Ecko Eterna Pans

[Matt_T]

Hi all. This is my first post here....before getting into the meat of it I must say thanks to all who have taught me so much during my long months of lurking. The knife posts by Chad and Octaveman in particular are what got me following the board.

I wanted to post to call attention to what looks like a great cookware bargain: the Ecko Eterna series of pans. I got mine at the Corning Revere Outlet in Vacaville, CA, not sure where else they may be available. It is a very limited line: 2 and 4 qt saucepans, 6 qt (I think) dutch oven and 8,10,12" saute pans. Ecko calls the sautes "skillets," but they look more like sautes to me with the low, straight sides and long handles.

Construction is all stainless with thick disk aluminum bottoms. I mean thick.....my 10" saute has a 6mm thick bottom; allowing 1/4mm for the stainless cladding that's 5.5mm of aluminum. Not the thickest out there but the thickest disk I know of for anywhere near....drum roll.....$22.50. That's regular price, I've seen them on sale at times and picked up two 4 qt saucepans at 2 for 1 a couple of years ago.

That disk extends across the entire bottom. Rims are rolled and the fat, stay-cool handles are riveted. Ecko claims pans are oven safe to 500F. My only compaint is that the handles are a little "bendy" near the joint between the handle and the pan, especially with the full 4 qt saucepan and I would expect the 12" saute. The rivets are tight, it's just poor design of the handle that allows a tiny bit of flex at this point, right near the bottom of the handle. They don't really bend, just feel a bit "soft" when heavily loaded. Many probably wouldn't notice but I'm looking to find some fault to report.

Those saucepans have seen very heavy use since purchase. I'm a fireman and bought those pots for our firehouse, where they are used almost daily by guys who sometimes seem to think the gas knob has only two positions: on and off. No signs of bubbles in the bottom or separation of the disk so far - problems I've heard about in other budget disk-bottom pans. So, with that experience I decided to try the saute for my own use. Haven't cooked in it yet but will report how it goes.

Has anyone else used these?

Cheers,

Matt T

Edited July 4, 2007 by Matt_T (log)

[Smithy]

Welcome to eGullet, Matt!

I haven't heard of these pans. As a rule I distrust Ecko (too many yechho cheapo baking pans over the years, that were admittedly cheap but not good quality), so I'm glad to hear they have a good line coming out. The flex in the handle doesn't sound good, but given the abuse they're taking they sound like they're worth checking outl

It's good to see you're coming out of lurking, and thanks for the recommendation!