Cooking Tools Contemplation

[silverthorne]

So, when my tax return gets back, depending on how much the vet bills end up being, I may or may not replace my Zune with a new player.

However, regardless, I am thinking of getting a bakeware/oven set, regardless of whether or not there's enough left over for the player.

My question to those with more oven cooking experience is this:

I'd like to be able to do casseroles, small chicken/fish dishes, and broiled veggies, but I already know that budget wise, I can probably only afford one 'kind' of set over another for the time being.

So, would I be better served to invest first in a set of glass casserole dishes? Metal pans? One stoneware (or whatever it's called these days) baking pan (you know--the metal ones that are typically either black or blue with the white speckled spots)...or something else altogether?

I don't mind slow cooking the food, either (most of my oven work will be on weekends where I can be on hand for several hours to check the progress).

I do request that it stays in the $50 or below range, if possible. :)

And...if the suggestion is for metal pans, please point me in the direction of a good set that doesn't attract rust just by virtue of sitting unused for a few months (yes, my very cheap, $5 metal pan set did just this, which is the other reason why I'm looking to buy a new set of something...When something rusts when it hasn't even had water in it, there's something wrong...)

So, help me, Oven-Wan-Kenobi...you are my only hope source of info (Since Dad, unless it's ribs or involves an outdoor grill or the simple solution of laying foil on the oven rack, is not much better at knowing this stuff than me)

Comments

[lakidaa.livejournal.com]

( ._.)/ hello there i can cook and so can you !

Grab at least one casserole dish. We have like three Pyrex (basically glass :V) ones and they're round with a pyrex lid and they're useful for every-damn-thing. See if you can find a ceramic dish that you can use in stove, oven, AND microwave; then they are always useful. We have a pair that are canned-vegetable-sized and awesome. Brownie pans (8x8 or 9x9; the important thing is the squareness) are like a million kinds of useful.

Get glass over metal just because you can microwave them. Versatility is kickass, I tell you what. (Yes, metal is better at some things. But I don't HAVE any metal baking PANS. only sheets. And a loaf pan.)

BASICALLY: something like this set: http://tinyurl.com/aovl48 :V

[rebl1969.livejournal.com]

Pyrex rocks the house. It's durable, affordable, and you can find it anywhere. At a minimum you want a lidded casserole dish, either glass or ceramic, and a rectangular glass baking dish, like you would make lasagna in. No lids come with these but they are easily covered with foil if necessary. I use my Pyrex bakers for the aforementioned lasagna, roasting veggies, making cobblers, roasting chicken parts, baking fish, etc etc. If it's within your budget get two different size casseroles and two different size baking dishes, so you can cook more than one thing at a time.

If you think you will be doing a lot of large things like whole chickens or roast beef you can get the metal roaster, but otherwise don't bother until you specifically have a need for it.

[paksenarrion2.livejournal.com]

I would go for something like this (http://www.target.com/gp/search/185-1031268-4367833?field-keywords=pyrex&url=index%3Dtarget%26field-browse%3D3151061&ref=sr_bx_1_6&x=15&y=16).

I bought this set (http://www.target.com/Pyrex-Original-8-pc-Bakeware-Set/dp/B000EE1KR4/sr=1-6/qid=1235852196/ref=sr_1_6/185-1031268-4367833?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&field-browse=3151061&rh=k%3Apyrex&page=1) when I moved into my new apartment. I love the fact it has lids so I can just throw the whole pan into the frig for later use.

[cluegirl.livejournal.com]

Corningware makes casserole sets with lids that are perfect for what you're describing. You can find them on the cheap fairly easily, since stores like Big Lots often get them by the crate.

As for baking ware, are you intending to make bread? Pies? Cakes? Cookies? or is this more of a lasagna pan kind of thing?

Because if you're interested in trying pies, you MUST invest in a ceramic pie plate. Nothing ever made gives a better crust result, NOTHING. I've found them expensive, by the name of Emile Henri, and knock-offs in the supermarket, but the key is that the dish retains the oven's heat and transfers it beautifully to the crust, toasting it on the underside, so it holds up when you serve the thing. If you don't want to wait, or can't afford to spend the money on it, I'll be happy to send you the two glass corelware pie plates I don't use anymore since I got my ceramic dishes. Just say the word.

[bigymchugelarge.livejournal.com]

Need stuff to cook in? I would just get a crock pot. I feel kinda silly saying this when everyone else is listing really specific stuff. But seriously. They're cheap and it cooks EVERYTHING. Soups, meats, casserole, etc.