid buying a "set" of cookware. Some stainless saucepans are good for most things you need a saucepan for. Cast iron is wonderful. I have most every size skillet made-just be sure to treat them right, and they will outlast you. I also keep one 10" non-stick skillet for when I'm not in the mood to heft the cast iron, although I try to use the non-stick skillet as little as possible. I am also a fan of cast iron dutch ovens, plain cast iron (decently priced) or the enameled cast iron (the good stuff is expensive). They are great for slow cooking meats in the oven. I also have a large (8qt) stock pot in stainless steel. Your best bet is to pick and choose they type of cookware that suits what you tend to cook. You get this by avoiding "sets" and buying only the pieces you actually need and choose.

Here's what I have:
3 stainless sauce pans -one each: 1qt, 2qt & 3qt
1 non-stick anodized aluminum sauce pan-4qt
7 qt enameled cast iron dutch oven
1 qt enameled cast iron dutch oven
1 8qt stainless stock pot
1 5 qt cast iron dutch oven
1 10" anodized aluminum non-stick skillet
1 each 6", 8", 10" and 12" skillets (lids for 10" and 12") and one extra deep 10" skillet

Blessings to you,
Karmann in Texas

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