Step 1 - What heat source do you cook on?
We start with the basics. What heat source do you have at home? Not all pans, for example, are suitable for an induction hob. If you cook on gas, you're in luck, because all pans are suitable for this. Also consider whether you want to buy pans that can go in the oven. Pans for the oven must be able to withstand high temperatures and cannot have plastic handles, as these will melt like cheese on your sandwich.
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Almost all pans can be used on gas
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Ensure the base diameter matches your induction rings as closely as possible
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Are you switching to induction soon? Then it's a good idea to wait to get new pans until your induction hob is connected.
Step 2 - Buying pans for cooking, baking, or roasting?
What kind of pans do you want to buy? Do you need a whole pan set, do you want to expand your basic collection, or are you looking for a specific pan? A basic set consists of at least two saucepans, a frying pan, and a sauté pan. You can further expand this with, for example, a wok pan, roasting pan, and grill pan. Additionally, there are also special pans such as a fish pan, pancake pan, or a paella pan. The choice is vast. Read all about the different types of pans here
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Go for at least a saucepan, frying pan, sauté pan, and a casserole or roasting pan.
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Are you a fan of pancakes or fish? Then you can always expand with special pans.
Step 3 - Go for big, bigger, or the grill plate?
In addition to all sorts of types, pans also come in all sorts of sizes. The larger the household you're cooking for, the larger the pan needs to be. It makes quite a difference whether you're cooking for two or feeding six mouths. The most commonly used diameters for saucepans are 16 and 20 centimeters. For frying pans, these are diameters of 24 and 28 centimeters. Pans with a diameter larger than 28 centimeters don't always fit on every stove, so also check the size of your heat source before purchasing pans of this size.
Step 4 - What material should I buy pans made of?
By now, you should know exactly what kind of pans you want to buy. The last step in 'buying pans - lesson 1' is determining the material your new pan is made of. Read all about pan materials in this blog.
Buying the perfect pans is not as simple as one, two, three. Take your time to follow our step-by-step plan and choose wisely. Because you won't have this new pan for a short while, but for your whole roasting life! 🍳
