Are you looking for the best cookware sets & cookware reviews to select the best one for you? I often get this question – if you are buying a new cookware set, which one would you pick? Well, this is a tough question since everyone has different needs. But for me, if I’m buying a new cookware set, I prefer buying the best uncoated cookware set and supplementing it with a non-stick best frying pan. Why? you will soon find out.
How To Select Your Best Cookware?
The main purpose for me to write this blog is to help you choose the best cookware. Well, I hope your search for best cookware will end here, because I have great recommendation for cookware set in each category and budget.
First thing first, I think the first question you might need to ask when selecting the best cookware is making the decision of which cookware material that fit your cooking need and budget. Here are the types of material you will find for cookware and I have explained a bit about the benefits and disadvantages.
| Stainless steel cookware – Durable and long lasting. Can go in the dishwasher, but it doesn’t conduct heat very well, and is therefore less energy-efficient. Lower end lines will be aluminum with a stainless steel coating. |  |
| Hard anodized cookware – The most common cookware material. Generally inexpensive. An excellent conductor of heat! It is a relatively lightweight material too. But it stains easily, and it is not dishwasher-safe. Avoid the thin-gauge aluminum since it’s prone to denting and warping. Enamel-coated aluminum, typically found in low-end lines, can chip easily. |  |
| Copper cookware – Copper tends to heat and cool quickly and efficiently. It’s also heavier, more durable, and generally more expensive. Most high end cookware is makes by copper. Because the copper usually reacts with the acidity of certain foods, the pots are often lined with stainless steel or tin. |  |
| Cast iron cookware – Used by our grandmother. Cast iron is the all-time classic. Strong, inexpensive, it conducts heat evenly and adds extra iron. Heavy, require hand washing and drying. Rust can be a problem so the inside should be coated frequently with unsalted cooking oil. |  |
| Non-stick cookware – Coated with teflon so that the food will not stick to the pans. Very easy to clean up but needs to be used with plastic or wooden utensils, otherwise will scratch and wear off easily. | |
| Glass, Ceramic, Stoneware, Tempered Glass cookware – Dishwasher safe, attractive and versatile. This type of cookware breaks easily and cooks unevenly on the stove. But it is more versatile and can directly from freezer to the stove, oven, broiler, or microwave and continues on to the table. | |
| Porcelain cookware – Porcelain coatings are easy to maintain and they’re tough. But they are the most expensive of all cookware and can chip. Truly high end cookware. |
Can I Buy A Whole Set of Non Stick Cookware?
Personally, I don’t recommend buying a full set of nonstick cookware. That’s because teflon-coated(non-stick) cookware easily wears off, scratches and isn’t durable in the long run. Non stick cookware is also not suitable for browning, braising and stir-frying. But I do recommend buying a non-stick frying pan even though there is some controversy about teflon-coated health risk issue associated with scratched cookware and high heat (over 500 degrees Fahrenheit). Anyway, due to the need for easier cleaning as I regularly use a frying pan for cooking, having a non-stick frying pan is essential for me.
Now there are some cookware sets that mix non-stick and uncoated cookware pieces. Most experts prefer the combination cookware set of non-stick and uncoated cookware for the reason mentioned above. Well, whether it is non-stick or uncoated, you can always buy additional cookware pieces separately. Although this will take some time, you will be able to get your perfect cookware set.
If you like to know more about the advantage and disadvantage of using non-stick and uncoated cookware, you can find out more from kitchenous.com.
What is The Best Cookware Set?
If I want top of the line cookware, I will definitely go for porcelain or copper cookware. For the second best, I’ll settle for stainless steel. If I truly have a tight budget, then hard anodized cookware or cast iron cookware is what I’ll be looking for. Anyway, if you’re looking for a stick-resistant frying pan (skillet) but you want to avoid Teflon, experts say that cast iron cookware is a great alternative.
Now you have understood all the benefits of each cookware material, it’s about time you narrow down to the cookware brands or recommendations based on cookware material and your budget. Hope you like this simple introduction of how to select the best cookware.
Best Cookware – Cookware Reviews
By now, you must be curious what are my top recommendations for home cookware. The best cookware set in my mind is a reasonably priced stainless steel cookware set with one or two non-stick frying pans for my cooking. Here are my top recommendations & reviews of cookware:
- Best Stainless Steel Cookware – Made of shiny stainless steel, this is my best cookware set.
- Best Hard Anodized Cookware Set – Lightweight, good looking and practical, what else can you want?
- Best NonStick Cookware – If you really insist on getting a whole set of non stick, here it is.
- Best Cast Iron Cookware – Long lasting cookware to last years and years.
- Best Copper Cookware Set – High end cookware for professionals.
- Best Frying Pan To Go With Your Cookware Set – Fry and clean up easily. No stubborn grease.
- Best Cookware for Glass Top Stoves – Flat-bottomed pots and pans to avoid ugly scratches on your ceramic or glass stove tops.
Start by choosing your best cookware material and find the recommendations and my reviews according to your pick, this is the most simple and the best way to make buying your cookware easy! I will update with more reviews in our blog posts.