Cooking: High Quality Cookware

In this article you will find some great advice for newlyweds on buying new cookware. Thanks a lot to for sharing your advice!

Often newly weds are supplying their first kitchen, and selecting the right cookware is a core part of a functional kitchen. Today there are so many pan styles and designs it can be overwhelming.

There are several factors to consider when selecting cookware: lifestyle, storage space and cooking philosophy.

Many couples lead very active lifestyles and rarely sit down for a full meal; they frequently graze through the day or reheat a microwave meal. Since they hardly ever cook from scratch, their cookware needs are minimal. I suggest Revere stainless steel pans for this couple.  The medium weight pans are durable and good value. Selecting a few items conserves precious kitchen storage space and makes moving easier. Purchasing several saucepans with lids and a frying pan is adequate. The timeless design of this cookware means pans can easily be added to the collection later should the couple’s life style change.

Other couples enjoy gourmet cooking and entertaining at home. In this case pans selection becomes a critical part of the kitchen function.  These brides may be partial to a certain cookware and have firm requirements on non-stick coatings.  There are lots of cookware sets that fulfill this lifestyle.  One of my favorites is Rachael Ray’s Hard-Anodized Cookware set.  This set looks great and performs like a champ. The orange silicone grips are fun and functional. The pans are truly nonstick and that makes clean up a breeze. The set’s see-through glass lids are attractive and functional.  Of course there are lots of matching pieces that can be added to the set. My favorites include the 11×9 rectangular skillet or the oval pasta pot.

Our son recently married the women of his dreams. Wedding plans and bridal gifts has been part of life for last year. The kids registered their wish list at several stores.  Friends and family helped to make the couples dreams come true. They are both in school and so cookware was at the bottom of their wish list. Their cookware consists of a couple of Revere saucepans, which fit in their tight kitchen quarters.  I look forward to helping them expand their cookware collection as their needs change.

Thanks to Kathy B for this admission of her cookware love-affair.

I love cookware the way some women love diamonds.

Any catalog I have has dog-eared pages if cookware is featured on any of them. I have dozens of websites bookmarked if they feature cookware. If my husband and I go to a store like WalMart or Meijer, he knows where to find me. I have no explanation or reason for this either - it just “is”!

My primary complaint about the marketing of cookware is that sets of 9, 12, 15 or 17 pieces are prominently featured in catalogs, on websites and in the store displays.

Sets are not practical and generally include several items that will seldom if ever be used, but the price certainly includes them. And let’s remember that the piece counts sound generous but one covered saucepan rings up a count of 2 because the lid is counted separately. Also, I’ve seen many sets include flimsy tools or covered storage containers as part of the count. You know, the stirring spoon or slotted turner, etc. that might last a few weeks.

One of a set’s big draws is a choice of colors which matters to some. I really don’t like the idea of giving a complete set to someone as a wedding or shower gift, either. Cookware is a very personal choice of weights, colors, handle shapes, etc. and no one should give it as a gift.

Ideally, a kitchen will contain both non-stick and stainless cookware and you can’t get that mixture in a set. Give a gift card instead! I personally am happy with my open stock skillets of various sizes and types, saucepans, and dutch ovens that I bought separately according to my own separate and different standards for each.

I also have several “universal” lids that fit everything. Almost all of it is black because I like black - I don’t try to match any color scheme. Decent cookware can be reasonably priced - no one has to break the bank to buy good pieces. It isn’t necessary to pay for the famous name brand either. Cookware? Just tell Santa to read my list but not to try and get down the chimney with all the pieces I’d ask for… he’d get stuck!