Outfit Your Kitchen With The Right Pots And Pans If you're just starting out to equip your first kitchen, those 30-piece sets of pots and pans seem tempting, albeit expensive. A seasoned cook will tell you that as a beginner, you may not use half of them for years to come. Granted, you'll have all the pots and pans you would ever need, but if you don't use them, what's the point? Here are some pointers on choosing the cookware that suits your needs and lifestyle. You'll find that quality beats quantity. You may even spend less money with better results. The first rule in choosing cookware is to purchase the best quality you can afford. A quality piece can last a lifetime. It's a much better strategy to buy a few good pots and pans and add new ones as you go along. For example, a properly chosen frying pan with a tight-fitting lid can serve as a frying pan, a dutch oven, a sandwich maker and an omelet pan. There are certain pots and pans that are essential. As mentioned, a good frying pan can serve quadruple duty. A heavy weight is the first indication of quality. This allows for even distribution of heat, which makes a big difference in the final results. Look for a frying pan with ovenproof handles. Enamelware is superior to stainless steel in terms of versatility. Cooking tomato-based sauces in a stainless steel pan can impart an undesirable metallic taste. A 2-quart saucepan is a must. You can boil potatoes, rice and eggs, heat soups, vegetables and leftovers, in addition to making a sauce. Some glass saucepans may be used in the oven, microwave or stovetop. The manufacturer's instructions listed on the carton will give specifics on stovetop limitations, if any. A stockpot should be on your list of pots and pans. Stockpots are great for cooking pasta and making big batches of soups, chili or stews. With just these three pots and pans, you can cook just about anything! For the sake of convenience, it's nice to have more than one frying pan and an extra saucepan or two, but you can certainly get by with just these three pots and pans for quite a while. Starting off with this ultra-basic setup allows you to develop your cooking skills and test the brands of pots and pans. Believe me, you'll never buy a cheap pan after you experience the quality results you obtain from a quality product. When you're equipping your kitchen, remember that you'll need other items and gadgets to prepare your food. Silverware, bowls, measuring cups and spoons, cooking utensils and mixing bowls are other necessities. Minimizing your cookware requirements allows you to spend the rest of your budget to turn, stir, whisk and grate the ingredients which grace your fine collection of cooking containers. Summary When shopping for pots and pans for your kitchen, the rule of thumb is to purchase the best you can afford. Even if you can only buy one piece at a time, the quality of the item will last you a lifetime. Start with the basics, like a good frying pan which can do double duty as a fryer or dutch oven. Related Articles Commercial Kitchen Supply Cookie Jars Related Sites