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When you are looking to invest in cookware buy good quality and save money in the long run. Most cooks need only a few essential pieces that will do everything they want or need to cook. I suggest 1-2 frying pans, a 10″ and a 12″ with lids, a 2.5 quart saucepan/lid, a covered 5-7 quart Dutch oven for roasting and a large stock pot for soups and stews. If you have room and want to buy a complete set of cookware, by all means do it but the essentials mentioned above will fit the bill in most cases.

Copper is the best heat conductor and usually the priciest;
Cookware with a hard anodized finish is a good heat conductor and generally requires careful washing so as not to scratch the surface;
Stainless steel tends to be the most durable and the most popular but doesn’t conduct heat as well as the previous two.
Look for cookware that heats food evenly and can maintain a low simmer without causing food to spatter everywhere.

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Cookware Set is constructed of 18/10 mirror-polished stainless steel; features quick and even heating; oven safe to 550 degrees F.; acidic foods will not react with the finish; when doing stovetop cooking the stainless steel handles stay cool for easier handling; this cookware will measure up to your everyday cooking.

The Lodge Logic Cast-Iron Skillet is pre-seasoned and has two handles to make it easier to lift when full. The new Logic line coats all of the surfaces with vegetable oil, using an electrostatic spray process then bakes the coating onto the cookware at a very high temperature. Because of this new technology, you don’t have to season your cast-iron pieces – it’s been done for you. Use it to bake pies or cakes, fry chicken or take it camping. Cast iron is known for its excellent heat retention which results in even cooking no matter where you’re using it. Hint: Do not pour cold water into a hot cast iron pan or it can crack or break.

The All-Clad Cop-R-Chef Cookware Set comes in 5 different designs, has highly polished stainless steel interiors, aluminum core and beautiful copper exteriors. This non-stick cookware resists corrosion, promotes even heating and has stay cool handles that are riveted to give them strength; oven safe. Top chefs and serious cooks love All-Clad Cop-R-Chef cookware because it’s the best heat conductor and it seldom needs to use higher than medium heat to cook effectively; hand washing is recommended to preserve the beautiful copper finish.

Anolon Nonstick heavy gauge Titanium cookware has a hard-anodized finish which outlasts other non-stick finishes; has stainless steel handles; is dishwasher and oven safe to 500 degrees F.; two times stronger than stainless steel for superior durability, yet stylish and professional in appearance.

Rachael Ray bright Porcelain-Enamel Cookware reflects the personality of its namesake, TV Chef Rachel Ray, bright and cheery. It resists scratches and corrosion; has nonstick interiors; see through glass lids; heat-resistant silicone allows the stainless steel handles to stay cool when you’re doing stove-top cooking, yet this cookware is oven safe to 400 degrees F.; it comes in orange, blue and green and carries a lifetime warranty.

Oneida Stainless Steel Cookware comes in standard and Professional weights. Heavier cookware is going to be a better heat conductor but you can still get good results with the lighter weight sets. You have to decide what your cooking needs are and how much use they will get.

Emeril Hard Anodized Non-stick Cookware was created by the famous TV Chef Emeril Lagasse who partnered with All-Clad. This world class cookware will stand the test of time; has riveted, stay cool handles; oven safe to 400 degrees F. For best results use non-metal utensils; all Emerilware should be hand washed.

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Cookware can be used to sear or brown meats on the stovetop, then add additional ingedients and complete the cooking process in the oven; silicone handles are oven safe to 400 (?) degrees F. and the glass lids allow viewing without releasing heat so foods stay hotter until ready to serve.

Le Creuset Classics Premium Cast Iron Cookware is sand-cast, then clad in two coats of hard porcelain enamel that won’t crack, stain, absorb odors or flavors. The enameled interior allows you to store your leftovers in the refrigerator right in the pot they were cooked in or marinate meats safely. Le Creuset cookware comes in many different colors so it’s attractive enough to go from oven or stovetop right to the table. Cast iron is known for retaining and distributing heat evenly; the knobs are oven safe to 375 degrees F. and the cookware can be used for browning under the broiler when the lid is removed; lifetime warranty for the original owner; dishwasher safe; made in France.

KitchenAid Five-Ply 18/10 Stainless-Steel Clad Cookware is crafted from superior quality materials – combine that with top notch workmanship and you have one of the best in stainless cookware. Its aluminum core which is fused between layers of highly polished stainless steel ensures conduction of even heat across the bottom and up the sides of the cookware. Maximum durability is provided by permanently attaching the solid-cast stainless steel handles with rivets; stay cool (on the stovetop) handles easily accommodate large hands; deep-draw lids create a tighter seal; oven safe up to 500 degrees F.; bottoms are permanently stamped with the capacity and size; hand wash with non-abrasive cleaner.