Paula Deen Cookware Report!

The Paula Deen cookware set...take a moment and simply gaze at the beautiful red color, the way the light catches the copper lid handle and though you can't see it.....how the red continues on to caress the bottom of each pot. The picture my friends doesn't do it justice but it will have to be good enough for now. (In the set I was given for Christmas, there was also a cookie sheet, whisk, and a couple of small knives.)
The pans are a lot lighter than I had expected, and at first I was a little put off by that. Hasn't it always been the heavier the pot the better the quality? Think cast iron. Beauty however has it perks and I couldn't help but to try them out. My concern was that the handles seemed to be heavier than the pan, and that could mean that the balance would be off and the pan would topple. My fear was unfounded and the pans really work well. I love the shape and a plus of a thinner pan is that they heat quickly. I don't have to wait long at all for the pans to be ready for me. I love that!

I know....how dare I have any doubt that something with the name Paula Deen on it would be a fail! But really the pans are so light! You would doubt too!

The downside so far to the set is the pans are not recommended for the dishwasher. Some dishwasher soap is too harsh for nonstick finishes and it gets expensive to replace pots. I am lazy. I am not one of those people that clean as I go. I always set out to do that but it doesn't happen and so dinner dishes get done late into the night or even the next morning. These pans understand and have no issue with my lazy nature and clean up easily which is a bonus in my house or really any house for that matter.

Paula...I'm sorry but I have to have one complaint. The cookie sheet. It is gorgeous, and it doesn't bow in the oven like some I have, but it is a pain washing wise. There is a lip on the bottom along the edge and water gets trapped in there. So...you can't put it in the dishwasher either. When you do put it in and then pull it out nasty water that has been trapped during the cycle comes out in a funky color puddle. To wash it by hand you gotta shake the crud out of it to make sure you get all the water out. Easy fix? I cover it with foil and give it a wipe down never putting it in water. Or if you are not a fan of foil then put in the side of the sink that doesn't have soapy water give the pan a wipe down with the soapy cloth and a rinse and shake it....but please....remember the conversations we had about whisking while naked? Shaking cookie sheets while naked might be worse.

Overall I love this set. It threw me off a little at first and I was hesitant to give up my well abused....I mean used Circulon set. I still haven't given it up only because I tend to use a lot of pots and pans and I love my big mamajammas, size does matter folks. I have read reviews that have said the pans are pretty enough to leave out on the stove as decoration. When I try that it looks like I just haven't cleaned the kitchen and when mom comes over she feels the need to put them away for me. But hanging them from a rack or on wall hooks would be nice....just wait til next week when Sharon is here and I pull these suckers out. She is gonna be all in lust and I will have to do a count before she leaves to make sure she doesn't try to take any home with her!

Up next? I gush about my Le Creuset French Oven. Think dutch oven but made in France and gush worthy. I cried when I opened the box...it really is that beautiful. Don't get jealous though, your dutch oven or french oven is good too...okay get jealous I'm okay with that. Included is a recipe that I will be making for Sharon for thick cut short ribs, french onion soup and beer. (you can make it in a slow cooker crock pot as well and it turns out good)
~Charity