You don't need to buy your cookware in a complete set like this. I would start collecting a few pieces at a time, of reasonable quality, though you will pay a bit more per piece. You're really not saving money if you have to replace all your cheap cookware every few years.
You could probably handle 90% of what you want to cook with only a skillet and a 2 or 4 quart sauce pan. Buy whatever pieces fit your cooking style.
Steel, non-stick, and cast-iron all have advantages and disadvantages. This information is probably duplicated elsewhere on this site:
- Steel - non-reactive and durable. More difficult to make delicate foods like fish and eggs, due to the food sticking.
- non-stick - Well, it's non-stick. Food doesn't stick to it. However, even a high-quality non-stick pan will wear out over several years. Also, it's difficult to sear meats.
- cast-iron - Properly cared for, can sear meat AND be non-stick, and will last a lifetime. However, it's heavy, and requires knowledge of how to properly care for it (see questions on this site)
Steel cookware can have a few upgrades:
- A "disk" of aluminum or copper, welded to the bottom - greatly improves heat distribution from plain stainless steel. Thermal shock can make the disk fall off, though.
- "Clad" steel, where a layer of aluminum is sandwiched between layers of stainless steel - even better heat distribution, more durable, but more expensive
If I could only buy 2 pieces, on a budget, I would buy a cast-iron skillet and a disk-bottomed sauce pot.
For hard, chemical-resistant surfaces such as marble, bleach or peroxide cleaners will help. On things like counters, pots and pans, a Magic Eraser will often take off the stain. Sometimes a harsher abrasive like Comet or Barkeep's Friend will be needed.
Softer or porous materials, including cloth and many plastics often CANNOT BE UNSTAINED. In my kitchen we treat turmeric like a dangerous chemical -- isolate, contain, and plan ahead to limit exposure. It's just that destructive.
You might as well tie-dye or bleach white any clothing you get turmeric on; it India it is used as a dye for saris because it will semi-permanently tint cloth. You can brush off the dry powder harmessly, but when it is moistened and allowed to sit for a moment, the color is pretty much permanent.
Edit: UV+peroxide: I saw a patent for removing turmeric stains from upholstery using UV light and hydrogen peroxide. You might try soaking fabrics in peroxide or Oxyclean (which uses peroxide) and leaving then out in the sun. Can't hurt right?
Edit: strategies to manage turmeric without making a mess
- Plan ahead where you'll use it, and which utensils and vessels will hold it, so you don't mess up anything you don't need to.
- Re-use already turmeric-stained items so you don't wreck anything new
- Mortars and pestles, tupperware, wooden and soft plastic utensils are a lost cause. At least the stain is purely cosmetic?
- ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS wear an apron.
- Keep spilt powder dry (it won't stain) and brush it off with a paper towel into the garbage. Brushing away promptly keeps you from inadvertently spilling liquid on it, or wiping it with a wet towel during cleanup. That is, unless you want a neon-green counter and towel?
- Whenever you spill something containing turmeric, promptly wipe it off, to reduce staining.
- Hard ceramic and porcelain are immune to staining unless the surface is rough. Try to use these for storage. Glass will stain. Stainless steel is resistant but not immune.
With these strategies, I find I can use turmeric regularly without problems.
Best Answer
You cannot view the full study, but the summary already tells you the results: http://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/1988/12000/Epidemiologic_Study_of_Workers_Exposed_to_Titanium.11.aspx
Note: Titanium always has a TiO2 layer above it, which is why your food won't get into contact with titanium directly (and if it does, it'll quickly oxidize to TiO2 again).
The result of that study is consistent with the fact that titanium is widely used for medical purposes like implants and dental fillings. Even pacemakers are made from titanium. It is not toxic, even in high doses and on permanent exposure (the medical "lifetime" of the titanium is somewhere along the lines of 20 to 30 years, without a single toxic effect ever linked to the titanium).
The only thing that is hazardous is titanium nano-particles. But the nano-particles of pretty much any element, including carbon, will be hazardous, so that doesn't count (it's not chemically toxic, the physical size is what makes it dangerous). You won't ever be exposed to nano-particles from using titanium cookware, so to answer your question: Yes, titanium cookware is completely safe. There are no cases of allergies recorded (at least I didn't find any) nor is it toxic.