Saucepan buying guide: How to find the best saucepan

When to get a new saucepan

A couple of good saucepans (at least) are essential in any kitchen. Not only are saucepans likely to see more use than just about any other piece of cookware in your kitchen, they also play an integral role in preparing a huge range of dishes.

Sometimes it can be hard to say goodbye to your old pots and pans after their many years of service, so here are a few telltale signs that it's time to upgrade:

• Chipping and flaking

  Is the non-stick coating on your favourite pan peeling or flaking off? Are there chips in your enamelled cast-iron cookware? Can you see the copper in your stainless-steel pan? If so, it's probably time to buy new cookware.

• Rust

  If your ageing cookware is covered in rust, it's time to throw it in the bin.

• Permanent stains

  Has your cleaning negligence or many years of hard use resulted in a thick layer of caked-on mess that no amount of scrubbing will get rid of? It could be time to go shopping.

• You're upgrading to an induction cooktop

  Your current cookware may not be suited to your new cooktop. For example, did you know that you can't use glass, aluminium or copper pans on an induction cooktop? Find out more in our guide to buying an induction cooktop.

Remember, you're only as good as the tools you have at your disposal. You might be surprised by the difference a high-quality saucepan can make to your cooking, while it'll also be easier to clean afterwards.

What materials are available?

The cooking performance of a saucepan and how easy it is to clean depend on the material it is constructed from. Here are the main options:

• Stainless steel. Known for being long-lasting and affordable, stainless steel is widely used and is dishwasher-safe. Many options feature a thick aluminium or copper base for better heat conduction, but some pans can have problems with food sticking.
• Aluminium. Affordable, lightweight and an excellent heat conductor, aluminium is another popular choice. However, aluminium pans can stain and have problems with food sticking to the sides – so a hard-anodised aluminium pan, which has a durable and scratch-resistant surface, may be your preferred choice.
• Copper. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and copper pans warm up and cool down quickly, giving more control to the home cook. They're suitable for a wide range of cooking tasks and their good looks mean they can also double as presentation dishes. However, copper can be expensive, can be difficult to keep clean and can't be used on induction cooktops.
• Cast iron. Long lasting and highly effective at absorbing and retaining heat, cast iron is another option worth considering. It's also oven safe, but can be heavy and may also rust.

How to compare saucepans

Aside from the saucepan material used, there are several other factors you will need to take into account when buying saucepans. Make sure you consider the following:

Additional features

• Size, shape and weight. The dimensions of a saucepan are important to determine whether it's suitable for the type of cooking you want to do as well as if it will be a good fit for your kitchen. Will the pan be large enough (and have high enough sides) for the quantities you will be cooking? Will it fit comfortably on your stovetop?You'll also want to look for a saucepan with a sufficiently sturdy base so it won't slide around your cooktop while you stir your risotto, but which is also lightweight enough to move around the kitchen.
• Oven safe. Are you looking for cookware you can transfer straight from the stove and into the oven? If so, check the maximum temperature to which a pan is oven safe, as some are limited to 180 or 200 degrees Celsius.< li>
• Appearance. The look of a saucepan won't be a major concern for most people. However, if you're planning on using the pan as a from-the-stove-to-the-table serving dish for dinner guests, or if your cookware will be on display in your kitchen when not in use, remember to keep aesthetics in mind.
• Warranty. Some manufacturers offer 5-year, 10-year or even lifetime warranties. However, it's worth reading the fine print to find out exactly what incidents and circumstances that warranty actually covers.Other manufacturers will offer separate warranties for different features. For example, they may offer a two- to three-year warranty on a non-stick coating but a longer warranty for the body of the pan.
• Price. While you can pick up a cheap aluminium saucepan for less than $20, high-quality pans can generally cost anywhere from $50 to $350. However, the longer lifespan of good-quality saucepans can often make them worth the extra investment.

Should I buy one saucepan or a whole set?

If you're shopping for a new saucepan, you might be considering buying a whole new set of cookware. This may be a sensible choice if you need to upgrade all your pots and pans, and you can often find good value for money by purchasing multiple items all at once.

However, be wary of buying items you don't really need or that you don't have enough space to store. While a 10-piece cookware set may seem like a good deal, you'll need to be sure that you'll actually use all the items in the set on a regular basis.

If the small number of pots, pans and baking dishes you currently have are more than adequate for your cooking needs, your money may be better spent investing in a couple of good-quality saucepans of different sizes.

If it's time to upgrade one or more of your pots and pans, start comparing saucepans today.