11 best cookware brands and sets to buy in Australia in 2024
Finally get the non stick pan you deserve with the cookware brands shoppers are salivating over.
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Cooking can be therapy for some and torture for others. But love it or hate it, you can improve your time spent in the kitchen by investing in good quality pots and pans that make every recipe close to foolproof.
Start cooking like a chef with the "hard wearing" Jamie Oliver by Tefal Hard Anodised Induction Frypan two-piece set, currently on sale for half price (now $170, down from $339.99). One shopper say it's now one of their "essential items for the kitchen", with many agreeing they're "easy to clean" and "amazing non stick pans that last".
The six-piece Baccarat STONEX2 Ceramic Non Stick Cookware Set is also a massie $700 cheaper, dropping from $999.99 to just $299.99. Fans say this induction and gas cooktop friendly deal is "absolutely worth the money".
"Nothing sticks at all and cooks food perfectly without using oil", raved a reviewer.
Whether you’re ready to revamp your kitchen with a matching set, or if you’re just looking for a new pot or pan to replace one you’ve cooked to death, we’ve collected our picks of the best cookware brands to jump-start your search – with options for every cooking preference and budget.
LE CREUSET
Le Creuset
What You Need To Know
Creating premium French cookware since 1925, Le Creuset is pretty much the gold standard of beautiful, durable cookware. The instantly recognisable designs are investment pieces worthy of becoming family heirlooms, and they only get better with age. Offering outstanding performance every time, their cast iron, stainless steel and toughened non-stick ranges all come with lifetime warranty guarantees – so you can trust you’re getting your money’s worth.
Le Creuset Signature Round Casserole, from $480 at Myer
Available in various sizes and a rainbow of vibrant colours, the Signature Round Casserole is the brand’s most iconic item. In addition to its beautiful appearance, the enamelled cast iron casserole can be used for stews, roasts, soups, baking and more. It doesn’t come cheap, but it provides the kind of quality that can be passed down for generations to come.
Le Creuset Bakeware 33cm Rectangular Roaster, $80 at Myer
Cook delicious meat, chicken and veggies in this Le Creuset roasting pan. It features an easy release and non-stick coating on both the inside and outside, to help take away some of the elbow grease needed during cleanup. You can also expect deep side walls to reduce splashes, along with a wide rim with silicone inserts for better grip when placing the pan in and out of the oven.
ANYDAY
Anyday
Tried and tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
Anyday isn’t your typical cookware brand, with everything designed for creating easy tasty healthy meals in the microwave (aka Chef Mike). While I was sceptical at first, these bowls made me see microwaves in a totally new light. Frozen meals, who?
After struggling to find leakproof tupperware, this brand is an absolute winner. Not only do they look fantastic and very easy to clean, but the dishes are airtight and can be placed in the oven. I also love the splatter-proof silicone-rimmed glass lids, which help steam inside the dish to keep veggies tender and meat juicy. The knob can also be lifted to vent excess steam. Can they get any more convenient and perfect?
Anyday Covered Large Deep Dish, $47.97 (down from $79.95) at Myer
Anyday bowls are made from frosted borosilicate glass, making it durable and thermal-shock resistant to large temperature fluctuations without cracking. This 20cm (1.9L) bowl is microwave safe, oven safe (up to 260°C for the bowl and 200°C for the lid), freezer safe and dishwasher safe.
Anyday The Small Dish Set*, $47.97 (down from $79.95) at Myer
If you just need a couple of smaller bowls, this set is worth checking out. I use one of these as my work ‘lunch box’ and love it.
*Product has been provided by Anyday for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
GREENLIFE
GreenLife
What You Need To Know
GreenLife’s vibrant pastel cookware is well worth adding to your kitchen arsenal. The non-stick surface makes clean-up far easier, but what sets GreenLife apart from any other non-stick brand is its commitment to making cookware that’s better for you and the environment. They exclusively use a ceramic non-stick coating made from sand and free from chemicals, which means your pots and pans won’t leach toxins over time. On top of that, the pans feature quick heating, recycled aluminium construction and durable forged bases to help prevent warping – and they look pretty, too!
GreenLife Soft Grip 16 Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Set, $169 at Amazon Australia
Stock up on all the essentials with a convenient and great value 16-piece set.that has more than 21,200 Amazon customers rating it five stars. You’ll get three frying pans, two saucepans, a stockpot, a saute pan, a steamer, and four kitchen utensils. All the cookware features soft grip, oven-safe handles and are dishwasher safe.
GreenLife Soft GripHealthy Ceramic Nonstick 12” Frying Pan with Lid, $80 at Amazon Australia
Another popular buy is the GreenLife Soft GripHealthy Ceramic Nonstick 12” Frying Pan with Lid. This baby pink non-stick frying pan has a soft grip bakelite handle designed to stay cool on the stovetop for maximum comfort. Made from recycled aluminium, reinforced with a wobble-free base, and oven-safe to 175°C, it’s a durable must-have.
STAUB
Staub
What You Need To Know
Born out of Alsace, France – the region renowned for its culinary traditions and great food – Staub specialises in cast iron and ceramic cookware for home cooks and professionals alike. Combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology, their designs offer durable and lasting quality.
Staub Cherry Red 24cm Round Cocotte, $699.95 at Myer
This cocotte (or “French oven”) features a black matte enamel interior finish and a heavy, tight fitting flat lid that seals in flavours and juices. It’s also made from cast-iron, which is traditionally known to distribute heat better than some other materials.
Staub Saute Pan Chistera Round 26cm, $699.95 at Myer
This saute pan’s matte black inner enamelling ensures crisp searing and is highly durable. Suitable for all heat sources including induction and ovens, it comes with a lid to seal in flavour.
BACCARAT
Baccarat
What You Need To Know
Established in 1985, Baccarat has become the largest homegrown cookware brand in Australia. Their cookware is backed with a lifetime guarantee for peace of mind, and they have a wide range of products available in a number of materials – stainless steel, stoneware, cast iron, aluminium and more – to suit every budget and preference.
Baccarat Gourmet Roaster with Rack 40cm x 27cm, $119.99 at House
This carbon steel roaster comes equipped with a stainless steel roasting rack and is perfect for tasty one-pan dinners. It’s dishwasher safe and has an easy clean triple layer non stick coating.
Baccarat STONEX2 6 Piece Ceramic Non Stick Cookware Set, $299.99 (down from $999.99) at House
Aside from being dishwasher and oven safe, this Baccarat six-piece ceramic non-stick cookware set can be used on induction and all other types of cooktops. It’s also free from PTFE, PFOA and Lead and Cadmium. The cookware additionally comes with tempered glass lids with steam vents and eco-friendly ceramic coating.
TEFAL
Tefal
What You Need To Know
Arguably one of the world leaders in non-stick cookware, it’s hard to look past French brand Tefal for premium cookware. Offering innovative and durable products with reasonable price points, Tefal has a wide range of non-stick and stainless steel cookware that help you master effortless cooking every time.
Tefal Virtuoso Induction Cookware Set 4 Piece in Stainless Steel, $179 (down from $419) at Myer
Having trouble knowing when to start throwing ingredients in the pan? These pieces from Tefal feature Thermo-Signal technology, which turns the hourglass and signal red once the pan is preheated and ready to cook. The set is suitable for gas, electric, ceramic and induction stovetops for total versatility.
Tefal Unlimited Non-Stick Induction Set of 3 Frypan, $179 (down from $399.95) at Myer
For home cooks having trouble with finding pans that last the distance, it’s worth checking out this non-stick Tefal set. It’s made with a titanium anti-scratch coating that promises to withstand pretty much anything, including metal utensils.
JAMIE OLIVER BY TEFAL
Jamie Oliver by Tefal
What You Need To Know
An extension of the Tefal brand, their collaboration with everyone’s favourite celeb chef Jamie Oliver, is filled with gourmet-quality cookware to help you raise your game in the kitchen. The range features all the essentials you need, designed to look as good as they perform.
A wok is essential for mastering stir frying, steaming, braising and more – and this one is a great introduction if you’re not keen on the heavy maintenance required for a traditional style, thanks to its non-stick and dishwasher-safe design.
This set brings the heat and keeps the stickiness away with a durable hard anodized material that helps ensure the pan can remain both hot and non stick.
SCANPAN
Scanpan
What You Need To Know
Another world-leading cookware brand, Danish brand Scanpan has been creating high quality products for more than three decades. The family-owned business creates timeless and functional tools for any modern kitchen, blending tradition, craftsmanship and innovation. Committed to eco-friendly practices, their creations are better for the environment and you.
Scanpan Impact 5-piece Cookware Set, $309 (down from $619) at Myer
Boasting a two-tone, stainless steel design, this five-piece set is suitable for all kinds of cooktops, including induction. These contain a thick bonded sandwich base for even heat distribution, plus handles secured with heavy duty rivets, and a rim design to prevent unwanted dripping when pouring. Expect 16cm (1.8L) and 20cm (3.5L) saucepans, a 24cm (4.8L) dutch oven with lid and a 26cm fry pan and steamer.
Scanpan STS Wok 32cm, $109.50 (down from $219) at Myer
There’s no need to shy away from the stove when using this Scanpan wok, thanks to the ergonomic handle and the helper handle when cooking larger ingredients. It’s compatible with all cooktops, including induction.
CIRCULON
What You Need To Know
No one likes digging into a delicious dish and finding half of it is still cold. Thankfully, Circulon promises its pans heat up to 20 per cent faster than some other products and ensure there are no hot spots. Its non-stick system also uses a three-layer Premium TOTAL non-stick system of circles to prevent food from burning into the pan, and contains circular grooves to help minimise everyday wear and tear. The brand even claims these grooves create air pockets that capture any natural fats released during the cooking process, which enhance the flavour and reduce the need for oil. It also offers a hassle-free lifetime guarantee.
Circulon 5-Piece Infinite Hard Anodised Cookware Set, $199.95 (down from $399.95) at Circulon
This go-to set covers the basics and is suitable on all stovetops (excluding induction) as well as ovens (up to 200°C). It features three layers of PFOA free non-stick coating, quick heating aluminium construction and a riveted easy grip handle. The cookware is also metal utensil safe.
Circulon 20cm Origins Open French Skillet, $34.95 (down from $69.95) at Circulon
It contains Circulon’s three-layer non-stick coating to make it safe from metal utensils, and riveted cool-to-touch riveted handles. The skillet can be used on all types of cooktops and ovens (up to 180°C). It’s also dishwasher safe and BPA free.
OUR PLACE
Our Place
What You Need To Know
Our Place been making waves since entering the scene, thanks to its stylish designs and convenient clever features that prove 'little things' really do make a difference. It starts with the complimentary accessories. Pans often include a modular steam-release lid and Nesting Beechwood Spatula, while pots have a self-basting, steam-release lid with built-in trainer as well as a Beechwood Spoon which can notch two ways.
You can also find add-ons to attach to the pots and pans, like the Fearless Fry to prevent oil splatter everywhere and the Fry Deck to drip dry any fried items.
These eye-catching pieces also come with free shipping and a 100 day trial, plus free returns if it doesn't suit your tastebuds. Both can be used on a gas, electric or induction cooktop.
Our Place The Home Cook Duo Pro, $465 (down from $630) at Our Place
For mega bang for buck, the Home Cook Duo Pro is designed to replace a 16-piece cookware set with just two of the brand's bestsellers. And with a 4.7-star average customer rating from more than 10,200 reviews, this combo is hard to ignore.
The set includes The Titanium Always Pan Pro, which is heat resistant to 535°C and claimed to have a surface that's 300 per cent harder than stainless steel pro for serious durability. This non stick pan is also coating-free, so there's no PFAs. The Perfect Pot is made just as sturdy with an aluminium body for fast and even heat distribution.
Our Place Mini Always Pan 2.0, $165 (down from $210)
The mini version of Our Place's best seller — the Always Pan — still packs the same versatility and easy to store design as its older sibling. The 10-in-1 toxin-free 21.6cm pan is oven safe up to 230°C and can be used to steam, fry, boil, roast, strain, saute, bake, sear, braise and serve.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING COOKWARE
Cooking can be tricky enough, especially with the wrong cookware. Here are several factors we took into account when deciding on our top picks.
Material
Here's a quick breakdown on some popular types of cookware material:
Stainless steel cookware: the versatility, durability and ability to withstand high heat and corrosion makes them a popular pick for everyday cook. They're usually dishwasher safe, requires minimal maintenance (unlike cast iron), and there's also no need to worry about nonstick coating chipping off because there isn't any.
On the downside, stainless steel can be difficult to clean since it's naturally nonstick. It also scratches easily so can't be used with metal utensils.
Cast iron cookware: these maintain temperature really well and are particularly useful when cooking anything requiring high heat. You can also place enameled cast iron dutch ovens in the oven when baking bread or making braised dishes. But while they come in pretty designs, cast iron is usually much heavier than other cookware.
Aluminium cookware: these are lightweight and affordable. But while these don't take long to heat up, they cool down just as quickly.
Ceramic cookware: ceramic retains heat well and is ideal for cooking on low to medium heat, such as when you're slow cooking or handling delicate ingredients like eggs, fish and other foods likely to stick onto the pan.
Dishwasher safe
Stainless steel can usually be added to the dishwasher. But there are some types of cookware that generally can't be placed in the dishwasher, including cast iron, aluminium, enameled cast iron and cast iron. Regularly doing so can remove nonstick coating, or cause chipping or discolouration.
The trickiest type of cookware is hybrid cookware, which is anything that can be used on a variety of stovetops (gas, electric and induction cooktops). Certain brands might make certain products dishwasher safe, but recommend they're washed by hand for longevity.
Handles
It may not seem like much, but pots and pans with cool-to-touch handles can be handy for avoiding potential accidents. This can happen when you've got multiple pots on the go, have small children running around, or simply in a rush to get dinner ready.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL FOR A PAN?
There are plenty of different materials you can choose from when buying new pots and pans. Each have their own pros and cons, which we’ll break down below:
• Stainless Steel: Long-lasting stainless steel is great for browning and braising. It’s durable, often compatible with induction cooktops, oven-safe, and provides rapid and even heating. It can be tough to clean compared to some other materials.
• Non-stick: Perfect for cooking with minimal oil as it allows for the effortless release of even delicate foods. Easy to clean, suitable for most cooktops, and often oven-safe, its only downsides include their ability to scratch easily and they may not brown food quite as well.
• Enamelled Cast Iron: Versatile for searing, sauteing, browning, and frying, enamelled cast iron transitions from stove to oven to the table. It heats slowly and evenly and retains heat well, is dishwasher and oven-safe, and exceptionally long-lasting. On the cons side, it’s quite heavy and often expensive.
• Raw Cast Iron: Beloved for its “natural non-stick” quality, raw cast iron is extremely durable, can withstand high temperatures, and is perfect for browning and searing. On the other hand, it requires a higher level of maintenance than other materials with specific cleaning and seasoning needs.
• Copper: Genuine copper cookware heats quickly and evenly, and cools quickly too for maximum control – all while looking pretty. On the downside, it’s very expensive, and can dent easily.
WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE POTS AND PANS?
Experts generally recommend replacing pots and pans every five years, or earlier if needed. Also, it usually depends on the material of your cookware, and how well you’ve looked after them. Signs that pots and pans are ready to be replaced include warping (uneven surface or wobbly base), excessive scratches, loose or broken handles, or worn-down coatings. Cracks are also another reason to throw the pan away because it can potentially cause the pan to split and make it hard to get rid of all the bacteria and rust.
More Coverage
WHAT IS THE LONGEST LASTING COOKWARE
Again, this depends on how well you care for them, but the most reliable materials for pots and pans are usually raw cast iron, enamelled cast iron, and high-quality stainless steel.
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