Cookware and Pan Buyer's Guide

Cookware Buyer's Guide

A kitchen staple, your pots and pans are an integral part of the cooking process so we’ve put together this Cookware Buying Guide to offer a little help with choosing the best cookware for you. Our Brand Comparison Chart gives a summary of the features of our main cookware ranges and brands. If you already know what you want, narrow down your search by cookware type or material with the categories listed above. Looking for advice on oven dishes and baking items? We also have a separate Oven and Bakeware guide with more information on the different types of baking equipment and ovenware available from Pots and Pans.

Take your time and consider all the various options before choosing which cookware suits you. There is no easy answer to 'right and wrong' types, as different styles of cookware have different strengths and weaknesses. Most importantly don't hesitate in mixing types of cookware if you want to buy individual pans from different ranges - there is nothing wrong in having a stainless steel stockpot for making soup, a non-stick skillet or frying pan for a 'fry-up', a cast iron grill pan for a steak and a different set of saucepans. The key point is there are no hard and fast rules, just make sure to choose the cookware you'll enjoy using and that suits your needs best.

Your Hob

The vast majority of our pans are suitable for use on all hob types. However if you have an induction hob there may be a few ranges which are not suitable. Have a look at our induction specific ranges, to make sure you get compatible pans for your cooker. If you have an AGA style cooker, you may want to consider a pan range constructed from cast iron, as heavier weight pans tend to perform best on these types of hob. AGA even has their own range of cookware, specifically for this kind of cooker.

Non-Stick or Not?

One of the most basic starting points is what type of finish would you prefer on the inside of your pan? A stainless steel surface is robust, dishwasher safe and suitable for use with metal utensils. It can also be more effective than a non-stick surface when used to sear meats. A non-stick surface is excellent for when you are cooking with sticky foods such as porridge or scrambled eggs; it is arguably easier to clean afterwards. However it is less resistant against metal utensils and is generally dishwasher safe but will definitely last longer if washed by hand.

What's It Made From?

We have pan sets available in stainless steel (enamelled or not), aluminium, hard anodised aluminium, cast iron and copper. Each of these materials have different merits, click through to read more about a specific material…

Stainless Steel:

• Durable and strong, built to last.
• Ideal for stockpots

Enamelled Stainless Steel:

• Normally thinner than purely stainless steel pans, yet enamelled surfaces can be easier to clean
• Ideal for saucepans or roasting tins

Aluminium:

• Lightweight and great heat conductor
• Ideal for non-stick frying pans

Hard Anodised Aluminium:

• Lightweight but stronger than regular aluminium, great heat conductor
• Ideal for non-stick saucepans or frying pans

Cast Iron:

• Long-lasting and retains heat extremely well
• Ideal for casseroles and grills

Copper:

• Very responsive to heat changes, preferred by professional chefs
• Ideal for saucepans – perfect for sugar work

Brand Comparison

Compare the different brands we stock by taking a look at the following table.

Range	Description/Features	Induction	Dishwasher
Le Creuset Cast Iron	A kitchen icon! Enamelled cast iron, traditional French style cookware with phenolic heat resistant handles. Available in various colours and a large range of sizes. A diverse range of cookware Hand finished, unique pieces Oven safe to 400°F/200°C, Gas Mark 6 Dishwasher Safe	Y	Y
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel	High grade stainless steel and a dash of aluminium are the ingredients - the technically advanced 3-ply metal sandwich uses an aluminium core to spread the heat evenly, so there are no hotspots. Tri-ply construction Continuous pouring rim to prevent drips Capacity markings on saucepans and casseroles Non-stick options Oven and dishwasher safe	Y	Y
Le Creuset Toughened Non-Stick	Heavy gauge forged aluminium cookware range, developed in conjunction with consumers. Features a hard wearing 'metal utensil safe' non stick coating. Forged aluminium construction Metal utensil safe non-stick coating Wide range of size options Oven and dishwasher safe	Y	Y
Jamie Oliver Professional Stainless Steel by Tefal	Endorsed by Jamie Oliver, the range features high quality stainless steel, a heavy gauge aluminium core base and riveted soft touch handles. Suitable for all hob types. 18/10 stainless steel Oven safe to 500°F/260°C, Gas Mark 10 Prometal Pro non-stick with Thermo-Spot indicator Stay cool riveted handles Lifetime guarantee	Y	Y
Jamie Oliver Hard Anodized by Tefal	Hard Anodised pans are considered to be the most hard wearing of non-stick pans and are twice as strong as stainless steel - this range is one of the best. Oven safe to 500°F/260°C, Gas Mark 10 Prometal Pro non-stick with Thermo-Spot indicator Stay cool riveted handles Lifetime guarantee	Y	Y
Jamie Oliver Hard Enamel by Tefal	Durable enamelled aluminium body with Tefal's Pro-metal scratch resistant non-stck coating. Also features Thermo-Spot®. Aluminium body with protective enamel exterior Prometal Pro non-stick with Thermo-Spot indicator Stainless steel with silicone soft grip handles	N	Y
Mauviel M'Heritage Copper	A lovely range of traditional French copper cookware - good to use, great to look at. Copper has excellent heat conducting properties, so it's a favourite with professional chefs. Heavy duty catering copper Cast iron or brass handles Stainless steel lining on the majority of pans Made according to family tradition and expertise	N	N
Raymond Blanc Anolon Professional	A hard anodized range endorsed by Raymond Blanc and used in his world famous cookery school. The most advanced durable Autograph non-stick interior by DuPont. Heat toughened glass lid Stainless steel riveted handle Oven safe to 350°F/180°C, Gas Mark 4 without lids DuPont Autograph non-stick Used by Raymond Blanc in his cookery school	N	Y
Anolon Stainless Steel	Raymond Blanc endorsed stainless steel cookware range. Frying pans feature the most advanced durable Autograph non-stick interior by DuPont. Stainless steel riveted handles and lids Oven safe to 475°F/240°C, Gas Mark 9 DuPont Autograph non-stick Lifetime guarantee	Y	Y
Circulon Premier Professional Hard Anodized	Circulon Premier Professional is the latest range of pans in the Circulon cookware collection. Close fitting stainless steel and glass lids Stainless steel and silicone soft grip handles Oven safe up to 180°C/350°F Gas Mark 4 Patented Total Hi-Low non-stick	Y	Y
Infinite Circulon Hard Anodized	Hard anodized cookware with encapsulated, stainless steel and aluminium bases for use on all hob types. Also incorporate the leading Total hi-low non-stick system. Patented base design for use with ALL hob types Stylish cast stainless steel riveted handles Patented Total Hi-Low non-stick Oven safe to 475°F/240°C, Gas Mark 9	Y	Y
James Martin Lamina	Made by Stellar to James Martin's specifications, the range is constructed from a tri-metal stainless steel and aluminium sandwich for excellent heat conduction. Ovenproof stainless steel fittings Tri-metal sandwich for outstanding performance Extra deep saucepans available Dishwasher Safe	Y	Y
Stellar 1000	A comprehensive range of all-steel cookware produced from 18/10 stainless steel which has been perfectly mirror polished. Attractive 'Domus' design. Ovenproof stainless steel fittings All round pouring lip on saucepans Extra deep saucepans available 6.7mm fully encapsulated base Dishwasher Safe	Y	Y
Stellar 3000 Black	Heavy gauge hard anodised pans with a specially designed induction suitable base for all hob types. Finished in a glossy black enamel finish. Teflon Platinum Pro non-stick Stainless steel handles with anti-slip inserts Induction compatible base Oven safe to 350°F/180°C, Gas Mark 4 Hard anodised aluminium with black enamel finish Lifetime guarantee	Y	Y
Stellar 6000 Hard Anodised	Stronger than stainless steel, this extremely durable heavy gauge hard anodised range is further enhanced by riveted handles. This is Stellar's original hard anodised cookware. Teflon Platinum Pro non-stick Stainless steel lids and riveted handles Matt grey hard anodised finish Oven and dishwasher safe Lifetime guarantee	Y	Y
Stellar 7000	This Stellar range has been produced to their usual high standard and has a modern design, finished in gleaming stainless steel with sculptured cast handles. 18/10 mirror polished stainless steel Elegant straight sided design Thermic base for even heating Suitable for all hobs Oven and dishwasher safe	Y	Y
Michel Roux	Designed in conjunction with Michel Roux Jr, this tri-ply stainless steel pan range is the first time the Michelin star chef has created a cookware collection. Suitable for all hob types Tri-ply construction Excellent heat distribution Oven safe	Y	Y
All-Clad	The three-ply bonded design of All-Clad cookware incorporates an aluminium centre core clad with stainless steel to provide highly responsive conduction and even heat distribution. Magnetic stainless steel exterior Tri-ply construction Cast stainless steel handles Lifetime warranty	Y	Y
Tefal Preference Pro	A multi layer non-stick coating reinforced with ultra hard minerals assures the most resistant non-stick, plus induction base suitable for all hobs. Lightweight construction Thermo-spot heat indicator Pro metal reinforced non-stick Oven safe 180°C/ 350°F, Gas Mark 4	Y	Y
Chasseur Cast Iron	Traditional French style cast iron cookware with wooden handles. The enamel finish is available in five colours. Cast iron with two enamel coats for protection Wooden or cast pan handles Casseroles oven safe to 400°F/200°C, Gas Mark 6	Y	Y
Judge Vista	An ever popular range, 18/10 stainless steel with phenolic heat resistant handles and clear glass lids in a large range of pans at very low prices. 6.1mm encapsulated base for even heating Excalibur non-stick items available Deep and draining lid versions available Vented glass lids	Y	Y
Judge Induction	A range of budget cookware available in two colours of enamel finish: vanilla and black. Ideal for student flats, caravans, offices, etc. Enamelled steel construction Teflon non-stick Heat resistant phenolic handles	Y	Y

Still Not Sure?

Hopefully this guide has helped you decide what kind of cookware you'd like to go with, but if you require any further assistance then please give us a call on +44 1877 332 701 and one of our knowledgeable product experts would be more than happy to help you.