In order to cook well, it is very essential to have a reliable set of pots and pans. With all of the different brands, shapes, and materials, buying cookware won't be an easy decision. But, with a little bit of knowledge of cookware shapes and terms, and a little thinking about your own cooking style, you will be able to outfit your kitchen with a selection of pots and pans that will be most useful to you.
Cookware sets can be made out of several materials. Copper is considered the best material for cookware, as it conducts heat uniformly and quickly, but it is the most expensive. Aluminum is widely used in cookware as it performs almost as well as copper and is generally cheaper, but it can be scratched easily. If you buy aluminum, go for the thicker gauge. Cast iron cookware can be even cheaper than aluminum, but it is very heavy and a poor conductor of heat. Alternatively, enamel coated cast iron does not interact with food and requires no seasoning, but the price is a bit higher. Nonstick cookware have manmade coatings that keep foods from sticking to the pan. Finally, there are stainless steel cookware, which are easier to maintain than aluminum or copper, however, it is a poor conductor of heat too.
Now that you have some basic knowledge about cookware set materials, think about how you cook. You will want to make sure the cookware sets you consider have the pots and pans you need for your style of cooking.
A good basic cookware set should have four components. A 5-quart sauce pan will help you heat liquids and reheat soup and stew leftovers. A frying pan is essential for cooking eggs, saute onions, and pan frying fish. A saute pan, on the other hand, has higher edges than a frying pan, so it comes in handy for cooking meats on the stove, and for creating thick dishes. Other pots and pans that you might want to have in your cookware set include a stock pot and a roasting pan. You might also consider a chef's pan, which is something of a stylized wok.
The decision on which cookware set to buy is based on your cooking styles. If you care more about convenience and appearance, consider a matched set of cookware. If you care more about the quality of the cooking process, consider mixing cookware pieces and metals such as cast iron skillets, copper sauce and saute pans, stainless steel stock pots and aluminum / anodized aluminum frying pans.
Knowing what pieces you'll need, and the best materials to choose, will go a long way in helping you outfit your kitchen with the best cookware for your needs and make a delicious dish, of course!
