Overhaul Your Kitchen With These Cookware Essentials

best cookware

Graphic by KCM

It’s time to say goodbye to flaky pots and pans.

Every time you walk into your kitchen you’re filled with the joy of baking (and cooking), right? Or are you dreading the fact that you’re definitely going to have to put in some muscle to get last night’s dinner off your old, discolored pan? Cookware is often one of the items we forget to upgrade.

If you’ve ever had a hard time enjoying a meal you cooked because you were dreading the cleanup that was awaiting you in the kitchen, we have great news for you: Purchasing new cookware won’t only elevate your kitchen aesthetic, but it can actually make your life easier. You’ll be flipping pancakes and frying eggs with ease, and cleanup should be easier, too. Without having to scrub and scrape food scraps off your new pots and pans, imagine how much more time you can spend actually enjoying what you’re cooking in them.

Plus, old pots and pans with chemical nonstick coatings can actually flake off into your food and stay in your body and in the environment for a long time. While studies haven’t yet found that ingesting the coating from your pans will cause any major health issues, it’s been a cause for concern for many years. If you’re extra worried, ceramic pots and pans often offer the same nonstick surface that a Teflon piece would, without the toxic chemicals present.

Whether you’re a novice cook or ready for your Top Chef moment, here are cookware items that are worthy of investing in.

The Best Cooking and Kitchen Equipment

Kilne Everything Pan

Kilne

Make eggs, sauces, syrups, and more in this nonstick pan. Thanks to the nontoxic ceramic coating, there are no chemicals present to contaminate your food, and you can easily wipe away oil and food debris with a paper towel or rag before tossing this in the sink for a quick cleanup. Both the pan and lid are oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, too.

$150 at Kilne

Nutr Nut Milk Machine

Nutr

If you’re tired of paying $6 for a half gallon of non-dairy milk, you’re not alone. Whether you prefer oat, cashew, almond, or other alternative options, it’s actually pretty easy to make yourself. This nifty machine allows you to add your ingredients of choice to create delicious and creamy plant-based milk in a couple of minutes.

$189 at Nutr

Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Airfryer

Walmart

If you have to keep your appliances out on your counter, you know the struggle of finding kitchenware that isn’t an eyesore. Unsurprisingly, Drew Barrymore is here to make your kitchen prettier. This air fryer from Barrymore’s Beautiful line comes in six different colors, all of which have metallic gold accents and an easy-to-use touch screen. The best part? The basket is dishwasher safe, so you can save yourself from endlessly scrubbing by hand.

$79 at Walmart

Caraway Home Large Baking Sheet

Caraway

A good baking sheet can work wonders, especially if you find yourself making big batch meals to prep for the week. This one has a stick-free ceramic coating, so you won’t need to use foil or parchment paper to keep things from clinging. The handles on the side also guarantee you won’t dip your oven mitt in whatever you’re eating for dinner — if you’ve ever accidentally licked your old oven mitt thinking it was your finger, you know this is a plus.

$55 at Caraway

Our Place Perfect Pot

Our Place

The name says it all: This pot is pretty much perfect (not unlike its sister, the Always Pan). Not only is it a great size for batches of soup or stew, but it can be used in so many different ways. The pot comes with a removable roasting rack that turns the pot into a steamer, has a built-in strainer in the lid, can be used as a dutch oven, and it even has a built-in spoon rest. Not impressed yet? It also boasts a super slippery ceramic coating that’s free of any potentially toxic materials.

$132 at Our Place

CanvasLot Electric Milk Frother

Amazon

Dreaming of foamy, frothy lattes in the comfort of your own home? Us, too. This milk frother can make creamy, bubbly milk (out of dairy and non-dairy varieties) in just a couple of minutes. Before you know it, you’ll be your own favorite barista — all without having to change out of your pajamas in the morning.

$40 at Amazon

Caraway Home Cookware Set

Caraway

Caraway Home has absolutely nailed Instagram-worthy cookware that actually works. These pots and pans are pretty enough to keep on the stovetop or counter, but they do come with their own storage solutions. This seven-piece set comes with a fabric lid organizer and a magnetic pan rack to keep your new essentials from toppling over in your cabinets.

$395 at Caraway

Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

Amazon

From veggies to cookies, chicken to pizza, nonstick baking mats can handle it all. They’re made from oven-safe silicone, meaning they are flexible, can fit in most any baking sheet, and are easy to clean. They’ll also replace parchment paper, which is an easy way to save a couple of bucks. The measurement map on this one makes baking a breeze.

$12 at Amazon

Our Place Knife Trio

Our Place

Slice through everything like butter with this dynamic trio of knives. Not only are they super sharp, but the handles have little indents in them for a comfortable (and safe!) grip. The set comes with a do-it-all chef knife, a small paring knife, and a serrated knife for breads and other delicate ingredients.

$127 at Our Place

Fellow Clara French Press

Fellow

This double-walled steel French press not only makes a fine cup of coffee, but it keeps it warm for hours. Whether you’re brewing it for yourself or for the whole family, you’re guaranteed a delicious mug of java every single time. It’s definitely an investment, but if you’re a daily coffee drinker, it pays for itself in no time.

$99 at Fellow

Staub Animal Knob

Food52

So, you don’t need these animal knobs, but they’re so dang cute that they’re hard to resist. They replace the regular knobs on your dutch oven or cast iron pot or pan lids. They’re heat-resistant up to 500 degrees, so you don’t need to worry about popping them into the oven with whatever meal you’re making. Because they’re made of stainless steel, they won’t tarnish either.

$30 at Food52

Material Kitchen The Iconics Set

Material

You can admit it: Your utensils drawer is an absolute mess. Clean up your act (and gain some drawer space) with this all-in-one tool station and key utensils. Not only does this gorgeous walnut base house all of the included utensils (a whisk, slotted spoon, slotted spatula, tongs, metal spoon, wood spoon, and three knives), but it has a magnetic portion that keeps your knives separate from the others and easy to reach. Plus, by buying these items together, you save $105.

$275 at Material

Lodge 10-inch Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Pan

Amazon

The problem with replacing a cast iron pan is that you put so much time and effort into getting the flavor just right, it feels crazy to then replace it. This one from Lodge is pre-seasoned, meaning you won’t have to wait years to get that flavor you finally got from your old pan. We love making crispy breakfast potatoes, homestyle cornbread, and even lightly-fried chicken in this kitchen superhero.

$20 at Amazon