Best Rachael Ray Cookware Reviews

Looking for the Best Rachael Ray Cookware Reviews? Here are our top 5 picks for with detailed reviews and buying guide for the best cookware by Rachael Ray.

As American’s celebrity Chef, Rachael Ray is well known for her cooking and lifestyle. Rachael says she was born into cooking and she has successfully proofed her love and ability with 3 Food Network series – 30 Minutes Meals, $40 a day and Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels – as well as her own magazine. As one of the best cooks, when decided to launch her own kitchenware brand, Rachael brings the perfect combination of beautiful design, great performance and affordable price product, which are adored her fans and home chefs.

Rachael’s products are focused on kitchen gadgets and tools, from knives, prepware, bakeware to cookware. Some of most well-known tools are stoneware collections, casserole pans for example, which comes with various ranges of colors and appealing figures.

For cookware line, her brand is famed among home chefs for a bright, vibrant look and practical uses. The Porcelain enamel and Hard-Anodized series are considered as high-quality models. In Ray’s own words her cookware “…has to be fun, fashionable, and help cooks succeed in their homes,… At the same time, it has to be of the highest quality, while also providing good value.”.

In this article, we will walk you through common features of the Rachael Ray cookware, different Rachael Ray cookware sets that we think you will love, and finally a complete guide on how to choose the best cookware possible.

Features of Rachael Ray Cookware

Useful pieces

If you’re looking for a great cookware set of useful pans and pots, then Rachael Ray cookware set deserves a serious consideration.

A Rachael Ray cookware set often includes:

The sauté pans can be used for preparing burgers, seafood, caramelized and seafood that might otherwise stick to other types of cookware.

The large pot is perfect for delicious soups and stew from your own recipes or from Rachel’s vast recipe collection.

The small and medium pots are ideal for small portions especially when you prepare single meals or reheat leftovers.

The choices are endless with the 10/12/14-piece sets that provide the convenient deep pans and pots for people keeping liquids and foods inside without spilling over the edges.

Design

When it comes to down to earth classic style, the Rachael Ray cookware set will show you how it stands up to the hype and is stunning to look at.

Furthermore, the resilient collection of stylish and functional cookware set will set your heart aflutter.

Modernly designed with you in mind, whether you are the newbie or the experienced gourmet in the kitchen, these cookware sets are destined to create many delicious memories for your family, friends or guests. Curated by Rachael for the feeling of genuine and warm hospitality, these cookware sets exemplify her simple-to-use functionality and time-saver solutions mentality.

Performance

As good cooking sets, these Rachael cookware sets are only great for your kitchen decor, but also great cooking performance. The pans and pots are oven proof to 350-400 degrees and make good feelings in your hand.

Cooking for a crowd is easy as pie when you know that the Rachael Ray cookware set meets all of your expectations for quick and even heating or reheating meals and fast cleaning of the PFOA-free nonstick interior surface.

Nonstick coating

The nonstick coating is called Eclipse and is made by Whitford, the manufacturer of the world’s largest, most complete line of nonstick coatings. Eclipse is considered their second best coating, with their first used in commercial cookware.

The quality of a nonstick coating is based on three things: the quality of the coating itself, the thickness of layers and the number of the layers.

According to the company, Eclipse is a reinforced coating, engineered to outlast other nonstick coatings and is applied in three layers. The nonstick release is provided by the top layer which is PTFE.

So it seems like the nonstick coating of the Rachael Ray cookware is designed to last. Customers of Rachael Ray cookware seem very satisfied with the performance and durability of the nonstick coating.

Interestingly, Rachael Ray cookware did the nice result in ‘Anna and Kristina’s Grocery bag TV show test’. The test involved putting a grinder to the surface of 4 chef-designed skillets to see how long it took to wear out the nonstick coating. The Results were as follows:

• Gordon Ramsay skillet took 3 minutes, 50 seconds (made by Royal Doulton)
• Paula Deen skillet took 4 minutes, 35 seconds (made by Meyer, same company as Rachael Ray cookware)
• Jamie Oliver skillet took 4 minutes, 50 seconds (made by T-fal, by the way)
• Rachael Ray skillet took  6 minutes, 20 seconds (Winner!)

Good weight balance

The light-weight set will satisfy all users’ cookware needs that is one of the main advantages of the Rachael Ray cookware set. It is lightweight but still sturdy and durable enough to last for long.

Easy to clean

With most of the Rachael Ray cookware set, you can find it much easier to clean your cookware since it features a nonstick surface. It can be washed in the dishwasher, but you should always wash by hand to ensure longevity.

Long-time warranty

Rachael Ray is confident about her cookware that she gives a limited lifetime warranty for it, then you can be sure about the quality of Rachael Ray cookware set.

Rachael Ray Cookware Comparison Table

Reviews of the Best Rachael Ray Cookware

Having a looked at the common factors that make all of the Rachael Ray Cookware sets that we’ve selected for this review so fantastic, it’s time do a detailed review of each of the Rachael Ray Cookware sets. After reading these reviews, you will be in a better position to decide which one is going to be suitable for your needs.

1. Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set, Purple Gradient

Verdict

On the whole, the Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware offers superior quality than cheaper nonstick sets. Simultaneously, this Rachael Ray cookware can be a good alternative to many pricier cookware sets.

Pros

• This set includes an assortment of different sizes for all kinds of cooking applications
• The color is long lasting and will not come off after use …if you take care of it properly
• POFA free
• Relatively lightweight but sturdy
• Constructed with a strong nonstick surface
• Suitable for most of the stoves including electric and gas stoves
• Oven Safe up to 350°F

Cons

• It is quite small for large families or serious eaters
• It is not dishwasher safe
• Can’t use metal utensils

Our Review

This Rachael cookware set is uniquely designed for design as well as function. If you don’t mind spending a little more, the Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware set is an excellent upgrade.

This Rachael Ray cookware set is the porcelain enamel bundle. Porcelain enamel is easy to clean and commonly used in the manufacturing of cookware because it can be bonded to metal such as stainless steel and aluminum. It has a hard surface that is resistant to scratches as well as chemicals which means exposure to salty or acidic food would not be a problem at all.

What’s included?

The following pieces are included in the Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware set:

• 1-quart saucepan with cover
• 2-quart saucepan with cover
• 6-quart stockpot with cover
• 3 quart saute with cover
• 8 and 1/2-inch Skillet
• 10-inch Skillet

So as you can see you have a range of sizes in each of these 10 piece cookware sets that will give you the freedom to cook different types of meals at once. In fact a piece of cookware for almost every purpose. The size is compact, which is advisable for new couples, college students, bachelors or less than four hungers.

Construction

The overall construction is durable for heat that is evenly distributed and for effectively reduced hot spots. The pans and pots are not quite heavy-duty like a professional set but still feels sturdy enough for satisfying cooking daily. The pans and pots are lightweight which are nice, especially if you cook a lot for many people.

The silicone grippy handles are good ergonomic as well as stay cool when cooking. The sturdy glass lids fit snugly that allows users to keep an eye on what’s cooking without the need to lift the cover. The size suits for an essential gear for beginners or new couples.

Design

As mentioned, Rachael Ray cookware tend to be stylish and colorful. This Porcelain Enamel cookware set is no different. We really love the vibrant color of this set, the darker color fades to the bright shade, which makes a confident statement in your kitchen decor. There’re seven color options: Blue, Fennel, Orange, Red, Marine, Green and Purple. In addition, you can complete your collection with other items, such as grill pans, bakeware and other specialties in the same color for machine them.

Performance

Talking about the performance, this Rachael Ray cookware surpasses our expectation – quick and good heat distribution and totally nonstick. So to speak, it does better than other models in good heat distribution on electric and gas stoves. Like other porcelain enamel, the pieces are oven-safe up to 350°F, which is pretty limited for some kinds of foods but enough for many home meals.

This cookware set is constructed with a strong nonstick surface that’s perfect for frying eggs. However, as with other nonstick cookware sets, you should use plastic utensils instead of metals ones so that it doesn’t scratch.

Cleaning and Caring

The main disadvantage of this Rachel Ray cookware set is it is not dishwasher safe. However, it’s still easy to clean by hand washing. Moreover, like other nonstick cookware, it needs more care properly – no high cooking, no scratchy rub, no nonstick spray, no metal utensils, no burning on induction/gas stoves.

With that said, if you do not have time to do your dishes this old-fashioned way, then the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Cookware Set may be the right one for you.

See Price of the Rachael Ray Porcelain Enamel II Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set

2. Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Porcelain Enamel Nonstick Cookware Set, 12-Piece, Agave Blue

Verdict

If you’re looking for an affordable Rachael Ray cookware set that has some great features and will enhance the appearance of your kitchen, you cannot do better than the Rachael Ray Cucina Porcelain Enamel Nonstick cookware set.

Pros

• Bright and colorful, works well with modern kitchen décor schemes
• This set includes an assortment of different sizes for all kinds of cooking applications
• POFA free
• Constructed with nonstick coating that allows the user to cook with less oil
• Suitable for most of the cooking tops
• Oven Safe up to 400°F
• Easy to clean
• Affordable

Cons

• Not suitable for induction top
• It is not dishwasher safe

Our Review

This Rachael Ray cookware can cook most type of food that you want. Steaming, Saute, boiling, frying, etc can be cooked within a short time if you have the Rachael Ray Cucina Porcelain Enamel Nonstick cookware set.

Attractive outlook

Design and style are some of the main selling points when it comes to the Cucina line. The Rachael Ray cookware set comes in a range of color schemes – Lavender, Agave blue, Mushroom brown, Pumpkin orange, Cranberry red, Sea salt gray – so you can easily choose the set that suits your kitchen best. This Rachael Ray cookware set also manages to retain its charm with its rustic look making it perfect for display.

What’s included?

The Rachael Ray Cucina Porcelain Enamel Nonstick cookware set has all the essential cooking pans and pots. These pans and pots are a proper use of any iron, ceramic and glass stoves. They feature all rustic design with bright color and functional design to enhance the warmth of the food.

You will get these listed items-

• 1-quart saucepan with glass lid
• 3-quart saucepan with glass lid
• 3 quart covered saute pan with glass lid
• 6-quart stockpot with glass lid
• 8.5-inch skillet
• 10-inch skillet
• 2 nylon utensils (Turner and slotted spoon)

The Rachael Ray Cucina cookware set is constructed with durable material so you can them for a long time without any issues. Thick gauge aluminum makes the cookware scratch resistant maintaining their glossy look for ages. Aluminum of the Rachael Ray Cucina cookware set is heat conductive so you can cook foods using them on different cooking tops and your food will cook evenly and fast. Aluminum has also a high heat retaining capacity making the cookware set suitable for a variety of recipes.

What is more, the exterior of these nonstick cookware pieces is constructed using hard enamel porcelain for maximum durability. This is out of any harmful material, giving you the opportunity for healthy food.

Toxic-free Nonstick

The key feature of this cookware set is its nonstick coating. This makes the cooking task much flexible and the cleaning task much easier, as it prevents food-sticking on the pan surface. A non-stick surface allows you to cook with less oil and less effort. Compare than other cookware, you can cut down on the usage of oil by more than 40%. With this Rachael Ray cookware, you will be able to cook a perfect pancake, omelet and other food since the cooking surface does not react with food neither does it allows it to have a burnt flavor.

Another advantage of this nonstick coating is it doesn’t peel away unless these pans are used with sharp utensils or set at overly high temperature. Furthermore, the nonstick material is free from PFOA and other harmful chemicals. All these features ensure that the Rachael Ray Cucina Porcelain Enamel Nonstick cookware set is safe to cook with.

Different Cooking Style

Most of the cookware sets ate not oven safe. However, this Rachael Ray cookware set is oven safe, you can cook food using it up to 400°F. It is suitable for use on all kinds of cooking tops except for the induction top.

Cleaning

This Rachael Ray cookware set is quite easy to clean. Like other not sticky cookware sets, this nonstick cookware set is not dishwasher safe, but still, easy to clean by hand wash with soap and water. The cookware lid is made out of glass which is naturally non-sticky and therefore cleaning it wouldn’t be a problem. For removing burn foods simply soak the cookware for a few minutes before cleaning. You can also use warm water for soak the pans instead.

See Price of the Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Porcelain Enamel Nonstick Cookware Set

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 14-Piece Cookware Set, Orange

Verdict

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher safe cookware set is worth investing in if you’re looking for a high-quality Rachael Ray cookware set with a dishwasher-safe feature.

Pros

• Visually appealing
• Solid and durable body
• No harmful materials used
• Different types of utensils to cater for different cooking needs
• Variety of utensil sizes to cater for cooking meals of different sizes
• Non-stick surface
• Even heat distribution and excellent heat retention
• Dishwasher and oven safe
• Sturdy, non-slip handles that protect from intense heat

Cons

• Oven proof up to 350°F so not suitable for some oven cooking
• The riveted handle might become weak over time at joint

Our Review

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher safe cookware set is available in both the 10-piece Cookware set and 14-piece Cookware set and it can handle the majority of cooking methods.

This is not just some cookware set that has been put together simply to cash in on the Rachael Ray name. There has actually been a bit of thought gone into this one.

And you don’t need to be a fan of Rachael Ray, to appreciate, this set of nonstick cookware will make you happy to cook with. What’s new? While Rachael’s earlier version of hard-anodized cookware is warmly welcomed by most casual chefs and home cooks, the new version, is improved for more pleasure, dishwasher-safe.

Let’s take a look in more detail…

What’s included?

Reviewed Rachael cookware set has 14 pieces:

• 1-quart Saucepan with glass lid
• 2-quart Saucepan with glass lid
• 3-quart Saucepan with glass lid
• 4-quart Saucepot with glass lid
• 6-quart Stockpot with glass lid
• 3-quart Saute’ Pan with glass lid
• 8.5-inch Skillet
• 10-inch Skillet

This unique cooking set will serve to cook your morning pasta, soup, oatmeal, pancakes, stir fry’s etc. Whether you want to cook a small dinner meal or prepare a feast for more than five guests, this cookware set has got your back. The tempered glass lids make easy to monitor food that protects your meals from burning. They also fit snugly on the utensil’s top holding moisture and heat in. Besides being ideal for home kitchens, it makes a perfect housewarming gift or, wedding gift.

Dishwasher safe

The anodized finish makes this cookware set suitable to place it in the dishwasher unlike the previous version of the cookware set that was hand-wash only. However, we personally prefer to hand wash only any cookware that has a nonstick interior in order to protect the nonstick surface and prolong its life.

Durable construction

As the name implies, the cookware set has a hard anodized construction with a nonstick coating inside.

Anodization serves as a finishing touch that makes the aluminum body stronger meaning you are investing in a strong and durable set of cookware. It helps eliminate pores on the aluminum surface. This give the pieces a nonstick inner and outer surface makes it dishwasher safe and prevents any aluminum alloy from finding its way into your food. With the anodized aluminum feature, the cookware set also performs pretty good for heat distribution and heat retention.

Nonstick coating

Like other Rachael models, this one also has a nonstick surface. The beauty of nonstick cookware is that if you treat it right, it releases food with ease and nothing sticks to it, even burnt food scraps are easy to get rid of.

Rubberized handles

This 14 piece cooking set features rubberized handles. The handles are made of stainless steel and can withstand heat up to 350°F meaning you can use it in the oven.

The handles improve grip which is especially necessary when handling hot meals. They also keep heat away from your hand.

The handles are attached to the main body through a double riveted joint so that you can lock them onto the pan or pot top while cooking. This can help to reduce mess as you don’t need to put them on a top when you need to do something else. The joint also ensures that there’s minimal heat transfer from the utensil to the handles. This really protects your hands from scalding and reduces the amount of heat needed to cook.

Cook on Different Heat Sources

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher safe cookware set feature utensils which can be used in a variety of heat sources including gas and ovens and perfectly cook food. Whatever type of cooking you have in mind, you have a utensil that will cater to your needs. The anodized aluminum frame distributes quick and even heat that food doesn’t burn when cooking on an intense heat source.

See Price of the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick Dishwasher Safe 14-Piece Cookware Set

Other Great Choices

Rachael Ray 14-Piece Hard Enamel Nonstick Cookware Set, Red

Rachael Ray Cucina Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set

Well, our top list is based on what we like. This might not suit you, so we prefer you to have a look at the cookware buying guide below. That will help you in choosing your right cookware. Keep reading on!

Cookware Buying Guide

A comprehensive guide that will give you everything you need to consider before choosing the right cookware.

Great cookware is an investment, but it’s often overwhelming to choose since there are many different types of cookware. With this in mind, how do you eventually decide on the right type of cookware while keeping within your budget? The answer is you need to know what you want before buying. This means that you need to know enough about cookware so that you can easily make a smart decision when it comes time for your next purchase. In this buying guide section, we’re going to walk you through all the information you need on how to buy cookware.

What’s Your Cooking Styles

Your cooking habits

You cooking habit will tell you what type of cookware that suits your need the most. For people who live with microwave food, you won’t choose the “copper set” for making easy dishes.

Expected cuisine

Do you tend to cook soups, deep fry or pasta? There is a special cookware set that you will need to prepare these foods. There are points to know about the safe – some food may not safe in some conditioners. Tomato sauces can dissolve “unsafe” chemicals from the copper pot for example. Or if you’re stuck with high-temperature cooking, nonstick cookware may be not for you.

Quantity

Will you be cooking for 3 or big party groups? 8-pieces or 14-pieces of cookware set may be up to your normal food feeding. Having the right size of the cookware set will also make ease to cooking. If you’re whipping up dishes to serve two or three people, you may choose smaller cookware pieces. But if your plans include a great deal of entertaining, you’ll probably opt for the large options in most cookware, or multiples of key items, like saucepans and stock pots.

Cookware Materials

After knowing your cooking styles, the next thing to consider is cookware materials. The mainstream is Stainless steel, Cast iron, Enameled-Coated cast iron, aluminum, Hard-anodized aluminum, copper, and non-stick.

Why material is matter?

The answer is Heat conductivity – The better the heat conductivity the more evenly your food will cook.

Some are better heat conductors than other materials. For instance, copper is a better heat conductor than steel. When you turn the heat up or down, the copper cookware will react a lot quicker to the temperature change then stainless steel cookware. The quicker time to heat, the saver energy to use.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a budget choice for general-purpose cookware. It is an alloy of metals including steel, chromium, and carbon. The reason it is called “stainless” because it can actually resist corrosion.

It’s durable, lightweight and dishwasher safe. It is, however, a poor conductor of heat so it is important that you choose stainless steel cookware that has a copper or aluminum core in the bottom of the cookware to help conduct heat more evenly and make the cookware more responsive to heat. Without it, you will get hot spots on the cooking surface and foods will cook unevenly. You may find stainless steel cookware with an aluminum or copper plate but if the plate is not thick enough, it will not do an efficient job of conducting heat evenly.

Stainless steel is a fabulous material to use on induction hobs. But if stainless steel cookware has a copper core it will not be suitable to use with induction hobs. So make sure to check product descriptions for the type of hob each cookware can be used on.

Stainless steel is easy to clean since it has a smooth surface. If you notice some kind of discoloration, you will want to use a stainless steel cleaner which restores natural luster. Metal utensil can be used on aluminum or stainless steel surface.

• Compatible utensils: all types
• Oven safe? Usually
• Induction safe? Yes, if the base is magnetic
• How to clean: Dishwasher safe, avoid high heat

Pro:

• Relatively expensive
• Highly durable
• Scratch resistant
• Looks good for longer
• Dishwasher safe
• Best for longevity

Cons:

• Not a good conductor of heat.

Nonstick

Nonstick cookware has a coating (usually a variation of the polymer PTEE- or polytetrafluoroethylene) inside the pan that prevents food from sticking and makes cleanups easier. Make sure your non-stick pan is PFOA-free because PFOA was deemed toxic by the EPA and most popular models from reputable brands without it.

Nonstick cookware also offers an aluminum base for even heat. The non-stick surface is really an advantage when cooking some sticky foods such as grains and eggs and grab it when you don’t feel like spending much time cleaning. It also makes non-stick pans a perfect choice lower-fat cooking since it helps to reduce the amount of fat that is normally required when cooking. However, the non-stick surface is less efficient when we use certain cooking methods because the coating interferes with the transfer of heat from the underlying pan.

One of the main disadvantages of non-stick cookware is that it can be easily scratched. Metal utensils can damage the surface so it’s highly recommended to use nylon silicon utensils. Do not use nonstick cookware in the oven. These aren’t for use with extremely high eat.

• Compatible utensils: nylon, wood, and silicone—no metal!
• Oven safe? No, unless otherwise noted.
• Induction safe? Yes, usually. Check to make sure.
• How to clean: Hand wash, avoid using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners.

Pro:

• Easily releases food
• Cuts down on the amount of oil or butter necessary
• Durable
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• It can be easily scratched

Cast Iron

Cast iron material has been used for cookware for hundreds of years. Cast iron cookware is extremely durable and long-lasting. It will rust quickly if not kept conditioned and dried at all times. Cast iron cookware is a good heat conductor and maintains temperatures well, making it ideal for long cooking at lower temperatures either in the oven or on the hob.

However, this type of material is not easy to maintain material. It requires lots of care to keep it working the way it should.

• Compatible utensils: all kinds (including metal!)
• Oven safe? Yes
• Induction safe?Yes
• How to clean: Season pan, wipe clean after cooking, hand wash if necessary.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Durable and long lasting
• Good heat retention
• Best for slowing cooking
• Oven safe

Cons:

• Quite heavy
• High maintenance
• Reacts with food unless seasoned

Enameled-Coated Cast Iron

This type of material provides all the benefits of the cast iron. The key difference of enamel coated cast iron is it has a porcelain surface which requires barely any seasoning, making it easier to maintain. However, some certain foods do not cook well in the cast iron cookware. Acidic foods will react with it and will strip off the coating. If this happens, just season your cookware again.

• Compatible utensils: nylon, silicone, or wood
• Oven safe? Yes
• Induction safe? Yes
• How to clean Dishwasher safe, but hand washing with soapy water is recommended

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Durable and long lasting
• Heats evenly and consistently
• Holds heat very well
• Less maintenance and cleaning
• Can come in any color

Cons:

• Quite heavy

Copper

Copper is known as an excellent conductor available so copper cookware provides quick and even cooking, and cools down quickly, providing maximum control. It’s best if you’re cooking on the stove top where you have to control the temperature.

Copper, however, is a heavy metal which will easily scratch and dent. Another big concern is that it can react with foods and can be toxic, so copper cookware is often lined with stainless steel. Copper cookware can be a stylish addition to your kitchen however it is more expensive than stainless steel or aluminum cookware, therefore it is not often seen in many kitchens. Also, copper cookware needs regular maintaining with a special cleaner to keep it looking since it can discolor easily.

• Compatible utensils: wood, nylon, and silicone
• Oven safe? Yes, so long as they’re not lined with tin
• Induction safe? No
• How to clean Hand wash only with mid, non-abrasive detergent, hand dry, buff and polish regular.

Pros

• Best for the professional chef
• Fast and even heat distribution
• Dishwasher safe
• Highly versatile

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Reacts with some certain foods
• Can scratch and dent easily
• Requires regular polishing

Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the most affordable material in cookware. It’s also a great conductor of heat and spreads heat evenly throughout the pan, making it suitable for a wide range of dishes. It’s highly recommended to use non-metallic utensils such as silicone, nylon, and wood, to avoid scratching the coating inside the pan.

Aluminum can be a great all-rounder in the home kitchen, equally suited to cooking eggs and more delicate sauces. While not as durable as stainless steel or copper cookware, the majority of aluminum cookware is it has a non-stick coating to ensure food remains unburned and to cut down on clean up time. It is also very pliable, so it’s usually combined with layers of another metal such as stainless steel. This is sometimes called tri-ply. Aluminum is, however, prone to discoloration and can discolor some foods and sauces which can make tastes bitter. So we recommend aluminum with nonstick interior since it’s much less likely to react with foods.

• Compatible utensils: nylon, silicone, or wood
• Oven safe Yes, so long as the handle is oven safe as well
• Induction safe? No
• How to clean: Avoid using metal utensils

Pros

• Highly heat conductive
• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Dishwasher safe
• Easy to clean

Cons

• Can discolor some foods and impart a bitter taste
• When not combined with another material, it’s easy to dent or damage

Hard-Anodized Aluminum

Aluminum can be anodized to harden the surface – hard anodizing. This chemical process produces hard-anodized aluminum which is harder than stainless steel and is extremely durable. In addition, this type of cookware is very strong, heat conductive and dishwasher safe. It is a good conductor of heat which has been given a special finish to makes it stick-resistant. This cookware also comes with a superior nonstick coating, so like aluminum, it’s recommended to use non-metallic utensils such as silicone, nylon or wood to avoid scratching the coating inside the pan.

The main drawback of hard-anodized aluminum is it is not dishwasher safe and can be dark in color, making it hard to see slight color changes in the food being cooked.

• Compatible utensils: nylon, silicone, or wood
• Oven safe?: yes, and to high temperatures, provided the handles are metal
• Induction safe?: not usually unless otherwise noted
• How to clean: Hand wash only

Pros

• Durable and Long-lasting
• Stick resistant (But not nonstick)
• Heats hotter than regular aluminum
• Creates a surface less prone to sticking

Cons

• Not dishwasher safe

Types of cooking surface

• Non-stick: This is one of the most wanted features for every cookware. Nonstick cookware is coated surface allowed for easy to clean and healthier cooking. However, for safer use, you should not use Aerosol cooking sprays on the surface. For other traditional nonstick, this type of cookware is easy to dent and scratch and low-temperature cooking is highly recommended for food safety.
• Stick-resistant: This is a non-coated surface that commonly used for baking tools. It can be found in pre-seasoned cast iron and stainless steel cookware and best use at a moderate temperature with little oil.
• Porcelain Enamel: This kind of surface is mostly found on good heat conductor like copper, which is easy to clean. Porcelain enamel is great for slow cooking tools such as roasters, stock pots, and Dutch ovens.
• Scratch-resistant: Scratch resistant, which made from electro-chemical process to maker aluminum harder, can be found in new models like hard-anodized.

Types of Hob

Gas

All type of cookware can be used on gas hobs. When using cookware on a gas hob, you should regulate the flame to make sure the flame does not extend beyond the base of the pan, this wastes gas can damage or discolor your cookware.

Electric

With either a solid hot plate or a radiant spiral fitting, electric hobs are also suitable for almost any kind of cookware. That’s why this type of hob is very commonly found in the kitchen. Radiant spiral hobs will take anything, while solid hotplates work best when cookware has a flat base to ensure it’s heated evenly.

Ceramic

A ceramic hob is made from ceramic glass with a heating element sealed underneath. And, again, all cookware is suitable for this type of hob. Remember always to lift pans and not slide them as the ceramic surface is more delicate and can be easily damaged.

Induction

This type of hob is made from ceramic glass, the heat coming from a magnetic induction coil which heats the cookware but not the cooking surface, which in turn heats the contents of the pan.

The best metal for an induction hob is stainless steel, cast iron, or nonstick which are magnetizable metals. Other materials such as pure aluminum or copper will not heat up on an induction hob unless the base is bonded with a magnetic metal.

Halogen

This halogen hob has a smooth top surface that is easy to clean. You can use any style of cookware on this hob. It is a more delicate form of the hob and it is heated by halogen lamps under the glass.

When using halogen hobs, we would suggest not to use cookware with shiny materials, as they can reflect the light from the lamps and reduce their efficiency. Instead, choose a thick-based pan to counteract the high heat that can be let off. And always lift your cookware, don’t drag them as this can damage the glass surface.

Price

The amount you can afford to spend on the cookware will most likely be a determining factor in what you end up purchasing. The high-quality cookware will be well worth it in the long run. Otherwise, you will find yourself replacing them in a short time. Keep in mind that cookware set is an investment. Replacing pans and lids every several months to continue using them isn’t worth the cheap price you paid for.

Don’ts & Dos:

• Don’t buy cheap, buy value – Believe us, the value cookware can make cooking a pleasure for years to come.
• Don’t buy a 20-piece set if you will only end up using a few pieces.
• Do take a look at other reviews to make sure that you’re choosing the right one.
• Do use your cookware inadequate temperatures.

Top Tips to get the most from your cookware

• Make sure you check the brand’s guidelines for dishwasher safety. Many pans or pots may be dishwasher safe, but we recommend that you hand wash your cookware that will add to their longevity.
• Never use metal utensils and scouring pads on non-stick cookware as this can damage the surface and remove any non-stick coating.
• The same goes for metal utensils – choose wooden spoons rather than sticking a metal fork into your pan to check your food is cooked.
• Be careful not to overheat your pans as this can damage them. Do not put an empty pan on the hob or in the oven when the heat is on, this can also damage the pan and waste heat.
• Similarly, cleaning your cookware with warm soapy water or leave your pans to cool before washing them in hot water so as to prevent warping.
• Only place pans on hobs that are the same size or slightly larger so as to prevent the heat reaching the handle and to not waste energy.
• If you have nonstick cookware, take care not to overheat it as this can shorten the life of the coating.
• Don’t soak nonstick cookware, it’s best to clean them right away.
• Cast iron surfaces should not be cleaned with soap.