With more time in the kitchen during the holidays, several people have asked me about cookware, specifically, pots and pans.
As you read through the list of items below, keep in mind that stocking your kitchen need not be an overnight process. You can invest slowly and build your own “dream team” set of pots and pans over the years. I received mine as wedding presents more than a decade ago and appreciate them anew every time I cook.
I use my All-Clad Stainless on a daily basis and my inexpensive, cast-iron cookware, nearly as often. Below is a guided tour of my pots and pans and hopefully, helpful hints as to how to stock your kitchen.
Pots
All-Clad ½ Quart Saucepan
This tiny 1/2 quart saucepan is a favorite in my kitchen for warming up small amounts of sauce, milk, or butter.
All-Clad 2 Quart Saucepan
The pan of choice for over 45 recipes on this website, my 2 quart saucepan is used for everything from Gravy, to Hot Chocolate, to Cherry Berry Syrup.
All-Clad 4 Quart Saucepan
This 4 quart saucepan is a staple in my kitchen for making Hardboiled Eggs and homemade soup.
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All-Clad 12 Quart Stockpot
My 12 quart stockpot makes many appearances over the holidays and is an absolute lifesaver when scaling up recipes.
Pans
All-Clad 8 Inch Fry Pan
The perfect small pan, my 8 inch frying pan is most often used for Eggs and Crepes.
All-Clad 12 Inch Fry Pan
As the name suggests, this 12 inch frying pan is perfect for frying larger batches of Latkes and Fritters.
All-Clad 4 Quart Sauté Pan
My 4 quart saute pan is similar to a frying pan with taller rim to keep food contained. It is absolutely perfect for stir fries such as my Asian Stir Fry with Chicken.
Cast Iron Cookware
I enjoy using cast iron for roasting nuts and seeds; below are my favorite size pans. Brand is irrelevant when it comes to cast iron; this type of cookware is heavy duty, inexpensive and long-lasting. I enjoy using my 9 Inch Skillet for roasting nuts and seeds. The 10 Inch Skillet is the perfect size for tacos, or my Keto Mac and Cheese Skillet Casserole.
Baking Sheet
My family is a bunch of cookie monsters and I bake cookies for them several times per week.
These are my favorite baking sheets. They perform well and are incredibly durable, I’ve had them for as long as I can remember.
Kitchen Bridal Registry
If you are a bride to be figuring out how to stock your kitchen or what to put on your bridal registry, the above list is a good place to start in terms of basic, useful pots and pans. I’ve also created a guide on What Not To Buy For Your Kitchen.
Happy Holidays!
rhianne newlahnd says
I need the best cookie sheets, are there some that are insulated and brown evenly?
Elana says
Rhianne, I’ve updated this post with my favorite baking sheets :-)
Barbara Ivins says
In your gluten-free almond flour cookbook you mention a Magic Line loaf pan. Is this still available or can you recommend another for your sandwich bread?
Elana says
Barbara, if you go to this recipe you will find a link to that loaf pan:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-bread/
Enjoy!
Elana
nadia says
Do you have any suggestions for non-toxic bakeware?
Elana says
Nadia, all of these options are non-toxic!
Gloria Fry says
I love your recipes and your commentary/advice. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Sarah says
I really like Le Creuset cookware but I find the cast iron range so heavy. I have a few pieces of it (only a few due to the cost) but am always scared I will drop it. Maybe I should look at the alternatives.
Nina says
I have been researching cookware for a few years in the search of the “healthiest” to use and finally found one I cannot fault in any way. I plan to switch my non-stick for Nutri Stahl pans. I recommend people check them out.
Judy says
How do you like your Nutri Stahl system? We just bought it yesterday off a street vendor for $699 and he gave us two additional large pans (large fry pan and big pan for roasts). Just wanted some feedback as I am having a bit of buyer’s remorse. We haven’t used the system yet
June Sinclair says
I have been married 47 1/2 years to a wonderful man who is celiac as of 1 year ago. Your site has been so very helpful. I am purging my shelves of my alumnium cookware which I have used all these years. I would love to have the all clad sauce pan. I am starting to replace my pans but cannot do it all at once. Thank you so much for your cookbook which I ordered and love using. Happy Holidays. June
elana says
Bill,
Thanks for your comment. I really like your site!
Elana
Bill says
Hi Elana,
Thanks for putting this list together. Being a cast iron effectionato, I especially liked the choices you made here.
Now, I just need to choose who I will be especially nice to before Christmas real fast :)
~M says
Hi Elana,
Nice choices and both all-clad stainless and cast iron are induction-ready, a requirement of my fiancé and mine. I was wondering, however, which pan/skillet you use when you cook eggs or pancakes? We make over easy eggs and pancakes here all the time, but we will be donating our current (non-stick) set once we get our all-clad and le creuset pieces. Thanks!