After 20+ years of home making, I might know a bit about it.
I also know that all y'all know a bit (perhaps more than I do) about it, too!
But, together we can learn from one another.
This is the first of a series (not necessarily, and in fact, not really, in order) of posts
that I will be having here at goodbye, house. Hello, Home!
I am always open to trying new and better ways of doing things.
Cooking efficiently is one of them.
So, today, I welcome a new guest to the program:
Good Home Making!
My very first guest is my very own sister, Stephenie, from San Antonio, TX!
After some frustration and disgust with a set of Earth Pans that I bought
(the non-stick feature lasted about a month and they are hard to get clean on the outside),
I asked Stephenie, who has pans from Ikea, how she liked them.
I suppose we must be related, because, instead of a thumbs up or a thumbs down,
she emailed me back with the following verbose analysis and report,
and it was too good and thorough NOT to share with y'all.
Say "HEY" to my cutsie baby-sister, Stephenie!
Take it away, girl!
" IKEA offers a wide, almost too wide, selection of cookware and bake ware.
The first caveat to consider is that each piece you buy comes with a user guide. This paperwork will indicate whether the piece can or should be washed in the dishwasher. It will also give tips on how to keep the cookware looking and functioning well for years to come.
For instance, if you’re using one of the non-stick pans to heat water for boiling pasta, you should wait until the end of the heating process so that the salt will not make unsightly stains on the interior of the pan.
I’ve put the salt in the water at the beginning of the process for years and have not had any ill effects.
You should pay special attention to these guidelines if the pan is coated with Teflon. Each pan is stamped on the bottom with IKEA’s international symbols for acceptable use practices: stovetop, oven, dishwasher, hand wash, etc. When the paperwork is long lost, if you have memorized the symbols, you will know what’s going on.
With that said, these are the pieces I have in my kitchen and how they have worked for me. In each instance, I have been happier with each piece than I was with a similar piece from Le Creuset. Of course, there’s the added benefit of stainless complementing any kitchen and you don’t have to fear that Le Creuset will discontinue the color you’ve purchased.
No lid is included with this piece. I usually use a splatter screen if I’m going to be frying anything like schnitzel or chicken parmesan. This is a great all-around pan for scrambled eggs and browning sausages or hot dogs. Not really big enough for a batch of Hamburger Helper. I don’t think you’re supposed to put it in the dishwasher, but I do and have not seen any ill effects. I chose this particular piece, and the set it comes in (below) due to the thick bottom, which in my experience resists warping after repeated heatings.
See comments on the non-stick 11” skillet above. The sauce pans are not non-stick.
The small 1 qt. sauce pan, the one with a straight handle, is good for gravies and other thickening sauces, as long as they are closely monitored.
The medium sauce pan, 3 qt., is good for a batch of beans or reheating a can of spaghetti sauce. Not quite enough room to boil macaroni for macaroni and cheese.
The large sauce pan, 5 qt., has been pressed into service in my home to brown beef for spaghetti sauce (and then add the spaghetti sauce) and to boil the macaroni to make the aforementioned macaroni and cheese. The pans have sturdy, thick bottoms which resist warping from repeated heatings.
My favorite pan! 16 x 10 x 6. Non-stick interior with a glass lid. You can use it to cook on the stovetop or in the oven. This pan has been used to make everything from beanie weenies and pot luck-size scrambled eggs, to chicken and rice casserole and Rice Krispies treats. The lid is handy so that you can travel with the pan. Instructions say hand wash only, but I’ve put it in the dishwasher.
Shh. Don’t tell anybody!
I bought this 3 qt. pan for its non-stick properties after I purchased the above-mentioned non-coated set of pans. Thick, sturdy bottom. Handwash only. Oven-safe.
Thick, sturdy bottom. I bought this 1 qt. non-stick sauce pan to complement the uncoated saucepan above. I use the uncoated saucepan for such things as browning butter, but I use the non-stick pan for baking projects which use a lot of sugar.
In summary, I have been very happy with the quality of the pans. I am not kind to my kitchen equipment and this has taken all I can dish out and come back for more. I am very please for the price. I bought this to replace my wedding set which was finally put to rest after 10 years and I have not been disappointed. It would have easily been four times the cost to replace all my household pans with T-Fal, Circulon, or some designer chef’s pans.
IKEA never disappoints!"
Thank you, Stephenie!
Okay, I couldn't resist adding this 15 year old picture of Stephenie and me on Christmas morning at my apartment. As I recall, we got up super early, and were in our pajamas till right before the guests arrived that afternoon. We were pretending to be exhausted in this shot, I think.
What I find most amusing, however, is that I actually had my nightgown on inside out the whole time!
Do you remember this day, seestro?
What I find most amusing, however, is that I actually had my nightgown on inside out the whole time!
Do you remember this day, seestro?
I love my sister!
I decided that Good Home Making should be a linky party where you showcase ways you have
made the making of your home more creative, simple, enjoyable, and blessed.
Will pick a day of the week and let you know!
.
