Are you purchasing cookware?

An investment in a new cookware set is a major decision as there are many excellent choices of quality cookware available.  If you are planning to purchase cookware for a gift or for your home, there are a few basic questions you should consider. One of the most important tasks is to decide the features you want in your cookware set prior to making a purchase.


How do you plan to use the cookware?

If you are starting out in your first home and boiling water or warming up items in the microwave, is the extent of your current cooking knowledge, there are basic sets of cookware that will work for you.  If you are an experienced cook and routinely take on many more challenging tasks in the kitchen then you will be looking for cookware to meet specific cooking challenges.
It is important to consider how you will use the cookware to ensure that you choose the type of cookware which would most closely suit your needs.

What do you plan to cook?

Cookware comes in specific shapes to simplify some cooking tasks. A skillet with flared sides is perfect for sautéing or flipping omelets. However, if you tend to plan to use the pan for frying then straight sides are better. Flat bottom pans work well on an electric range, especially a smoothtop ceramic top.  If you have a gas range, then you might prefer pans that have a gradual curve from the bottom up the side. You might want to consider a stovetop grill pan that has raised ridges to help sear meat and vegetables.

How do you choose cookware?

Choose a cookware set with pots and pans that best match your cooking style. Consider looking for sets rather than individual pieces. Basic sets of cookware can always be supplemented with individual pieces from open stock.

Sets offer a better price, although you don’t get to choose the pieces. There are often five pieces in common: a stockpot with lid, a 2- to 3-quart saucepan with lid, and a 9.5- to 11-inch frying pan. Additional useful pieces to add would be a small omelette pan or another saucepan and lid. You can also add individual pieces of different types of cookware or sizes once you have a basic cookware set.

Consider your comfort while using the cookware

Think about the comfort of using the pots and pans in your kitchen, prior to purchasing any cookware set.  While professional quality cookware sets are sturdy, they’re also heavier and the metal handles get hot. Before you purchase cookware, pick up the pots and try out the weight in your hands.  Imagine how the cookware pot will feel when it is full. You should decide whether you would prefer lighter weight pots and pans with comfortable plastic handles that stay better insulated from the heat or the heavier commercial grade cookware.

What does quality cookware cost?

Price range: $50 or less for a low-end cookware set; less than $100 to $ 200 for midlevel cookware set; $200 and up for higher end professional quality cookware sets.