I would like info on what to look for in buying cookware, and what brands of medium priced cookware you recommend.
If you are a highly skilled cook or love to cook as a hobby, I recommend All-Clad, Calphalon or Le Creuset pots and pans. If you cook regularly and prefer no-fuss, family-style cooking, I recommend T-Fal or Wearever. This advice is from my own experience in the home kitchen.
Whatever level of cookware you choose, try to get a well-fitting lid for every pot and pan you own. In some sets, one lid might fit several pans. A thick-bottom pot will distribute heat to the entire cooking surface. That helps to avoid burning and charring that occur in spots on thin-bottom pans. Steer clear of plain aluminum pans without no-stick coating or stainless steel coating. They are not even worth the cheap price. The pots and pans you will need in every kitchen are:
- 1 quart saucepan with lid
- 2-3 quart saucepan with lid
- 11-12 inch skillet with lid
- 6-8 quart soup pot or Dutch oven with lid
- 10-12 inch cast iron skillet
Don’t be afraid to invest in good pots and pans. The quality will payoff for you time and again. You want pots that are easy to cook with and easy to clean. If your cheap pots are burning meals every time, what good are they? And pots that require lots of butter and oil to avoid burning are not in your family’s best interest.