Preparation
When you love to cook, the pots and pans you reach for daily are an extension of your best self. That skillet brings memories of the special eggs you cooked with your daughter; the roasting pan you pull out every November recalls the first time you and your spouse hosted the family feast. The memories are baked—or roasted, sautéed, braised, or simmered—in. That’s why heirloom cookware is worth the investment. It’s such a meaningful thing to own and eventually pass down.
Key pieces you’ll use frequently and display in your kitchen are the best heirloom cookware. To build a collection wisely, consider the material, heft, size, and color or finish.
Stainless steel is more durable than anodized steel or aluminum.Copper is the most functional material for cooking foods that react quickly to temperature changes; invest in pieces for sautéing fish, making sauces, or melting candy or chocolate.Enameled cast iron is incredibly user friendly; pick a color you love or go with a neutral.Choose pieces that are not too heavy for you to pull out and use with ease. Anything larger than a 12-inch cast iron skillet can be unwieldy; the same goes for a 5.5 quart Dutch oven.
Best Sauté Pan: Martha by Martha Stewart Copper Cookware Collection Copper Tri-ply Sauté Pan with LidBest Cast-Iron Skillet: Lodge Chef’s Collection 12-Inch Seasoned Cast-Iron SkilletBest Dutch Oven: Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round OvenBest Roasting Pan: Viking Culinary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Nonstick RackBest Nonstick Skillet: Our Place Always PanBest Casserole: Emile Henry French Ceramic Rectangular Covered BakerBest Tea Kettle: Simplex Kensington No 1 by Newey & Bloomer Copper Traditional Tea Kettle
