Pots and Pans Buying Guide

There are a wide variety of pots and pans available to the modern chef. This guide aims to let you know about the numerous options available and help you find the best cookware for your needs. Cookware can be made out of various different materials, including cast iron,  stainless steel,  copper  and aluminum.  There many types of pots and pans that may be suitable for your kitchen depending on what you cook and prepare on a daily basis. Check out our tips below to get started!

General Cookware Advice

Some things to consider when purchasing cookware.

• Size, Weight and Number
• What size or sizes do you anticipate needing? Do you need more than one size?
• Generally larger pans will serve you better, unless storage is a serious issue.
• Will you be able to lift it comfortably even if it is full of water/sauce/chicken?
• When buying cookware, you will often see a set of numbers such as 18/0. This is the amount of chromium and nickel that went into making the stainless steel. So, if you see a pot that has an 18/0, that means it has no nickel in it.
• Materials
• What material best suits your cooking needs?
• Handles
• Are they attached firmly?
• Are they heat resistant?
• Is the handle long enough for your needs?
• Will it say securely on the pot after repeated use?
• Lids
• Does the pan come with a lid?
• Is the lid made of glass?
• Does the lid fit snugly?
• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Is it dishwasher safe or can you scrub/soak it?

The Basics

To set up your kitchen, you'll need most or all of these. You'll probably want two or three saucepans of varying sizes, two or three frying pans and one each of the others. If your space is very limited, just go with the essentials.

Saucepans  One of the most common cooking pots is the saucepan. These are available in a range of sizes, usually in whole numbers of quarts (1 qt.,  2 qt.,  etc.) Generally, saucepans come with lids.  Some saucepans have spouts  for pouring. This is useful when cooking liquidy foods, but may prevent the lid from making a tight seal with the pot. Recommendation: T-Fal WearEver Cook & Strain 3-quart Stainless Steel Covered Saucepan  is a durable piece of cookware with stainless steel handles.

Frying Pans  Frying pans (or skillets ) are versatile tools in any kitchen. Can be used for frying or sauteeing meat,  vegetables,  tofu,  eggs  and just about everything else. Specialized omelet pans  have sloped sides, making it easier to slide eggs out of the pan, but your average frying pan will work just as well. Frequently lined with non-stick coating for easy cleaning and low-fat cooking (less oil  needed to keep food from sticking). Some come with lids.  Having a variety of sizes available is frequently useful, but one large pan may be all you need to start your collection. Recommendation: The Stoneline 3-piece Non-Stick Frying Pan Set  has 3 sets of frying pan sizes depending on your needs as well as scratch-resistant, non-stick coating. Also, the T-Fal Skillet Premiere Hard Enamel-12.5 inch  is stain resistant, dishwasher-safe, and can even be placed in the oven.

Sauté Pans  A large, stainless steel sauté pan is an excellent choice for pan frying and making sauces. Like a skillet with tall sides, this has a big cooking area but can also hold large quantities of liquid. An alternative choice for risotto  or other rice-based dishes. Look for sturdy, oven-safe handles, as these pans often work well in both an oven and on the stove. Also look for a large, preferably glass lid. Recommendation: T-Fal MIRRO W0038282 12 Covered Saute  is designed with a soft grip handle and can be placed in the oven for a temperature up to 350°.

Dutch Ovens  and Casseroles  Dutch ovens are large, oval, and usually very heavy pots that are wider and shallower than saucepans. Cast iron  is a good choice for a Dutch oven; it will retain heat well and cook your food evenly. Dutch ovens are a good bet for just about everything. They can go from stove to oven and vice versa. Use them for frying, browning, braising, simmering and making soups and stocks. Look for large, sturdy, easy to grip handles and a tight-fitting, heavy lid. Recommendation: Check out Le Creuset Oval Doufeu,  a self-basting oven that will impress your guests and their taste buds. Your meat goes inside the pot and the unique top cradles ice cubes, which create condensation on the inside of the pot that evenly bastes your roast.

Roasting Pans  Roasting pans are used for roasting meats and poultry (of course). Can also be used for deglazing and making sauces on the stovetop. Look for pans that are sturdy enough to hold up to the heaviest thing you cook (like a turkey ) but not so heavy that you might drop it taking it from the oven. Measure your oven before you buy a roasting pan; the pan needs at least 2" of clearance on all sides, and it has to fit inside with the door closed.

Stockpots  Stockpots are large, heavy pots that can be used for a number of tasks, including steaming vegetables, cooking pasta  and of course, making soups  and stocks. Some models have lids that can be locked in place and double as a strainer  for making pasta. Some stockpots may come with a basket that fits inside and can be used for steaming vegetables. They may also have a colander that nests inside for making pasta. Pots with multiple inserts are sometimes called "multipots. " Recommendation: The T-Fal Professional Total Nonstick 8-Quart Stockpot  has an interior and exterior non-stick coating and is designed to evenly deliver heat while cooking your food.

Griddles  and Grill Pans  Griddles and grills are wide, flat pans that sometimes fit over more than one burner. Griddles are smooth, while grills have channels so that fat drains away from the food. Grills are useful for paninis,  burgers,  steaks  and other meat. Griddles are usually used for pancakes  and eggs.  For this type of pan, cast iron  is a good bet, because it will distribute heat evenly. Recommendation: The Stoneline 11 Inch Stone Tough Non-Stick Roasting/Grilling Plate  is made of non-stick cookware and can be used on all stove ranges. It has a ridged cooking surface and can be heated up to 500° in the oven.

Advanced Equipment

Now that you've got your kitchen set up, maybe you want to add a few specialty items for fancier cooking and more elaborate dishes. The items below are not necessary but can add a little pizzazz to your dinner table. While they can be used for a number of dishes, they aren't as versatile as the basics above.

Saucier /Chef's Pan  Somewhere between a saucepan and a frying pan is the saucier, also known as a chef's pan. Has taller sides than a frying pan, but wider and shallower than a saucepan. The saucier is perfect for whipping up perfect sauces and risottos. Rounded bottom eliminates hard-to-reach corners and makes constant stirring easy. Wider pans are easier to stir and use; heavier pans distribute heat more thoroughly, but make sure they aren't too heavy.

Braisers  Braisers (also called "everyday pans") are pans that have two short handles instead of a long handle. Somewhere between a chef's pan and a Dutch oven in shape. Usually come with a lid. Can be used for a wide variety of tasks, but not strictly necessary if your other cookware is up to snuff. Might be a good choice if you need something lighter to cook with besides your Dutch oven.

Double Boilers  Double boilers are a nifty little invention in which the pan containing the sauce you want to cook (such as a chocolate sauce  or cheese fondue ) is held in place over the second pan, which is half-filled with water. The whole contraption is placed on the stove, and steam from the boiling water warms the contents of the upper pan (hence "double boiler"). Useful in baking (melt chocolate  for brownies  without scorching), cooking (easily melt butter and keep it warm without worrying about it burning), making delicate sauces, and entertaining. Available in a variety of sizes, although usually a small one will do.

Woks  Woks are pans with high sloping sides. Can have flat or round bottoms. Very versatile and excellent for stir-fry. Also come in electric varieties. Round-bottomed woks require a separate stand to remain upright on a cooktop. Make sure to get one that works with your stove.

Pressure Cookers  Pressure cookers come in both stovetop and electric varieties. Cooks food at higher temperatures and therefore much more quickly without burning. Pressure cooking also retains moisture and flavor.

Specialized Cookware

A few of these pieces could be used for more than one dish, but most of them are specially designed for a very limited range of usefulness. Not recommended unless you happen to make a particular dish with some frequency.

Paella pans  are similar to brasiers and are good for risotto and paella.	Fish poachers  allow you to gently cook fish in liquid. Long and narrow.	Pizza pans  make a perfect crust every time.	Butter warmers  are very small, round-bottomed pans with spouts.	Crêpe Pans  are round, flat pans for making delicate crepes.

Lasagna Pans  are deep rectangular pans for making delicious layered pasta dishes.	Sauteuses  are versatile pans with high sides and domed lids.	Stovetop smokers  let you flavor your food without using a barbecue.	Tagines  are a Moroccan style of cookware used to make stews.	Multipots  are stockpots that come with steamer baskets and pasta drainers.

Polenta pans  are unusually shaped and are designed to maximize water absorption.	Zabaglione pans  & stands  are for making egg-based custard; the round bottom makes whisking easy.	Panini Presses  make flat, hot, melty sandwiches in just a few minutes.	Fondue Pots are the ultimate in retro entertaining. Who doesn't like melted chocolate?

Complete Cookware Sets

A basic setup for a kitchen of one or two people probably needs two or three saucepans of different sizes, two different sizes of frying pans and a small stockpot. A number of companies have "starter" sets available with this plan in mind. Some of these sets also include kitchen implements (spatulas, slotted spoons,  etc.) and can be an excellent bargain. You can even find a great set  for a family of four.These sets are good for starting up your kitchen or adding some new pieces to the old. Pick one up today and get cooking!

Stoneline 8-Piece Stone Tough Non-Stick Cookware Set  Includes: Dutch oven, 2-quart saucepan, frying pan, saute pan, and two-handled pot with glass lids.	T-Fal MIRRO W003SA82 10 Pc. Cookware Set   Includes: 2 saute pans, 2 saucepans, one Dutch Oven and cooking tools.	Stoneline 6-Piece Stone Tough Non-Stick Cookware Set  Includes: Multiple two-handled pots, 2-quart saucepan, 1 saute pan and glass lids	T-Fal Signature Total Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set  Includes: 2 fry pans, 1 square griddle, 2 saucepans, a Dutch oven and cooking utensils.

 

Related Guides

Choosing Cookware Materials	Cookware Racks	Bakeware	Kitchen Utensils

External Links

• ConsumerSearch.com: Read this review summary for some cookware suggestions. Scroll down a bit for information about the Teflon controversy.
• KohlsCorporation.com: Kohl's guide to cookware and cookware materials.