The ultimate guide to buying cookware sets

Shopping for cookware sets is no easy task, especially with the growing number of cookware brands and materials on offer. However we’re here to help distill your confusion over the world of cookware sets and arm you with the knowledge needed to make the right purchase for you.

What should you look for when buying cookware sets?

The first thing you need to look at when shopping for cookware sets is, of course, the price. This is a truly personal decision, as the amount you can afford will be the determining factor in choosing between cookware sets – although, as a rule of thumb, it’s worth remembering that you should always buy the best cookware set you can afford, as opposed to the budget option.

Once you’ve established the price you can afford, you need to shop for cookware sets by checking out the four main factors; heat conduction, reactivity, maintenance and durability. Obviously, in an idyllic world, you would want to shop for the cookware sets with the best heat conductivity available – namely copper one – as these will cook the food most evenly, but, sadly, these cookware sets come at a far higher price than most. Stainless steel cookware sets have poor heat conductivity, unless made up of an alloy, but are cheaper and more durable. You really need to work out what’s best for you.

Some cookware sets last longer than others and require less maintenance to keep them in good looks; stainless steel, as mentioned, is one of the longest lasting and lowest maintenance cookware sets around. Copper and cast iron cookware sets, on the other hand, require a great deal of cleaning and work to keep them looking pristine. You need to ask yourself a question; how much time do you really have on your hands to keep your cookware sets gleaming?

Finally, it’s worth considering cookware sets based on their reactivity. Some types of cookware set, such as aluminium, have a tendency to react with acidic dishes (especially tomato), meaning that the food will take in particles of aluminium. Cast iron cookware sets, too, can leave food with an “iron-y” taste. Copper and stainless steel are the least reactive of the cookware sets on the market, albeit two of the most expensive – again, it all comes down to the determining factor of which cookware sets you can afford.