Our frying pan has just about had it (food keeps sticking), so which - inexpensive - frying pan is the best one to get ? I'm thinking of around a tenner, maybe a little more, but no silly money please !
And where do I get your recommendation from ?

A quality pan for a tenner is "silly money".
I have this:
http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/jml-...aft-pan-325523
Minimum oil required, if any.
It's great value - to clean it afterward, warm soapy water, a wipe with a dish sponge and a wipe with kitchen towel.
Done.

I'm getting a ceracraft one for Christmas ('tis a riveting life I lead, oh yes!)

I'm assuming they are good?? The woman on the advert seems ecstatic about hers.

Of course she does - It's an advert !!

Finding a decent frying pan for that price could be a bit difficult but as your only in Birkenhead why not nip over to TJ's on London Road, Lpool. They very often have a good few bargains in the kitchen section in the basement

A look in TMAXX can often get you a bargain.

I've got one of the ceramic lined ones - I've yet to use it tho'. it's an Italian make I bought in a posh shop in Turkey - but they're available over here - but according to size they are more expensive.

I have to frying pans. Both from Morrisons.
One is every day use and has lost it's non stick coating but has kind of made it's own. The other is used sparingly and is in top nick.


In fact I have four because I also have two smaller ones which were classed as egg pans (they both came with egg coddler lids which I have never used and have no idea where they are now).
They are in the same condition. One is an every day pan, the other is used on occasion and is like brand new.


I don't think any cost over a fiver.

Hi Andy. Have you tried Robert Dyas? They seem reasonably priced.

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/?sort_or...45%2C548&view=

I can't remember where I got it, but I have a Tefal frying pan that I've had for years now and is still performing great! I also received a Tefal wok as a gift and it is also just as good. I have to stack my pans in the cupboard, so to protect the surfaces I always keep the cardboard cover that covers the pan in the box. After washing up I then put the cardboard cover on it to keep it from getting scratched or damaged in the cupboard from other pans sitting on top of it.

In my experience ceramic pans tend to start out great but lose their non-stick qualities rapidly. particularly if you're cooking at high heats, eg searing meat. If you treat it with kid gloves it'll last longer but you'll doubtless get used to adding oil to it, like any other pan. On the plus side there's no coating to wear away, on the negative side there's a good chance that by Xmas 2014 everything will be sticking to it. Hit up Amazon and check out the 1 star reviews vs the 5 star reviews. The five star reviews are from people who've had their pans for five minutes, the 1 star reviews start to kick in after a couple months of ownership.

I favour the Circulon galvanized cookware but that's outside the budget of the OP.

Hi Andy,

Sorry only just seen your thread. Another vote for Tefal and I've always bought the Tefal non-stick frying pans from TJ Hughes. Had my 'Thermo Spot' pans since 1995 and still going strong, although my 20cm one might need renewing soon. The centre red spot goes bright red when the pan has reached the optimum temperature to put the stuff in it.

I'd recommend the red spot ones they've got in stock now on this TJ page, and probably have them in the B'head shop too...worth a look: http://www.tjhughes.co.uk/brands-directory/tefal

Just see the customer reviews in Amazon (and cheaper in TJs): http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...fal+frying+pan

This Amazon quick guide explains the differences in the Tefal frying pan ranges: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature....cId=1000488443

By the way, well done getting your temp job...hope it leads to a better life for you. Was it one of the Wilko ones...if so I look forward to having a tea with you sometime.

Cast iron ones will last for centuries and you can buy them cheap. Though they need to be 'seasoned' before use - i.e, cleaned then heated in the oven with salt and a little oil before first use. Don't wash normally just rinse with hot water and dry with kitchen towels after using.

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Care_For_a_Cast_Iron_Pan

My parents had one and I keep thinking I'll get one soon. The non-stick ones I get, of whatever quality, never seem to last very long.

I have a cast iron griddle pan made by Lodge, an American firm. I've had it over 20 years and it has built up it's own non-stick surface over the years. I wouldn't use anything else for steaks/chops etc, and yes, I don't anticipate having to change it in my lifetime. Can't remember how much it was but I know it didn't cost much, certainly under £20.

That's also my experience. I've had two ceramic pans so far and both are crap after a couple of months.
The second pan I bought from a specialized shop.
They told me that an almost invisible coating of grease/oil builds up, due to the fact that you can fry at much higher temperatures than with other coatings.
That layer is hard to get rid of. They suggested boiling water with sodium carbonate for a couple of minutes. It helps, but only for a little while.
No more ceramic pans for me.
I stick to the Duralon pans that are regularly on offer at Aldi or Lidl. Those with the ceramic outer coating.

Another vote for Tefal. I got two frying pans recently in the Tesco Clubcard boost. A 32cm and a smaller 20cm. Got them just using Clubcard points,cost me nothing.
I've been using them for about a month now and they are excellent.

IKEA are doing a really handily sized one for a couple of quid. Just need wiped, and the perfect size for a 3 egg omlette

This^ I recently brought one from Ikea for £6. It is lightweight but not skimping in quality that I can see, and it is better than the tefal one that I paid £14.
I also brought non stick wok from there for £12 which is also fantastic.

I got a pack of three off eBay for £30 and they were pre-seasoned.
Basically small, medium and large.
Great for hob to oven cooking.
I use the small one for a yorkshire pudding.

I also have a cast iron square griddle pan, a reversable griddle plate and a crepe pan.

Le Creuset mine is, getting on now and i admit I don't use it much these days as I don't fry much now. i hate non-stick stuff to be honest.

Even none of my bakeware was non-stick until I got some silicon stuff.

Cast Iron is very good once seasoned and you know how to maintain it. I have a lot of Le Creuset pots/dishes and again very good although very heavy.

To be honest the best frying pans I've ever used are the Tefal Red Spot pans. They are by far the best non stick pan I've come across and prices start at about £15. The non stick coating is very durable and will last years so long as your sensible and don't use metal utensils with it. I kept away from Teflon pans for years, the early ones were awful but was given a Tefal back around 2006 and its still in use back home; in fact I bought a new one with me to use in the kitchen of my new house on Gran Canaria.

Wow thanks for this guys. I've also heard exactly the same from others over the last few days. They're obviously a con and I shall think up a different christmas present!

Yes I have a similar crepe pan which I also use as a bake-stone. Years of use has given it its own patina - it's the best nonstick surface.

I got mine in Sainsburys years ago.