Buying the Perfect Cookware Set

People always say quality over quantity, and this couldn’t be truer when buying cookware. Different materials offer different advantages when cooking:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is probably the most popular cookware material. This cooking material has many benefits, including the fact that it is very durable, easy to clean and evenly distributes heat. A stainless steel cooking set, like the Paderno SteelChef 9-Piece Cookware Set, will also look stylish in any kitchen décor! The 18/10 grade of stainless steel in this set also makes it extra sturdy and gives it an extra layer of shine to keep your cookware looking new for years to come!

Aluminum

The huge advantage of aluminum is its ability to conduct heat. This means that the pan needs less energy to obtain the same temperature. Aluminum cookware is also very lightweight, making it perfect for big pots and pans, like some of the components of the Cuisinart Greenware Series 10-Piece Cookware Set.

Because of the superior heat conduction, a layer of aluminum is also often added to stainless steel cookware to increase its heat conduction. If you like stainless steel but are looking for some of the advantages of aluminium, think about investing in something like the T-Fal Professional 10-Piece Cookware Set.

Cast Iron

All the good cooks I know have at least one cast iron pot or pan in their kitchen. Cast iron is affordable and though they heat slowly, they can hold evenly distributed heat for extended periods of time. Also once the pan is seasoned, it is naturally non-stick which means you can use significantly less oil than other cookware. I love the entire Dansk Mario Batali collection of cast iron cookware. The 5.6L Oval Cast Iron Dutch Oven is great for roasts and the 12” Cast Iron Sauce Pan distributes heat evenly, making it perfect for sauces.

Pure Iron

Pure Iron frying pans can get up to high temperatures, which makes them perfect for sealing, browning and grilling. The high heat also locks in the vitamins and nutrients and the iron in the pan also soaks into the food! Best Buy offers a range of De Buyer frying pans, including the De Buyer 12.5” Non-Stick Round Frying Pan which is made with no added chemicals and has a beeswax, non-stick finish.

Enamel 

Enamel cookware is a fashionable cookware option. It is also easy to clean and most enamel cookware available these days has multiple layers of enamel, which eliminates the need for polishing and decrease the risk of any chipping. Best Buy offers a fashionable line of enamel cookware from Dansk. I personally love the Dansk Kobenstyle 4qt Casserole Dish (shown here). The lid can be turned into a trivet for easy serving and it has three coats of enamel making it easy to clean!

Copper

If you’re looking to invest in high-quality cookware, look no further than copper. There’s a reason that all professional chefs use copper cookware. The heat conductivity is matched by nothing else. The heat of the pan changes immediately after adjusting the heat on the burner, which allows you to consistently obtain precise temperatures for whatever you’re cooking. I also personally love the look of copper cookware, it has an undeniable high quality colour and design that will automatically transform the look of your kitchen. If you’re wanting to treat yourself, invest in the Mauviel M’Heritage 5-Piece Cookware Set. This set, which includes a frying pan, splayed saute pan and 7” sauce pan, is guaranteed to last as it is accented with stainless steel to make the set durable and a breeze to clean!

Carbon Steel

If you’re ever going to make stir fry ever again, invest in a carbon steel wok. The advantage of carbon steel is that it can be hammered into thin, durable sheets while still maintaining its strength and durability. The thinness of the sheets also allows for rapid heating and reliable cooking even at high temperatures. Try the Ken Hom 14” Green Wok, trust me it will last you a life time!

Ceramic

Most people associate ceramic cookware with old school clay pots, but ceramic is actually an umbrella term that describes the action of heating and then cooling a material. Ceramic cookware heats food evenly, retains heat for long periods of time and is very easy to clean. The T-Fal 20cm Ceramic Control Frying Pan has a scratch-resistant ceramic coated interior that is great for searing and making cripy food. The rest of the pan is covered in aluminium to keep the pan lightweight.

If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen this fall, cookware is a great investment. However, with so many different types of cookware available, it can be hard to choose! If you are looking for something simple and reliable, both stainless steel and aluminium cookware is lightweight, durable and easy to clean. Cast Iron heats slowly, but will hold heat for long periods of time, whereas the thin design of carbon steel will allow you to heat food quickly, making it great for simmering. Copper is guaranteed to offer you chef-approved high quality cooking every time and pure iron, enamel and ceramic are great at evenly cooking food at high temperatures, making them the perfect option for roasts and casseroles. Regardless of what material you decide on, Best Buy has tons of individual pots and pans or cookware sets to suit all your needs!