The Cook’s Kitchen

When was the last time you went shopping for cookware? So many shapes, so many sizes, so many varieties and so little time. It can be a confusing world. “What pans are best to sauté in? Do I need a skillet or a dutch oven to make Coq Au Vin? What size pots do I really need for everyday use? Is copper better than aluminum? What about stainless steel? Grandma swore by her cast iron skillet, do I really need one?”

Welcome to the exciting, sometimes stupefying world of cookware.

Whether you are building your collection from scratch, upgrading a few select pieces or replacing an entire set, before investing in any sort of cookware you must evaluate your needs and budget. Do you cook every day and love nothing more than preparing four-course dinners from scratch? Are you moving into your first apartment or into a more spacious home? Do you mostly microwave, but still need to boil noodles or fry the occasional egg? Do you exist on take-out five nights a week, but cook like a gourmet chef on the weekends?

For each and every type of cook, there exists a perfect set of cookware. Perhaps the right pieces are conveniently packaged in one collection, which can often save you time and money. In other situations, you might be best served to hunt and gather your ideal pieces, building your collection one pot or pan at a time. While the latter method may prove more time consuming, it also allows you to be more choosy. In the end, you’ll only own the pieces you truly need and use which can save you valuable kitchen space.

The beauty of buying any cookware is that you can expand or replace your collection as your needs, demands and/or financial situation change. The types and pieces of cookware that suit your needs now may not be the types and pieces of cookware that will suit your needs in 5-10 years time. Perhaps you plan on getting married, starting a family or growing your existing one. Maybe your household will be shrinking with children going off to college. Or perhaps you find yourself newly widowed or recently divorced and learning to cook for one. Whatever your needs, rest assured there exists a perfect set of cookware and with just a bit of due diligence, you’ll find yourself ready and able to tackle the decisions that await you.

In effort to streamline the process and help you wade through the (not quite) endless possibilities and tantalizing choices of pots, pans and accessories, I’ve compiled a short list of online sources that will enable you to make a more informed decision. My best advice as you begin your sojourn into the land of cookware? Buy the highest quality cookware you can afford. Proper cookware should always be considered a long term investment and it is better to own fewer, quality pieces than be stuck with a cupboard full of future castaways.

• To help discern the differences between materials used to make cookware (aluminum, cast iron, ceramic, copper, glass, etc.,) Cookware.com offers this helpful guide. For more information on specific types of pots and pans, check out the guides at Cookware.com & Pots and Pans.com.

• Taking it a step further is this cookware product guide published by Kohl’s department store. Not only does it provide information on different types of cookware, but also on cookware handles, shapes, sizes and how to build your cookware set.

• Ready to delve deeper into the land of cookware? I highly recommend this cookware tutorial on Fantes.com.

• Curious about the safety of the materials you’re cooking on? Health Canada has an article worth checking out entitled The Safe Use of Cookware. Also, the Clemson Extension Home and Garden Information Center has this page devoted to Cookware Safety, and there’s also this informative article on About.com if you have additional concerns.

• Love reading reviews before you decide? Consumer Search does a great job of weeding through expert (and some consumer) reviews to provide you the lowdown on cookware. For Consumer Search’s reviews of cookware reviewers (sounds confusing but I promise it’s not,) click here.

*Neither myself, The Cook’s Kitchen or the Well Fed Network are affiliated with any of the above sites, stores and/or merchandisers in anyway. Any reference to the above sites or merchants does not endorse the use of, or purchases initiated through, their respective stores. Rather, any reference to these sites, stores or merchants is intended to act solely as an additional resource for educating and familiarizing our readers with the basics of cookware.

Photo from Kohl’s.