Has the cooking equipment in your kitchen seen better days? Is it rusty and no longer adequate for preparing meals?
Given the importance of well-cooked dishes for every gourmet, using the right cookware set is vital for frying, baking, searing, boiling, and sautéing all sorts of ingredients.
Cookware sets contain various pots and pans in different materials for cooking enthusiasts to choose from.
These items should be made from highly durable, non-stick, non-reactive, lightweight, and non-porous material in order for every meal to be prepared effortlessly.
When shopping for kitchen accessories, the following tips will help you make the best choice of cookware.
Consider the different types of pots and pans
Cookware is available for purchase either in the form of sets or individual items, the former of which provides better convenience.
Nevertheless, shopping for individual utensils is considered beneficial for cooking enthusiasts who look for separate top-notch items or those who can’t afford to purchase an entire set.
Moreover, cookware consists of a myriad of cooking pots and pans, each of them designed for preparing specific types of meals.
For instance, pots are produced in various types, made from different materials, and capable of being used both in the oven and on a stove.
Sauce pots are unquestionably one of the most popular models, either equipped with a single long handle or two handles, one on each side of the utensil.
The former is actually more of a saucepan, whereas the latter is known to be the traditional saucepot.
Additionally, a Dutch oven is the most versatile among cookware pots, suitable for preparing a multitude of dishes such as stew, meat, soup, casseroles, etc.
In case you are fond of soup, make sure you purchase a soup pot, which is larger and deeper than a Dutch oven. It’s ideal for families making soup and stews in large quantities.
A steamer pot, as the name suggests, is used in the preparation of meals that require steam in order to be cooked properly.
Many individuals use this utensil for steaming vegetables by putting enough water in the bottom of the pot and placing the veggies on the metal screen right above the water.
Go to this page to check out three simple ways of steaming broccoli.
Furthermore, pasta lovers would undoubtedly benefit from purchasing a pasta pot available in two types.
Some pasta pots are equipped with a locking lid that allows individuals to empty the water in the utensil while pasta remains inside.
Conversely, the other model of pasta pot comes with a metal strainer on the inside, which one is supposed to take out once the food is cooked.
Cooking pans are as valuable as cookware pots, but these are more suitable for frying and flipping food.
The frying pan is certainly the most commonly used kitchen utensil for frying vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, and a myriad of other ingredients.
Besides frying, this cookware item is also practical for browning and searing different types of food.
Griddles, on the other hand, are ideal for preparing breakfasts for the entire family. The large surface of these utensils is perfect for cooking eggs and pancakes.
Instead of using a frying pan for making pancakes, a griddle allows you to prepare multiple pancakes simultaneously. You can choose between an electric-powered griddle and a stovetop model.
Omelet pans are convenient for cooking enthusiasts that enjoy preparing an omelet with a mix of ingredients.
You can purchase either a folding or an open-top model, depending on your cooking style. Make sure you visit the following link to learn four ways of making a delicious omelet.
Compare cookware materials
After making your choice of cooking equipment, you are expected to opt for the right type of cookware material.
For instance, cast iron is a popular material because of its excellent heat conductivity, heat retention, and versatility.
Once seasoned, cast iron is non-stick, non-reactive, and easy to take care for. Otherwise, it’s prone to rust, reactive to acidic ingredients, and painstaking to maintain.
Moreover, enameled cast iron provides the same benefits in terms of heat conductivity, but it requires no seasoning.
Owing to the ceramic enamel, this material is non-reactive, durable, and dishwasher-safe. Also, buyers can choose from a variety of models in multiple colors.
Anyhow, cooking equipment made from enameled cast iron is much heavier and pricier when compared to cast iron.
Stainless steel is known for its longevity, resistance to corrosion, and dents. It’s also non-reactive, easy to clean, and affordable for most buyers.
Anyhow, the heat conductivity of this material fails to meet the expectations unless it’s reinforced with another metal like copper or aluminum.
Carbon steel fuses the characteristics of cast iron and stainless steel, being lightweight, affordable, and durable. However, cooking equipment made from carbon steel is supposed to be seasoned regularly in order not to rust.
Due to its softness and reactivity, aluminum has to go through a chemical process to become sturdier and non-reactive. This material is incredible in terms of heat conductivity, resistant to scratches, and inexpensive to buy.
Ultimately, ceramic is the best choice of cookware material for cooking alkaline and acidic foods, as well as meals that require slow cooking. Due to the elegant design, ceramic baking dishes are perfect for serving food as well.
Consider the cookware handles
Another vital factor to consider when shopping for cooking equipment is the choice of cookware handles.
For instance, plastic handles are susceptible to breaking and getting damaged at high temperatures. In contrast, wooden handles don’t heat up like the plastic ones but aren’t dishwasher-safe.
Metal handles provide excellent durability and maintenance, but these also heat up when exposed to high temperatures.
Some cookware sets are equipped with removable handles that match various items in the set.
Final word
Talent is not enough for preparing mouth-watering dishes. Using the right cookware is crucial for good steaming, frying, baking, or boiling of ingredients. Have fun while cooking with your new set!
