On 2011-10-22, phaeton > wrote:
> I'm seeing Bialetti ceramic coated skillets all over the place lately,
> even on grocery store endcaps. I always associated Bialetti as 'name
> brand', but these pans are cheap ($20) and pretty thin. At first I
> figured they were cheap and thin and in 'blowout sale mode' because
> they were garbage, but I'm a doctor, not a metallurgist.
>
> Anyways, does anyone here have any experience with these Bialetti or
> any other ceramic coated pans?

Yes.

More often than not, these supermkt promo ceramic covered steel pans
are a great deal. Before I splurged for my last set of good quality
cookware, I used to buy those ceramic pans all the time. So cheap you
can give 'em to local thrift store or toss 'em when you move, yet
really quite practical. The good ones have ceramic exterior and
non-stick interior and are made in Spain or Portugal. The ceramic is
jes thick enough to prevent hotspots and I always found they held up
very well, considering the price. I never had to toss one due to poor
quality or the non-stick wearing out.

If I needed a pan and was on a budget, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

nb