Cookware set size
An important consideration is which parts are included and whether they are critical to your kitchen. There are 14-piece cookware sets, but they usually include a lot of pots and pans in various sizes that you probably won’t use. I wouldn’t recommend buying more than eight or nine blocks (and that includes the lids that count as blocks) unless you have the space and money to buy all those extras.
Choose the right cookware material
The most important decision you’ll make is what material your pots and pans are made of. Cookware is typically made from aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, non-stick compound (Teflon) or a combination of materials. As you might have guessed, each type of cookware surface has its pros and cons as it relates to cooking, cleaning, durability, and storage.
For example, aluminum cookware is cheap, but not very durable, and I don’t recommend buying all-aluminum cookware. Stainless steel pots and pans can withstand abuse better and won’t warp or dent like aluminum. Stainless steel is also a slow conductor of heat, which is why steel pans often have a core made of more conductive materials like aluminum or copper.
For most people, stainless steel cookware with an aluminum core will be the best combination of materials. Materials like copper and cast iron have advantages, but they also have some serious drawbacks. Both cast iron and carbon steel are a bit heavier and require more cleaning and care, so you may not need the entire set. Copper cookware is also more difficult to maintain than stainless steel cookware and often costs much more.
Nonstick pans are another popular option. I recommend having at least one nonstick frying pan—Teflon or ceramic—for eggs and other sticky foods. You can never grill food with a nonstick pan like you can with other materials, so keep that in mind if you choose a completely nonstick pan set. It also won’t last long, as the non-stick coating will break down over time.
cost and budget
You get what you pay for with cookware, but that doesn’t mean you need to pay more than it’s worth. High-end copper cookware and stainless steel ranges can cost thousands of dollars, but a quality set of pots and pans doesn’t need to cost more than a few hundred dollars.
Cheap cookware is different from budget-friendly cookware. Our value picks are still sturdy enough to handle your nightly recipes and won’t lose their shape for years to come. If you choose cheap cookware, you may end up with damaged handles and burned salmon due to uneven heating.
Nonstick pans and cast iron cookware are the cheapest materials, and there are reliable sets available for under $100. A high-quality stainless steel cookware set of three to four pans typically costs several hundred dollars. Copper cookware is the most expensive, usually costing around $500 or more for even a small set.
