Fissler cooking pans - Superior German Engineering.

[mindlessobserver]

I've realized that in all the talk about ingredients and stuff used in cooking, nobody has ever talked about the tools they use. So let me take a moment to talk about what I use at home. All my primary pans are Fissler, lovingly collected over a decade.

I bought my first Fissler pot in 2005 on a whim. I was living in a barracks in Germany and I wanted to make popcorn. I walked in the store and dropped 100 Euros (in 2005 money) on a Fissler boil pot/Dutch oven. It made great popcorn. And I soon discovered great anything.

15 years later I still have the thing. I use it for oven baking, deep frying, making popcorn, boiling water. And so on. The thing still looks brand new too unless you look at the bottom with over a half decade of gas fire and electric heat applied to it. Just the absolute best. I bought it some friends too in the form of a sauce pan and frying pan. They are just as well built and indestructible too. There is really no comparison either to the cheap shit you can get at wal mart or target.

Cant reccomend this line of cookware enough. Its pricey yes, but it will last forever and do wonders for your cooking.

 

[Radical Cadre]

I cannot tell a lie. I've had great success with Le Creuset cookware. That shit is fantastic. Their cast iron implements are phenomenal.

You're going to pay for it though unless you're patient and observant for sales.

 

[crocodilian]

I use a cast iron pan with no brand label, my grandmother's pig iron wok and a steel pot of indeterminate origin. I do own a V-Kin-10 Yaxell knife set though.

 

[JULAY]

I used to live close to the All-Clad factory, and would go to their factory outlet sale every year and splurge on one new item. I have a 12 inch saute, 8 inch fry pan, and my absolute favorite, an 8 quart stock pot. The pans are the top of the line Tri-Ply models, none of the cheap(er) shit, and the stock pot is the copper core. Not only is it the best cookware I've ever used, they're practically indestructible and absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had been able to get more... even at a 75% discount I paid more than I should have, so buying them at retail price is completely out of the question.

 

[Orange Rhymer]

I cannot tell a lie. I've had great success with Le Creuset cookware. That shit is fantastic. Their cast iron implements are phenomenal.

You're going to pay for it though unless you're patient and observant for sales.

Le Creuset Crue checking in... I've spent more on that shit than my first and second cars combined.
I hate the French, and I hate the new lines. But, pre early 2000s is badass. Lifetime warranty - fuck the new 99 year warranty.

I also cook with cast iron (mostly stovetop). I throw in the dutch oven every now-and-then. Car-camping = 100% cast iron.

 

[XYZpdq]

I cannot tell a lie. I've had great success with Le Creuset cookware. That shit is fantastic. Their cast iron implements are phenomenal.

You're going to pay for it though unless you're patient and observant for sales.

I got a really good earthwareish cassorole dish with a lid from them
it's some god awful pastel purple like an easter egg but it was superclearance at home goods so whatever
I have a couple of pans that are heavy enough to put in the oven, calapehone or some other c-list demon name

 

[Buster O'Keefe]

I'm a Eurofag but I swear.by my Lodge skillets: American cast iron beasts. I've also got a 10 litre steel pressure cooker which I love, Artame brand. It's handy for when I want to cook up a couple of gallons of ragout or stew for freezing.

 

[Arcturus]

So I've been looking into getting a Dutch oven. Is there really much of a difference between Le Creuset and some cheaper brands? Been debating blowing some Trumpbux.

 

[Radical Cadre]

So I've been looking into getting a Dutch oven. Is there really much of a difference between Le Creuset and some cheaper brands? Been debating blowing some Trumpbux.

Yes the difference is generally in the enamel, assuming the cookware you are looking to buy has an enamel finish. If you're just looking for cast iron stuff and don't want to spend a ton of cash, you will have great success with Lodge. @Buster O'Keefe is correct about the quality of Lodge cast iron cookware in general. Le Creuset cast iron (and other high-end producers) is great, but I would say it is overpriced for what it is. But Le Creuset's cookware with the enamel finish is superior to Lodge and absolutely light years ahead of any Chinese knock off. A lesser brand will chip and wear over time, Le Creuset's will not. At least not in your lifetime. And if something bad does happen and you chip it or whatever, you can even get it re-enameled.

I cannot speak to Fissler's enameled products, but I assume they are also of good quality. Where Le Creuset gets you is if you're autistic (you are) and you just have to get the matching set (you do).

 

[Arcturus]

Yes the difference is generally in the enamel, assuming the cookware you are looking to buy has an enamel finish. If you're just looking for cast iron stuff and don't want to spend a ton of cash, you will have great success with Lodge. @Buster O'Keefe is correct about the quality of Lodge cast iron cookware in general. Le Creuset cast iron (and other high-end producers) is great, but I would say it is overpriced for what it is. But Le Creuset's cookware with the enamel finish is superior to Lodge and absolutely light years ahead of any Chinese knock off. A lesser brand will chip and wear over time, Le Creuset's will not. At least not in your lifetime. And if something bad does happen and you chip it or whatever, you can even get it re-enameled.

I cannot speak to Fissler's enameled products, but I assume they are also of good quality. Where Le Creuset gets you is if you're autistic (you are) and you just have to get the matching set (you do).

Thank you. Even though you've pushed me deeper into my desire to spend a lot of money on cookware, I appreciate your explanation. Le Creuset it is!

 

[Orange Rhymer]

So I've been looking into getting a Dutch oven. Is there really much of a difference between Le Creuset and some cheaper brands? Been debating blowing some Trumpbux.

For a dutch oven - I personally recommend cast iron (make sure it's non-Chinese cast - those fuckers use shady pig iron sometimes).
The reason- dutch ovens (true ones) are GREAT for placing hot coals/hot rocks/flaming wood on the lid and/or burying in hot embers.

I would personally worry about enameled cast iron (Le Creuset) handling such direct heat differentials without crazing.

but if you aren't camping, and just want an awesome dutch oven for home, then buy the Le Creuset.

 

[Buster O'Keefe]

I

Thank you. Even though you've pushed me deeper into my desire to spend a lot of money on cookware, I appreciate your explanation. Le Creuset it is!

I had a Le Crueset skillet that left me unimpressed, the finish on the bottom was a pain to clean. I prefer plain old unadorned cast iron for frying. I do have a small enamel Le Crueset casserole though, and I agree with @Radical Cadre about the quality.

 

[Orange Rhymer]

Things to remember:
The non-cast ('Poterie' earthenware line) Le Creuset is rumored to be 100% chinese.
Also- The knobs on the newer Le Creuset are made out of a different material.

Punchline: Search used, online, or garage sales for the old stuff. There is a reason the warranty went from infinity to 99yrs. Failing that, it's still good stuff. Just make sure you are buying the cast+enameled

 

[JULAY]

Thank you. Even though you've pushed me deeper into my desire to spend a lot of money on cookware, I appreciate your explanation. Le Creuset it is!

When this coronavirus bullshit is finally over, look for vintage cast iron at garage sales and flea markets and such. The old stuff was made by hand and had a polishing step that left a smooth surface that makes it a lot easier to maintain the seasoning. It's also somewhat lighter than modern cast iron (though it's still quite heavy) which you'll appreciate if you use it a lot. I have a cast iron skillet that originally belonged to my great grandmother that dates to about 1890, and it's much better quality than anything new that I've seen. Here's a good guide to identifying quality vintage cast iron:

https://estatesales.org/thegoods/vintage-cast-iron-guide

 

[Radical Cadre]

Things to remember:
The non-cast ('Poterie' earthenware line) Le Creuset is rumored to be 100% chinese.
Also- The knobs on the newer Le Creuset are made out of a different material.

Punchline: Search used, online, or garage sales for the old stuff. There is a reason the warranty went from infinity to 99yrs. Failing that, it's still good stuff. Just make sure you are buying the cast+enameled

Agree!! The knobs on new Le Creuset fucking blow my asshole. And you can put that on the box, Le Creuset!

And for the person that mentioned putting things directly on coals or whatever, in such a case I would also just use a regular (good quality, non-Chinese) cast iron implement. Basically do your best to avoid anything made in China. It will be super cheap and you will pay for it when you consume mercury or lead or whatever else is "accidentally" left in there.

 

[Orange Rhymer]

When this coronavirus bullshit is finally over, look for vintage cast iron at garage sales and flea markets and such. The old stuff was made by hand and had a polishing step that left a smooth surface that makes it a lot easier to maintain the seasoning. It's also somewhat lighter than modern cast iron (though it's still quite heavy) which you'll appreciate if you use it a lot. I have a cast iron skillet that originally belonged to my great grandmother that dates to about 1890, and it's much better quality than anything new that I've seen. Here's a good guide to identifying quality vintage cast iron:

https://estatesales.org/thegoods/vintage-cast-iron-guide

Fun Factoids about cast iron- cast iron has a large amount of carbon (>2% iirc) giving it a sharp melt point (eutectic). Why is this important? sharp melt = less energy to melt = fuel savings = material value. In the metals trade there is a saying "Metals follow Energy".
This carbide/iron alloy also forms micro-cracks and fissures on the surface, allowing oil to penetrate and form a natural non-stick coating ('seasoning'). When enameled, the fissures hold on the enamel coating like no other metal.

Cast iron is also the most valuable (non-exotic) steel alloy at the junk yard. I used to scrap old equipment, the cast equipment got more bucks for recycle than selling them on ebay.

 

[Radical Cadre]

This is the best thread on the forum this week and it should be featured. Nice work OP!

 

[Stoneheart]

I never bought any pan or pot in my life... i just steal them from my parents basement. they never noticed because the basement is full of stuff like that.

But i have bought a nice set of german knifes for an arm and a lag.

 

[Mr. Skeltal]

I got a basic set of Cuisinart stainless cookware as a housewarming gift several years ago. They are my most reliable kitchen tools aside from my knives. I have used and abused those poor things so many times and yet they keep on trucking.

I was also blessed enough to recieve a KitchenAid stand mixer from my wedding registry. Even though the new construction is worse compared to my mother's mid 2000's KitchenAid, I love the ability to mix dough and batter without splattering the kitchen in ingredients like a rētatded flipper child.

 

[Orange Rhymer]

I never bought any pan or pot in my life... i just steal them from my parents basement. they never noticed because the basement is full of stuff like that.

But i have bought a nice set of german knifes for an arm and a lag.

good choice. Wustoff Culinar Gang checking in: I have the _Entire Culinar Collection_