How to Choose the Right Cookware for You

Ever walked into a cookware store and not know which direction to go? Trying to find the right cookware questions to ask?

We know that choosing cookware can be tough. With all that time spent researching, comparing prices, going into stores to see the product in-person, it's crucial that you land on a cookware piece you can bring home with confidence! With this cookware buying guide, that's what we're here to help you find.

What is the best cookware material?

Okay, we know this is the million dollar question. So we thought we would debunk some myths about two of the most popular cookware materials first:

Myth:Non-stick cookware is harmful

Reality: Given that you know how to properly care for non-stick cookware, it's perfectly fine to use. The 'danger chemical' everyone wants to avoid is called PFOA, which was commonly found in Teflon pans back in the early 2000s and had been linked to cancer and immune deficiency.

But the fact is it has long been banned - and every pan produced after 2013 will not have this non stick coating. And yes – our non stick cookware is PFOA-free.

Myth: Stainless steel is not a good heat conductor

Reality: True, but most stainless steel cookware nowadays is paired with a layer of copper or built with a cast aluminium body which can retain heat, like the Scanpan Impact or Essteele Per Vita ranges. This ensures you get good heat distribution while still getting that durability and hardness of stainless steel!

So to answer the question, which cookware material to use still depends on your individual needs and preferences.

If you cook foods that tend to stick like eggs or pancakes, plus you want to use less oil in cooking, non-stick might be a great option. But if you want something that would withstand high heat, cooktop flames, and like to sear, brown, or sautee your foods, maybe it's better to go for stainless steel!

As long as you know how to care for each option, they are both easy to clean and can last you many years.

Read also: How to Care for Stainless Steel Cookware

What is your cookware budget?

Starting with a budget may help narrow down your search and determine what type of brands you can go for, how many pieces, and whether to go for loose, individual pieces or getting a value cookware set.

But our other tip is: Don't skimp on cookware. If possible, rather than spending money and energy to get $30 pans that only last you a few months, finding slightly more expensive but high quality pots and pans is a better use of your money and resources, and gives you more long-lasting use.

Photographed: Anolon Endurance+ Non Stick Cookware

How do you cook? 

It's not just about what the brands say about their types of cookware. All it boils down to (no pun intended) is what you say about how you cook!

What stovetop do you use at home? How many people do you cook for? What types of meals do you cook the most?

Based on meals

Most people would require sauteing or pan frying (like fish & eggs) so a frying pan would probably be essential. But aside from that, maybe a saute pan with deeper sides for your pastas or stir fries? If you're really into stir fries, maybe a wokcan be handy especially for Asian style meals.

Otherwise, if you're more the type to grill your vegetables and meats, go for a skillet or griddle (grill pan). If you like soups and stews especially in colder times of the year, a Dutch oven casserole or stock pot with good heat conductivity might be a worthy investment. At the end of the day, think back to what foods you enjoy cooking the most.

And if you're reading the above and thinking, I only ever use my frying pan, then maybe it's time to add variety to your home cooking!

Based on care & maintenance

Also consider your lifestyle and how much time you'll be able to spend caring for your cookware – because they do require good care in order to last that long! We generally recommend hand-washing cookware as best practice, but if you're a busy bee, aim for cookware that's been tried & tested to be both oven safe and dishwasher safe.

Based on household

Finally, count up how many people you'll be cooking for. If you live alone or with a partner, consider how often you can cook – twice a week? Four times a week? That will help determine how many servings you can make each time, which allows you to gauge your most suitable size for your cookware.

Tip from us, though? Bigger is normally better. A common mistake people make is underestimating the size of frypan they need, or choosing too small of a saucepan. Next thing you know, you have water dripping onto your cooktop, or pasta bits flying off the pan and getting stuck in between your stove bars. It's time we say goodbye to that!

So when in doubt, buy a bigger diameter of cookware. It might be wiser to buy less large pieces than too many small ones that aren't quite right.

Photographed: Scanpan Impact Stainless Steel Cookware

Check the cookware warranty

Another reason the brand of your cookware matters a great deal is because it'll determine how much warranty you're getting for your cookware. It's good to always check the cookware return policy each time you purchase, so you know that you're safe in case something goes wrong or it's not working as planned!

Lucky for you, if you shop at Matchbox, all of our items receive at least a 10-Year Guarantee, with our Matchbox Promise.

It means for up to 10 years from your purchase, if any product you buy from Matchbox shows manufacturing defects or is not fit for purpose, you can easily return it back to us and we'll help you find a suitable replacement. 

The Matchbox Promise 10 Year Guarantee applies to every product we sell – whether that's brand new European-made cookware or a pair of kitchen utensils. We're devoted to quality, and our team of experts don't put anything on the shelves until we know it's safe and reliable to use. With the Matchbox Promise, you have our word!

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Ready to find the cookware you need? Our team of culinary experts online or in stores are ready to answer all your burning questions. You can start shopping for cookware at Matchbox today.

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