Value and Versatility, if not Durability
Written: Oct 21 '08 (Updated Oct 21 '08)
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Pros: Inexpensive versatile light-duty starter set. Lets you get cooking for under $200.
Cons: Not good for heavy use.
The Bottom Line: Excellent value - you can get started cooking just about anything for under $200. Perfect for a college student, or apartment dweller planning to move in a year.
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| hularider's Full Review: T-Fal Armaral Hard Enamel Cookware Sets |
Judging by the huge amount of positive reviews from 1999 to 2001, this brand must have set a high standard of quality in its day. Unfortunately, the brand seems to have declined in the past few years.
As I mentioned in my review of the evil nasty useless Farberware knife set, my mother-in-law has severe arthritis in her hands, so cooking is not easy for her. When she moved, my husband and I decided to get her a whole new set of kitchen and dining ware. Among the purchases was a T-Fal 9 Piece Cookware set.
This set is described as having:
* Durable, stain-resistant hammered enamel exterior.
* Expert non-stick interior.
* T-Fal exclusive base delivers optimal heat distribution.
* Multi-use glass lid to monitor food while cooking.
* Ergonomically designed handle.
* Oven safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Dishwasher safe.
* This set included:
* 9-1/2" saute pan
* 11" saute pan
* 12" saute pan
* 1-quart sauce pan with cover
* 2-quart sauce pan with cover
* 5-quart dutch oven with cover
The first time we used this set, we were delighted with it. Light in weight, yet able to evenly distribute heat, and with fat, soft, comfy handles which get only mildly warm no matter how hot the food, the pans are easy for my mother-in-law to use.
The enamel coating is all that it is claimed to be. After eight months of heavy use, it shows no significant wear, and retains its original lovely blue color.
The T-Fal non-stick coating starts out great. Originally, food slid right off the pan, and no oil was necessary. But within three months, it was noticeably worn, and now, at eight months, there are "bald" spots in the saute pans, and numerous scratches from the plastic spatulas and spoons we use in them.
The special base really does give much better heat distribution than I ever would have expected from a pan this light and thin. It is kind of a pain to clean, but the cleaner you keep it, the better the heat distribution.
The lids are great! They fit their pans snugly, yet slip on and off easily. The lids have a nice deep lip which is perforated in one section, allowing you to drain things easily. The clear glass tops allow you to see what you are cooking easily. Steam condensation runs to the edge, leaving the center clear. The only thing I wish were different about the lids is that they would also fit the saute pans.
The handles are super. Fat enough to be gripped by an arthritic hand, they are soft and non-slip, and remain at a comfortable temperature no matter how hot the food. the only problem is that after a couple of months, they started unscrewing and coming off. So every couple of uses, you have to screw them back on.
It's nice being able to brown something on the stovetop, and then put it in the oven to cook. I like that kind of versatility.
We don't use a dishwasher, but if you do, it's nice to think these can handle it.
All-in-all, this is a pretty good set for light use. It's too bad the non-stick seems to have slipped in quality. We use the pans at least three times each day, and heavily. The dutch oven is heavy enough that I have made jam and do canning in it. But now it is difficult as things stick rather badly to the worn non-stick. I expect it would last at least a year for someone who did not do such heavy cooking.
The included pieces are a nice size range with a lot of versatility. It would be more convenient either if all of the pans had lids, or if the lids each fit both a saucepan and a saute pan.
I would certainly recommend this set for a college student, or someone who had a small kitchen and needed a versatile set of cookware at a good price. It also would be excellent as a starter set for someone in their first home, or newlyweds. It also would be good for a young person learning to cook, due to its versatility, and reasonable cost. And it has been a boon to my mother-in-law, who can no longer lift her beloved cast iron cookware.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150.00
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Epinions.com ID:
hularider
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Member: Leilehua Yuen
Location: Hilo, Hawaii, USA
Reviews written: 70
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
HulaRider is an author, artist, and educator who specializes in Hawaiian culture and arts.
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