Cookware encompasses a wide variety of pots and pans, baking dishes and more that are designed specifically for cooking. They are available in a range of materials and sizes, each of which has unique properties that impact the cooking experience. The right cookware will allow you to achieve professional-quality results in the comfort of your own home.
Cooking is a crucial part of every household’s lifestyle, and the right cookware allows you to make meals easily and effectively. From high-performance ceramics to durable cast iron, there are a number of different options that offer superior heat distribution and nonstick qualities. These items include saucepans, sauté pans, and skillets, as well as casserole dishes and frying pans. Some cookware is also dishwasher safe, making it easy to maintain a clean kitchen.
Stainless steel cookware is typically made either as a cladding of stainless steel on both sides of an aluminum or copper core to conduct the heat evenly, preventing “hot spots”; or as solid pieces with a thicker base that can hold up to high temperatures without warping. However, typical stainless steel has a low magnetic permeability and thus cannot be used in an induction cooktop.
Ceramic cookware offers a nonstick coating that is usually free of chemicals, such as PFOA and PFOS, which are commonly found in other types of cookware. It is also oven and microwave safe, although it tends to expand a lot more than other materials and is susceptible to cracking if overheated.