Should I Buy A Cookware Set Or Individual Pieces?
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Cооkwаrе sets are one of the first things you need to buy when moving into your first apartment or home, and are among thе bаѕісѕ in аnу сhеf’ѕ kіtсhеn! Thе ideal set would have аll thе роtѕ and pans уоu every wаnt and need.
But whаt іѕ thе рurроѕе bеhіnd buуіng a сооkwаrе set іnѕtеаd оf just fіllіng in thе gарѕ wіth роtѕ and раnѕ аѕ nееdеd? Thеrе аrе lоgісаl rеаѕоnѕ fоr dоіng this- and it’s not juѕt because they lооk bеttеr as a matched ѕеt. Thе mаіn rеаѕоnѕ fоr dоіng thіѕ іѕ ѕрасе, сооkіng соnѕіѕtеnсу, and lastly арреаrаnсеѕ.
Should I Buy Pots And Pans Individually Or A Set?
Buying A Set
You may see an advertisement for a wonderful bargain with so many pieces in a set. But, to be honest, if 90% of your cooking is done with just 2 or 3 utensils, is this still ‘such a bargain’? Certainly, not.
Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of buying a whole set:
Pros:
- It’s very economical if you don’t already own cookware or want to upgrade all of your tools at once.
- It’s easier and quicker to choose ones if you’re not a serious eater or don’t enjoy cooking.
- They make great gifts for newlyweds and as house-warming presents.
Cons:
- They might have useless pieces, like low quality utensils or a couple of oddly shaped pots that are rarely used.
- Unless you need each and every pot and pan, it can be just as inexpensive to buy a few better-quality pots and pans.
- Some contain nonstick coatings, which reduce the value of the purchase since they will need frequent replacement.
Buying Individual Pieces
Here are some reasons why you may want to purchase your cookware individually:
If you already have multiple pieces, want to replace your damaged pans with new ones, or want upgrade tools for your improved expertise, such as a saucier pan, buying individual pieces is better. Filling your kitchen with selected pieces also allows you to mix and match materials and sizes however you’d like.
Pros:
- Although individual quality pans can be more expensive, they will last longer and most likely distribute heat more effectively.
- You’ll get less pieces of cookware, but you’ll have needed tools that are superior cooking performance and suit your needs.
- You can mix and match pieces that suit appropriate cooking tasks. For example, instead of buying a set of stainless-steel cookware, you can buy a nonstick pan, 2-3 sizes of multi-ply stainless-steel pots for more cooking efficiency and durability, while an encapsulated stockpot completes your collection.
- You can buy a bigger size of pots and pans than offered in a set. You can get a big 12-inch pan or a 7-8-quart stock pot for feeding a bigger crowd or preparing food for a home party.
Cons:
- This way definitely requires more money than buying a set.
- You have to research and consider what pieces to be filled in your collection, budget and appropriate warranty carefully. Remember, think about essential pieces before adding optional extras.
- If you mix many types of cookware, you have to learn different ways for maintenance. Some such as nonstick, ceramic, and cast-iron tools, need proper care routines for longer lifetime.
Which is Better- Should I Buy A Cookware Set Or Individual Pieces?
It depends on your need. At least, you should consider these questions to check yourselves before buying:
- Are you a beginner, home cook or an expert cook?
- How many people will you cook for?
- What recipes do you tend to cook?
- Can you carefully maintain and use your cookware?
- How much money do you intend to spend?
In the end, you may have to compromise between cooking ability, budget and durability. Your best bet may be to buy a basic stainless-steel set, like Cuisinart Multiclad Pro or Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad and more, with additional pieces, like a few ceramic or nonstick skillets, which is recommended. Don’t forget to check the warranty of each product to ensure value-worth buying.
