How to Choose the Right Cookware

Kuhn Rikon offers so many choices of cookware in different material combinations, different styles and price points -  so how do you choose the right cookware for you? Read on for advice on what you should consider when buying the right cookware for your needs.

All Kuhn Rikon cookware has been developed using our Swiss expertise and it is covered in the UK by our Limited Lifetime Guarantee. See our blog Kuhn Rikon Cookware – The Choices for an introduction to each of the ranges.

What type of hob do you have? 

All the Kuhn Rikon cookware ranges are suitable for all types of hob, including induction. Which ever pan you choose it will work on your hob, so there’ll be no need to change your cookware if you decide to change your hob.

Do you want a pan that goes on the hob as well as in the oven? 

All Kuhn Rikon cookware can be used in the oven as well as on the hob – this offers greater versatility as you can use the same pan for different types of cooking. You can also start a recipe on the hob and then finish the cooking in the oven, or, if you want to keep food warm you can put the pan in the oven, using the same pan saves on both time and washing up. Check the oven safe temperature for each range as it does vary a little between the different ranges.

Do you want to put your cookware in the dishwasher?

All Kuhn Rikon cookware, except the Black Star, is suitable for the dishwasher but it’s all also quick and easy to clean by hand. Frequent cleaning in the dishwasher can be detrimental to cookware, so it’s better to wash by hand when you can. Stubborn stains and burnt on food may just need soaking in hot, soapy water before removing with a soft brush or sponge.

What cookware material should you choose?

Great cookware will heat up efficiently, is easy to clean, versatile, durable and looks good. Most Kuhn Rikon cookware is made of aluminium and/or stainless steel – two of the best materials for cookware.

Aluminium - A great conductor of heat, aluminium absorbs, stores and spreads heat efficiently. All our aluminium pans have a non-stick lining. The lining provides a great cooking surface that releases food easily, requires minimal fat or liquid and is easy to clean. The pans also have a durable coating on the exterior that is easy to clean and looks great. Aluminium ranges include: Easy Induction, Easy Pro, New Life.

Stainless steel – Stainless steel is durable, easy to clean and looks great. All Kuhn Rikon stainless steel cookware is made of 18/10 stainless steel. When investing in stainless steel cookware you want 18/10 stainless steel, rather than 18/0, as 18/10 is more durable and will retain its good looks. 18/10 stainless steel includes 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The chrome provides hardness and rust resistance. The nickel is very resistant to rust, corrosion and stains, so it adds to the durablilty of the pan and provides the enduring shine. Stainless steel that is just 18/0 may be a lower price but it will be less resistant to rust and will not retain a polished finish. All our stainless steel pans include an aluminium induction compatible base, this is essential for efficient heating in a stainless steel pan. Stainless steel ranges include: Classic Induction, Peak, Allround, Daily, Montreux, Smart & Compact.

Non-stick coating – A non-stick coating is great for low-fat cooking, the food releases easily and the pans are easy to clean. Kuhn Rikon uses high quality, durable non-stick coatings that have at least three layers of non-stick, some are toughened with titanium particles for added strength. It’s important not to have non-stick pans on consistently high heats and be careful with metal utensils – although our Peak Cookware has an extra tough non-stick that is metal utensil safe. Non-stick ranges include: Peak, Easy Induction, Easy Pro, New Life.

Spun iron -  The Black Star range is made of spun iron. It’s a hard wearing material and perfect for high heat frying and searing of meat. The pans need to be seasoned to create a non-stick patina. Keen cooks and professionals enjoy using such durable cookware. See the Black Star range. 

How many do you usually cook for?

Be sure to buy the size that suits the number of portions you want to serve. Too small and you might not have enough, too big and the food could get dry in the bottom of the pan. Allow 1L capacity for each main course serving, for example a 4L casserole will serve 4.

What type of food do you want to cook?

Saucepans are great for making sauces and soups or cooking vegetables, potatoes and rice.  Don’t under estimate a casserole, it takes up less space with two side handles instead of a long handle and it can be used in the same way as a saucepan, as well as being the perfect pot for cooking pot roasts, casseroles, curries and so much more. Frying pans are available in different depths, it’s easier to do braising, stir frys and rice dishes in a deeper frying pan. Shallow frying pans are great for a fry up, omelettes and pancakes.  Selected ranges also offer some more specialist shapes such as grill pans, crêpe pans, woks and pasta pots.

How are you going to store your cookware?

All Kuhn Rikon frying pans and saucepans have hanging loops in the handles so they can be hung up for easy storage. Many of the frying pans and some of the saucepans and casseroles will stack inside one another - but be careful to protect non-stick linings. Some ranges have been designed to store inside one another for great, space saving storage – including the Daily range and Smart & Compact.   

Do you want a matching set of pans?

Whilst you might be looking at a set of pans from one range it may be that a mix of ranges will suit you better for your style of cooking.  For instance, stainless steel saucepans from one range, non-stick frying pans from another range and casseroles from yet another range.

UK Limited Lifetime Guarantee 

As well as the reassuring Swiss heritage Kuhn Rikon cookware is supported in the UK by a Limited Lifetime Guarantee for domestic use and covers defects in materials and workmanship. See here for more details.