So essentially I want to buy one pan, I don't want to care about what utensils I use in it (metal, plastic, or wood), or what I cook in it, and I want to clean it easily by just putting some soap on it, using the rough side of a sponge and drying it off and tossing it back in the cupboard.
Ideally, I'd also like this pan to last longer than 2-3 years.
So overall I am thinking I want enameled cast iron because it seems like it could take all of that but then I recently read how you don't want to cook something like eggs or fish in it because they'll stick.
The other bit I've seen is just buying a coated non-stick pan of any sort but be prepared to throw them away in 1-3 years and don't use anything metal in them.
Should I just buy enameled cast iron and cook whatever I want in it? Should I buy multiple types and cook different things in them? Should I just stick with non-stick?
Overall, I am a very novice cooker who simply cooks for a family of 4. Typically using something like everyplate. I'm not looking for fancy but I am looking for "buy it once then use it until I die with low maintenance." I essentially want the Toyota Camry of cookware. Reliable, low maintenance, not going to win any cooking contests.
Any suggestions?
Thank you.
I'd want the nonstick and stainless/cast iron, personally. Each does things the others don't, and since you're cooking for four, having more than one pan is a good idea anyway: side dishes or whatever. You may not need nonstick, but it does make a lot of things very convenient. Stainless or cast iron for most other cooking - anything high heat at least, anything where you want a pan sauce. That way the nonstick pan gets a break and a longer lifespan, arguably less maintenance overall.
If not: stainless. Lower maintenance than cast iron, will do mostly the same things and stand up to almost anything.
Edit: I think you could learn to cook eggs and fish almost no matter what you use, but I'm not an expert. Supposedly it has a lot to do with just temperature control and using fat properly.