Classic Cooking And Classy Looking
Written: Jul 01 '03
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Pros: Well built, Farberware quality, nice styling, strong yet lightweight
Cons: For some the lack of non-stick coating, but I'm OK with it
The Bottom Line: When a product has been around for 50 years, there must be a reason. Go take a good look at this set and you’ll see why.
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| cwmont's Full Review: Farberware Classic Stainless 12 Piece Cookware Set |
You know how cooking goes; you either love it or hate it.
If you love to cook as I do then a good set of cookware is something you use because you enjoy it. There’s something about the solid feel of a great set of cookware that makes it fun to cook.
My old pots and pans were a collection of miscellaneous items and although good quality they were showing the signs of wear. Before Christmas 2002, I started dropping hints about wanting a new set of pans. My idea of pans is somewhat off track compared to the current norm. Here's what I wanted:
No glass lids. I don't have to see my food to know if it's cooking and besides they break if dropped.
No non-stick coating. If you cook properly, heat the pan first and lower the temperature afterwards, your food won't stick or burn. If you're the type that cranks up the heat and leaves it up, then go ahead and get coated pans. In my opinion, you'll be happier if you slow down, back off the temperature and enjoy the cooking. I must admit that I finally caved in and accepted the fact that a coated frying pan is a good thing. However, a cast iron pan properly broken in will do a great job with lower heat and you don't need special utensils.
Aluminum or stainless steel, both are nice but I prefer stainless.
Solid handles that can be tightened or replaced if broken and insulated so you don't get a nice surprise when you grab one. The same for the handle on the lids. I don't need vented lids; if I'm cooking right there's no boiling over (the heat it up and turn it down thing again) simmer means low heat.
My (or Santa's) target price was 99.95 to 149.95.
Santa's choice for me was the Farberware Classic Stainless 12 Piece Cookware Set. If you remember your Mom's or Grandma's pans when they taught you to cook, then chances are they used a set like this. The look and feel is pure classic, having been almost unchanged for 50 years.
The features are as follows:
18/10 stainless, good solid feel with low weight.
Stay cool handles, nicely insulated and replaceable on both the pans and lids.
Heavy encapsulated stainless steel base, spreads heat evenly.
Set includes the following:
1, 2 & 3 qt. covered saucepans
8 qt. covered stockpot, lid also fits frying pan
10" Fry pan (non-coated)
3 pc covered bowl set (more on this later)
Limited Lifetime Warranty, details below from Farberware website.
"The Lifetime Limited Warranty guarantees your cookware to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal household use for the lifetime of the cookware. Farberware® Cookware Division promises the original purchaser to replace any defective part or item during the guarantee period. Scratches, stains, discoloration or damage caused by the use of cooking sprays or overheating are not covered by this warranty. Additionally, this warranty does not cover damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, commercial use or incidental or consequential damages."
The pans are well packed in the box and should arrive in good condition if you decide to buy online. I had a little trouble with the 8 qt. Stockpot which was slightly out of round. I was able to gently apply some pressure to coax it back in shape. It was no big thing. Documentation is minimal at best, containing warranty cards, catalog of the classic series and a single sheet use & care guide. Not much is needed in the way of paperwork for a set of cookware anyway.
My set included the 3-piece stainless steel bowl set with covers in 1, 2, and 3 quart capacity. The covers are plastic Tupperware style lids. The lids fit snugly, but not as good as a Tupperware lid. A word on the bowls, they transfer heat and cold very quickly. This is great if you need to chill something down fast, like a salad or some dip. The downside is that if you pour hot food or liquid in the bowl, you can be burned as the bowls heat up fast. So, take care with hot items.
After using these pans for 6 months, I can say that they have held up beautifully. They cook great and clean up fast. There is only minor discoloration on the interior and the outside still looks like new. They are dishwasher safe and oven safe to 350 degrees. Use a mild scouring powder (like Bon-Ami) for tough crud as an SOS pad will scratch the exterior. The quality of the polished stainless on the exterior is very good and makes you want to keep the pans clean and shiny. They really look nice and will add a touch of class to your kitchen if you're the type that hangs your pans up on a rack. The handles stay cool and tight at all temperatures. Even though the sides are lightweight, the clad bottoms help spread the heat and keep the pans holding their shape. Thanks to the lack of nonstick coating, you can use even the heaviest utensils and wire whips without fear of damage. If you are used to non-stick frying pans, the non-coated pan in the classic series will take some getting used to. These are quality pieces and with proper care will last years.
If you can live without glass lids and non-stick coating, the Farberware Classic series might be just the right cookware for you.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.95
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Epinions.com ID:
cwmont
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Location: Surprise, AZ, USA
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 1 member
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