What's The Best Cookware Materials For You? (& 2022 Guide)
Comparing the best cookware materials for you?
You've come to the right place.
It's a headache to choose cookware can vary drastically in durability, cost, and ease of care.
Not to worry though.... We compared the top 10 cookware materials to make your decision easier.
Let's dive in, shall we?
How to Choose the Best Cookware Materials
- Cooktop: Next, consider the type of cooktop you have at home. Not all materials can be used on induction cooktops.
- Ease of Cleaning: Non-stick cookware and stainless steel cookware are some of the easiest materials to clean. You will want to be sure you aren't putting pots and pans in dishwashers that can be damaged either.
- Weight: Some materials are much heavier than others. For instance, cast iron cookware is very heavy. If you plan on using carbon steel, cast iron cookware, or anodized aluminum, know these options are a bit harder to work with due to their higher weights.
- Toxicity: Some types of cookware can be toxic. Usually, this is when they have a non-stick coating that is used at a very high heat or with acidic foods.
- Cost: Finally, you want to consider the cost of all cookware material, as some are much more expensive than others.
Types of Cookware Materials
There are several different kinds of cookware materials today. Below is all the information you need to make a finalized choice that gets you what you need. We will cover what the cookware materials work best with, how they are made, what ranges can use it, the weight, and all the pros and cons. Our website aims to arm you with the best data lined up.
Aluminum
Best Cookware Material For Everyday Use
Aluminum cookware is best for home cooks who want a general cooking set to use in the kitchen. An aluminum frying pan should be reliable and work with several different cooking methods. This material is affordable and easy to clean, making it simple to maintain.
Overall, if you need something reliable to cook with everyday, then an aluminum cookware set would be great for you. They don't have the best heat conductivity, but they work well for most people. Plus, these pots and pans are affordable. Many people start cooking with them, then upgrade to other types later.
How It's Made
The aluminum used to make cooking materials needs to be anodized first. Anodized aluminum has been thickened using an electrolytic process, which creates a harder cooking surface. This surface is also going to be non-reactive to most foods. You will still need to be careful that you don't cook acidic foods on high heat in aluminum cookware. This type of food can slowly damage the aluminum pots and pans.
What Ranges It Works On
Anodized aluminum is safe to cook food on ranges with smooth cooktops. There should be a barrier between the cookware and the burner. That means, ceramic and glass tops work well with aluminum. In short, as long as the aluminum pans aren't sitting on a metal burner, you can safely use them.
Weight
Aluminum is a very light weight material. You can expect these aluminum pans to weigh very little.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Carbon Steel
Best Cookware Material For Moving to Oven
Carbon steel is the best for cooking and searing meats, then moving the sauté pan to the oven. The material can handle high heat, but you want to make sure you keep it at a safe temperature range.
Many people also use this type of cookware for baking pans. You can even use it for cooking skillet cookies, cobblers, and pies.
How It's Made
These pans are very durable and great for providing a surface that can heat up quickly, with an even cooking. They are made from 99% iron and 1% carbon, which makes these types an alloy. However, you do need to season carbon steel.
What Ranges It Works On
Carbon steel can be used on induction, electric, glass, and gas stove tops. As long as the top is flat, you can use this material on. Plus, it works on a portable induction cooktop as well.
Weight
Carbon steel is another fairly light metal. The pieces tend to weigh about five pounds or less, depending on the size of the pan.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Cast Iron
Best Cookware Material For Versatility
Cast iron cookware is considered to be the best of all the other cookware types. A high quality cast iron pan will last you many years.
The cast iron pan can be used in anything. It is very reliable when it comes to cooking and is very long lasting. Cast iron also is the most versatile of all the types. It is heavy and comes with a durable structure. Plus, cast iron cookware can retain heat for a very long time.
How It's Made
Cast iron cookware is made by combining iron and steel together. Then, the metal is poured into a mold, along with powdered clay and water. Cast iron usually takes a long time to prepare.
What Ranges It Works On
You can use them on induction, gas, and electric cooktops. Cast iron may damage glass surfaces by leaving a burn mark.
Weight
Cast iron is very, very heavy- it weighs the most out of all the other materials. A cast iron pan will likely weigh more than any piece of carbon steel cookware. Plus, it will weigh more than stainless steel cookware pieces too.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Ceramic
Best Cookware Material For Healthy Non-Stick
Do you enjoy non-stick cookware, but are worried about Teflon? You can use a ceramic cookware piece instead. They are more environmentally friendly and provide all the benefits of a non-stick pan. They can still break down and the non-stick layer becomes damaged at high heats.
How It's Made
Ceramic cookware usually comes with a metal core, such as aluminum or stainless steel. Nicer brands can contain copper. The ceramic is added to the outside of the pans. A non-stick coating is added to the surface.
What Ranges It Works On
Ceramic can be used on many cooktops, but not glass. The pans will scratch the surface.
Weight
These pans are very heavy, especially if they are made from 100% ceramic. However, they are still not as heavy as cast iron pans or cast iron pots.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Copper
Best Cookware Material For Healthy Non-Stick
Copper offers the best heat conductivity and temperature control. It is long lasting too and is very easy to clean.
How It's Made
The copper metal is set on a high heat, melted, then tin is added to it. From there, the metal is shaped and a protective coating is applied. The coating is washed off before the pan gets to you.
What Ranges It Works On
Most copper pans work on all cooktops. They work on gas, electric, glass, and induction surfaces. Copper resists heat, so you can use it in the oven too.
Weight
Copper pots aren't as heavy as a cast iron pot, but they still are quite dense. An 11 inch copper pan is going to weigh around 11 pounds.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Enameled Cast Iron
Best Cookware Material For Home Cooks
If you love cooking every day, then this type of pan will allow you to make just about any dish at home. The pan maintains warmth and is resistant to sudden temperature changes.
How It's Made
Glass enamel glaze is applied to the surface of a normal cast iron pan. This makes the pan perfect for baking dishes of any kind. Plus, it makes it provides it with more durability.
What Ranges It Works On
You can use a cast iron pan on any type of range. You can move it easily to the oven too, since it resists temperature changes.
Weight
These pans are just as heavy as normal cast iron. If you need something lighter, we recommend that you try a normal nonstick cookware set.
Pros and Cons
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Hard Anodized
Best Cookware Material For Aluminum Upgrades
Looking to upgrade from your simple aluminum or steel pan? Hard anodized is aluminum that has went through an oxidizing process. It provides a reliable non-stick surface.
How It's Made
Aluminum is hardened through a chemical and electrical process. The surface can't react with food once it goes through this adjustment. Overall, it is now twice as hard as a stainless steel option. Many people prefer it over cast iron, carbon steel, and copper cookware for its usefulness in the kitchen.
What Ranges It Works On
You can use this on any surface in the kitchen, except for an induction stove.
Weight
Aluminum is very light, but when you put it through this process, the final result is slight heavier. That makes it denser and less prone to damage.
Pros and Cons
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Glass
Best Cookware Material Without Chemicals
No matter what brand of glass cookware you buy, it won't have any toxins in it. This is because it doesn't use plastic, nonstick coatings, or metal. It's very healthy.
How It's Made
The glass is melted, then shaped in a mold. Most of the time, no other materials are added to it.
What Ranges It Works On
Make sure you don't use it on surfaces that can scratch it. Most flat stovetops are going to fine.
Weight
Glass going to be slightly heavier than aluminum or copper, but not by too much much. These pieces tend to be denser, so the glass can hold the heat.
Pros and Cons
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Induction Friendly
Best Cookware Material For Induction Stoves
When it comes to being induction friendly, you will want cast iron, enameled cast iron, and stainless steel cookware in your kitchen.
How It's Made
All of these materials are made differently, but the manufacturer ensures they have a flat bottom for the induction tops.
What Ranges It Works On
Induction friendly products can work on most other surfaces.
Weight
Usually on the heavier side becuase of the heavier base needed for induction.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
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Non-Stick
Best Cookware Material For Induction Stoves
Nonstick options are the best for cooking foods like eggs; anything that doesn't want to release from the surface.
How It's Made
PTFE or Teflon is applied to the surface to make it easier to clean and cook on.
What Ranges It Works On
Nonstick pans work on any surface, as long as you don't run the stove too high.
Weight
These pans are lighter than steel, usually right around the weight of aluminum.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Stainless Steel
Best Cookware Material For Low Maintenance
Need an easy to clean piece of cookware? This type will be the best choice for you. It doesn't need to be seasoned either.
How It's Made
Stainless steel is made of several types of metals that are melted together into an alloy.
What Ranges It Works On
Stainless steel should work on all of the main kinds of cooktops.
Weight
Stainless steel is slightly heavier than aluminum, but not as heavy as cast iron or carbon steel pans.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
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Titanium
Best Cookware Material For Cooking Away From Home
If you need something for camp, this option is going to be the best choice. Anytime you are not at your home kitchen, reach for this.
How It's Made
A core of aluminum receives a titanium layer on the outside. This makes it much stronger than stainless steel cookware.
What Ranges It Works On
It works on every type of stovetop. That includes the induction stove.
Weight
These pans are very heavy, usually a little lighter than a cast iron, depending on their size.
Pros and Cons
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