Cooks Standard Classic 02523 Stainless Steel 5 quart/11" Deep Saute Pan with Lid, Large, Silver

I love this skillet. It beats evenly, it's huge enough to make several burgers at once, and it looks amazing after daily use for over a year. The helper handle is a bonus, and the lid is solid! It prevents most steam from escaping.The steel is solid and doesn't scratch easily. You don't have to be as fussy with it as you do with nonstick pans, so metal utensils and a good scrubbing after use keep it looking good.You don't have to worry about coatings flaking off and making your food taste like burnt plastic. It doesn't warp easily (unless you subject it to unreasonably high heats when it's empty--ask me how I know).This is not a nonstick pan. It's important to understand that. Food will stick to this pan. You can minimize sticking by heating the pan, then adding your oil and allowing it to heat up before you add your food.

I love this pan, and I think everyone should own it or something like it. But at this price and quality, this is a no brainer to me.

I had never considered a 'quality' sauce pan in the past as I had thought the non-stick brands were the way to go. After doing a bit of research on cast iron, stainless steel and carbon steel, it became clear I needed to make the jump. No more Teflon or alternative 'non-stick' pans.It is very easy to spend a lot more money on higher end stainless steel pots and pans. I do have a decent set of stainless steel pots I have had for about 15 years when we had a gas cooktop, but for whatever reason I never thought about replacing our frying pans. In those fifteen years, we have been through 3-4 frying pans as the Teflon coating eventually wears off. It is also unsettling what is now known about Teflon and even the reformulated PBOA free version is likely not great.I have now had the chance to cook with this sauce pan a few times and it has been a wonderful addition. It cooks evenly and it's surface has been as non-stick as any Teflon pan I have ever used, as long as you take a few precautions.Heat the pan without oil is important. Using an appropriate oil is also important. I had always thought olive oil was the way to go, but this is not recommended so I have switched to Avocado oil.I also recently bought a cast iron frying pan which needs to be seasoned (cook the oil in to the pan). There are lots of good videos online that can help you make an informed decision on this, but take it from me, a good stainless steel pan is a great investment. I won't need to throw it out in a few years. I can't speak to the longevity of this brand quite yet. It does seem to be a solid build. The handle is hollow which should help prevent it from getting too hot. I have seen a few comments complaining about the weight. Ironically, that is precisely what makes it good. The heavy base provides an even cooking surface so it isn't just the burner ring that determines the cooking surface.Do yourself a favor and invest in something like this. Do some reading about what real chefs prefer and you will quickly understand the value of stainless steel in your kitchen. So far, I could not be happier with this purchase!

excellent quality

Heavy duty good product. Value for money. The delivery was fast and the product came nicely packed.