I am looking for specific brand recommendations for pots and pans that
are ultra-lightweight (non-stick preferred) that can be used by a
family member who suffers from arthritis in her joints (from using
heavy pots and pans in the kitchen for many years). I have not been
able to find a specific product line made of lightweight material that
will help alleviate arthritic pain. I have already considered titanium
camping pots and pans, but I think these will not be appropriate for
daily use in the kitchen.

Hello Benstone,

   This set of adaptive cookware looks very useful!  (I would not
recommend using their order form, as the page is not secure enough for
entering your credit card. (Always look for an ?https? in the
address/URL box before posting a credit card number. This site lacks
this security feature). This site has other helpful adaptive devices.
I called this merchant to see if they had the pots in stock now, but
got their voice mail and left a message. I?m assuming they might be
closed on weekends. Should you call, the Fax number on the site is not
their fax number, but the voice number!
http://www.universalc.com/dine.html

This site also carries the Ergonomique set, and a secure ordering page!:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/tlcmedical2/eradcookset.html

HealthCraft carries a set of easy grip handled cookware:
?Safety grip (open) handles on both sides of each pan. Not just one
long handle that you have to lug around the kitchen with dresses, pot
holders and aprons... but two handles on every single pan. So whether
you're left handed, right handed, both handed, or have a touch of
arthritis, they're safe and easy to hold, and you have a spoon rest on
every long handle.? (They are VERY expensive)
http://www.healthcraft.com/features.htm

http://www.healthcraft.com/merchant.ihtml?id=1&step=2


T-Fal Armaral Hard Enamel Cookware Sets
?1) It's amazing non-stick surface...I don't know if it's teflon or
whatever it is, but we've BURNED a few meals (hey, we're newlyweds!),
and the unsuccessful food experiments have just slid right out of it.
Seriously. We haven't had to scrub any of this cookware to clean it.
It's really amazing. Again, I didn't think I'd ever be recommending
cookware to people, but if you want to save yourself a lot of time
(and eventually a lot of money in replacement costs), buy this
cookware.

2) It's lightweight--if you have a hard time moving pots and pans
around, or if you have arthritis or carpal tunnel setting in, these
are great for you. They're very sturdy, but very light. This would be
a consideration for my parents, so I'm including it here.

3) The handles are always cool to the touch--haven't burned myself
once (and believe me, that's a miracle by itself).?

http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-review-45E3-36EB7A90-3A49FD2C-prod5#

The above set is available on Amazon.com (with a secure ordering site!)
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Tfal-T-Fal_Armaral_Hard_Enamel/display_~latest_prices


Wide handled saucepan
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=214633

Nice dual-handled casserole
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?sku=214682

2 handled pan
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=167677

Scanpans:
http://www.metrokitchen.com/scanpan/ergonomic.html

http://www.livingincomfort.com/scerne7pccos.html

Aluminum pan with wide grip handle
http://www.nordicware.com/b2c/product_details.cfm?prodid=90&prod_master_cat=3&prod_cat=32

Some pans on this page (Second and third items) have optional rubber
gripper handles:
Polished Aluminum Fry Pans
  
8 1/2 inch $7.95
10 3/8 inch $10.95
12 5/8 inch $15.95
14 9/16 inch $22.95
Optional Rubber Grip Handle $2.00
Our aluminum fry pans are heavy gauge construction with riveted
handles. All sizes incorporate three rivets to attach the handles to
the bowl. Handles are chrome plated steel. The bowl has a brushed
exterior and mirror polished interior.
http://www.abestkitchen.com/store/pots.html

Grillware:
?SMART, TOUGH & HANDSOME grillware is made with Armetale metal, a
unique food-safe alloy, the product will not rust, tarnish, crack,
chip, or dent. The product works hard on the grill and looks great
when serving food at the table. Use it to cook your entire meal on the
grill ~ perfect for those "slip-through-the-grate-foods" that you
usually cook inside. The grillware has a casual and comfortable look.
The unique design blends well with any decor. That's why this
grillware's ability to cook and serve in the same piece makes so much
sense.?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002J737W/sz-kitchen-20/ref%3Dnosim/104-1626582-8500738

This set has fairly wide handles:
http://www.chefscatalog.com/(bz4bau45g31cdv55iafkwq45)/catalog/product.aspx?category=Cookware&subcategory=Cookware+Sets&scommand=refine&qstateid=97da68be-ae89-4b6d-b16f-a6368febdc97&sp=5&rbc=Material&rbv=Anodized+Aluminum&item=91816

?Take a look at Cuisinart's Everyday Stainless Line.

That's what I got, because I have tendinitis in both arms and lifting
heavy pots is difficult. These have a good heft, but not as heavy as
the more expensive stuff.

And cooking in them has been a dream. I also like the shape of the
handles better than most cookware, easier for me to hold.

They clean up easy too!?
http://www.foodbanter.com/showthread.php?t=44319

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008CM6C/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/104-1626582-8500738

Here is a nice pan with double handles:
http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1576932&sz=0&cat=&dept=cl0547&sf=cl&gs=&subcat=&attr=&o=-RI&prev=hp!sf!dept

A set:
?Their natural angles offer more comfortable handling, the integrated
thumb grooves provide better balance and manageability and the texture
bumps near handle's base even alert you when your fingers get a little
too close to the heat.?
http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=2066672&sz=0&cat=&dept=cl0547&sf=cl&gs=&subcat=&attr=&o=-RI&prev=hp!sf!dept


You could replace existing handles and lid top handles with easier to use handles:
http://search.hardwarestore.com/exec/?query=Fitz-All

http://housewares.hardwarestore.com/38-197-pot-and-pan-replacement-handles/fitz-all-replacement-pot-knobs-239988.aspx


Meyer Circulon Cookware Sets
?The "circulon" rings ensure that the heat is conducted very evenly
across the base of the pans, even when using the very smallest ring,
avoiding the juggling act that I seemed to have to do before with
flimsier pans to match the pan to the ring. The weight was also a
pleasant surprise. Although in my late 20's, I have arthritis in my
hands, but I love to cook for large numbers of people, and would not
be able to handle very heavy pots - particularly the larger sizes, and
when straining vegetables etc.?
I have had this set for over 10 years, and am able to handle them
still. (I have bad arthritis in my hands and elbows too)
http://www.epinions.com/content_19219517060

Sold here:
http://www.kitchencollection.com/Temp_Products.cfm?sku=00141091&CFID=9241433&CFTOKEN=aeffce12fa78088b-411DD296-2555-88D5-03AAA9C7F1C6799D



Additional Information:

No pots and pans on this site, but they have numerous other  useful
adaptive devices:
http://www.activeforever.com/departments.asp?Path=T17,0004&Page=1&RequestID=9%2F10%2F2005+9%3A25%3A46+AM

Tips
http://www.freep.com/news/health/arthritis12e_20041012.htm


Easy grip sponges:
http://www.dynamic-living.com/scrub-sponge.htm

Easy grip utensils
http://www.industrialhouse.com/magoo/c185_c573.html

I find Good Grips utensils very helpful, and they can be found at most
discount stores
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=1202&form_keyword=good+grips+utensils&rd=1&skd=1

Good Grips also makes lightweight mixing bowls
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004OCMZ/104-1626582-8500738?v=glance

I find that mixing bowls with this type of handle works best for me.
Target carries a nice line, which I can?t find online today, with a
gripper ring on the bottom, lightweight, and a nice ergonomic handle,
and good prices.:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DDZ1X/qid=1126377004/sr=8-6/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i6_xgl79/104-1626582-8500738?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=507846

Here?s a nice set:
http://www.shop.com/op/~3pc_Mix_Measure_Bowls-prod-11418239-17381400?sourceid=78

There you go! Consider too, buying not a set of cookware, but a piece
here and there that best meets your criteria. You may be better off
purchasing individual pieces that have wide easy to grip handles.

As my own arthritis increases, I too shall make use of these products!
I do find that two handled pans are easiest, regardless of the weight.

I wish you and your family member the best.

If any part of this answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification, before rating. I will be glad to assist you further on
this question.

Sincerely, Crabcakes



Search Terms
=============

ergonomic cookware + arthritis
Adaptive cookware + arthritis
Assistive cookware 
cookware +  lightweight + ergonomic

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 10 Sep 2005 13:57 PDT

Hello benstone,

   I'm sorry to report that I just got a call from the first site
listed above. They no longer carry the Ergonomique pots and pans. I am
sorry. The Yahoo site seems to have them however.

  Regards, Crabcakes

As someone with significant arthritis in the hands, I still wouldn't
use light wieght pots and pans - the weight of extra metal (preferably
copper) in the bottom of the pan is what stops it distorting, and what
spreads the heat evenly.

What I do need is handles of some kind on BOTH sides of the pans, so
that I can lift the wretched things. I also need - but don't currently
have - a colondar of the kind that stands on its own base in the sink,
so that I don't need three hands in order to drain food.

Chopping requires a good food processor and/or VERY sharp good qulaity
knives. Opening jars requires somebody else to do it.

Best place to look for equipment is a catering or chefs' professional suppliers.

PS I take a pain killer before starting to prepare any meal requiring real cooking.

I have no specific recommendations for you either; as a professional
cook with arthritic hands and elbows I would dearly love to be able to
tell you otherwise but it's simply not so.  Lightweight pots and pans
are unsuitable for cooking in, and that (unfortunately) is an end of
it.

There are lots of other ways to cope, however.  Angy's suggestion of
pots and pans with a second handle is a good one.  As I am loth to
invest in new pots and pans, I tend to use a heatproof pad or oven
mitt to hold the other side.

For a full discussion of how to work around various disabilities and
debilities in the kitchen, I highly recommend the course on cooking
with disabilities at the eGullet Culinary Institute.  This is an
online learning program offered by the eGullet Society for Culinary
Arts and Letters, a rather imposing name for an online "foodie" forum.
 Guests may read all of the material, but posting to the forums
requires signing up for a free membership (there are paid memberships,
too, but you don't need to have one if you don't wish to).  Here are
the links to the course:

Part One
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=43239

Part Two
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=43338

Part Three
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=43433

Interactive Q & A, covers all three lessons
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=43240

Some of this will be inapplicable, but all three instructors have
personal experience to share, as do many of the participants in the Q
& A.  While this doesn't directly address your question, I'm sure you
will find much that is of interest.

-Chromedome

I agree that lightwight pots and pans can buckle under prolonged high
temeratures but find that a heat diffuser under the pan helps prevent
this. It also helps to stop the food sticking or catching the base of
the pan. After browning the ingredients try slipping a diffuser mat
between the pan and the burner for the simmering stage.