Good (not outrageously expensive) frying pans?

I need some recommendations here. My mom called me last night and asked me to please not get her flowers for Mothers Day but asked if instead I could get her some good frying pans instead as she needs them.

She asked for small (8 or 9 inch) and a medium sized one (maybe 10 or 12 inch). And she requested a teflon coating.



I cannot afford a $300 frying pan, but would like to get her something nice and useful for everyday - Maybe $50 to $75 per pan is my max spending limit.



Any suggestions for brand or store?

Is teflon still the best non-stick surface around?



* I would prefer to buy online so I can have them shipped directly to her.

Good (not outrageously expensive) frying pans?
Buy All Clad. You never regret buying the best.



If you want to spend less, go to a restaurant supply. Look it up in the yellow pages. They have quality pans at lower prices.
Reply:Calphanon anonized pans are wonderful. They're pretty hefty- cooks wonderfully and so easy to clean. Plus, I think they stay looking new the longest. You'll find them in your price range. Bed Bath %26amp; Beyond had the pans in a 2pack a couple of months ago on sale- it was less than a hundred for both.
Reply:This is a nice set - KitchenAid is a good brand:



http://www.target.com/KitchenAid-Porcela...



You might also want to check Costco, they often have a set of T-Fal for good prices. But it's hit or miss...when they have them, they have them, when they don't, they don't.
Reply:http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll...



Try here. You may find something.
Reply:linens n things usually has a good selection of T-Fal or Calphalong for a good price. you can buy online and usually find a coupon in the sunday paper
Reply:I haven't gotten new pans for a while, but I believe Calphalon came out with Teflon coated pans. I have the non-coated ones and would have loved the Teflon ones if they'd been around.
Reply:Hard anodized cookware is the best and it lasts longer..



EDIT: they sell a set of pots and pans at wal-mart and sears for under $100 for it all!!!
Reply:Caphlon pans are great and don't cost a fortune. I got mine a while back and spent 300 on a ten piece set.
Reply:Try the clearance in overstock or qvc.com.The prices are great.I always clearance shop first.Hope this helps.
Reply:Forget the fancy, expensive designer pans. If you need a good frying pan go with cast iron. Nothing distributes heat as well and it's not expensive and it's DURABLE. I cook with cast iron pans passed down from my great-grandmother and they're in great shape. (My designer pans hang in the kitchen for decoration now.)



One of the best American makers of cast iron cookware is Lodge and I've seen their pieces everywhere from Williams Sonoma to Target to Ace Hardware and you can get a 12" pre-seasoned skillet for about 20 bucks or less if you do some shopping around. Target has the 3 quart chicken fryer with a lid for
Reply:I love reading cooks illustrated for their recommendations because they test pans from the most expensive to the cheapest, and give you the best pan regardless of cost, sometimes it's the most expensive, but time and time again it's the cheaper ones.



Their recommendations for 12 inch fry pans are:



WEAREVER Premium Hard Anodized 12-Inch Nonstick Skillet

$28.03 at amazon.com

Weight: 2.35 pounds

Cooking Surface: 9 inches

Capacity: 12.8 cups

Handle: ***

Durability: ***

Comments: This light pan was a breeze to maneuver and sautéed at a rapid pace. Testers “liked the feel” of the “comfortable” handle, which stayed cool on the stovetop. We wish the cooking surface and capacity were a tad larger.



CIRCULON Elite Hard Anodized 12-Inch Nonstick Deep Skillet

$59.95 at cooking.com

Weight: 2.95 pounds

Cooking Surface: 9.5 inches

Capacity: 19.2 cups

Handle: **

Durability: ***

Comments: This “heavy” pan aced the durability test; the signature raised concentric ridges really do seem to improve longevity. One tester was especially impressed by the huge volume: “You could make stock in this.” A few testers were put off by its straight sides, which made manipulating food a little tricky.



CALPHALON Simply Calphalon Nonstick 12-Inch Skillet

$54.95 at cooking.com

Weight: 2.85 pounds

Cooking Surface: 9 inches

Capacity: 13.8 cups

Handle: **

Durability: ***

Comments: This pan performed well, thanks in part to its light weight and the even, gentle slope of the sides. The “nicely angled” handle stayed cool, but many testers disliked the “awkward” molded ridge on the grip. This pan has a relatively small capacity.