How to Find the Best Pots and Pans for Your Kitchen
With cookware, you want to buy the best you can afford because it’s not
simply a purchase but an investment. Your treasured set of pots and pans
enables you to prepare delicious meals for many years to come.
You also need to think about what pieces you really need. If you cook a lot, you may find it to be an economical decision to buy a cookware set instead of buying each piece individually to complete your pots and pans set. The best cookware sets are versatile and durable without compromising on style.
Another factor to consider is what types of materials do you want your pots and pans to be made of? There are a lot of options out there to choose from, including aluminum, cast iron, copper, stainless steel, or a combination of different metals. Let’s take a look at a few options to help make your decision a little less overwhelming.
What Kind of Stove & Oven Do You Have?
Okay, we’re not diving into the materials cookware sets are made of just yet, but it’s important to also be aware of the kind of stove and oven you have before investing in a quality cookware set. Having a stove and oven that’s induction, gas, or electric plays a huge factor into what cookware someone should buy. A lot of cookware sets are versatile, but some aren’t induction safe or oven safe, etc., so it’s worth looking into for when you’re buying cookware for your kitchen.
Stainless Steel
You’ll likely find stainless steel cookware in most households. Stainless steel, which is made by adding chromium and nickel to steel, is popular because it’s durable, doesn’t scratch easily, and is attractive. By itself though, stainless steel doesn’t conduct heat well. So aluminum and copper (both highly conductive metals) are often added to the core because of their ability to cook food evenly. They are called “clad” cookware because of their multiple layers of metals. Many consider clad pots and pans to be the most practical and versatile cookware available.
Copper
Many professional chefs like to cook with copper pots and pans because of copper’s excellent ability to conduct heat, which means it adjusts quickly to temperature changes, giving the chef greater control in their cooking. Copper alone isn’t used in most cooking though because it reacts with natural minerals and can make your food taste metallic and give it a yellow tint. To avoid this, look for a copper cookware set that combines a layer of aluminum between a copper exterior and a heavy-gauge stainless steel interior. Copper pots and pans are attractive and make a statement in the kitchen, whether you are a home cook or a professional chef.
Aluminum
This metal is second to copper when it comes to heat conduction, so it’s very responsive to temperature changes. Aluminum is also a bit more affordable than copper. Aluminum often undergoes a process known as anodization, which adds a layer of aluminum oxide into the surface to make it scratch resistant and ensure it doesn’t react with foods. Manufacturers anodize pieces to also have nonstick or stainless interiors because they are easier to clean, more durable, and attractive. There are many high-performing, high-quality aluminum cookware sets to choose from.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is extremely durable and heavy, but it’s slow to heat up and cool down, which is a con for some. True cast iron fans love their cast iron pieces and swear by their superior cooking ability. In its natural state, you have to maintain cast iron cookware or “season” it, so it doesn’t rust. You can also purchase enamel-coated cast iron, which is easy to clean and basically maintenance-free. Both types would make great heirloom pieces to pass on to the next generation.
Titanium
Titanium cookware is considered the latest stainless steel innovation. Made with a blend of alloys including titanium this cookware has a surface that is four times harder than your typical stainless steel. If you’re looking for an ideal piece of titanium cookware to add to your kitchen, consider the Hestan Nano Bond 8.5" Skillet. Among its other benefits, with this cookware’s pure aluminum core, you can enjoy superior performance as it’s 35% more heat conductive than other aluminum-clad pots and pans on the market.
There are more types of cookware available on the market, but the above cookware materials give you a basic idea of the pros and cons of each. Be sure to take your time in choosing the cookware and materials that’ll suit your needs and give you years of enjoyable cooking memories.
About CHEFS Catalog
Since 1979, CHEFS Catalog has offered top-quality, high-performing kitchen equipment for chefs and cooks of all skills levels to create everyday meals and gourmet feasts. CHEFS Catalog strives to reach everyone from cooking enthusiasts to professional chefs. The company features the best kitchen solution products as well as recipes and other helpful kitchen tricks and tips. CHEFS Catalog is passionate about cooking and understands your need for reliable and long-lasting kitchenware. The company started as a commercial catalog in 1979 and featured Julia Child on one of the early covers. CHEFS Catalog has evolved over the years and launched a new e-commerce site in 2017.
To learn more and to browse the full line of CHEFS Catalog kitchenware, visit Chefscatalog.com
You also need to think about what pieces you really need. If you cook a lot, you may find it to be an economical decision to buy a cookware set instead of buying each piece individually to complete your pots and pans set. The best cookware sets are versatile and durable without compromising on style.
Another factor to consider is what types of materials do you want your pots and pans to be made of? There are a lot of options out there to choose from, including aluminum, cast iron, copper, stainless steel, or a combination of different metals. Let’s take a look at a few options to help make your decision a little less overwhelming.
What Kind of Stove & Oven Do You Have?
Okay, we’re not diving into the materials cookware sets are made of just yet, but it’s important to also be aware of the kind of stove and oven you have before investing in a quality cookware set. Having a stove and oven that’s induction, gas, or electric plays a huge factor into what cookware someone should buy. A lot of cookware sets are versatile, but some aren’t induction safe or oven safe, etc., so it’s worth looking into for when you’re buying cookware for your kitchen.
Stainless Steel
You’ll likely find stainless steel cookware in most households. Stainless steel, which is made by adding chromium and nickel to steel, is popular because it’s durable, doesn’t scratch easily, and is attractive. By itself though, stainless steel doesn’t conduct heat well. So aluminum and copper (both highly conductive metals) are often added to the core because of their ability to cook food evenly. They are called “clad” cookware because of their multiple layers of metals. Many consider clad pots and pans to be the most practical and versatile cookware available.
Copper
Many professional chefs like to cook with copper pots and pans because of copper’s excellent ability to conduct heat, which means it adjusts quickly to temperature changes, giving the chef greater control in their cooking. Copper alone isn’t used in most cooking though because it reacts with natural minerals and can make your food taste metallic and give it a yellow tint. To avoid this, look for a copper cookware set that combines a layer of aluminum between a copper exterior and a heavy-gauge stainless steel interior. Copper pots and pans are attractive and make a statement in the kitchen, whether you are a home cook or a professional chef.
Aluminum
This metal is second to copper when it comes to heat conduction, so it’s very responsive to temperature changes. Aluminum is also a bit more affordable than copper. Aluminum often undergoes a process known as anodization, which adds a layer of aluminum oxide into the surface to make it scratch resistant and ensure it doesn’t react with foods. Manufacturers anodize pieces to also have nonstick or stainless interiors because they are easier to clean, more durable, and attractive. There are many high-performing, high-quality aluminum cookware sets to choose from.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is extremely durable and heavy, but it’s slow to heat up and cool down, which is a con for some. True cast iron fans love their cast iron pieces and swear by their superior cooking ability. In its natural state, you have to maintain cast iron cookware or “season” it, so it doesn’t rust. You can also purchase enamel-coated cast iron, which is easy to clean and basically maintenance-free. Both types would make great heirloom pieces to pass on to the next generation.
Titanium
Titanium cookware is considered the latest stainless steel innovation. Made with a blend of alloys including titanium this cookware has a surface that is four times harder than your typical stainless steel. If you’re looking for an ideal piece of titanium cookware to add to your kitchen, consider the Hestan Nano Bond 8.5" Skillet. Among its other benefits, with this cookware’s pure aluminum core, you can enjoy superior performance as it’s 35% more heat conductive than other aluminum-clad pots and pans on the market.
There are more types of cookware available on the market, but the above cookware materials give you a basic idea of the pros and cons of each. Be sure to take your time in choosing the cookware and materials that’ll suit your needs and give you years of enjoyable cooking memories.
About CHEFS Catalog
Since 1979, CHEFS Catalog has offered top-quality, high-performing kitchen equipment for chefs and cooks of all skills levels to create everyday meals and gourmet feasts. CHEFS Catalog strives to reach everyone from cooking enthusiasts to professional chefs. The company features the best kitchen solution products as well as recipes and other helpful kitchen tricks and tips. CHEFS Catalog is passionate about cooking and understands your need for reliable and long-lasting kitchenware. The company started as a commercial catalog in 1979 and featured Julia Child on one of the early covers. CHEFS Catalog has evolved over the years and launched a new e-commerce site in 2017.
To learn more and to browse the full line of CHEFS Catalog kitchenware, visit Chefscatalog.com
Comments
Post a Comment