6 Pots and Pans Every Home Cook Needs

When you’re cooking at home, having your kitchen equipped with the basics is important, so you aren’t scrambling for the right pan in the middle of the process. It’s easy to underestimate your needs until you pull out a recipe and realize you want to make a pot roast sans a braising pan. Here are six pots and pans every home cook needs from avid foodies to novice cooks:

1. Stockpot

A lot of cooks think they won’t need a stockpot if they never make soups. First of all, never say never when it comes to cooking as you might not have tried to make a soup or homemade broth as of yet, but eventually, you might! The beauty of this large tall pot is that it is actually quite versatile and you might find some very functional options such as those that come with not only a lid, but a pasta strainer or even a steaming tray. You can do many things with your stockpot and eventually may find you can’t live without it.

2. Saucepan

Saucepans are smaller, less shallow pots. Because they are intended to make sauces some may come with a spout. Their shallowness also makes them easier to stir. Those without a spout can be used for rice and you can also boil potatoes and other veggies as they are a nice size for serving about four people. They do come in a number of sizes as well and a medium one will prove to be more versatile.

3. Braising Pan or Dutch Oven

A braising pan is designed for making things such as pot roast. If you want to have something that will do double duty, you can consider getting a Dutch oven which can be used for braising but is also excellent for making stew, chilli, spaghetti sauce and soups. You can use a Dutch oven both to roast as well as on the stovetop.

4. Sauté Pans

A sauté pan is ideal for searing and browning meats and can even be used for deep frying. They have a nice straight edge designed to help avoid splashing during cooking and come with a lid as well.

5. Wok or Sloped Pan

Woks can be used for everything from spaghetti sauce to deep frying as well as stir-fries. Many traditional woks come with the utensils you need for stir-frying, deep-frying and even a draining tray that affixes to the top of the wok rim. It is actually a good item as it can be used for so many things and can replace a number of kitchen items if you are on a limited budget.

6. Non-stick Skillet

A non-stick skillet allows you to cook everything from pancakes to eggs, veggies to burgers and everything in between without sticking or having food break up when you try to flip it. Skillets also allow you to cook healthier foods with the need for less oil. Look for eco-friendly versions that are PTFE and PFOA free.