Restaurant-Grade Cookware: Where To Buy

Restaurant-quality pots and pans are essential for any restaurant looking to provide quality food to its customers. Commercial cookware is made from heavy-duty materials that can withstand the rigors of daily use, making them a valuable investment for any restaurant owner. The range of commercial cookware available includes everything from pots and pans to baking sheets and utensils. When selecting commercial cookware, it's important to consider factors such as durability, ease of cleaning, and heat distribution.

There are several online retailers that offer restaurant-quality pots and pans, including WebstaurantStore, RestaurantSupply, KaTom Restaurant Supply, and Made In. These websites offer a wide variety of cookware in different materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, carbon steel, and cast iron.

In addition to the specialist websites, there are also general retailers such as Crate and Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Amazon, and Walmart that offer restaurant-quality cookware sets. When purchasing cookware, it is important to consider the type of material, the size of the pots and pans, the number of pieces included in the set, and whether it is induction compatible.

Stainless steel options

Stainless steel is a popular choice for restaurant-quality pots and pans due to its durability and resistance to warping. While it is slow to heat up and prone to hot spots, it is ideal for sauces and deglazing as it doesn't hold flavours from one dish to the next. Here are some options for purchasing stainless steel restaurant-quality pots and pans:

WebstaurantStore

WebstaurantStore offers a wide range of stainless steel cookware, including stock pots, sauce pots, saute pans, and skillets. They carry various sizes and styles, such as stainless steel/aluminum-clad bottom stock pots, which are perfect for soups and boiling pasta, vegetables, or potatoes. They also have sauce pans with low walls and wide bases, ideal for thickening sauces, gravies, or reductions. WebstaurantStore's skillets and frying pans are suitable for high-heat cooking methods like frying, browning, and searing foods.

KaTom Restaurant Supply

KaTom Restaurant Supply provides a selection of stainless steel pots and pans to meet your commercial kitchen needs. They offer stock pots, frying pans, sauce pots, roasting pans, and saute pans in various sizes. KaTom's stainless steel stock pots heat rapidly and simmer evenly, making them ideal for preparing soups and stocks. Their sauce pots are designed to reduce sauces and cook vegetables efficiently. Additionally, their saute pans have tall, straight sides and wide bottoms for excellent heat conduction, making them perfect for searing, poaching, and deglazing.

Made In

Made In offers a limited-edition stainless-clad collection, which includes a frying pan, sauce pan, and stock pot. Their products are crafted from high-quality raw materials and designed to meet the exacting standards of top chefs. Made In provides a lifetime warranty on almost all of their products, ensuring your satisfaction.

Food Network

Food Network recommends the All-Clad D3 Cookware Set as the best stainless steel option. This set includes skillets, saucepans with lids, a saute pan, and a stockpot, providing all the essential pieces for your kitchen. The All-Clad set is made of stainless steel with an aluminum core, ensuring even heating and perfect simmering. While stainless steel can be challenging to clean, this set is dishwasher-safe and easy to maintain.

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma offers the All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 10-piece Cookware Set, which is highly regarded by Food Network. This set includes 8.5" and 10.5" skillets, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart saute pan with a lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid. The pots and pans are made of stainless steel with an aluminum core, ensuring even heating and perfect browning. The handles are riveted for durability, and the set can be used in the oven up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aluminium alternatives

Aluminium is a popular choice for pots and pans because it is lightweight, affordable, and an excellent conductor of heat. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of aluminium cookware, with some research suggesting a link between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease. While these claims have been debunked, there are still valid worries about aluminium leaching into food, especially when cooking acidic or alkaline dishes.

If you're looking for alternatives to aluminium cookware, here are some options:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a durable and non-reactive material that is widely used in professional kitchens. It is slow to heat up but is excellent for sauces and deglazing as it doesn't hold flavours from previous dishes. Stainless steel is also protected against rust and is easy to clean.

Cast Iron

Cast iron cookware is dense, versatile, and retains heat well. It is a popular choice for commercial kitchens due to its durability and heat retention. Cast iron can be used for various cooking methods, but it should not be used for cooking acidic or tomato-based foods as it is vulnerable to corrosion. Cast iron requires regular seasoning to maintain a non-stick surface and prevent rust.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is a durable and heavyweight material that is ideal for cooking at very high temperatures. It is often used for caramelizing sugars and browning meats. Like cast iron, carbon steel requires seasoning to maintain a non-stick layer on the cooking surface.

Copper

Copper is a less common but attractive option for cookware. It is an excellent conductor of heat, ensuring even cooking. Copper cookware is often lined with stainless steel to prevent the food from changing colour or flavour and to reduce the risk of corrosion. Copper is not as strong as other materials and requires careful handling.

Anodized Aluminium

Anodized aluminium cookware is a safer alternative to traditional aluminium pots and pans. It undergoes a special electrochemical process called anodization, which creates a durable and non-reactive surface. This process enhances the heat conductivity of aluminium while addressing potential leaching issues. Anodized aluminium is more resistant to scratching, corrosion, and wear, making it a long-lasting option for your kitchen.

Carbon steel suggestions

Carbon steel is a great option for restaurant-quality cookware. It's lightweight, durable, and versatile, with excellent heat retention. Here are some suggestions for carbon steel pots and pans:

Pans

• Merten and Storck Carbon Steel Frying Pan: This pan is a great overall choice. It comes pre-seasoned and offers a non-stick finish. It's oven-safe up to 600°F and has a lifetime warranty.
• OXO Obsidian Carbon Steel Frying Pan: A lightweight, super non-stick, and affordable option. It comes pre-seasoned and includes a silicone handle for a comfortable grip. Oven-safe up to 660°F.
• De Buyer Carbon Steel Frying Pan: This is a high-quality, thick-gauge pan from a French company with a 200-year history. It requires seasoning but is induction compatible and has a lifetime guarantee. Oven-safe up to 400°F for 10 minutes.
• BK Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Frying Pan: This pan offers an even and deep sear, perfect for those who want superb searing results. It might not be ideal for baking. Oven-safe up to 660°F.
• Lodge Seasoned Steel Skillet: A well-known brand for cast iron cookware, Lodge also offers pre-seasoned carbon steel skillets. The pan heats up quickly and evenly but the handle can get hot during extended cooking. It's oven-safe and compatible with all cooktops, including induction.

Pots

• Matfer Bourgeat Carbon Steel Pan: This French-made, all-purpose pan is designed for commercial and home use. It's unseasoned and requires removing the beeswax coating before use. The welded handle makes it easy to clean. It's lightweight, heats quickly and evenly, and is compatible with all cooking surfaces, including induction.
• De Buyer Mineral B Fry Pan: This pan has medium-high sides, a long ergonomic handle, and a helper handle for easy maneuvering. It heats quickly and evenly but is oven-limited due to the epoxy coating on the handle.
• Sardel 3-piece Carbon Steel Cookware Set: These pans heat evenly without hot spots but require some adjustment to the heat level to prevent scorching. They are lightweight, radiate heat outwards, and are oven-safe up to 500°F. The handles can get hot during extended cooking.

Carbon steel cookware is an excellent choice for restaurant-quality pots and pans. These suggestions offer a range of options to suit your specific needs, whether it's searing, frying, sautéing, or baking.

Cast iron choices

Cast iron is a popular choice for restaurant-quality cookware due to its durability, heat retention, and versatility. Here are some options for cast iron pots and pans:

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

The Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is a popular and affordable option, often recommended by chefs and food writers. It offers consistent and even heating, making it ideal for searing and browning. The included silicone handle provides a comfortable grip, and it's easy to clean. Lodge also offers a lightweight version called the Lodge Blacklock Cast Iron Skillet, which is easier to manoeuvre and heats up faster.

Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet

The Stargazer Cast Iron Skillet is a versatile and high-performing option. It has a smooth surface that makes it easy to release stuck-on food and provides excellent non-stick capabilities. The design of the handles makes it easy to manoeuvre, even while wearing oven mitts. However, it may struggle with even heating over time.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

The Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is a high-end option known for its quality and durability. The enameled cast iron is easy to clean and doesn't require seasoning. It has a wide spout for pouring off grease and a large helper handle. However, its shallow depth may cause some splatter during cooking.

Camp Chef Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

The Camp Chef Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet is an excellent value option, performing well against more expensive competitors. It provides consistent searing and even heating, making it ideal for cooking meat and cornbread. The curvature of the handle makes it comfortable and easy to use. However, it may not heat symmetrically, which could be an issue for certain baking tasks.

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron 5-Piece Set

This set includes a griddle, a Dutch oven, and two skillets of different sizes, providing versatility for various cooking tasks. The included lid fits three out of the four pans and has spikes to condense moisture. The set is compatible with various stovetops and can also be used on grills or open fires. It arrives pre-seasoned and is easy to clean.

Induction-ready cookware

Induction cookers use an electromagnetic field to heat induction-ready, magnetic cookware. This is more energy-efficient than using traditional pans on gas or electric stoves, and the cooktop's surface cools down quickly, making it safer. Induction-ready cookware is made from ferromagnetic materials such as cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, or hard-anodized aluminum.

When shopping for induction-ready cookware, you can find a range of options at the following online retailers:

• Amazon: SENSARTE, BEZIA, Tramontina, All-Clad, KitchenAid, CAROTE, and Magma Products all offer induction-ready cookware sets on Amazon. Prices range from $10 to $610.
• WebstaurantStore: This website offers a range of induction-ready pots and pans, including sauce pans, skillets, and stock pots. They also have cookware sets.
• KaTom: KaTom offers a large selection of induction-ready cookware, including stock pots, woks, frying pans, and cookware sets.
• Restaurant Supply: Commercial cookware is designed for durability and ease of cleaning, and Restaurant Supply has a range of products to choose from.
• Reviewed: This website offers a selection of the best cookware sets for induction, including options from Cuisinart, All-Clad, HexClad, and GreenPan.

Frequently asked questions