Upgrade Your Kitchen: What is the Best Type of Cookware?

The best type of cookware isn’t the most expensive or trendy. The best cookware is a vehicle for delicious food. It’s your partner in crime, crafting culinary delights and consistently outperforming the competition.

Some cookware materials are better suited for certain types of chefs or specific methods, so it’s important to not just understand what you’re cooking with but why.  

In this article, we'll provide an overview of different cookware types and their best uses, highlighting De Buyer's superior offerings in select categories. 

Understanding Different Cookware Materials

Owning a bunch of pots and pans isn’t necessary. What you need is the right tool for the job. 

Stainless Steel

de Buyer’s stainless steel cookware comes in both 3-ply and 5-ply options. The 3-ply version is made with 18/10 stainless steel, consisting of 18% chromium and 10% nickel, while the 5-ply version is crafted entirely from stainless steel. Stainless steel cookware sets are recognized for their durability, resistance to high heat and corrosion, and easy maintenance.

Although stainless steel pans can withstand very high temperatures, they have slightly lower heat conductivity. It also takes practice to stop a stainless steel frying pan from sticking.

Cast Iron

Cast iron cookware is extremely durable and can get very hot with excellent heat retention. It is, however, one of the heaviest cookware tools. The standard 5-quart Dutch oven will weigh over twelve pounds. This heavy construction has the dual effect of giving cast iron a much slower heat reaction time compared to other popular materials. 

A cast iron skillet also needs to be seasoned before use and must be maintained properly. This seasoning means that cast iron has non-stick properties. Cast iron pans are not dishwasher-safe (this includes enameled cast iron) and cannot be used with incredibly acidic foods. 

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel cookware is the ingenious brainchild of stainless steel and cast iron. It offers all the responsiveness of stainless steel with the nonstick cookware effect of cast iron. Its lighter composition makes it easier to lift than cast iron. Like cast iron, carbon steel needs to be seasoned to protect the material from rust and create a nonstick coating. 

Upon receiving a de Buyer carbon steel pan, you must remove the beeswax coating and dry it thoroughly. Then, heat a small amount of neutral oil in the pan, rub it with a towel, and let the oil smoke off. 

For Mineral B PRO and Blue Carbon Steel pans, you can also finish by baking the oiled pan in a 450°F oven for an hour. However, Mineral B pans have epoxy-coated handles and aren’t oven-safe (use the stovetop method instead). Let the pan cool completely before use. 

Copper

Both de Buyer's Prima Matera and Inocuivre cookware are made from 90% copper with a 10% stainless steel interior. These materials work together flawlessly. The copper outer is a great conductor, while the steel inner protects your food from excessive copper exposure. 

Prima Matera is unique as it works on all cooktops, including induction cooktops, thanks to a magnetic stainless-steel layer at the base. This combination offers excellent heat conductivity and precise control, making it ideal for delicate sauces and searing. The Inocuivre line, while not induction-compatible, features a choice of brass or iron handles.

This amazing performance is truly top-of-the-line and comes with a much higher cost than other cookware materials. Copper cookware must be cared for properly, including handwashing only. 

Non-Stick Coatings

A nonstick surface is a convenient cooking option, and there are several options available, including de Buyer’s carbon steel line. However, nonstick pans have a toxic history (notably pre-2014 Teflon) with harmful chemicals like PFOA that pose significant health risks. 

Carbon steel is a lighter, more versatile option that heats quickly and is non-toxic. Ceramic and stone cookware is safe and non-reactive, ideal for cooking acidic foods, though stone and ceramic cookware are prone to chipping and dents. 

Choosing the right nonstick cookware set and PFOA-free options ensures a healthier cooking environment and reduces exposure to dangerous substances.

Choosing the Right Cookware for Your Needs

Every kitchen and cook will have different needs and requirements for their cookware. Whatever your needs, there is a cookware set for you. 

Home Cooks

Those who are extremely dedicated to their craft and have some money to spend may want to invest in copper cookware. Otherwise, your ideal pans will depend on the foods you love to make and the methods you often employ. 

• Baking: Stainless steel pans, silicone molds, and certain carbon steel pans are must-haves for the avid baker. 
• Sautéing: To sauté, you need a responsive pan that can heat up quickly and evenly. Your main bets are carbon steel and stainless steel sauté pans. Carbon has the edge on stainless over conductivity, but stainless involves less maintenance. 
• Stewing: For stewing and braising, you need cookware that’s excellent at slow cooking and capable of even heating. We recommend splurging for the copper stockpot to ensure your soups, stews, and short ribs come out perfectly. 

All high-quality cookware, regardless of composition, should be hand-washed and fully dried before storing. We recommend a hanging pot rack or a stacking system that prevents scratching. 

Professional Chefs

Expert chefs need the best cookware, and their exact needs depend on their cuisine of choice. When purchasing new cookware, consider your most cooked dishes and your kitchen needs. This is the time to spring for the best and most durable pots and pans. 

• Asian Cuisine: A carbon steel wok is a must-have piece of cookware for stir-frying. Its versatility is unmatched, and it offers needed quick heating and even cooking for Asian dishes. 
• French Cuisine: Copper, with its excellent heat distribution and retention, is a staple for French dishes like coq au vin and bouillabaisse. de Buyer’s carbon steel and copper lines also feature a Made in France guarantee to ensure the quality of your product. 

All of the above products are durable and non-toxic. Everything in your kitchen, from the griddle to the metal utensils, must be completely safe and non-hazardous, even under incredibly high heat. 

Cookware Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance will extend the life of your cookware. A low-quality piece from Amazon may last you a few years tops, but a premier pan from de Buyer can last you decades. Use the following tips when cleaning cooking surfaces. 

• Stainless Steel: Avoid abrasive cleaners. Clean with a gentle soap and baking soda for stains. Dry thoroughly to prevent spots.
• Cast Iron: Regular seasoning is key. Clean with warm water and a soft brush; avoid soap.
• Carbon Steel: Season regularly. Clean with hot water and a soft cloth, then apply a light coat of oil before storing.
• Copper: Use a non-abrasive copper cleaner like de Buyers cleaning paste. Rub the copper part of the pan with a wet sponge and the cleaner, then rinse with hot water and dry it carefully. 
• Ceramic Nonstick or Nonstick Coating: Use wooden or silicone utensils and hand wash to preserve the non-stick coating. 

Treat your cookware like delicate foods—with care and intention. Keep cast iron and carbon steel regularly seasoned. Fully dry and store all tools carefully. Above all, follow the manufacturer's directions when maintaining your cookware. 

De Buyer: The Perfect Cookware Solution

When selecting top-notch cookware, de Buyer stands out with our comprehensive range of high-quality options tailored to meet diverse culinary needs. Our cookware is crafted with precision and care, offering both superior functionality and classic French style.

Our collection includes:

• Stainless Steel: Durable and resistant to rust, ideal for a variety of cooking techniques from sautéing to simmering.
• Satisfied customers said, “This little pan is amazing quality and beautiful to look at. It does exactly what I need it to” and “excellent investment and worth every penny. Food does not stick and cleanup is easy.”

• Carbon Steel: Lighter than cast iron but equally effective in heat conduction and non-stick properties when seasoned.
• Satisfied customers said, “[de Buyer] is the place to go for carbon steel” and “Food doesn't stick, and the browning is pheromonal!”

• Copper: Provides superior heat conductivity for precise temperature control, perfect for delicate sauces and fine cooking.
• Satisfied customers said, “Loving it. Awesome cookware.” Along with, “cooks like a dream. I've used it nearly every day since I received it.”

Discover why de Buyer is the number one choice for discerning chefs.

Find Your Perfect Cookware Match with de Buyer

Choosing the right cookware enhances your cooking and ensures food safety. Different styles and materials cater to the various needs of home cooks and professional chefs. Proper care, such as seasoning and proper cleaning, extends the lifespan of your cookware.