Picking out the best cookware for you is crucial to a well-functioning kitchen. Whether you’re starting your collection from scratch or you’ve been landed with a new hob type that you need one of the best saucepan sets for, it’s important to spend a little bit of time working out which products are right for you.
That’s because if you buy right, you’ll only need to buy it once in the coming years. And you’ll also gain a tool for cooking, like one of the best non-stick frying pans, that can make a noticeable difference to the results of your favourite recipes.
Quick links
Best cookware brands
Le Creuset
Why we love it
The reputation of Le Creuset often precedes the actual cookware at hand. But the bottom line is this: if you’re wondering ‘is Le Creuset worth it?’ the answer is most definitely yes. If it’s quality you’re looking for, you’ll find it with Le Creuset.
This is a French brand with 100 years of heritage as of 2025 and if you ask anyone who has owned one, they’ll feel like they’ve owned their own Le Creuset for about that time too. Many members of the Ideal Home team have pieces passed down through generations of their family.
The thing I love most about this brand is their classic enamelled cast iron casserole dishes. Enamel is low maintenance, yields even heat distribution and doesn’t require seasoning. It’s also exceptionally hard wearing (just remember that metal utensils or taking it from extremely hot to cold or vice versa is a no).
Le Creuset
Shallow Casserole
RRP: £149 – £305 (size dependent)
This underrated Le Creuset skillet is the shape that I think will suit most people. Perfect for braising meat and browning ingredients, it’s as good for a stir fry as it is for a one-pot lasagne. The added surface area makes it ideal for everyday family meals.
Le Creuset
Round Casserole
RRP: £209 – £399 (size dependent)
This is the best Le Creuset dutch oven if you’re looking for a vessel for soups, stews and baking, doubling up as the perfect pot for breadmaking too. The heat retention within this round dish is simpy exceptional and will unlock a whole new world of recipes that you can accomplish.
Le Creuset
Stainless Steel Saucepan Set
RRP: £419
It’s not just cast iron that Le Creuset can pull off with finesse. This stainless steel set was a huge favourite of our reviewer when she tried it, finding the saucepans so handy for cooking grains, pasta and noodles. Though pricey, this set will go the distance at home.
Where to get the best Le Creuset deals
General sales run year round via the Le Creuset UK website and they also have a ‘Taste’ section where you can shop curated discounted pieces.
If you’re already a Prime member, you can skip shipping costs with Le Creuset deals you can find on Amazon.
John Lewis holds exceptionally good sales on Le Creuset regularly too, especially with colours the brand are discontinuing. And my secret tip? QVC is the last place you might think of for cookware, but they have great Le Creuset pieces on sale constantly.
When to shop the best Le Creuset deals
Unquestionably, the best time to shop Le Creuset deals is Black Friday, which falls at the end of November every year. Deals via Le Creuset itself are usually very competitive, with price-matching going on.
For Amazon-specific deals, Prime Day (every July) as well as Big Deal Days (falling in October) are the events to know about.
As new Le Creuset colour ways are released, you can probably find the selling off of older, discontinued shades so keep your eye out for sales around then.
Ninja
Why we love it
Ninja offers fantastic cookware sets at mid-range prices, so if you’re not looking to splash out on Le Creuset, have a browse here. The non-stick options can last for years, and have done as part of our long-term testing, with ceramic options available too. In fact, the brands ZEROSTICK range is meant to withstand 10,000 scrubs.
While the brand’s stainless steel collection is also very popular, if you’re looking for an affordable yet quality option, the ZEROSTICK Essentials 3-Piece Pan set comes in at £114.99 and has a host of 5 star reivews.
As its Ninja we’re talking about, it’s not just pot and pans that they do well in the cookware realm. Their StaySharp knife sets are fantastic, with built-in knife sharpeners to make maintenance a stress-free process. I tried one at home alongside a Joseph Joseph alternative.
Ninja
Ninja Zerostick Stainless Steel 5-Piece Pan Set
RRP: £219.99
When I quizzed a host of chefs, all of them swore by using stainless steel in professional kitchens. With this set (which is actually pretty affordable considering how many pans you get), you’ll be kitted out for all of your cooking needs.
Ninja
Foodi 9-in-1 PossiblePan
RRP: £129.99
Multi-functional pans are the ideal solution for small kitchens, with the versatility you need to steam, fry and bake with them. This one comes with a steamer/strainer, a spatula and a glass lid and is perfect for popping in the oven to finish dishes off. It’s a very handy buy.
Ninja
Zerostick Frying Pan
RRP: £24.99 – £36.99 (size dependent)
This is the most affordable Ninja frying pan you can buy but that’s not to say it lacks quality. With the same non-stick tech, it currently has a 4.7 star rating from over 400 reviewers. Made from smooth aluminium, it allows you to cook with little or no oil.
Where to get the best Ninja cookware deals
A great thing about Ninja is that its widely sold, so finding a good deal on its cookware is easy if you’re willing to search around.
The Ninja website often offers price matches, so have a look there first for a point of comparison. Check it against places like Amazon, Dunelm, Lakeland, Argos and Very.
When to get the best Ninja cookware deals
Ninja is a brand that really shows off when Black Friday comes around – it’s one to wait for if you’re thinking of buying one of these pans. The brand also hosts worthwhile summer sales and offers discounts around times like Easter too.
Our Place
The Instagram-ubiquitous non-toxic cookware brand Our Place might be best known for its colourful Always Pans, but it’s real gem is its Pro range, namely the Always Pan Pro Titanium offering. It’s the number one non-stick pan I’ve ever tried, and the best bit is it doesn’t feature any sort of coating; instead, it’s made with naturally non-stick materials, including aluminium and stainless steel.
It’s the most durable pan I’ve ever tried – those ‘indestructible’ marketing claims have really lived up to expectation in my kitchen. Regardless of burning, charring or staining, the textured inner pan has never permanently tainted.
I love the colourful designs of the OG Always Pan, though I found that open heat can stain the bottom of the pan quite irreversibly during testing. However, as the very first multi-functional pan that’s been duped many times since, I think it holds up as a more affordable option for students or those with smaller kitchens.
Our Place
Titanium Always Pan Pro
RRP: £150 – £190 (size dependent)
This is my favourite pan I’ve ever tested, as per my five star review. It’s my everyday pan and it’s a true workhorse. It’ll never chip off and leave non-stick residue in your food and it is oven safe up to 400°C. The stainless steel exterior washes like a dream in the dishwasher too.
RRP: £55
I was fed up with my cheap baking trays holding onto grease and grime no matter how hard I scrubbed them, so I invested in this non-stick baking tray. It cleans without incident no matter what you throw at it and the fact that you can use it on your hob too makes it a winner for me.
RRP: £125
Oft imitated (including recently by Lakeland), I still think the original multifunctional pan is worth your time if you can’t afford the titanium version. Obviously it looks great, but the opportunity for functionality with the steamer, poacher and tagine accessories adds so much too.
Where to buy Our Place deals
The Our Place website has a ‘We Made Too Much’ section, where you can shop surplus cookware and tableware for less. The brand also often price matches via its website during peak sales events. You can also catch Our Place pieces on sale on Amazon and at Selfridges.
When to buy Our Place deals
Black Friday is a great time to shop via the Our Place website. And if you’re thinking of building a collection of this cookware, the brand’s Dirty Dishes Club loyalty scheme is worth your time.
HexClad
Why we love it
HexClad, probably best known due to a dazzling endorsement from chef Gordon Ramsay, uses a honeycomb pattern on the inside of its pans to create a non-stick effect. That, combined with its hybrid design of various metals, means that it very much impressed our expert home economist Helen McCue during her review of the 7 Piece set.
Though the frying pans draw the most attention, Helen also loved the wok and the BBQ pan from the brand, finding them to be high quality and impressively non-stick (if prepared correctly!).
The biggest gripe with HexClad cookware? It’s extraordinarily expensive – costing as much as an heirloom piece from Le Creuset, for example. But Helen was mightily impressed with how they performed in her kitchen, when cooking anything from caramel to delicate fish, so the high investment definitely yields results.
RRP: £129 – £199 (size dependent)
This frying pan, kitted out with those infamous hexagons, is a great everyday pan for eggs, meat, fish and more. Our reviewer found that the non-stick performed exceedingly well and that it is a well-built utensil for all sorts of cooking.
RRP: £139
A quality wok will last you for years and this one, which is suitable with all hob types, wowed our reviewer in testing. It’s big enough for family portions and is easy to grip and manoeuvre.
RRP: £89
A reader told me that their favourite HexClad buy was in fact, the brand’s knife collection so I just had to try them out for myself. This Santoku blade was my favourite by far, with the perfect balance for chopping and slicing and the most beautiful jade handle to make it an occasion every time you cook.
Where to buy HexClad deals
I’d recommend shopping via the HexClad website first and foremost, where you’ll find bundle deals and sales, especially during Black Friday and near to Christmas. You can also shop the brand via Amazon.
When to buy HexClad deals
As the brand originated in the US, it makes Black Friday and Cyber Monday a great time to shop HexClad cookware.
Where to buy the best cookware
|
Retailer |
Brands stocked |
Delivery info |
|---|---|---|
|
John Lewis |
ANYDAY (own), GreenPan, Jamie Oliver, Joseph Joseph, Le Creuset, Tefal etc. |
Free when you spend £50 and over. |
|
Amazon |
Basics (own), HexClad, Ninja, Our Place, Tefal etc. |
Free for Prime members. |
|
Lakeland |
Simply (own), Zyliss, Joseph Joseph, Masterclass, Ninja etc. |
Free when you spend £50 and over. |
|
QVC |
Le Creuset, Ninja, MasterClass, Cook’s Essentials etc. |
Delivery cost differs per item. |
Which cookware do you need?
Here’s a breakdown of the cookware we see as essential in a kitchen, followed by examples of our top three products for each category which won’t elsewhere be covered in this guide.
|
Cookware type |
Good for |
Not ideal for |
|---|---|---|
|
Saucepan |
Boiling vegetables, making sauces, reheating soups, cooking pasta or rice |
Frying, roasting, or anything requiring a crisp finish |
|
Frying pan |
Frying eggs, searing meat, sautéing vegetables, making pancakes |
Slow cooking or baking (if not ovenproof) |
|
Casserole dish (ovenproof) |
Slow-cooked stews, casseroles, braised meats, baked dishes |
Quick cooking on hob |
|
Stockpot |
Making soups, stocks, and large batches of sauces |
Shallow frying or anything requiring browning |
|
Griddle pan |
Searing meat or vegetables with char lines |
Sauces, stews, or anything liquid |
|
Roasting tin |
Roasting meat, poultry, or vegetables and traybakes |
Hob cooking |
|
Baking tray |
Biscuits, pastries, oven chips, or roasting small items |
Sauce or liquid-based dishes |
|
Wok |
Stir-frying, flash-cooking vegetables, noodles, and meat |
Slow cooking or stews (too thin for prolonged heat) |
|
Cast iron casserole dish |
One-pot dishes, bread baking, stews, soups, braised meats |
Quick frying or delicate sauces (too heavy, retain too much heat) |
|
Milk pan |
Heating milk, melting butter, small sauces |
Cooking anything that needs stirring space or high heat |
|
Baking dish (ceramic or glass) |
Lasagne, gratins, puddings, baked desserts |
Hob use or rapid temperature changes (can crack) |
|
Steamer |
Retaining nutrients in vegetables, fish, or dumplings |
Roasting or frying (no browning effect) |
|
Sauté pan |
Browning and then simmering dishes, shallow frying, risottos |
Deep frying or oven roasting |
Best saucepans
Stellar
Eclipse Saucepan Set
This quality saucepan set has all of the bells and whistles you need for even cooking.
Zwilling
Simplify Stainless Steel Pot Set
Our tester loved this set in her review of it, especially the keep-cool handles and lid holder.
Ninja’s ZEROSTICK range is fantastic for quality saucepans if you’re on a budget.
Best casserole dishes
Habitat
5.3 Litre Casserole Dish
This inexpensive casserole from Habitat has nothing but 5-star reviews from users and is a favourite of the Ideal Home team too.
Le Creuset
Shallow Casserole Dish
Tefal
Air Cast Aluminium Stewpot
Find casserole dishes too heavy? This super lightweight aluminium version is the one for you and the favourite of Ideal Home’s Kitchens Editor Holly Cockburn.
Best woks
This HexClad wok wowed our reviewer during testing after she used it to make a sticky chilli paneer and stir fry. She was especially impressed with its non-stick capabilities, even at an exceptionally high heat. The only downside is that it’s quite weighty, at 1.6kg, in your hand.
Stellar
Rocktanium Non-Stick Wok
Stellar is one of the Ideal Home team’s favourite cookware brands so its no surprise that the brand’s wok is high on this list. It withstands scratches well and the curved handle is easy to hold. It’s oven-safe and all-hob-types-compatible too!
Ninja
Foodi ZeroStick 28cm Wok
Ninja’s ZeroStick range is a favourite of our Editor Heather, with the non-stick capability apply to this fantastic wok too which also comes with a glass lid. Though it’s a little heavy, it worked a dream for cooking notoriously sticky foods like eggs in a fried rice.
Best griddle pans
Le Creuset
Toughened Non-Stick Square Grill
This pan is a triumph for delicate fish or meat, especially if you want those grill marks across your food.
ProCook
Cast Iron Square Griddle
ProCook never fails to come up with quality alternatives to more expensive buys. This griddle pan is extremely hard to fault and made from cast iron to boot.
John Lewis
Cast Iron Square Grill
For a splash of colour within your cast iron cookware collection this pan is a winner. It’s a great size for everyday use too.
Best pancake pan
It might seem frivolous but having a dedicated pan for pancakes comes in handy if they’re a staple for your weekend breakfasts.
This versatile pan is not just fab for pancakes but also excels when cooking eggs in a big way. It’s also great for delicate fish.
Whipping up a huge pile of mini pancakes couldn’t be easier with this quality but affordable pan.
Frying pan vs sauté pan vs chef’s pan
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Sauté pan |
Frying pan |
Chef’s pan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Shape |
Flat base with straight, high sides |
Shallow with sloping sides |
Rounded, flared sides and slightly deeper than a frying pan |
|
Best for |
Browning then simmering – dishes with sauce or liquid, like chicken in white wine or risotto |
Quick, high-heat cooking – frying eggs, searing steak, sautéing vegetables |
Tossing and reducing – sauces, creamy pasta, or anything that needs frequent stirring |
What is a casserole dish?
The most famous example of a casserole dish is a round Le Creuset. That’s for good reason: it’s the ideal shape for dishes which need even heat distribution, like slow cooking and stews.
A casserole dish should be deep, wide and have high sides with a lid to trap moisture. Le Creuset products specifically are crafted from enamel (which doesn’t need to be seasoned and is therefore lower maintenance).
What is a frying pan?
It’s a shallow, flat-bottomed pan with a long handle that you can use for browning, searing and frying as well as deep frying. More expensive versions will be oven-safe too, for finishing under a grill (like a one pot lasagne). Choose right and this will be the most versatile piece of cookware in your kitchen.
In the UK, what we tend to call a frying pan is sometimes called a skillet, though skillets are usually made from cast iron.
What is a saucepan?
It’s a pan designed for liquids which need to be simmered, boiled or gently heated. It should be deep with tall, straight sides, a flat base and a long handle as well as an accompanying lid. More expensive versions often have internal measurement markings.
Best cookware materials
If you want to choose your new pans by material type rather than brand, here’s a cheat sheet to the kinds to know about and why, as well as product recommendations that we’ve tried and tested.
Best stainless steel cookware
Stainless steel has a reputation as the professional chef’s material of choice to cook with, a fact that certainly rang true when I asked a number of them for their desert island pans.
Eric Fraudeau, a French chef with over 40 years of culinary experience and the owner of Cook’n With Class Paris, a cooking school in France, has a simple piece of reasoning as to why he favours this type of cookware in a professional setting.
‘Stainless steel pots are a chef’s best friend—they’re easy to clean, naturally non-stick, heat up quickly, and don’t require any seasoning, making them incredibly convenient for everyday use in the kitchen.’
He’s not the only chef to vouch for this material in a setting where food standards are high. Paul Bough, cookware brand ZWILLING’s Resident Chef, breaks down the situations where you’d want a stainless steel pan on hand, saying ‘Stainless steel pans are good all-rounders that can be used with low to high temperatures for sauces, fish and sautéing vegetables while iron pans or pans with a criss-cross mesh surface are ideal for searing steak.’
But what about the drawbacks? Well, stainless steel is pricey and can require more maintenance and clean up than a simple non-stick option. But if you want quality above all else, it’s a material that will impress time and time again. Here’s a selection of top-rated stainless steel pans we’ve tried.
Le Creuset
3-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
During our review process this set wowed on so many occasions, with particularly fast heating and stunning heat distribution. Perfectly stackable and with the material quality that will blow you away, this is a seriously worthwhile splurge.
The particular shape of a chef’s pan makes it a true kitchen workhorse, something our reviewer discovered when she adopted this pan into her kitchen. As per her full review, this is a versatile pick if you want to buy just one brand new stainless steel pan.
GreenPan
Premiere Stainless Steel Ceramic Non-Stick Saucepan & Lid Set
Another stainless steel set that seriously impressed during our review process was from GreenPan – easy to clean and dishwasher safe, this quality set was a tonic for our reviewer in her busy family household during testing. It’s high quality and with small touches that make it well worth its price tag.
Best cast iron cookware
When it comes to durability, there’s no beating the best cast iron cookware. From casseroles to skillets, it’s perfectly possible to complete your entire kitchen with cast iron, which is a fantastic material for serious home cooks. These durable and enduringly stylish picks will cook up a perfect stew or hearty chilli, or sear your steak perfectly.
While a bit more high-maintenance than non-stick materials, cast iron cookware will last a lifetime and often comes with a guarantee to confirm just that. Even if you’re a non-stick lover, we recommend having at least one cast iron piece to get that seasoned flavour in your steak that other pans just can’t achieve.
These are the standout cast iron pieces we’ve tested if you’re looking to begin or expand your collection of these heritage dishes.
Le Creuset
Round Casserole Dish
The heat retention with this dish is unmatched, and because it’s enamel-coated it can go in the dishwasher – yay! There are heaps of size and colour options to choose from, and maintenance throughout my years of ongoing use has been totally pain-free.
Even better, the Le Creuset range is covered by a lifetime guarantee meaning it can be replaced if you have any mishaps.
ProCook
Cast Iron Round Casserole
ProCook has an extensive range of reasonably-priced cast iron cookware, and multiple members of the Ideal Home team can attest that it’s a brilliant value option. I’ve tested many ProCook pieces in my kitchen and for the price, the quality is exceptional.
This casserole is hefty, but it’s crafted from molten iron for a consistent design with no weak points. The design is backed by a 25 year guarantee, which is rare for a product of this price. It also comes with a similar self-basting lid design to the Staub cocotte, and can go through the dishwasher. For the price, I couldn’t fault it.
Staub
La Cocotte 3-Piece Cast Iron Pot Set
Another classic brand that’s known for its amazing cast iron, Staub really impressed us with this space-saving design. The four-piece kit includes a cocotte, braiser, grill pan, and universal lid, all of which slots neatly together for convenient storage in the tightest kitchens.
The brand includes rubberized bumpers to slot between your pans. Hang onto these, as they’ll prevent damage from storage. That said, I found that the French construction looked great after months of use. The brand recommends hand-washing, but the set is dishwasher-safe.
Best non-stick cookware
Non-stick cookware is ideal for causal, quick everyday cooking. It can come in many different forms, but the most popular is a non-stick interior coating on a pan, while the exterior is crafted from something else.
After all, there are some recipes for which nothing but a non-stick pan will do. To crisp up the skin on fish or meat perfectly or for a quick grilled cheese sandwich, you’ll want a pan that you can recover any food from without elements getting stuck.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Northcote, agrees that a non-stick pan should be part of your pan selection. ‘It’s definitely worthwhile investing in a good pan.’ says Lisa. ‘I think, if you’re at home, or if you’re cooking in a professional kitchen, you always want to invest in your utensils. It’s the same with a lot of things, you want to invest once, rather than having to buy things many times.’
These are the top-rated non-stick pans we’ve tested that will also go the distance in your home.
Our Place
Titanium Always Pan Pro
This is the best piece of cookware I’ve ever tested thanks to its fully-clad, tri-ply build, as per my review of it. It’s forged from non-stick materials rather than coated, so there’s no concerns about toxicity needed either. Every single food I’ve ever thrown at it is simply no match for the non-stick and even if something burns on, it cleans off instantly in the dishwasher. It’s well worth its price tag for how long it’ll last in your kitchen.
Jamie Oliver x Tefal
Casserole Pan
We just had to test out this casserole after seeing the all 5 star reviews for it and we were not disappointed. Our reviewer found it was capable of pretty much any cooking task thanks to its versatile shape and the non-stick interior has an indicator to let you know when its hot enough for cooking. It’s large enough for families and for batch cooking and oven-safe. A total winner in our book.
The quality and popularity of the Our Place Always Pan has spawned many lookalikes but after testing this one from Lakeland, it’s fair to say it’s more than just an imitation. Our reviewer tried a huge range of dishes with it, from risotto to paneer, and loved its non-stick qualities. It’s also available in an array of stylish pastel colours and comes with an included steamer.
Best cookware for induction hobs
Switching to an induction hob can sometimes mean switching over to compatible cookware. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, the good news is there’s a whole lot of cookware out there that is induction-friendly. Pieces that won’t be suitable, on the whole, are copper, aluminium, ceramic, copper or thin-walled stainless steel pans. If you’re switching over to an induction then always double check your pans compatibility.
Lots of the standout pans that have already featured in this list are also induction friendly, including picks from Le Creuset and Our Place, but if you’re looking for something that will look great on your new hob and allow you to declutter your kitchen, these picks will shine.
Tefal
Ingenio 22-Piece Set
This Tefal set can solve so many problems in one fell swoop with detachable handles and stackable pots and pans all in one purchase. For smaller kitchens and home cooks, this set will cover every single need you have. Our reviewer found it was a great match for family cooking, especially with the indicators that let you know when you to start cooking. Our 4.5 star review has the full details.
John Lewis
John Lewis Classic Pan Set, 5 Piece
You know you can trust John Lewis for quality pans and our reviewer only found evidence to back that up when testing this particular set. With measurements on the inside of the saucepans and curved rims for pouring, these non-stick products hold up through daily use and stack nicely too. More details are available in our review.
IKEA
HEMKOST 7-Piece Cookware Set
IKEA is such a convenient place to shop and provides excellent options for cookware too. Our reviewer found plenty to like about this set, including how quickly the pans gained heat and the built-in strainer element was much appreciated. Affordable and oven-safe, it’s a winner that you can pick up locally too.
Pros and cons of each type of cookware
Stainless steel
Pros: Highly durable and long lasting; great for cooking at high temperatures (searing, browning)
Cons: Food will stick at lower temperatures; oil (and sufficient temperature) is essential for most cooking
Cast iron
Pros: Non stick (if seasoned well); great heat retention; can last a lifetime
Cons: Heavy; requires maintenance (seasoning with oil) to maximise non-stick properties; can rust
Ceramic coated
Pros: Non stick with no PFAS (in many cases); easy to clean
Cons: Coating is generally less durable than PTFE-based pans; shorter lifespan
Carbon steel
Pros: Non stick (if seasoned well); similar properties to cast iron, but lighter
Cons: Requires seasoning; prone to rust; heat retention inferior to iron
FAQs
Which cookware brands do professional chefs use?
If you’re looking for specific brand recommendations, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Northcote has one. ‘The brand of pan that’s out there that everybody’s talking about at the moment is the HexClad.’, she says. ‘These are very good quality, and I use them both at home and at Northcote. It is excellent for use both commercially and domestically. It’s solid, it’s robust, it’s easy to clean, it’s non-stick, it’s great to cook in. It’s just a good, all round very good quality pan.’
On the whole though, lots of the chefs we interview swear by one material over any other in professional kitchens: stainless steel.
Dan McGeorge, Great British Menu Champion of Champions 2021 and chef-owner at Vetch, Liverpool, makes the case for the material, saying ‘I always look for multi-layered pans with the ability to cook on all surfaces as this improves longevity, so if you change from gas to electric or induction you are good to go.’
He adds ‘You also want solid metal handles so that the pan can be doubled up as a casserole dish’.
What is the most durable cookware material?
Cast iron can last for decades when cared for properly with many pieces handed down through generations. Stainless steel has a similar reputation for durability, while non-stick or ceramic options are rarely expected to last as long.
Is non-stick cookware safe?
Our contributor Sasha Muller has done a deep dive into the safety of non-stick cookware. He says ‘Before you panic and throw your non-stick in the bin: not all non-stick pans are bad. And even pans which do contain PFAS aren’t inherently dangerous if you use and care for them correctly.’
‘Some types of non-stick cookware – notably not all – are coated with what’s broadly known as ‘forever chemicals’ or PFAS (poly– and perfluoroalkyl substances). As they’re widely used in various industrial processes, they’ve spread throughout the environment and the food chain and it’s only in the last 20 years that legislation has begun to limit human exposure or ban certain types of PFAS from cookware.
Indeed, the wider issue is that PFAS are incredibly long-lasting and can take as long as 1,000 years to decompose naturally. So, it’s not just a question of whether these types of non-stick pan are safe to cook with – used right, they are – but it’s also about the wider impact of their production on the environment.
Non-stick pans are not inherently dangerous. But if you’re concerned about PFAS or durability, then lots of alternatives exist. There are non-stick coatings that are marketed as PFAS-free, though definitions vary and there’s little in the way of standardised definitions across the industry. Your best bet? Look for brands which cite independent certifications from third-party testing – and if in doubt, contact them and ask.’
Which cookware is best if I don’t have a lot of space?
We’ve tested so many space friendly options. For detachable handles, check out this Tefal Ingenio set or Joseph Joseph’s version. For all-in-one pans that take away the need for loads of cookware, we love the M&S and Lakeland versions, as well as the unrivalled in terms of non-stickability Our Place Titanium Duo.
How we chose the best cookware
Every product recommended in this guide to the best cookware has been tested by one of the expert reviews team here at Ideal Home. Our testing process spans across our testing centre and our reviewers’ real homes, so that we can get a feel for how these pieces perform across the board.
We have a set testing protocol for putting frying pans, saucepans and cookware sets through their paces with standardised recipes and star rating guidelines. We use each product for at least two weeks in the place of our everyday cookware and canvas the opinion of professional chefs to bolster our expert commentary too.
Image 1 of 5
You can learn more about Ideal Home’s panel of expert testers for cookware below.
Kitchen Appliances and Cookware Editor
Molly Cleary
I’m Molly, and I’ve spent the last four years of my career testing every kitchen appliance and gadget out there to tell you which ones are worth your time. I’ve tested multiple cookware sets and pans myself in the last few years as well as overseen all of our reviews on pans, knives and other kitchenware. I’m a keen home chef and baker and once I found the Our Place Titanium Always Pan I haven’t looked back – it’s truly the ultimate do-it-all pan. Other sets I’ve tested are from Stellar, Ninja and Le Creuset.
Home Economist
Helen McCue
Hi, I’m Helen and I test a huge range of kitchen appliances from a small village in Buckinghamshire. After completing a Home Economics degree, I went on to work for the Good Housekeeping Institute and have been reviewing home appliances ever since. Now a freelancer, I’ve tested multiple pan sets for Ideal Home in previous years, including options from HexClad, Lakeland, Tefal and Habitat.
Expert Tester
Annie Collyer
I’m Annie, and I have 7+ years of reviews experience, having tested everything from cookware to hot tubs for Ideal Home. I test kitchenware regularly in my busy family kitchen to cook for myself, my husband and my daughter. Sets I’ve recently tested are from John Lewis, Tefal, M&S and GreenPan.
Read the full article here