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What Is The Best Type Of Cookware?

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Best ImageNot all cookware is created equal. Finding the best type can be a challenge simply because what one cook considers the best may not be the best option for another cook. While you should take your cooking style into consideration when purchasing cookware, understanding which materials perform better than others can help you make a smart purchasing decision.

Best Type of Cookware Overall

The absolute best cookware type overall would have to be copper. It’s pricey, but copper cookware provides unmatched heat distribution and temperature control. It responds almost immediately to temperature changes, so it’s ideal for cooking temperature-sensitive dishes and delicate sauces.

The biggest gripe with copper cookware, aside from the cost, is maintenance. Pure copper pans are reactive to food and can discolor if they are overheated. On top of this, regular polishing is necessary to keep the pan’s natural shine and to remove tarnish. To make matters worse, pure copper is not compatible with induction cooktop surfaces.

The good news is that most modern copper cookware sets are lined with stainless steel. This ensures that the pan is non-reactive while still preserving the beneficial qualities of copper. Polishing is still necessary in most cases, and some manufacturers also sell accessories that allow the cookware to be compatible with induction cooktops.

Copper is, hands down, the best type of cookware as far as performance is concerned, but its high price tag often puts it well out of reach of the everyday consumer. Unless you’re a professional or a very serious cook, copper cookware may not be the best option for you.

Best Type of Cookware for Everyday Use

For the everyday cook, stainless steel is often the best choice. Not only is stainless steel durable, it’s easy to care for and is often constructed with other metals to improve the pan’s heat distribution.

Today, you can find stainless steel cookware sets that feature copper or aluminum cores surrounded by layers of stainless steel. This combines the heat distribution properties of these two materials with the easy maintenance of stainless steel. Unlike other cookware materials, stainless steel is non-reactive and resistant to rust, corrosion and stains. You can even find pans with non-stick coatings for even easier maintenance. As an added bonus, most stainless steel cookware is compatible with induction cooktop surfaces.

Even serious cooks often prefer stainless steel. It gets the job done, and it does so with ease. Plus, stainless steel pots and pans are often far more affordable than copper. Even high-end stainless steel sets are much more affordable than professional copper cookware. With stainless steel, you’ll find cookware sets in every price range from under $100 to $500+. Stainless steel may not beat copper in performance, but it’s the preferred choice of cookware for the everyday consumer.

Remember, the best type of cookware is one that works well with your own cooking style. Copper is the best performance cookware, but if you don’t have the budget or time to maintain this type of cookware, it will not be the best option for you.

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Is Expensive Cookware The Best? Does Cost Really Matter?

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Does Cost MatterMost people are under the impression high-priced cookware is the best in terms of durability and performance. For the most part, this is true, but there are some things that need to be considered. Even high-end cookware has its flaws, and if the cookware is not convenient or easy for you to use, it’s really not the best option for you.

What Determines the Cost of Cookware?

There are many reasons why high-end cookware is expensive. Generally, these pots and pans are crafted with the highest quality materials.

Some pots and pans are specially constructed with multiple layers of different cookware materials. Clad cookware is a great example of this. These feature an aluminum or copper core surrounded by layers of stainless steel. This construction combines the excellent heat distribution and conductivity of copper with the durability and easy cleaning of stainless steel.

Generally, high-priced cookware is worth every penny, but this isn’t a rule that’s written in stone. There are some things that need to be considered when looking at cookware in any price range.

Durability

Just because a set of cookware has a high price tag, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will last you a lifetime. Even more expensive non-stick cookware is not invulnerable to scratching and chipping. In fact, non-stick has a bad reputation for not being very durable. Most people replace their cookware every two to five years. Why spend so much on a piece of cookware that will need to be replaced after just a few years of use?

On the other hand, investing in an expensive cast iron, stainless steel or clad piece of cookware will likely be worth the price. These tend to be durable and well-constructed. Unless you purchase enameled cast iron, there really is no concern over chipping.

Ease of Use

High-priced cookware may be high quality, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll use it. Before investing in high-end cookware, check it out in person. Pick up the pots and pans to see how heavy or light they are. If a set of cookware is too heavy or includes items you don’t normally use, it may just wind up sitting in the back of your cabinet collecting dust. It doesn’t matter how much a piece of cookware costs, if you don’t enjoy cooking with it, it’s worthless.

Experience

Experience is another thing to consider. Copper is well-regarded as being the best type of cookware, and sets can cost upwards of $1,000 or more. However, if you’re used to cooking with non-stick or stainless steel cookware, you may not enjoy cooking with copper. An expensive piece of cookware is only worth the price if you’re actually going to use it.

As you can see, expensive cookware isn’t necessarily the best. It largely depends on what your cooking style is and the type of cookware you are considering. High price does not always equate to high durability, and some materials are easier to work with than others. Cookware with a high price tag is only worth the cost if you enjoy using it and it provides you with decades of use.