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Pots & Pans

Tips that make registering for pots and pans a little easier, and living with your choices a lot more fun.

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What do prehistoric huts have in common with kitchens of the 21st century? The humble yet enduring pot. Even though our standard of living has changed dramatically over the last eight and a half millennia, the cooking pot remains pretty much the same as an absolute essential for preparing food. So unless the two of you plan on becoming modern-day hunter/ gatherers, you, too, must do as countless couples have done since the dawn of civilization: get yourselves some pots and pans.

Whether you’re just starting out or have amassed a mixed collection of new pieces and hand-me-downs, assess your needs before you compile your wedding gift-registry list. A set of pots and pans should include everything needed to tackle the basics as well as some specialized items that cater to your particular interests. Neophytes and gourmets alike should first consider registering for the following basics.

• Three saucepans of varying sizes: small, medium, and large
  
• One frying pan/skillet
  
• One double boiler
  
• One roasting pan with rack
  
• One large stockpot
  
• One Dutch oven
  
• One loaf pan
  
• Two round cake pans
  
• One square pan
  
• Two pie pans
  
• One muffin pan
  
• One cookie sheet

With the above items, you’re ably equipped to eat very well for years to come. If you’re in doubt, give special thought to your long-term needs—the easiest to underestimate. If you only bake a pie once a year for Thanksgiving dinner, you’ll still need the equipment to make that pie.

Once you get cooking as newlyweds, you’re bound to develop some specialty cravings. There’s no better time to indulge yourselves than when filling out a wedding gift registry. From fish poacher to paella pan, your options are as varied as your appetite. When you’re ready to register, though, ask your registry consultant about how to make the best choices in order to make your selection as efficient and versatile as possible. For instance, if you love making omelets on lazy Saturday mornings, look for an omelet pan (curved sides make it easier to slip out an omelet) that can do double-duty as a frying pan and then stroke that item off your “basics” list.

The old adage “You get what you pay for” certainly applies to choosing pots and pans. A cheap saucepan will probably boil water just as effectively as an expensive one, but if you want to produce great results with a variety of recipes (from a delicate cream sauce to homemade candy) year in and year out, your best bet is to invest in quality cookware. There are three characteristics that indicate a quality product: hard-wearing, efficient, and easy to clean. The last point is particularly important because the pot or pan in question will be quickly relegated to dust-gathering if it takes too much time and effort to clean. A good-quality item, on the other hand, will save you time and effort by cooking foods efficiently and leaving you with a minimum amount of cleanup.

One way to save your guests money when registering for quality cookware is to look into a one-price set of pots and pans offered by a single brand. Basic sets that offer three saucepans and a frying pan, for instance, will likely be priced much lower than the combined cost of the same items chosen individually from open stock.

Take your time to find the pots and pans that are right for your lifestyle now and that will continue to work well for you as your cooking interests grow. There are a lot of decisions to make. Quality cookware comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, including copper, copper coated with stainless steel, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, heavy-gauge aluminum coated in stainless steel, cast iron, porcelain-coated cast iron, and nonstick cookware. Research the advantages of each type of cookware. You may be surprised at the differences in valuable attributes. For instance, nonstick cookware allows you to cook food fat-free since the special coating replaces the need to add fat or oil. On the other hand, traditional (noncoated) cookware, which does require some added fat or oil (when frying, for instance), is a good choice if you prefer classic cooking techniques. If you want the option of cooking either fat-free or loaded with butter, choose nonstick cookware, which accommodates both techniques.

Don’t feel you have to stick with one kind of cookware for your entire collection. The best cooks own a variety of pieces for the greatest range of options. For instance, you might decide on a set of coated nonstick saucepans and baking pans, a cast-iron Dutch oven, and a heavy-gauge aluminum roasting pan.

The best way to ensure that you’ll be happily cooking with your new pots and pans for a very long time is to take care of them. Just as you’d expect the best possible service out of a hammer if you keep it clean, dry, rust-free, and properly stored, pots and pans will last longer and consistently turn out great results if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and storage.

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