Non-Stick

The blast from the past in the bedbug post reminded me that I wanted to post this tidbit too.

Back in 1994, I acquired a set of non-stick cookware. It was a big purchase for me at the time. I was extremely proud of my 10-piece set of Circulon pots and pans--not the top of the line but reasonably priced and durable. I can certainly attest to the durability part: I hauled that set of pots and pans and lids all over the U.S. and even the world. Like Harry and Mimi, the set went with me to Saudi Arabia and back.

Circulon, circa 1994.

For decades, I have been diligent about never using metal utensils when cooking. There's plenty of plastic and wood options out there. But even with care, well made things still wear out. The saucepan was the first casualty--even boiled pasta would stick to the bottom. I kept the pan but it got shoved to the back of the cabinet, replaced with a series of cheap pans and lids I picked up here and there. The skillets went next. They became increasingly hard to clean as the non-stick coating was worn away with use.

Out with the old...

So last month, 26 years after that first acquisition, I decided to get a new cookware set. I went with Calphalon this time, another 10-piece set. One less pot, one more lid--but that lid is for the sauce pan! What a luxury!

...in with the new!

Cooking with the new pans has taken some adjustment. They heat up much faster, and more uniformly, than the old ones, so I have to use lower settings on the stove. I had
forgotten how nice non-stick coatings can be to use and to clean.

The old set is boxed up and sitting in the garage. I can't bring myself to throw it away. I have a history with these pots and pans. I could pull out the still-usable pots and donate them, but I can't bring myself to separate them from the rest. Who knew owning a set of cookware was going to be such an emotionally demanding relationship?