Pots And Pans: The Essential Collection

There are a few essential pots and pans that every home cook should have in their kitchen. Here is a list of the top must-haves:

- Cast Iron Skillets: Cast iron skillets are versatile and durable, perfect for browning meats, sautéing vegetables, cooking eggs, stir-fries, and more. They distribute heat evenly and can be used on the stove or in the oven.

- Large (10-12 inch) Stainless Steel Skillet: Stainless steel skillets are excellent for similar tasks as cast iron skillets but are much lighter in weight.

- Large (10-12 inch) Nonstick Skillet: Nonstick skillets are ideal for cooking sticky foods like eggs, stir-fries, breaded fish or chicken fillets.

- Small or Medium (8-10 inch) Nonstick Skillet: Smaller nonstick skillets are perfect for omelets, scrambled eggs, and other smaller meals.

- Large (6-12 quart) Stockpot: These large pots are essential for making pasta, soups, boiling vegetables, and more.

- Medium (3-4 quart) Stainless Steel Stockpot: A medium-sized stockpot is perfect for steaming vegetables, rice, or making smaller quantities of pasta.

- Small (1-1.5 quart) Saucepan: Small saucepans are great for making sauces, single servings of soup, or melting chocolate.

- Dutch Oven: Dutch ovens are versatile and can be used on the stovetop or in the oven for searing, slow cooking, baking bread, braising meats, and more.

- Straight-Sided Stainless Steel Sauté Pan: Sauté pans have tall sides that prevent splattering and are great for high-heat cooking, searing, and slow-cooked dishes.

Cast iron skillet

A cast iron skillet is a must-have for any home cook. It's an inexpensive, versatile, and durable piece of cookware that can be used on the stove, in the oven, and even over a campfire. With proper seasoning, it can also be a non-stick skillet.

When choosing a cast iron skillet, consider the size that best suits your needs. A 10- or 12-inch skillet is a popular choice, offering ample surface area and depth for families or those who cook large portions. Look for a polished interior finish, which enhances the non-stick properties of the skillet. Some skillets also feature a satin-smooth finish for easy cleaning.

When it comes to brands, Lodge is a well-known and trusted option for cast iron skillets, offering pre-seasoned skillets at affordable price points. For those seeking a vintage option, brands like Wagner or Griswold offer smoother, more non-stick finishes.

In addition to its versatility and durability, cast iron skillets are built to last and are often passed down through generations. With proper care, your cast iron skillet can become a cherished heirloom in your family's kitchen.

Large non-stick frying pan

A large non-stick frying pan is a must-have in any kitchen. It's perfect for cooking eggs, stir-fries, breaded fish or chicken fillets, or anything else that may stick to regular cooking surfaces. When choosing a large non-stick frying pan, look for one with a slick, flat surface and even heat distribution to prevent hot spots and ensure consistent cooking results.

Tramontina Professional Series 14-Inch Fry Pan

This frying pan is made of heavy-gauge aluminum with a reinforced non-stick coating. It is oven and dishwasher-safe, and NSF certified. It has a comfortable handle and a helper handle for easy maneuverability. This pan is a best seller on Amazon and has received positive reviews from customers.

Blue Diamond Cookware Diamond Infused Ceramic Nonstick 14" Large Frying Pan

This frying pan is infused with diamond particles for a durable non-stick coating. It has a helper handle and is dishwasher and oven safe. It also features a Toxin-free ceramic non-stick coating that is PFAS-, PFOA-, lead-, and cadmium-free.

Granitestone 14 Inch Frying Pan with Lid

The Granitestone frying pan has a large cooking surface and a family-sized capacity. The non-stick coating is ultra-durable and features a mineral and diamond coating. It is oven and dishwasher-safe and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Rachael Ray 80089 Professional Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan

This frying pan has a hard anodized construction for durability and a non-stick coating for easy food release. It has a comfortable silicone grip handle and is oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

OXO Good Grips 8" Frying Pan Skillet

This 8-inch frying pan has a 3-layered German-engineered non-stick coating and a comfortable silicone grip handle. It is dishwasher safe and compatible with most stovetops, except induction.

When choosing a large non-stick frying pan, consider the size, material, heat distribution, ease of cleaning, and any additional features such as oven and dishwasher safety.

Large stainless steel frying pan

A large stainless steel frying pan is a must-have in your kitchen. Stainless steel is the most versatile material for frying pans, allowing you to cook acidic foods without altering their flavour. It is also low-maintenance, durable, and reasonably priced.

When shopping for a large stainless steel frying pan, you will find 3-ply and 5-ply options, indicating the number of bonded metal layers. 3-ply frying pans tend to be lightweight, less expensive, and easier to handle, but may not distribute heat as evenly as 5-ply pans.

Made In Cookware Stainless Clad Frying Pan

• Available in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes.
• Features a flat handle for easy shifting, flipping, and pouring.
• Includes a hole for hanging, making it convenient for kitchen storage.
• Has slightly sloped sides and a flared lip, preventing overcrowding in the pan.
• Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 800°F.

Misen Stainless Skillet

• Available in a 12-inch size.
• Features a comfortable-to-hold handle.
• Easy to clean, with proper heat distribution.
• Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500°F.

Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 10-Inch Fry Pan

• Well-designed with a slightly rounded handle, making it comfortable to hold.
• Features flared edges for drip-free pouring.
• Affordable, high-value buy.
• Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500°F.

All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-Ply Bonded Cookware 12-Inch Fry Pan

• Even heat distribution, resulting in consistent browning.
• Stunning appearance and durable construction.
• Lightweight, making it easier to swirl oil and butter.
• Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 600°F.

When choosing a large stainless steel frying pan, consider factors such as weight, handle design, heat conduction, and ease of cleaning. Look for a pan that is comfortable to hold and manoeuvre, with a handle that suits your grip. Additionally, ensure that the pan has good heat conduction and even heating to avoid hot spots and uneven cooking.

Large stock pot

A large stock pot is a must-have in any kitchen. While it may not be used as frequently as other pots and pans, it is essential for making large batches of food and is particularly useful for crowd-feeding dishes like lobster boils. A good stock pot should have wide, flat handles that are easy to grip and comfortable to hold, even when the pot is full and you are wearing oven mitts.

When it comes to size, a 12-quart stock pot is ideal for most home cooks and will fit inside a base cabinet. If you need an even larger pot, a 16-quart stock pot is a good option, but keep in mind that it will take up more storage space. For those with limited space, an 8-quart stock pot may be sufficient, though it will have a similar volume to a 6- or 8-quart Dutch oven.

In terms of material, most quality stock pots are made from stainless steel. It is best to avoid aluminium stock pots as the metal can react with acidic foods, and they tend to warp over time. Enameled steel is also not recommended as the coating can crack or chip over time.

• Tramontina 16-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot: This pot shares the same build quality as the brand's smaller 12-quart model but offers more capacity. It is a good option for those who need a larger pot but is a little more prone to scorching.
• Cuisinart 12-Quart MultiClad Pro Stainless Stock Pot With Cover: This pot has comfortable, sturdy handles and a snug-fitting lid. It also has a thick base layer that manages heat well, reducing the likelihood of burning your food.
• Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid: This budget-friendly option has rubber-coated handles that provide a comfortable grip and protect your hands from the hot metal. It is a good choice for boiling water or simmering stock, but keep in mind that it only has cladding on the bottom, so food may scorch more easily.
• Vigor 12-Quart Aluminum Clad Stainless Steel Stockpot: Another budget-friendly option, this pot has a thick, stainless-clad aluminium base that helps it heat up quickly and brown food evenly. It also has a stainless steel lid and handles that jut out from the sides, making it easy to carry. However, it may be a bit wide for smaller burners.

Medium stainless steel stock pot

A medium-sized stainless steel stock pot is a must-have for any home cook. It is a versatile piece of cookware that can be used for a variety of tasks, such as making stock, broth, stew, soup, or handling specialty tasks like boiling lobsters.

When choosing a medium stainless steel stock pot, consider the size, material, cladding, and handle design. You'll want something that can fit comfortably in your kitchen cabinet for storage, with a capacity of around 3-4 quarts. Stainless steel is a great material choice due to its durability, even heat conduction, and ease of cleaning.

• Tramontina 12-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot: Features a sturdy design with riveted handles and a snug-fitting lid. It has a 12-quart capacity, making it perfect for larger batches of stock or soup.
• Cuisinart 12-Quart MultiClad Pro Stainless Stock Pot: This option has comfortable, wide handles and a tight-fitting lid. While it is slightly heavier than some other pots, it excels in even heating and browning food without burning.
• Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot: A budget-friendly option that performs well in boiling water and simmering stock. It has rubber-coated handles for a secure grip and a vented glass lid.
• Vigor 12-Quart Aluminum Clad Stainless Steel Stockpot: Another budget-friendly choice with a thick, stainless-clad aluminum base for even heating. It has a sturdy stainless steel lid and handles that jut out, making it easy to carry.

Frequently asked questions