Cookware Set Recommendation

Quote from Great123 : Hi, I am planning to buy a decent cookware set and need your help in deciding which one to go for among the ones I shortlisted: 1) Racheal Ray 10 pc Hard Anodized II Cookware set http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray...d+anodized 2) Circulon 11 pc classic Hard Anodized Cookware Set http://www1.macys.com/shop/produc...?ID=647053 3) Cuisinart 14 pc Classic Chef's Hard Anodized Cookware set http://www.samsclub.com/sams/cuis...2610261.ip 4) Cuisinart 10 pc stainless steel cookware set http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-7...okware+set The first 2 I got for $100, I ahve found the 3rd one for $150 and the 4th for $135. I will be using high heat when cooking at times and won't be using it in dishwasher / much in oven. So basically what I need is that the cookware needs to last long without scratches and I need to use high heat while cooking. Can you please share your experiences/ suggestions. It would really help me in deciding. Thanks !!!

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Quote from Great123 : Hi, I am planning to buy a decent cookware set and need your help in deciding which one to go for among the ones I shortlisted: 1) Racheal Ray 10 pc Hard Anodized II Cookware set http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray...d+anodized 2) Circulon 11 pc classic Hard Anodized Cookware Set http://www1.macys.com/shop/produc...?ID=647053 3) Cuisinart 14 pc Classic Chef's Hard Anodized Cookware set http://www.samsclub.com/sams/cuis...2610261.ip 4) Cuisinart 10 pc stainless steel cookware set http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-7...okware+set The first 2 I got for $100, I ahve found the 3rd one for $150 and the 4th for $135. I will be using high heat when cooking at times and won't be using it in dishwasher / much in oven. So basically what I need is that the cookware needs to last long without scratches and I need to use high heat while cooking. Can you please share your experiences/ suggestions. It would really help me in deciding. Thanks !!!

The only set that I have experience with is the Rachael Ray set, and I was truly dissatisfied with the set. My feedback is below.
Non stick coating - food sticks to it, no matter how much oil or butter you use. Because of the type of coating it is, you cannot use non stick cooking spray such as Pam on the pots and pans, something I knew up front, but it did not deter me from the purchase. You have to buy special utensils for non stick coating, and you can't use metal utensils or you will scratch the surface and leave deep indentations in it. The surface began wearing off in the dishwasher within the first six months of use.

Pots - the pots do not have any kind of spouts on them, or even small indentations to make pouring contents from them easier. They also have clumsy handles which makes it hard not to get burned while using them.

Pans - they are flimsy feeling, like they will fall apart easily. I have not experienced this, but they just don't have the heft that other pans I own (even cheap ones have). Because of this, they slide around like crazy, so you have to make sure that you are always holding the handle tightly before you do any stirring or mixing inside of the pan. Additionally, the handles are very flimsy and separate from the pans easily. They have a lifetime warranty, however you have to pay to ship back the damaged pan, and then they pay to send you out a new one. I had two handles on two different pans break in under 6 months, and I am a very casual, once in awhile cook. Additionally, you cannot (or the better word is should not) use these pans on electric burners, because it's like trying to cook on a Slip N Slide, they have no type of grip that keeps them from sliding around on the burners. I never had any problems with them on gas burners though.

Quote from johnlawwhiskey : The only set that I have experience with is the Rachael Ray set, and I was truly dissatisfied with the set. My feedback is below. Non stick coating - food sticks to it, no matter how much oil or butter you use. Because of the type of coating it is, you cannot use non stick cooking spray such as Pam on the pots and pans, something I knew up front, but it did not deter me from the purchase. You have to buy special utensils for non stick coating, and you can't use metal utensils or you will scratch the surface and leave deep indentations in it. The surface began wearing off in the dishwasher within the first six months of use. Pots - the pots do not have any kind of spouts on them, or even small indentations to make pouring contents from them easier. They also have clumsy handles which makes it hard not to get burned while using them. Pans - they are flimsy feeling, like they will fall apart easily. I have not experienced this, but they just don't have the heft that other pans I own (even cheap ones have). Because of this, they slide around like crazy, so you have to make sure that you are always holding the handle tightly before you do any stirring or mixing inside of the pan. Additionally, the handles are very flimsy and separate from the pans easily. They have a lifetime warranty, however you have to pay to ship back the damaged pan, and then they pay to send you out a new one. I had two handles on two different pans break in under 6 months, and I am a very casual, once in awhile cook. Additionally, you cannot (or the better word is should not) use these pans on electric burners, because it's like trying to cook on a Slip N Slide, they have no type of grip that keeps them from sliding around on the burners. I never had any problems with them on gas burners though.

Thanks johnlawwhiskey for sharing your experience !!
Are you talking about the hard anodized rachaeal ray set only and not the ceramic one ? Please let me know.