Quality cookware is an all important part of your kitchen. To rustle up some of your favorite dishes for your friends and family, the right cookware is essential.
Here at Kitchen Solution we show you all the best cookware suppliers so you can find the best deals available for all your cookware needs.
With so many different makes, brands and a sliding scale of prices, buying cookware is no easy feat. Also, there are many different shapes and sizes to work around before you manage to choose the correct cookware for your needs.
What Are The Basics Of Your Cookware Set?
The below cookware pieces are essential for your cooking needs:
A medium- to large-sized skillet (10 to 12 inches) for sautéing and stir-frying
A nonstick skillet for cooking eggs (8 to 10 inches)
A 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven for cooking stews and soups, and for boiling water for pasta or potatoes
A saucepan for cooking up sauces, rice and grains, and vegetables.
So you’re up and running! Once these cookware basics have been purchased, why not build your collection with other cookware pieces which should incorporate:
Additional sizes of saucepan
A grill pan for indoor grilling
A small saucepan (1 or 2 quarts) for melting butter, boiling an egg or heating a can of soup
A wok if you do a lot of stir-frying
A cast-iron skillet (10 to 12 inches) for searing meat, making cornbread and more.
An inexpensive stock pot for boiling water for pasta or potatoes, or for making stock
If you don’t have one already, a or saucier for cooking risotto and grains, or for making custards and delicate sauces
A steamer insert
A double boiler for melting chocolate or making delicate egg-based sauces
Now we’ve gone through the types of pieces that should make up a cookware set, the next question to ask is
What Material Should My Cookware Be Made From?
There are several materials that cookware are made from and here at Kitchen Solution we will endeavour to let you know about each so you can make an informed decision when purchasing your cookware.
Cast Iron: This has been used for hundreds of years now, mainly down to its strength and durability. If you’ve ever picked up a cast iron fry pan you will find it heavier than other materials. Cast Iron pots and pans tend to be cheaper than other types, but you won’t go far wrong if you are on a budget and are looking for cookware that will last you a long time.
Stainless Steel: Probably the most popular choice in homes is the stainless steel cookware sets. Light, good looking and very durable. Stainless steel is an alloy, or a combination of metals, that mixes basic iron with chromium, nickel, and some other minor metals. The advantages to using stainless steel cookware is that it can last for many years and is very solid, so you won’t have to deal with any cracks or leaks. Also, it is both scratch resistant and really easy to clean, adding to its popularity.
Copper: This is the best material for cooking as it is a very good conductor of heat.However you’ll find copper cookware with stainless steel bottoms because the copper can transmit a reaction to the food you are cooking. Copper cookware cannot be dish washed and although it is pleasing on the eye, is hard to clean so be prepared to get your scrubbing gloves on after meal time!