How to choose Cookware Tips
When I was younger, I saw my mother and grandmother cook and share passion in cooking. So it was natural when I was out on my own after college I cooked and fed my friends more often that eating out.
I had many hand me down cookware and some cheap kitchenware such as sauce pot, nonstick cookware. I thought I was being smart by saving money, as magic was in cook himself or herself and not in the cookware, right? Boy, I was partially right. Sure, there is a magic in cook but having right tools sure helps.
Buying right cookware so confusing to me and as I am sure for some of you as well. Over the years I have learned a few things which I want to share here.
Buying right cookware you need to follow these tips:
- Know the Cook and His/Her Style: Asking these questions will surely help in choosing a right cookware for you or friend. Are you going to buy the cookware for yourself or someone else? What is his or her cooking style? Do you bake a lot? Then maybe adding a few baking pieces would be a good idea and so on.
- What type of cookware material to choose? What is cookware material you ask? There are stainless steel, 18/10 stainless steel, Clad stainless steel, stainless steel with copper or aluminum core, cast iron, enamel based cast iron, copper, aluminum, silicone baking, and much more choices that it can get down right confusing.
- Choose a brand: There are so many well known and not so well known cookware brands, such as Cuisinart, All Clad, Rachel Ray, and more. Some brands are consistently provide quality cookware and offer warranty on their products. So, pick what works for you and your kitchen.
- Buy individual pieces or set decision: You may need sometimes to buy just frying pan or sauce pan, and you might be set. Other times, it might be better value to buy the whole set, as buying one by one could be expensive in the end. Find out and check what is best deal at the time, before deciding to buy it.
- Cleaning: How easy the cookware to clean? Can you use dishwasher or it must be hand washed? I am okay with hand wash but I would prefer to have choice so I know how much work will require for me to use and clean to cookware after cooking. Many people do not look for this option at all and later feel cheated or disappointed if they have to hand wash it always. So find out first before you make a purchase and spend your hard earned cash on any cookware so make sure you know what you are buying.
- Food reaction: Once I had cooked something on my brand new bare cast iron pan, and I cooked tomatoes and carrot stew in it and left it for a few hours. Tomatoes are acidic and can have reaction in bare cast iron pot, if you leave it in the the pan. My stew was discolored and taste had changed. It is okay to cook acidic food but take out the cooked food right away to avoid discoloration and taste. Also another option is to buy enamel based cast iron cookware, so you can get benefit of cast iron without any issues as I mentioned above.
- What is your budget: Cookware set can be as cheap as $65 for 10 pieces to $2000 for 10 pieces, it all depends on brands and quality of cookware. No, you do not need to spend $2000 to have a great cooking experience. Know you budget and buy the best you can afford in your price range. In most cases, $150-$399 is good range for 10 pieces cookware set.
You can find out more at cookware guide or check out cookware reviews to get more details.
Best Cuisinart Cookware Sets
Cuisinart is one of the best cookware brand that sells top quality stainless steel and other cookware at best value. Prices are reasonable and quality is high. If you are looking for best value and quality cookware, look below to pick right cookware for you, also check out our cookware reviews in details.
