Monday, February 18, 2019

By Zoe Eisenberg

If you're looking to upgrade your pots and pans, it's important to be choosy. And while the majority of available pots and pans look similar, there are several ways you can make better choices. Below are a few tips.

Weight. A good pot or pan should have some heft, and a thick bottom. However, if it's too heavy, you may have trouble getting it to and from the stove, especially when it's hot.

Durability. You want to buy cookware that will last a long time, and look good in the process. Stainless steel is considered to be one of the best for lifespan.

Maintenance. How much work do you want to do to keep your cookware looking good? If you're not looking to spend a lot of time on maintenance, opt for stainless steel or non-stick. Copper and cast iron cookware, while durable and long-lasting, require quite a bit of elbow grease to keep them looking great.  

Material matters. There's a long line of different material you can consider:

- Stainless steel with an inner layer of aluminum is a well-rounded winner that's durable, easy to clean and non-reactive. It also conducts heat well.
- Copper is the priciest, and often requires special care, but will last a lifetime if treated well.
- Anodized aluminum is a great choice; it responds well to heat and is treated to prevent chemical reactions with food.
- Cast iron also conducts heat well, but can rust if not properly seasoned.
- Non-stick pans get a bad rap because they easily scratch and can leach chemicals into your cooking, but some newer non-stick coatings are more scratch-resistant and less toxic, so do your research.

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