Find out how to choose the right cookware and how to care for it correctly.
When it’s time to stock your kitchen or add to the cookware you already have, the first question you should ask yourself is, “How will you use the cookware?” Do you need a specific type of pan, such as a saute pan? Would a complete set of cookware cover all the bases? Find out how to choose the right cookware and how to care for it correctly.
top cookware qualities to look for
Versatile cookware is essential if you cook frequently. For example, you can use a sauce pan to boil eggs too.
Safe for stove top, oven, and broiler are qualities that add to the versatility of your cookware set. They also cut down on cleanup because you can use the same cookware from start to finish.
Durable cookware is best. You should select cookware that you can use for years to come.
Temperature control simplifies cooking in slow cookers and air fryers. Choose a model with several settings for best results.
Nonstick cookware is easier to cook with and clean up.
Safe to simmer all day is a quality you want in a stock pot or Dutch oven.
Safe for searing over high heat is a feature you need for cooking meat like roasts and steaks. Searing seals in the juices for a moist result.
Long lasting cookware forms the foundation of your family kitchen. You want pots and pans that last far beyond that breaking-in period.
High quality/chef style cookware is typically the most long lasting. Each pot or pan is designed for a specific cooking method.
Made from sustainable materials, your cookware should pose zero health risks to your family. It should also help you minimize your carbon footprint.
Easy to clean cookware, such as a nonstick pan, makes cleanup quicker. You won’t find yourself scrubbing cooked-on food.
pro tip:
Not sure which cookware set to choose? Consider the meals you cook most often, and make sure the set has the items you need.
types of cookware, pros/cons, and care
Stainless steel cookware does not react to acidic foods, so it lets the true flavors come through. Stainless steel can be harder to clean because food can stick.
Nonstick cookware cleans up easily. It cooks most foods without additional oil, so you can skip the added calories.
Enameled cast iron such as Le Creuset cookware has a smooth, durable coating that prevents the cast iron from rusting. Equally as versatile as non-coated cast iron cookware, it’s made for the stove as well as the oven. It is a heavy material that requires muscle to maneuver.
Un-coated cast iron is long lasting and easily transitions from stove top to oven. It is also nonstick if you season it right. However, cast iron is heavy. It will rust if you don’t care for it properly.
Carbon steel and blue steel provide the plusses of cast iron cookware at a lighter weight. A mixture of mostly iron and a bit of steel, they are vulnerable to acidic foods like tomato sauce, which can remove the seasoning.
Copper is a great heat conductor and produces evenly cooked food. Cons include a higher price tag than other metals. Also, copper reacts to acid and alkalinity, so such foods cooked in copper can take on a metallic tang.
Ceramic nonstick cookware comes in colors and patterns, so it’s great for oven-to-table use. It heats your food evenly and cleanup is easy. On the downside, ceramic is more fragile than metal cookware. It may chip or crack over time.
Anodized aluminum pans are lightweight, durable, and scratch-resistant. Pricier than plain aluminum cookware, anodized aluminum cookware from brands like Anolon® cookware does not react with acidic foods.
Ceramic coated aluminum cookware is nonstick without potentially hazardous chemicals. As such, the ceramic coating is more environmentally friendly.
pro tip:
Choose versatile cookware that you can use on a variety of cook tops. That way, if you get a new induction stove for example, you won’t have to buy a new set of magnet-friendly pots and pans.