Is the Executive Cookware really as easy to clean as they say?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores participants' experiences with the Pampered Chef Executive Cookware, particularly focusing on its ease of cleaning compared to stainless steel options. Participants share their cooking experiences, cleaning challenges, and preferences for different cookware types.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions enjoying the Executive Cookware for everyday use but expresses frustration with cheese sticking to the pan and the difficulty of cleaning it.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using the Executive Cookware and appreciates its performance but notes that cleaning can be challenging, especially with burnt cheese.
  • Several users mention that while they find the stainless steel cookware beautiful, they prefer the ease of cleaning the Executive Cookware.
  • One participant discusses using Barkeepers Friend to clean stainless steel cookware and finds it effective, although it requires effort.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the abrasiveness of Barkeepers Friend and shares their experience with water spots on stainless steel cookware.
  • One participant notes that their husband had difficulty cleaning sticky residue from the Executive Cookware after cooking eggs.
  • Some participants discuss alternative cleaning methods, such as using baking soda or soaking the pans, to address stuck-on food.
  • One participant highlights the preference for non-stick cookware due to its lower maintenance compared to stainless steel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the ease of cleaning between Executive Cookware and stainless steel options. While some participants express satisfaction with the Executive Cookware, others highlight the challenges of cleaning it, indicating no clear consensus on which is easier to maintain.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding cookware, reflecting a range of cooking habits and cleaning techniques. The discussion includes insights into the practicality of using different types of cookware in everyday cooking.

Who May Find This Useful

This thread may be of interest to Pampered Chef consultants and community members considering the purchase of Executive Cookware or stainless steel options, as it provides a variety of personal experiences and cleaning tips.

ChefBeckyD
Gold Member
Messages
20,320
It reminded me of why I love:love: my Executive Cookware!:grumpy:

I did the skillet pizza for DS and I (DH is out of town until Sunday) but added spinach and mushrooms to it. It baked okay - didn't have a need to broil though - the cheese got nice and toasty just with baking. And it tasted good. What I didn't like though is that any cheese that made it onto the pan stuck there - and I had to scrub hard to get it off. There is "goo" stuck to the sides, and I'm not sure what it is (I used the Garlic Blend oil to oil the pan) and already my skillet looks yucky.....and now I am going to have to do something to try get it looking nice again before my next show.:grumpy: :cry:
What I love about the Exec. Cookware is that I can use it everyday, and take it to shows and say "These are not just show pieces - these are workhorse pieces of cookware - I use them everyday, and then bring them to shows and they still look like new, and without any effort on my part!"
 
But it's what "real" cooks use! I'm not a "real" cook. I like mine looking shiny and new. I'll have to "Crisco" the SS pan before I try it.
 
thats what i was afraid of .. i think i'm just going to keep talking up the exec. cookware .. i dont like the fact that with the ss you cant just rub out the burnt cheese .. you have to scrub .. it sucks
 
i'm with you on the executive cookware. i work hard enough chasing after a 3 year old i don't feel like working hard on cleaning up after dinner! i'll stick to my executive!!
 
Yeah, chefbeckyd, I'm not a huge fan either!:grumpy: I do think they are beautiful but I think I'm going to still promote the executive pans like crazy! So what if they are not dishwasher safe, they aren't hard to wash! The effort that it will take to scrub out the ss one just to put it in the D-washer, is not worth it!:thumbdown: They will make some people happy and I'll even promote them as great for people who love that type of cooking but,:( yeah, I'm with you!
I know that with the pan-o-rama, I'm going to use those points for the executive sets for me!!! I also need to get the grill pan, now that I know that in 6 months the professional cookware will be discontinued:mad: :cry: ! I like having an option that is not so expensive but really good quality, especially for people who don't cook much!

If no one gives you any advice on this thread on how to get that mess :yuck: off your pan, then I'd start a thread asking for advice! Just an idea!;) Good luck!:balloon:
 
I bought the exec. set for myself in the spring, having previously used stainless almost exclusively for a dozen or more years. My stainless is "tools of the trade", I think that is Macy's store brand. Anyhoo, I did love my stainless, while it does take scrubbing at times I never had a problem (eventually) getting it clean. And I did the boneheaded things with it like scorch milk and burn rice. I know you can put some hot water and a tiny drop of soap in it and bring it to a boil, that is supposed to help loosen stuff. I usually just put hot water and soap and let it soak. I am enjoying the exec. set though, but I think I will market the two lines as "get the best of both worlds" by having some of each. I won't be buying the stainless though, aside from a couple of pieces to show off, since my old stainless is just fine for the once in a blue moon when I prefer it over nonstick.
 
DH used ours last night to cook eggs. He loved how it cooked, but when he did the dishes there was still a bit of sticky stuff left on the edges. He used spray olive oil on it and it is definitely the spray. I with the others, for the one or two times a year that I will want to scrape the bottom of the pan, its not worth it the rest of year!! My Exec set is the best!
 
The Exec pans are not dishwasher safe?
 
No, the exec. pans are not dishwasher safe. In fact, you should probably never put non-stick in the dishwasher.
 
ljeffries said:
No, the exec. pans are not dishwasher safe. In fact, you should probably never put non-stick in the dishwasher.


Goes to show what a great cook I really am :blushing: :balloon:
 
ChefBeckyD said:
I did the skillet pizza for DS and I (DH is out of town until Sunday) but added spinach and mushrooms to it. It baked okay - didn't have a need to broil though - the cheese got nice and toasty just with baking. And it tasted good. What I didn't like though is that any cheese that made it onto the pan stuck there - and I had to scrub hard to get it off. There is "goo" stuck to the sides, and I'm not sure what it is (I used the Garlic Blend oil to oil the pan) and already my skillet looks yucky.....and now I am going to have to do something to try get it looking nice again before my next show.:grumpy: :cry:
I made the little skillet pizza too. Had the same problem with the yellowish stuff. I heard that Barkeepers Friend is good for any stainless stuff, including cookware. It did work well and I have it looking back to new again, BUT that also took some work. Now, I didn't wash my saute pan right away after it cooled, so I'm sure this would help in the future. But, you're totally right, I think the non stick executive is much less maintenance. :thumbup: The SS sure is pretty though!!!:D
 
Ditto the barkeepers friend! I have yet to purchase PC cookware and have plans on the exec set. Right now I use Wolfgang Puck's bistro set and barkeeper's friend is wonderful for all stainless steel pans! I'm sure it will make the SS cookware look brand new all the time :)
 
Isn't Barkeepers Friend too abrasive? Or is that what it's for, stainless? I used it to clean the crap off the outside of my vanilla stones. That's why I thought it wouldn't work. I used the ss last night to make the garlic bites and now it has what look like water spots on the inside.
 
Huh? Wow and I had "big plans" on earning the 7 piece set of the stainless.Now I'm just not sure............
 
chefsteph07 said:
Isn't Barkeepers Friend too abrasive? Or is that what it's for, stainless? I used it to clean the crap off the outside of my vanilla stones. That's why I thought it wouldn't work. I used the ss last night to make the garlic bites and now it has what look like water spots on the inside.
No- it's not "scratchy" abrasive at all....I have even used it on the top of my black gas stove (I believe it's finished with a porcalin sp? paint) and it did NOT scratch the finish...but it got off the cooked on stuff that I couldn't get off otherwise!
 
I love the stylish look of SS, but I think I am going to stick with my Exec.
 
This thread is exactly why we have Stainless now! Folks who like stainless will be crazy for it. My mom won't use non-stick - uses stainless only. AND - if you can please her, you can please anyone!!
 
ljeffries said:
This thread is exactly why we have Stainless now! Folks who like stainless will be crazy for it. My mom won't use non-stick - uses stainless only. AND - if you can please her, you can please anyone!!


Oh yes!! My mom and dad are EXACTLY the same way. They won't make anything in nonstick. I think they threw all of the nonstick they did have away. They think the nonstick is "poisonous". :o
 
Another thing to use to clean SS is baking soda. If stuff sticks to mine (I have brand X right now), I dump some baking soda in it, add water, then bring to a boil on the stove top. That will loosen it. Then you have to let it cool. I've used Pam on mine and never had a residue on the inside. I've had residue on the outside, and an SOS pad has taken care of that - though I'm sure Barkeepers Friend would be much friendlier ;)

I've been debating on the Executive set or the Stainless Steel. I'm ready for non-stick again. But, does the stuff scratch up if you nest the pans inside one another in the cupboard?
 
What about "Goo Gone"? It can be washed up after you use it, and it takes residue off quite well. Smells nice, too.
 
MomToEli said:
Another thing to use to clean SS is baking soda. If stuff sticks to mine (I have brand X right now), I dump some baking soda in it, add water, then bring to a boil on the stove top. That will loosen it. Then you have to let it cool. I've used Pam on mine and never had a residue on the inside. I've had residue on the outside, and an SOS pad has taken care of that - though I'm sure Barkeepers Friend would be much friendlier ;)

I've been debating on the Executive set or the Stainless Steel. I'm ready for non-stick again. But, does the stuff scratch up if you nest the pans inside one another in the cupboard?

I have not had a problem with the pans scratching.
 
I love my Exec cookware. I buy the shelf liner that is like the little mat that used to come with the old cutting boards to put in between and that works great. I buy it at Tuesday morning for $0.99 a roll (good size)

I also like the SS. I have made about 6 pizzas in it & did a demo tonight at our cluster meeting.

I use the bamboo spatula with soapy water & make like I'm getting the fond off the pan. That has been helping. Then I clean up with the Barkeeper's Friend. That is a SS cleanser that can be used on their SS sinks. It looks fine.

I plan to get the 10"SS & I'm debating about the 12" SS vs. Dbl Burner Griddle
in Exec.

Hint on the pizzas: You only need 2 Tbsp. pizza sauce. I put the rest in an ice cube tray and froze them. Now they are in a baggie in the freezer. Use 1-2 for each pizza.
 
MomToEli said:
Another thing to use to clean SS is baking soda. If stuff sticks to mine (I have brand X right now), I dump some baking soda in it, add water, then bring to a boil on the stove top. That will loosen it. Then you have to let it cool. I've used Pam on mine and never had a residue on the inside. I've had residue on the outside, and an SOS pad has taken care of that - though I'm sure Barkeepers Friend would be much friendlier ;)

I've been debating on the Executive set or the Stainless Steel. I'm ready for non-stick again. But, does the stuff scratch up if you nest the pans inside one another in the cupboard?

I did have one piece (from the prof. line) that got some chips in it, no idea why, so I returned it and had it replaced. Now, I have all my skillets/stir fry/grill pan nested, but I've put an old wash cloth in between the pans to keep them from chinking together. But other people have told me I just got a bum pan and that it is ok to nest them. I don't mind having the dishcloths there, makes it quieter too!
 
Where can you find Bartenders Friend?

I haven't used my new SS pan that I earned yet, and now I am a little afraid to. I guess I need to break it in eventually.

I do love my executive!!!!!:love:

Tracy
 
This is why I do not like Stainless. I love my nonstick!!!
 
pamperedtracy said:
Where can you find Bartenders Friend?

I haven't used my new SS pan that I earned yet, and now I am a little afraid to. I guess I need to break it in eventually.

I do love my executive!!!!!:love:

Tracy

It's actually called Bar Keepers Friend...it's in the same area of the store as the powder Comet or Ajax Cleansers.

I received my SS Saute pan today. It sure is pretty. I probably won't use it, because I do not like SS. I've used both...and WAAAAAAAAAAY prefer my executive.
 
I made the recipe that came with my SS pan last night. I do wish my pan was bigger because my chicken breasts were huge!! BUT I LOVED the pan. I have never used SS, so I was a little scared. I felt so professional, like I actually knew what I was doing (I am not a cook!). The chicken came out perfect! And my pan washed up very easily and nicely. My husband was very impressed. He makes fun of me because now I cook. He says he likes my new "inspiration" (PC). He's already asking how can I earn more pans.
 
Thanks...
ChefJWarren said:
I made the recipe that came with my SS pan last night. I do wish my pan was bigger because my chicken breasts were huge!! BUT I LOVED the pan. I have never used SS, so I was a little scared. I felt so professional, like I actually knew what I was doing (I am not a cook!). The chicken came out perfect! And my pan washed up very easily and nicely. My husband was very impressed. He makes fun of me because now I cook. He says he likes my new "inspiration" (PC). He's already asking how can I earn more pans.

I hardly have any of the PC cookware and had hoped to get SS. I've heard many things about SS both good/bad. Then I read the board and got a little nervous, until your response showed up, now I"m excited again too!

Thanks;

Liz
 
Well, I did it! I just placed a personal order for the 12" Executive Skillet and Glass Lid! I decided that I really like the idea of selling the cookware and like the idea of the 12" being the "Try Me" piece. So, I want to be able to take it to shows.

Thank you PC for PC$! :D

Pan-O-Rama, here I come!
 
lizcooks4u said:
I hardly have any of the PC cookware and had hoped to get SS. I've heard many things about SS both good/bad. Then I read the board and got a little nervous, until your response showed up, now I"m excited again too!

Thanks;

Liz

And believe me, this comes from someone who has almost no cooking experience! I made that chicken dish like I had been cooking for years! It was so easy browning the chicken on the stovetop and then sticking it all in the oven to finish up! You'll love it.
 

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