We have a variety of cookware from calphalon to t-fal to Emerilware. Emerilware was sold to Martha Stewart, so I am not sure if it's made the same as our old set. But we absolutely love our Emerilware. We have the most pieces of it and it gets used everyday. We rarely use the dishwasher, so most of it's handwashed.

It's more expensive to get individual pieces of cookware but imo, that's the best way to do it. Buy the Emerilware for it's pots and maybe a sauce pan. But get a calphalon for skillet/ fry pan for it's non stick. Calphalon also makes a line of stainless if you just have to have it. We own a few of these pieces as well, but it's not as nice as the emerilware. Or go the ultra cheap route and get a $12 t-fal non stick that will last you a couple years then buy another.

A lot of companies are using the anodized aluminum process now and some are fairly good on the cheap.

Lastly, Pampered Chef has some decent pieces out now and they have lifetime no hassle guarantees.
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I opted for the Emerilware pro clad 12 pc stainless steel set. It's $300 and they had a promo for a free 12" skillet (which I would have wanted that cost another $60+ elsewhere) and a reversible griddle/skillet for another $120 value. I found a website with a $30 off $150, so it saved me another $30 off of the price.
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