Selecting Cookware

Choosing the right cookware to fit your kitchen’s needs is vital to the day-to-day operations of your restaurant. There are many different types of cookware to help you sauté vegetables, create a great soup, or roast the perfect main entree.

When selecting the cookware for your professional kitchen, you should take the following points into consideration:

• Budget:  How much can you afford to spend on the pots and pans that you need?  You should purchase the best quality that you can afford. It will be well worth it in the long run. Otherwise, you will find yourself replacing them in a short time.
• Cuisine:  Will you be making a lot of pasta, soups, or stir fry? There are special pots and pans that assist in preparing these types of food.
• Quantity:  How many guests do you expect to serve in your restaurant? Do you need to prep a large quantity of food in advance or do you prepare everything on-order?
• Compatibility with induction: It is essential that the cookware, or the new pans and pots that you buy, are compatible with the induction. It is also important that you check that the diameter matches the size of the cooking zone.
• Weight: Try all the pans and pans before buying them to check your weight. The weight will depend of course on the size of the item and the material it is made of. A heavier pan might be more durable, but will you be able to work properly with it (although you would probably get stronger and it will easier and easier as you get used to it).
• Cleaning: Easy-To-Clean cookware will help you easily remove food debris, without having to leave the dishes to soak. If it is also dishwasher safe, you will save this step.

The question is always price vs. durability. I know a Chef who, when he started, purchased a just few but high-quality pans. As soon as he made more and more money he invested in some more pans of the best quality. 15 years later, the restaurant is still running and he is still using the same pans.

It can be difficult to guess what makes a saucepan better than others, what you should look for and the difference in price.  Never fear though, as help is at hand.  We have put together a guide to explain the key things you need to know when looking for a new saucepan range, something which can be both a product which will last for years and a long-term investment.