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7 Cookware Essentials: What You Need for the Perfect Cooking Collection
Welcome to the kitchen! Whether you're a novice chef or a veteran cook, looking for a cookware overhaul or are in the process of setting up your home and kitchen, certain cookware items are necessary for any kitchen. These include stock pots, saute pans, roasters and steamers -- thus forming the foundation of any good kitchen. In this blog, we'll look at seven must-have kitchen appliances and essential pots and pans from Harris Scarfe to make cooking enjoyable and efficient for anyone looking to have a good time while they cook. Let's get started!
Kitchen essentials: cookware: how to buy
When buying cookware essentials, there are several criteria, such as material, size, shape, and heat conductivity.
- The material of the cookware determines how durable, long-lasting, and non-stick it is. For example, stainless steel is popular for its durability and heat conductivity. At the same time, non-stick materials are great for low-fat cooking.
- Size is essential, as you want to ensure you have the right size for the dishes you plan to cook. For example, if you plan to make a large batch of soup, you'll need a large enough pot to accommodate it. On the other hand, if you're only cooking for one or two people, a smaller pot will suffice.
- The shape of the cookware impacts how evenly your food cooks. For example, round pans are great for even heating, while square pans are better for browning and crisping.
- Heat conductivity of the cookware affects how quickly the food cooks. For example, cast iron is a great choice for its excellent heat retention and distribution, while copper is a great choice for its heat conductivity.
These are a few criteria to consider when buying essential pots and pans. For more detail and in-depth information, our cookware buying guide can help.
7 Must-have kitchen appliances
Saute Pans
Saute pans are essential cookware items for their versatility and convenience. These shallow pans come with slanted sides designed to allow for quick and even heating and easy stirring and flipping. Making them ideal for sautéing, stir-frying, and other fast-cooking techniques. One of our top recommendations would have to be the Raco hard anodised 30 cm saute pan for its superior quality and reliability. With a heavy gauge construction and non-stick surface, the pan is ideal for cooking delicate foods like fish, shrimp and vegetables, as their shallow depth prevents the food from overcooking. The long handles make manoeuvring and flipping food in the pan easy. Ideal for various cooktops, including induction hobs, the pan is also oven safe up to 200 degrees C. Sear proteins and veggies or stir-fry and sauté delicate foods - this is one versatile piece of cookware to bring home today.
Saucepans
Saucepans are a must-have in any kitchen for their ability to multitask. Their deep, wide shape makes them ideal for simmering and boiling liquids, such as sauces, soups, and stews. Plus, you can use them for cooking grains, beans, and other starches. We love the Smith & Nobel traditions stainless steel saucepan (14 cm) with its premium stainless steel construction that ensures optimum heat distribution. On the other hand, the Scanpan Impact stainless steel saucepan (20cm) is crafted from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel with a rim designed to avoid drips when pouring the contents of the pan. Both pans are suitable for all cooktops, and you can use them for slow-cooking dishes or just heating and simmering. Ideal for meal prepping or when entertaining.
Multi Steamer inserts
Multi steamers are one of our favourite must-have kitchen appliances, available today by some of Australia's top cookware brands. They're great for home cooks as they offer a convenient way to steam multiple food types simultaneously. If you don't have a multi-steamer, a fantastic alternative is investing in a steamer insert, like the Scanpan Impact high-quality stainless steel steamer with a lid, which is easy to accommodate in all of your 16cm, 18cm, and 20cm saucepans and pots. We love this insert for being oven-safe up to 220/250 degrees. Plus, you'll be able to cook your veggies, proteins and grains evenly while retaining all the food's nutrition. We highly recommend it.
Fry pans
Non-stick fry pans are known for effortlessly cooking delicate foods, such as eggs and fish, as they prevent food from sticking and burning. This makes them easy to clean, as the residue is quickly wiped away. With the Tefal 30cm gourmet hard anodised non-stick frypan, you can fry, sauté, and sear various foods. Whether a beginner or an experienced home chef, this range is a high-quality choice to master your culinary skills. You'll also benefit from a Thermo-spot informing you when to pour in your ingredients and start cooking. Bring home this lightweight design to create perfectly cooked dishes every time.
Roaster
Entertain often? Then it would help if you had a roaster. Roasters are large, shallow pans with handles for easy manoeuvring, ideal for baking, roasting, and slow-cooking dishes. They are perfect for large family meals, as they can accommodate large quantities of food. The Smith & Nobel 40 cm Traditions roaster deserves special attention for its versatility. With a 4.0mm wire steel, you can place the meat on the rack for better temperature distribution and an evenly cooked dish. All the excess juices and fats will collect at the bottom of the pan, offering you the base for a mouthwatering gravy.
Baking tray
Perfect for baking large batches of cookies, roasting vegetables, and heating dishes - the baking tray is another one of our favourite cookware essentials for the kitchen. Case in point: the MasterPro non-stick baking tray is perfect for making cookies, roasting vegetables, grilling meats, or heating dishes - depending on your goal. This multipurpose kitchen utensil features a double non-stick coating, minimising the possibility of breakages with rolled rim designs for easy handling and effortless food release.
Stockpot
This large deep pot with a lid is a favourite for boiling and simmering stocks, sauces and soups. In today's blog, we want to highlight the premium Smith & Nobel traditions 8L stainless steel stockpot for its long-lasting durability. Plus, you'll benefit from rapid and even heat distribution and the soft touch courtesy of a stay-cool plastic handle. The pot comes with a glass lid and steam vent for cooking ease. We highly recommend adding a stockpot to your cooking repertoire.
Get the best cookware sets in Australia
Our list of the top 7 cookware essentials is a great place to start in your journey of making the time spent in your kitchen feel effortless, efficient and enjoyable. Harris Scarfe offers a wide range of individual pieces and cookware sets from some of Australia's leading brands that are worth checking out. Take advantage of our exhaustive kitchen essentials guide for more guidance around the right kitchen tools and equipment. For more inspiration about all things home and kitchen, visit the Hub today.
