The ultimate guide to
buying pans

Like many things in life, it’s a truism to say that you get what you pay for when it comes to pans. The important thing is to find the right set of pans for you – this may mean investing in a set, it may mean cherry-picking individual pans, depending on what you’re going to be cooking.

Consider how much you use your hob against how much you use your oven. Consider how often you cook, and whether you do it out of necessity or enjoyment! Consider what you will be cooking, and how many people you will be cooking for.

Will a set of matching pans suit you more than a collection of different pans? It’s also worth considering the future – the right investment now can save you spending all over again in a couple of years.

Looks are a major consideration here – what will suit your kitchen décor? Materials are another – more traditional materials such as cast-iron may look the part but you may find them too heavy for everyday use. Technology has also seen a great breakthrough in how versatile materials can be – these days a traditional-looking set may not necessarily be made of ‘traditional’ materials, and so on.

An important consideration here is pan care – some more traditional materials may need a bit more TLC, such as seasoning and/or washing in a different manner to a modern material.

A heavy or light pan is really down to personal preference in cooking and materials, but an important aside to consider is the thickness of the pan, especially the base. As the base of the pan sees the most action, this is the most important part, and a thin base simply will not last and be highly prone to hotspots and warping.

On many modern pans, the lighter materials are clad in other metals to provide durability and longevity.

A really good set of pans can last years, sometimes even a lifetime if looked after, but it really depends upon your personal circumstances as to how much it’s worth investing.

If settled in a house then a pan set is worth as much consideration as furniture; if it’s likely you’ll be moving around then perhaps versatility is most important, i.e. a set in neutral colours, suitable for all hobs.

Check out a handful of pan ranges and chances are you’ll see a host of materials used for handles. Looks are an important consideration of course, as are materials – you don’t want a handle that will get too hot to touch, but it’s also worth considering that many non-metal handles won’t go in the oven, which may or may not be a requirement of yours.

Look how the handle is fixed to the pan – is it spot-welded or just riveted? The join between handle and pan will take a lot of stress whilst cooking, so needs to be secure to ensure not only your safety whilst cooking but the longevity of the pan.

Heat-treated glass allows you to keep an eye on your cooking, metal lids are often made from the same material as the handles. Look at the fit – some fit more snugly than others and so are more likely to stay put even when boiling at a high temperature.

Vents in a lid will help expel excess steam and prevent bubbling over, meaning less clean-up on the hob post-cooking. Bear in mind that glass lids take a lower temperature in the oven, as do plastic handles on lids.