Kitchen Cookware Essentials

There are a few essential pots and pans that every kitchen needs. Firstly, a good skillet is an all-purpose cookware item, with cast iron skillets being the most versatile and durable. They can be used for everything from frying eggs to baking a cake. Next, a non-stick skillet is perfect for delicate foods that might stick to the pan, such as fish or omelettes. For high-heat cooking, a stainless steel skillet is ideal, as it can retain a lot of heat and is oven-safe. For larger quantities of food, a stock pot is necessary. These are great for making stock, boiling pasta, and cooking in bulk. Lastly, a Dutch oven is perfect for braising, slow-cooking, and batch cooking, as it has excellent heat retention.

Cast-iron skillet

A cast-iron skillet is a versatile and durable piece of cookware that can be used for a variety of cooking methods. It is perfect for searing steaks, pan-roasting or deep-frying chicken, and frying foods such as latkes or potato pancakes. Due to its thick gauge, a cast-iron skillet is also excellent for slow cooking and baking, producing crisp, golden-brown crusts on dishes like cornbread or pan pizza.

When it comes to brands, Lodge is a well-known and reliable option. Their pre-seasoned cast-iron skillets are affordable and widely available at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot. For a more premium option, Smithey offers an excellent cast-iron skillet with a polished interior finish that is naturally non-stick and free of chemical coatings. It is designed for use on all heat sources and features a smooth surface that is easy to clean.

Non-stick skillet

A non-stick skillet is a versatile piece of cookware that is great for sticky, delicate tasks such as cooking eggs, crepes, or fish fillets. It can also be used for sticky sauces.

When choosing a non-stick skillet, it is important to consider the material, weight, and oven safety. Here are some recommendations for non-stick skillets:

Zwilling Madura Plus Nonstick Aluminum Fry Pan

• Material: Non-ceramic
• Weight: 1.65 pounds
• Oven safety: up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
• Curve to the walls
• Supremely comfortable handle
• Sturdy, but easy to lift
• Can be used for frittatas

Cook's Standard Nonstick Hard Anodized Fry Pan

• Material: Non-ceramic
• Weight: 1.65 pounds
• Oven safety: Up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sloped sides, which make sautéing easy
• Sturdy but not too heavy

Oxo Good Grips Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan

• Material: Non-ceramic
• Weight: 1.23 pounds (lightest on this list)
• Oven safety: Up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit
• Comfortable silicone grip
• Easy to maneuver

Tramontina Professional Aluminum Nonstick Fry Pan

• Material: Non-ceramic
• Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Oven safety: Up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Riveted, nonslip handle
• Removable silicone cover on the handle
• Light but durable

Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Frying Pan

• Material: Ceramic
• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Oven safety: Up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
• Gradual slope of the edges
• Easy to clean

GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

• Material: Ceramic
• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Oven safety: Up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
• Oven-safe and easy to clean
• Not the most nonstick option

Material Kitchen The Coated Pan

• Material: Non-ceramic
• Weight: Five pounds
• Oven safety: Up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
• Copper inside, which conducts heat, retains heat, and cools down effectively
• Durable, heats up quickly, and cooks evenly
• Balanced and light

Stainless steel skillet

A good skillet is an essential tool for any kitchen. Skillets, also known as frying pans, are used for a variety of cooking methods, from the obvious, such as frying an egg, to the more unconventional, like making a skillet cake or grilling chicken.

There are three main types of skillet to choose from: stainless steel, non-stick, and cast iron. Each is best suited to specific methods of cooking. Stainless steel is the most versatile. It is non-reactive, which means it can cook acidic foods without imparting flavour. It is also great for building pan sauces, as its non-reactive surface means acidic ingredients won't react with the pan and alter the flavour of your food.

When shopping for a stainless-steel skillet, you'll find 3-ply and 5-ply options, which indicate the number of bonded metal layers in the pan's construction. 3-ply pans tend to be lightweight and less expensive, but may not heat as evenly and can be prone to scratches. 5-ply pans are pricier and heavier, but will generally conduct heat more evenly and resist wear and tear.

Made In 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

This skillet is a solid, no-nonsense option that performs well and is reasonably priced. It heated evenly in tests and was easy and comfortable to hold and toss during sautéing. It's a good idea to have both a 10-inch and a 12-inch skillet, depending on your family size, but if you can only choose one, this 12-inch skillet is a great option.

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

This skillet is a longtime favourite that performs almost identically to the Made In skillet. It heated up evenly, seared beautifully, and is super responsive. It's also a few ounces lighter than the Made In skillet, which makes swirling oil and butter a breeze.

Tramontina 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

If you're looking for a budget option, the Tramontina skillet is a great choice. It performed well in tests, heating evenly and responding to temperature changes like its more expensive competitors. The only downside is that its sides slope up a little too gradually, reducing the usable floor area for searing. However, at less than $50, it's hard to beat.

Stainless steel stockpot

A good stockpot is an essential item for any kitchen. While you can get away with boiling water for spaghetti in a Dutch oven, a stockpot is ideal for making stock, as well as for boiling pasta, making mashed potatoes, sous vide dinners, corn on the cob, and even lobster.

A good stainless steel stockpot will be durable, have an induction-suitable base, and be dishwasher-safe. The size you go for will depend on your needs, but a capacity of 8-12 quarts should be sufficient for most home cooks.

• Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot: A good option for boiling pasta, making stock, and other big-batch cooking.
• Tramontina 16-Quart Gourmet Stainless Steel Covered Stock Pot: This larger stockpot is ideal for bigger cooking projects. It features riveted handles, a snug-fitting lid, and triple-ply stainless steel cladding from the base to the top of the pot’s wall.
• Cuisinart 12-Quart MultiClad Pro Stainless Stock Pot With Cover: This stockpot has a rock-solid build, with a thick base layer that manages heat well, reducing the risk of burning your food.
• All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel 5-ply Bonded Stockpot: This 8-quart stockpot is on the pricier side but is made with exceptional performance, durability, and style in mind. It features tall sides to lock in flavour and is perfect for making soups and stews.
• Farberware 16-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot: This stockpot is built for durability and long-lasting performance. It is dishwasher-safe, induction-suitable, and oven-safe up to 350°F.

Rimmed baking sheets

When looking for a good rimmed baking sheet, select one made from a heavier gauge material, like uncoated aluminum or aluminized steel. These pans conduct heat evenly, release food with ease, and are resistant to warping. Additionally, look for sheet pans with rolled rims, which are more comfortable to grip and won't bite into your palms.

• Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet, 2-Count (Pack of 1): This sheet pan is made of heavy-gauge uncoated aluminum, which resists warping. It has a comfortable rolled edge and is easy to pull from the oven. Cookies bake evenly, cakes come out perfectly springy, and roasted potatoes brown and release without issues. It is reasonably priced and sold in a two-pack.
• Vollrath Wear-Ever Half Sheet Pan: This pan is designed to be stacked, with tapered edges that nestle into each other. It is incredibly durable and lightweight. Cookies, potatoes, and cakes cook well without any hot spots or oil pooling.
• Chicago Metallic Commercial II Traditional Uncoated Large Jelly Roll Pan: This sheet pan is made of heavy-duty, thick-gauge metal and yields great results. Cookies, cakes, and potatoes come out evenly cooked and browned. It has a rolled, slightly angled rim that is comfortable to grip.
• E-far Cookie Sheet with Rack Set, Half Sheet Baking Pan for Oven Cooking, 18”x13” Stainless Steel Rimmed Tray with Wire Cooling Rack: This set includes a half sheet baking pan and a wire cooling rack, perfect for roasting and broiling. It is made of stainless steel and is dishwasher-safe.
• Ultra Cuisine Aluminum Baking Sheet with Stainless Steel Cooling Rack Set – Half Sheet Size Pan 13 x 18 inch, Durable Rimmed Sides, Easy Clean, Commercial Quality for Cooking and Roasting: This set includes a half sheet pan and a cooling rack, great for cooking and roasting. The pan is made of commercial-grade aluminum and has durable rimmed sides.
• USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, Warp Resistant Nonstick Baking Pan, Made in the USA from Aluminized Steel: This nonstick baking pan is made in the USA from aluminized steel and is warp-resistant. It has a comfortable grip and is easy to clean.

Frequently asked questions