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Planning to Buy a Cookware Set?

Do you own a cookware set? If you don’t, it’s probably a ‘must do’ on your wish list. Millions of people invest in cookware sets, especially this time of year (it is Christmas, after all!), so here are a few guidelines for those of you choosing a new cookware set right now! Whatever you are thinking of buying, run through these tips as you go about your cookware set shopping…

1. Do I really need to buy a cookware set? – The first question you should ask yourself is whether you really need a cookware set. Indeed, they are beautiful on the pot rack or in your cabinet and they are very handy for certain kitchen tasks. However, we have found that a good skillet and a saucepan are just as useful for nearly every cooking task. If you don’t make a lot of variety food, you don’t really have to own a cookware set. But does a cookware set make everything a little easier? Sure. And if you make a lot dishes, it’s very useful.

2. If I had a cookware set, would I work with each piece in the set more than once a week? – This is an arbitrary standard, but I probably wouldn’t have bought my own cookware set if I didn’t think I would use it at least once a week, or indeed more frequently.

3. Do I have space for storing a cookware set? – Some cookware sets consist of 2 to 14 pieces in total. It’s difficult to store all of them, especially in a small kitchen, so you will need a lot of room or space for them. And if you do have a small space but still want to buy a cookware set, why don’t you buy a pot rack for example, it helps you solve storage problems and also protects your pots and pans better than a typical kitchen cabinet.

4. Which kind of pots and pans do you need? – For a few people a skillet and a saucepan would do adequately, but for others like myself, I need a larger variety of pots and pans. My advice has always been to start small. Cookware is one thing that really shouldn’t be skrimped on: cheap pots and pans are simply not worth it. That doesn’t really mean you need to invest a lot though; you could find great deals on good cookware at retailers like Amazon, so start with fewer pans and build up your collection.

5. What sort of cookware material suits on your cooker top? – If you use a conduction stovetop, some cookware materials cannot be used. There are lots of types of cookware materials available, such as stainless steel, iron, copper, ceramic, enameled iron, glass, and Hard-Anodized. Select what best suits your cooker/oven.

6. Is it easy to clean or not? – If you don’t like to waste your time cleaning your stubborn cookware by hand, you’d better pick up a cookware set that is dishwasher safe. But for some cookware, even though the manufacturer states that it’s dishwasher safe, you still are better off washing by hand to avoid scratching the delicate cooking surfaces on your pans.

7. How much can I afford to spend? – Once you have decided what your budget is, and that yes, a cookware set is indeed a great investment for your kitchen and your cooking style, it is time to decide how much you are willing to spend. Good quality cookware sets can be found costing anywhere from $100 to over $2000!

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