Kitchen Cookware: Pots And Pans Essentials

How many pots and pans do you need? Well, that depends on how much cooking you do, how much storage space you have, and how many people you're cooking for.

If you're just starting out, you can get away with a few essentials: a cast-iron skillet, a non-stick skillet, a large stockpot, and some rimmed baking sheets. If you have more space and like to cook, you might want to add a Dutch oven, a sauté pan, a wok, a sauce pan, and some specialty baking pans.

But if you're a casual cook or short on space, you can make do with just three pots or pans. A good fry pan is a must, and its size will depend on how many people you're cooking for. A stock pot is also a great investment, perfect for making big batches of soup, chilli, or pasta. Finally, a sauce pan is a perfect in-between pan, great for reheating soup, making risotto, or boiling eggs.

So, depending on your needs and wants, you could get away with just a few essential pots and pans, or you might want to invest in a larger collection to cover all your cooking needs.

Cast iron skillet

A cast iron skillet is a must-have for any kitchen. While it may take a while to preheat, once it's hot, it's perfect for searing steaks, pan-roasting or deep-frying chicken, and frying potatoes. Its thick gauge also makes it ideal for slow cooking and baking, resulting in crisp, golden-brown crusts on dishes like cornbread or pan pizza.

When it comes to choosing the right cast iron skillet, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, size matters. A 10 1/4-inch or 12-inch skillet is a versatile option that can accommodate various dishes. If you're cooking for a family of four or like to have leftovers, the 12-inch size is a better choice. Secondly, consider the brand. Vintage cast iron brands like Wagner or Griswold offer a smoother, more non-stick finish, while modern brands like Lodge are also a good option.

Nonstick skillet

A nonstick skillet is a useful tool to have in your kitchen for cooking sticky, wet foods or anything that has a high probability of adhering to the surface. It is also great for cooking eggs, pancakes, omelettes, and fish fillets. If you cook eggs regularly, a nonstick pan is a must.

• Size: An 8-inch nonstick skillet is perfect for cooking a classic 3-egg French omelette. A 10-inch skillet is the most versatile size, great for larger households and bigger-batch cooking. A 12-inch skillet can come in handy if you have a lot of mouths to feed.
• Material: Nonstick skillets are usually made of aluminium or stainless steel. Aluminium is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, while stainless steel is heavier and more durable. If you cook on an induction cooktop, make sure to choose a skillet that is compatible, as not all nonstick skillets work on induction.
• Coating: There are two main types of nonstick coatings: PTFE (such as Teflon) and ceramic. PTFE provides a smoother and more durable nonstick surface, while ceramic is considered safer and more eco-friendly but tends to lose its nonstick properties faster.
• Care: To prolong the life of your nonstick skillet, avoid using metal utensils, high heat, and the dishwasher. Hand wash with a soft sponge and store it separately to avoid stacking and scratching.
• Zwilling Madura Plus Nonstick Aluminum Fry Pan: This skillet falls into the sweet spot of being affordable and well-made. It has a comfortable handle, a nice curve to the walls, and a sturdy yet easy-to-lift weight. It is oven-safe up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cook's Standard Nonstick Hard Anodized Fry Pan: This skillet offers good value for money and can last for several years with proper care. It has sloped sides, making it easy for sautéing, and a sturdy yet lightweight construction.
• Oxo Good Grips Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan: This skillet is one of the lightest options, making it easy to manoeuvre and flip. It has a comfortable silicone grip and a curved design. It is oven-safe up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Fry Pan: This skillet has a riveted, nonslip handle and a removable silicone cover on the handle for added safety. It is lightweight yet durable and oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan: This ceramic nonstick skillet is a great option if you want to avoid traditional nonstick coatings. It has a gradual slope and a super-slippery surface that makes flipping food a breeze. It is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
• GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Skillet: This ceramic skillet is a good choice if you want a nontoxic and oven-safe option. It has a durable construction and a gradual slope for easy flipping. It is oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stainless steel skillet

A skillet is an essential tool for any kitchen, and a stainless steel skillet is a great choice. Stainless steel is non-reactive, so it can cook acidic foods without imparting flavour. It's also less high-maintenance than cast iron as it doesn't require seasoning. Stainless steel has a high melting point, so it's durable enough to go from stove to oven.

When shopping for a stainless steel skillet, you'll find 3-ply and 5-ply options. 3-ply pans tend to be lightweight and less expensive, but they may not cook as evenly and are more prone to scratches. 5-ply pans can be pricier and heavier but they will generally conduct heat more evenly and be more durable.

Made In 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

This skillet is a longtime favourite and performs well in all tests. It has a comfortable handle and is reasonably priced at $119. It heated evenly and was responsive to changes in heat. It also comes with a 45-day trial period, so you can test it out before fully committing.

All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

This skillet is another longtime favourite and a close contender for the top spot. It's a responsive model that will give you a beautiful golden crust. It's also durable and a few ounces lighter than the Made In skillet, making it easier to swirl oil and butter. It's available for $100.

Tramontina 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

If you're looking for a budget option, the Tramontina skillet is a great choice. At around $33, it's very reasonably priced and performs well in all tests. The only downside is that the sides slope up gradually, reducing the usable floor area for searing.

Misen Stainless Skillet

The Misen skillet is another excellent choice, falling just short of the top spot. It has great heat distribution and is easy to clean. It did show some minor warping at the base during durability tests and is a bit heavier than the top pick. It's available for $89.

OXO Mira Series Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

This OXO skillet is a good option for beginner cooks. It's durable and versatile, with sloped sides that make it easier to flip food. It's also comfortable to hold and easy to clean. It's available for around $80.

All-Clad D5 10-inch Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Fry Pan

This All-Clad skillet is a great option if you're looking for something a little smaller. It performed well in tests but was a bit heavy and awkward to hold. It's priced at $130.

Le Creuset 11-inch Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan

The Le Creuset skillet is a durable and easy-to-hold option. However, the edges showed signs of heating up faster than the middle of the pan. It's available for $152.

Martha by Martha Stewart 10-inch Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Fry Pan

This skillet from Martha Stewart held up impressively during durability tests. The high cost of $140 may be a downside for some, but its expected longevity may make it worthwhile.

In addition to these recommendations, it's worth mentioning that having both a 10-inch and a 12-inch skillet can be useful, depending on your family size. The 10-inch size is perfect for cooking for two to three people, while the 12-inch size is better for serving four to five or more.

Large stock pot

A large stock pot is an essential item for any kitchen. While it may not be used often, when you need to make a large batch of stock, soup, or sauce, there's no way around needing something that can handle a lot of volume.

When selecting a large stock pot, it's important to consider the size or capacity. Stock pots typically range from 10 to 20 quarts, with some commercial kitchens using pots as large as 74 quarts. For most home cooks, a 12-quart stock pot is a good size—large enough for making big batches of stock or sauce, yet small enough to fit inside a base cabinet. If you need an even larger capacity, a 16-quart stock pot is a good option, though it may be too big for some home kitchen burners.

In addition to size, you'll also want to consider the material and construction of the stock pot. Most quality stock pots are made from stainless steel, which is durable and won't react with acidic foods. You'll also want to look for a pot with cladding, which is the layering of metal—typically, it's aluminum surrounded by stainless steel. A pot with full cladding on the bottom and sides will cook more efficiently and protect against scorching, though it will also be more expensive.

• Cuisinart 12-Quart MultiClad Pro Stainless Stock Pot With Cover: This pot has a rock-solid build, with riveted handles, a snug-fitting lid, and triple-ply stainless steel cladding. It performs well in browning and sweating tests without burning, and its wide, flat handles make it comfortable to grip. It's on the heavier side at just under eight pounds, and it's more expensive than some other options, but it's a high-quality pot that will last.
• Tramontina 16-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot: If you need an even larger capacity, this 16-quart pot from Tramontina is a good option. It shares the same design as the brand's 12-quart model but offers more volume. It's a little more prone to scorching, so you'll need to pay more attention when browning or sautéing.
• All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Covered Stock Pot: This stock pot is a true splurge item, but it's extremely well-made and performs well in all tests. It has sturdy rivets, wide and comfortable handles, and a tight-fitting lid. It's also a pound lighter than the Cuisinart option, making it easier to maneuver.
• Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid: If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, this stock pot from Cook N Home is a solid choice. It boils water quickly and has a vented glass lid. The handles are coated in a grippy rubber that protects your hands from the hot metal, though they may be a bit narrow for larger hands. This pot only has cladding on the bottom, so you'll need to pay closer attention as food can scorch more easily.
• Vigor 12-Quart Aluminum Clad Stainless Steel Stockpot: Another good budget option, this stock pot from Vigor has a thick, stainless-clad aluminum base that helps it heat up quickly and brown food evenly. The handles jut out far from the sides, making it easy to carry, but they are on the thin side. It has a stainless steel lid and is a good size for most burners.

Rimmed baking sheets

When choosing a rimmed baking sheet, look for one made from a heavier gauge material, like uncoated aluminum or aluminized steel. These pans conduct heat evenly, release food easily, and are resistant to warping. You should also opt for a baking sheet with rolled rims, which provide a comfortable grip and help prevent warping.

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet

This baking sheet is made of heavy-gauge aluminum, which resists warping. It has a comfortable rolled edge that makes it easy to hold and pull out of the oven, even with bulky oven mitts. Cookies, cakes, and roasted potatoes all cook evenly on this sheet, and it is very reasonably priced. The only minor quibble is that the Nordic Ware logo is embossed on the surface, which can make it a bit more difficult to clean.

Vollrath Wear-Ever Half Sheet Pan

The Vollrath half-sheet pan is an excellent performer, keeping up with the other top-performing baking sheets. Cookies, potatoes, and cakes all cook well on this sheet, and there are no hot spots or oil pooling. The tapered edges make it easy to stack and store, but it is a bit more expensive than some of the other options.

Chicago Metallic Commercial II Traditional Uncoated Large Jelly Roll Pan

This commercial-grade sheet pan is made of a thicker gauge metal, which helps to heat the pan evenly without warping. Cookies, cakes, and potatoes all come out perfectly cooked and evenly browned. The rolled, slightly angled rim provides a comfortable grip, but like the Nordic Ware sheet, the embossed logo can make it a bit more challenging to clean. It also doesn't appear to be broiler-safe.

OXO Nonstick Pro Half Sheet Pan

The OXO Nonstick Pro Half Sheet Pan is a great option if you're looking for a nonstick baking sheet. It has a ribbed surface and a PFOA-free nonstick coating, so nothing sticks to this baking sheet. The aluminized steel construction ensures even cooking, and the square-rolled edge provides a little extra height. It is easy to hand-wash, but it should not be subjected to temperatures above 450°F.

Caraway Large Baking Sheet

If you're looking for a baking sheet that's both functional and beautiful, the Caraway Large Baking Sheet is a great option. It has sturdy stainless-steel handles and comes in a range of attractive color options. The gray ceramic coating is highly nonstick and heat-tolerant, making it a breeze to clean. However, the super-slick surface may cause cookie dough to spread too quickly, resulting in thin and crispy cookies. It is also important to note that ceramic-coated cookware is delicate and should not be washed in the dishwasher or used with metal utensils.

Frequently asked questions