COOKWARE
Cookware encompasses a variety of pots, pans, and utensils used in the preparation of food. Each type of cookware has specific functions and is designed to handle different cooking techniques. Here’s a rundown of common cookware products and their uses:
Skillets/Frying Pans: Flat, round pans with low sides and a long handle. Ideal for frying, sautéing, and searing. Available in various materials like nonstick, cast iron, and stainless steel.
Saucepans: Deep, cylindrical pans with tall sides and a long handle, used for boiling, simmering, and making sauces. They often come with a lid.
Stockpots: Large, deep pots with tall sides and two handles. Perfect for making stocks, soups, stews, and boiling large quantities of food.
Dutch Ovens: Heavy, thick-walled pots with a tight-fitting lid, usually made of cast iron or enameled cast iron. Great for slow-cooking, braising, and baking.
Roasting Pans: Large, rectangular pans used for roasting meats and vegetables. Often come with a rack to elevate the food and allow for even cooking.
Baking Sheets: Flat, rectangular metal pans used for baking cookies, roasting vegetables, and other oven-based tasks. They come in various sizes and materials.
Casserole Dishes: Baking dishes, typically made from glass, ceramic, or enameled cast iron, used for oven-baked casseroles, gratins, and other baked dishes.
Griddle: A flat, often nonstick surface used for cooking pancakes, grilled sandwiches, and other foods. Some griddles are double-sided and reversible for use on stovetops or in the oven.
Saute Pans: Similar to skillets but with slightly higher sides and a larger surface area. Used for sautéing, frying, and cooking foods that require more liquid.
Woks: Round-bottomed pans with high, sloping sides. Ideal for stir-frying, deep-frying, and steaming. They can be made from various materials, including carbon steel and nonstick coatings.
Pressure Cookers: Pots that cook food quickly using steam pressure. They are excellent for making stews, soups, and tenderizing tougher cuts of meat.
Double Boilers: Consist of two stacked pots, with the bottom pot used to heat water and the top pot to cook or melt delicate ingredients like chocolate or sauces gently.
Pasta Pots: Large pots designed specifically for cooking pasta, often with a built-in strainer or colander.
Cooking Utensils: These include spatulas, ladles, tongs, and whisks. They are essential for stirring, flipping, and serving food.
Muffin Tins: Pans with multiple cups used for baking muffins, cupcakes, and small individual portions.