Cookware Essential Set

Cookware Set

You can purchase prepackage sets of cookware where the different pieces have been selected for you. You can generally gain some cost savings when buying the pieces in a set over buying them separately but be careful that all the pieces are pots and pans that you will use.

It should include a saucepan and lid, a frying pan and a stockpot. A roasting pan would be another worthwhile piece in the set. Sets are available in different size groupings. If purchasing a set, select the best one possible for the amount you have allocated by paying close attention to the quality of the pieces and to what kind of pieces you are getting in the set. If the set has several pieces that you will hardly ever use, it may make more sense to purchase one of higher quality that has fewer pieces that are all commonly used.

You will also want to select a set that is made from a material that is versatile enough to use for different cooking methods. Stainless steel with a copper or aluminum core or bottom plate would be a good choice. Anodized aluminum cookware would also be a versatile choice.

If a cookware set will not give you the essential pieces for most of your cooking needs, consider buying separate pieces of basic pans that you might need. There are four basic pans shown below that will satisfy the majority of your cooking needs.

Saucepan

Purchase a 2-quart (1 quart = 946 mn) saucepan, which can be used for making sauces, reheating soups, pasta, and rice. A stainless steel pan with an aluminum base, which would be moderately priced, is a good choice.

Frying Pan / Skillet

A 12-inch pan would be a good size to be used for several purposes, such as frying meats, potatoes, pancakes and eggs and can also be used for stir-frying, sautéing and making one-dish meals on the stovetop. It should be purchased with a cover and be made of stainless steel with a copper or aluminum core, or a non-stick aluminum pan with a non-stick coating that would provide a pan with an easy facility of cleaning up and one that requires the use of less fat.

Roasting Pan

A roasting pan, which should be purchased with a rack, can be used for roasting meat and poultry. It can also be used to make one-dish meals that bake in the oven, such as Lasagna. An aluminum pan with a non-stick coating would provide a pan that is lightweight, heats evenly and is easy to clean.

Stock Pot

This is an 8 to 12-quart size pot that would be a good standard range of size for a pot that can be used for many purposes, such as making stock or soup, boiling long strands of pasta, cooking sweet corn and boiling seafood. For a moderately priced pot, select a stainless steel pot with an aluminum base, which will provide you with a pot that will conduct heat evenly.