Culinary Cookware
Brands, Materials and Features to Choose From
Unless you are the ultimate workaholic - married to your desk and the fast food joint on the corner - you are bound to have a couple of pots and pans in your kitchen.
A basic selection of cookware in your kitchen will consist of various sizes of:
- Saucepans – one long handle; may or may not have a lid
- Pots – 2 side handles
- frying pans (often referred to as skillets) – broad-bottomed, shallow pan with one handle; may or may not have a lid
Additional items to complete an extensive cookware set may include a Dutch oven, a kettle, chef pans, roasters, specialty frying pans, and a griddle.
Whether you are investing in your first cookware set for your university digs, or you are looking to upgrade the old-faithfuls that were gifted to you on your wedding day, the following information will be useful in determining your requirements and your budget for this essential addition to your kitchen.
Quality and price-point may be determined by:
There are a myriad of household and professional brand names to choose a new cookware set from. Some of the trusted brands that you might consider are Lagostina, KitchenAid, TFal, Artisan Heritage, Cuisinart, and a line created especially for TFal by well-known TV personality and chef, Jamie Oliver, to name just a few.
Ultimately the thickness of the metal, or the gauge, plays a huge role in the quality of your cookware. The lower the gauge number, the heavier the pan, the more durable it is, and the more it costs. Top quality is 5 to 7 gauge, and 10 to 18 gauge metal is considered suitable for use on a range.
Some materials naturally have better heat conducting properties than others, while some can withstand long periods of high heat better. The following are currently the most popular cookware options:
The addition of chromium and nickel to steel alloys is what makes this cookware material “stainless”. Stainless steel is extremely durable and is rust-, corrosion-, crack-, chip-, and tarnish-proof.
Because stainless steel doesn't conduct heat as well as other metals it may be layered with better conductors like aluminum, copper, or carbon steel.
Aluminum offers even heat distribution and is relatively light-weight. Although it heats very quickly, it cools quickly too so is not suitable for serving hot food.
Aluminum pans can be manufactured in various ways although stamping and casting are the most popular methods. Stamping involves placing a sheet of aluminum in a press to form the shape, and then adding handles.
Casting is used for heavier gauge utensils and involves pouring molten aluminum alloy into molds.
Cast Iron is typically very heavy although alloys are used in cast iron in today's cookware manufacturing methods, making it a bit lighter. It heats slowly and distributes heat evenly making it perfect for stewing, browning, and baking. Cajun cooking has re-popularized the use of cast iron pans for blackening meats.
| Cast Iron Cookware (view all) |
| | | $24.99 at Canadian Tire Corp |
- Non-stick - probably the most well-known and popular finish on cookware today as it is durable and easy to clean. Non-stick usually means that the inside of the utensil is coated with Teflon or a similar finish. Non-stick is extremely popular with the health conscious, as less fat is required to cook food.
- Enamel – baked onto the inside or outside of aluminum- or stainless pots. Provides a hard shiny finish in a range of colours that doesn't scratch, rust or, peel, but might chip if dropped.
- Satin – dull exterior finish that speeds heat absorption
- Polished – high shine finish
- Anodized – layer of aluminum oxide electrochemically applied to aluminum making the surface harder, stain resistant, and easier to clean.
| Aluminum Cookware (view all) |
$599.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $349.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $599.99 at Canadian Tire Corp |
Other features that you may want to consider while researching cookware are:
- Weight – although lower gauge usually means a better quality and heavier pan, will it be a practical weight for you to handle on a day-to-day basis?
- Capacity & Size – think about the average number of people you cook for, and what capacity you require to successfully prepare meals for them. Do you have enough space in your kitchen to store a full set of pots and pans or would you be better served to buy what you need individually?
- Easy Pour Lids – allow you to drain a pot with the lid in it's normal position.
- Dishwasher Safe – do you mind washing your pots by hand?
Cookware sets range in number of utensils and price. The questions you will address when considering a set are: do I need all the utensils in the set? Do I have enough storage room? Will my experience and cooking style be better complimented if I buy specialty/professional utensils individually?
Specialty utensils are not commonly included in cookware sets of pots and pans. Some key additions to your kitchen include chef pans, roasters, and specialty frying pans like the examples below.
| Cooking & Baking (view all) |
$49.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $74.99 at Canadian Tire Corp | $599.99 at Canadian Tire Corp |
Here is the ultimate guide to choosing the ideal patio...
Many eco-upgrades can be implemented quickly, easily, and on a...
It is now time to get your yard ready for spring. Here's how...
Create your own backyard kitchen to fit your budget with the...
Weddings • LCD vs Plasma • Resort Wear • Eco-Products for Your Home • Home Media Rooms • Lawn & Garden
