Stock Pot A stock pot is the largest cooking pot in the kitchen and can be used to cook a variety of foods. It features a tall height that preserves liquids for longer and a thick base that promotes even slow simmering.
Cookware Material TypesNow that you know all about the different kinds of cookware pieces you can choose from, it’s time to decide which material will work best for you. An essential quality to look for in all cookware is the weight. A heavy pot or pan will sit securely on the burner, however be sure that it is light enough for you to lift easily.
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Bare Cast Iron
Bare Cast Iron needs to be seasoned before it is used. The seasoning process will give your pots and pans a nonstick surface that lasts forever. Once they are seasoned you should avoid soaking and washing them with soap. The best way to clean them is just to wipe them with cloth.
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Enamel-Coated Cast Iron
Enamel-Coated Cast Iron provides all the benefits of the cast iron. The advantage of this type of cast iron is it requires less maintenance and cleaning. However, some foods do not cook well in the cast iron. Acidic foods will react with it and will strip off the coating. In that case you just have to season your pan again.
Getting StartedGreat cookware is one of the best investments you can make, but there are so many choices and picking the right product can be difficult. The first thing you should determine is what kind of cooking you want to do, how many people you are most likely to cook for and your level of expertise. You should build your selection by choosing basic pieces first and then adding
The Stockpot is a large, deep pot with a flat bottom. It is used to cook liquid foods that do not need to be extremely close to the heat source. Stockpots let you sauté or brown, and then add liquids when making stocks, soups, or stews. Their tall profiles are great for keeping pasta submerged during boiling. This particular pot comes in a variety of sizes and its smart to keep in mind that having multiple sizes comes in handy when one has to cook for either a small or large group.
The fry pan or skillet is an essential kitchen workhorse and may be one of the most versatile pieces of cookware youll ever own. Flipping omelets, stir-frying, and even searing proteins is easy with the right fry pan. These pans are designed with a flat bottom and curved sides, making them a perfect choice for turning foods over or simmering with oils. How hot can they get? That depends on the material your pan is made of. Nonstick pans shouldnt exceed low or medium heat to retain their coating, while high heat is fine for stainless steel. Fry pans and skillets come in all sizes (yes, even ones built for single eggs) and typically dont come with a lid.
Another form of skillets are Cast Iron Skillets. Cast Iron Skillets are similar to fry pans, however the main difference is the care and the material they are made out of. Seeing as these skillets are made of cast iron they can be pretty heavy. The best advice, if you havent ever used a skillet, would be to come in and hold a skillet prior to purchase. When selecting a Cast Iron Skillet, be sure that it is preseasoned. The issue with skillets that are not pre-seasoned is that food will stick to it. To properly care and clean a cast iron skillet follow the instructions
The Sauté Pan is meant for sautéing, which translates into being able to fry food while moving it around quickly in the pan, all while covered with a lid. Sauté pans are similar to fry pans when it comes to the design, they too have a flat bottom, however the main difference between fry and sauté pans is that instead of having rounded sides, sauté pans have straight sides. Seeing as they are deeper than a fry pan, sauté pans can be used for multiple uses in addition to sautéing. Some of these uses are deep-frying, searing, and preparing certain sauces such as marinara.
The Sauce Pan has a rounded bottom and tall, straight sides. This means that they are a very versatile cookware choice, and can be used when making all kinds of sauces and soups. These pans can be used with or without a lid to control evaporation, which is why sauce pans are a go-to in any kitchen. A sauce pan is also ideal for many other uses – from reheating leftovers and preparing grains, to boiling eggs or noodles.
Braiser pans or Braisers are a large, flat bottom pan with a moisture-locking lid. This design makes the Braiser Pan a multitasker as well as a great addition to any collection. They can be used to brown food on the stovetop and/or slow-cook food in the oven. Some braiser pans are even designed to be served from right at the table, when everything has finished cooking of course!
A Griddle is a piece of cookware that has a large, flat or ridged surface. With a fairly small amount of oil it can be used to cook breakfast foods such as pancakes, hash browns and eggs. It can be square or round, but usually does not have the longer handle of a fry pan. Griddles or Grill Pans that offer a small ridged surface are perfect when you are trying to create those perfect grill marks.
Woks have high, sloping sides, and are a popular all-purpose Asian pan. They are traditionally 14 inches in diameter and made of carbon steel. These pans have a hot cooking surface on the bottom, while being cooler up the sides. On top of that, being able to move the ingredients around the pan gives one great control and versatility over the temperature. Woks are perfect for stir frying, steaming and deep frying.
Pressure Cookers give you the choice of having a quick-release option, taking even less time to finish a meal and without wasting water to cool things down. Their lids completely seal the pot, while the liquid is boiling inside. Steam then builds the pressure, which results in higher cooking temperatures and shorter cooking times. Most Pressure Cookers come in sizes that vary from 3 Quarts to 8.5 Quarts. A Pressure Cooker with a detachable pressure regulator can adjust the pressure to low, medium or high. The higher the pressure, the higher the internal temperature and the less cooking time you will need. The safety valve will automatically vent the steam. One of the most important accessories you will need is a timer. A couple of extra minutes of cooking probably wont harm a pot roast, but it could ruin a more delicate dish or any accompanying veggies.
A Roaster is a large rectangular pan with low sides that allows the ovens heat to reach as much of the food as possible. Roasting pans are often used with a roasting rack, which helps elevate food above the cooking surface. Its best used for cooking in the dry heat of the oven at relatively high temperatures. This is an essential pan for roasting turkeys, chickens, and other roasts.
The Dutch Oven is a larger vessel designed for slow-cooking generous volumes of stews, braised meats or pot roast. Dutch Ovens are usually round in shape and are made out of cast iron. Most Dutch Ovens have a pair of short handles, in order to make lifting safe and easy. Dutch Ovens come in a variety of colors, which many chefs like because they add a splash of color to any cookware set!
The French Oven is a type of Dutch Oven; the main difference is that they have an interior enamel, which means seasoning is not required. This is why French ovens are commonly referred to as enameled Dutch Ovens. French Ovens are perfect for cooking a variety of dishes, including beef, pork, roasts, briskets, and poultry. French Ovens, like standard Dutch Ovens, come in a variety of colors, making them the perfect option to add a pop of color to any cookware set!
There is always the option of buying cookware in a bundle. Its usually great for saving money and in return having matching pieces. This is an option for those who know exactly what they are looking, which makes for an easier purchase. Cookware sets can range anywhere from 10-18 pieces, with different variations in each set tailored to what you need.
Kitchen Equipment Expert’s Favorite Stockpots
FAQ
What is a tall pot called?
What is a tall cooking pot for?
What is a high sided pot?
What is a pan with high sides called?
What is the largest pot in the kitchen?
Stockpot The Stockpots are the largest pots you can find in the kitchen. This is one of the best kitchenware in cooking large amounts of dishes, particularly soups and stews. This pot can also be used in boiling spaghetti noodles since it is tall and wide enough.
What are the different types of pots?
Saucepans are another type of pot that are easy to identify. They range in capacity and size, but generally feature the same tall sides and tight-fitting lid as stock pots and rondeaus, with a circular base smaller than both. Unlike stock pots, they have one extended handle rather than two smaller looped ones.
What type of cookware is a stockpot made of?
These are often cast ironn cookware. Most heavy-duty stockpots (casserole dish)are made of an aluminum disk base, aluminum core across the base, and up to the pot’s side. Aluminum, carbon steel, or copper are the metal type that you can see in Stockpots. All are very durable and great for cooking large quantities of dishes.
What is a round bottom Chinese pot used for?
What it is: This round-bottomed Chinese pot is ideal for cooking food quickly at extremely high temperatures. Cook lo mein, stir-fry veggies, fried rice and even a 10-minute pad see ew, in this one. 13. Stock Pot What it is: This is easily the largest pot in your kitchen (typically at least 12 quarts).