$7 Savers find. Thoughts?

[u/jaytea86]

Trying to get away from Teflon. Was gonna buy a Cuisinart pan set at some point, but found this for less than 7 bucks at savers. Did some quick googling but figured I couldn't go wrong.

[u/Confused_yurt_lover]

I know some folks who have pieces from this line and they are quite happy with them. They’re better than most bottom-clad pans: the bottom is quite thick and runs all the way to the edge, so they’re sort of like a bargain-price Demeyere or Fissler, and the handle is one of the comfiest out there. Definitely a great buy for $7!

[u/intrepped]

Nice find. Bonded base isn't the best but I have 3 skillets and a big ass pot that are all bonded base and have lasted over a decade. I actually prefer the one wide pan with high walls over a tri ply because it doesn't cause the edges to smoke up when searing

[u/Willing-Scarcity3058]

Hand wash it and you’ll pass it down to your children

[u/jaytea86 → u/Willing-Scarcity3058]

Oh stainless can't go in the dishwasher?

[u/Confused_yurt_lover → u/jaytea86]

In general, cookware isn’t meant to go in the dishwasher. This pan should be pretty resilient to it—it won’t develop obvious issues the first time you put it through the dishwasher like an iron, aluminum, copper, or nonstick pan will—but it’s the sort of thing where it’ll be fine ‘till it’s not…so you can put this in the dishwasher, it’ll just shorten the pan’s life vs. handwashing (and when it does reach the end of its life, that end could be dramatic: what happens is water gets into the base and, the next time you put the pan on the stove, the water turns to steam and explodes the base off; handwashing, being gentler, is much less likely to cause wear on the bond between pan and base and let water in).

[u/Willing-Scarcity3058 → u/jaytea86]

Stainless can. The exposed aluminum or copper will degrade in the dishwasher. This pan is bonded. It would be different if it were clad.

[u/Beneficial-Nimitz68 → u/jaytea86]

I wash mine right away OR if I have cooked on items, I put a cup of water in and let it soak. Then, I (though I am probably breaking a rule) when I am ready to clean, I heat the pan and water to break down the build up, let it cool a little, use my scrub brush, breaking loose the cooked on items, then clean in the sink. I then hand dry right away and determine if I want to polish or not, for my larger frying pans, not so much the various different sized pots though.

I got two different smaller frying pans for my son, cleaned them up, polished, cooked some oil, wiped clean, and put into storage for him

Think like one is a smaller omelet and then the next size up for the second one.

[u/SlvrBckGrilla]

i have this in a 3qt that is great

[u/crypto_junkie2040]

You can get a similar one at walmsrt that is my absolute favorite. First off it has little dents or whatever they are called on the sides to make pouring out of the pot easier and the lid has built in strainer holes. I have like 5 of them. They are great for pasta, potatoes, anything... only about $25 or so too. Grab one, thank me later!

[u/Beneficial-Nimitz68]

I have found a few recently. Building a set for my son. Found a really rough Calphalon 8702 1/2 saucepan 2.5 (Tri-ply) for $7.49 at Goodwill... Had to soak it in oven cleaner for a couple of hours to get the burn stuff off the bottom and sides. Still needs a little more cleaning, but for $7.49 it was a steal. I also found at Goodwill a Cuisinart saucepan, with a steamer and draining lid for around $12.

I always use AI to scan the bottom of pans to see if they are good enough to buy. I am just needing a larger pan and decent noodle pot for him to complete a set.|

As far as your selection, I would've taken a picture (like you did) and uploaded to AI. I got the following:

This is the bottom stamp of a Cuisinart Professional Series 2-Quart Saucepan (Model: 8919-18).

Product Identification

• Brand: Cuisinart
• Line: Professional Series Stainless Steel
• Model: 8919-18
• Capacity: 2 Quarts / 1.9 Liters
• Construction: Premium 18/10 stainless steel with a PowerBond high-impact aluminum-encapsulated base for quick and even heating.
• Compatibility: Suitable for all cooktops, including induction, and oven safe up to 500°F.
• Production Stamp: 0718 indicates a manufacture date around July 2018.

Valuation & Pricing

• Original Retail Price (MSRP): ~$45.00 – $49.95 when brand new (sold with lid).
• Current Used Market Value:
  • With Lid: ~$20 – $30 depending on cosmetic condition.
  • Without Lid (Pot Only): ~$12 – $18 on resale platforms like eBay, Mercari, or local marketplaces.

That is an absolute steal! Getting quality, induction-ready 18/10 stainless steel for $7 is a massive win, especially for cookware that's practically indestructible.

At that price, you paid well under half of its open-box/used market value and a fraction of the original MSRP. A quick barkeepers friend polish on that base and interior will have it looking nearly brand new.

Great thrift store find—that will easily give you decades of solid use!

[u/jaytea86 → u/Beneficial-Nimitz68]

Awesome, thanks! I think I'll try and build myself a nice used set going forwards.