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submitted 1 year ago by MJBrune@beehaw.org to c/food@beehaw.org

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.

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[-] Anabriated@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Stainless steel, flat-ish bottom, tall curved (wok-like) sides, all metal. Something like this mf: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81O93YXWJ-L._AC_SL1500_.jpg

you can:

  • pan fry
  • stir fry
  • stew
  • throw it in the oven for roasts
  • soup in a pinch
  • use it on every kind of stove top

care:

  • minimal
  • steel wool and scraping is a-okay if it gets nasty!

downsides:

  • you'll never have a good time frying wet starches like noodles without some serious oil
  • your first 4 attempts at pan fried fish will inevitably result in destruction
  • fried eggs are gonna be tough

quirks:

  • heats and cools very quickly, so you'll have to break some habits if you ever expand your cookery collection with carbon steel or cast iron
this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
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