Essential Types of Pots and Pans Every Cook Needs
In the heart of every kitchen, whether it’s the bustling environment of a professional restaurant or the warmth of a home cooking space, lies the foundation of culinary creation: pots and pans. The choice of cookware is pivotal, not just for the ease of cooking but also for the quality and flavour of the food prepared.
Yet, staring down a wall of cookware can be intimidating. But not you, because you have us—and today, we’re unveiling the must-have types of pots and pans that'll have you whipping up impressive meals in no time. From nonstick cookware to cast iron skillets and sauté pans, find them all here.
Buckle up because we're about to get saucy!
Types of Pans
Frying Pan
First up, we have the MVP of any kitchen. A good frying pan is your ticket to perfect steaks, fluffy omelettes, and crispy bacon.
This type of pan sports a classic rounded shape with sloped sides that conduct heat evenly for consistent cooking. Just like other cookware, it’s made from different materials—expect to find varying types of stainless steel pan, aluminum pan, and nonstick pan in your search.
Frying pans are extremely versatile, but their limited depth may not be ideal for large quantities or simmering, so keep that in mind!
🍳 Best For:
- Searing steaks
- Pan-frying fish
- Making eggs
- Sautéing vegetables
- Cooking delicate crepes
Cast Iron Skillet
For the perfect sear, the type of pan you want on your side is the cast iron skillet. This cookware has a flat bottom, slightly sloped sides, and excellent heat retention. Cast iron cookware tends to be durable and long-lasting. If you season it well, you can even get the nonstick properties without the artificial coating of nonstick pans.
Among the different types of pans, the cast iron skillet is the one that can easily go from the stovetop to the oven to the table—there’s something to be said for durability!
🍳 Best For:
- Searing meats to perfection
- Achieving crispy crusts
- Baking cornbread or pizza
- Preparing skillet desserts
Roasting Pan
Time to roast like a pro! You can use different types of pans for roasting, but this deep pan with raised sides is the best for golden-brown chicken, juicy roasts, and perfectly caramelized veggies.
Roasting pans are typically larger and deeper than regular baking sheets, so they can accommodate larger cuts of meat. The size and shape allow the meat to cook to a golden brown while retaining the delicious juices. If you get one that’s large enough, you can even cook some veggies on the side at the same time!
🍲 Best For:
- Oven-roasting chicken, turkey, and meats for golden-brown results with caramelized edges
- Cooking racks of ribs
- A makeshift double-boiler setup
Paella Pan
Seafood lovers, you need this type of pan in your kitchen. The design of this pan is shallow and wide so you can easily toast rice and mix the ingredients as you cook. It’s best for presentations too! If your cooking style favours Spanish dishes, you’ll want this special pan in your arsenal.
🍲Best For:
- Cooking authentic paella
- Jambalaya, risotto, and one-pan pasta dishes
Grill Pan
You can use different types of pans to fry, but the grill pan is your one key to grilled food without an outdoor grill. Because this type of pan is often made with cookware materials that retain heat well, like cast iron, you can achieve that perfect sear on your meats and vegetables.
Grill pans allow for convenient drainage of excess fat, too. What’s not to love?
🍳Best For:
- Achieving perfect grill marks on steaks, chicken breasts, and vegetables without a BBQ
- Making grilled sandwiches or paninis
- Skewers and shish kabobs
Read more: How to Take Care of Cast Iron Grill Pan
Wok
Always craving Asian cuisine? Then a wok is the type of pan you need. Because of its deep, sloped sides, food cooks quickly here, making it perfect for stir-frying and even deep frying.
🍳 Best For:
- High-heat stir-frying
- Steaming vegetables, dumplings, or seafood
- Simmering sauces and soups
- Braising smaller cuts of meat
- Deep-frying smaller batches of food
Types of Pots
Stock Pot
When it's time for epic soup making, corn boils, or just plain old pasta nights, a big stock pot is perfect for the job. With its wide base and tall sides, you can make serious quantities of food fast. Two sturdy handles help you maneuver this type of pot once it's full of delicious soup or stock.
🍲 Best For:
- Boiling large quantities of liquids
- Making stocks, broths, and soup
- Cooking pasta in large batches
Sauce Pan
Saucepans have a bit of an identity crisis—it’s a pan in name but closer to a pot in function. Regardless, as a cook, all you have to remember is that when you need to simmer sauces, gravies, and more, the saucepan is your go-to.
With tall, straight sides and a handy lid, saucepans are designed for emulsifying and reducing liquids. Built for efficient stirring and mixing, these types of pots (or pans) have a classic shape that works for countless recipes.
🍲 Best For:
- Simmering sauces
- Reducing soups
- Boiling liquids and pasta
- Preparing creamy bisques
- Making homemade jam
Dutch Oven
When you need rich, deep flavours for stews, roasts, chilli, and more, different types of pots can work—but not as well as enamel Dutch ovens. The thick enameled cast iron maintains moisture and heats beautifully, locking in tastes and making it impossible to dry out dishes. Plus, it’s one of those pots that can go in the oven without cooling down. Great for braises!
🍲 Best For:
- Slow-cooking stews and braises
- Cobblers
- Baking bread
- Preparing hearty dishes like pulled pork or beef bourguignon
Shop at s.t.o.p. for the Best Types of Pans and Pots
Ready to revolutionize your recipes with the hottest types of pans and pots?
s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply carries kitchen equipment for cooks of all levels, from seasoned chefs to culinary enthusiasts just starting their journey. With our wide range of high-quality pans, pots and other cooking supplies, we're confident you'll find the perfect tools to match your cooking style and budget.
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