Cookware Online Pan Guide

Which Pan?

For many people cooking is an enjoyable experience and so try to make choosing a pan fun, take your time and consider all the various options before choosing which cookware suits you.
If cooking is a chore it's just as important to choose the correct pans for you. Consider if you want to put the pans in the dishwasher, which type of hob/cooker you use and if you prefer a modern hi-tech look or traditional design. Most importantly don't hesitate in mixing the type of pans you have - there is nothing wrong for example in having an all steel pan for making soup, a non-stick pan for a 'fry-up', a cast iron ribbed grill pan for a steak and hard anodised pan to make a sauce. The key point is there is no hard and fast rules but choose the pans you enjoy using.

Pan Comparison Chart
(Click on the product picture to see the range)

Range	Image	Description	Features	Induction	Dishwasher safe	Price for 16cm pan and lid
Judge Vista		An ever popular range, 18/10 stainless steel pans with phenolic handles and clear glass lids	6.1mm encapsulated base for even heating Excalibur non-stick items available Vented glass lids	ü	ü	Ł14.00
Stellar 7000		This new Stellar range has been produced to their usual high standard and has a modern design , finished in gleaming stainless steel with sculptured cast handles.	Elegant straight sided design 18/10 mirror polished stainless steel Oven safe Thermic base for even heating Suitable for all hobs	ü	ü	Ł26.00
Stellar 6000 Hard Anodised		Stronger than stainless steel, this extremely durable heavy gauge hard anodised range is further enhanced by riveted handles and promises to become the leader in it's field.	Teflon Platinum Pro non-stick surfaces Mirror polished 18/10 stainless steel lids & handles Lifetime guarantee	X	ü	Ł25.00
Stellar 1000		A large range of all steel pans produced from 18/10 stainless steel which has been perfectly mirror polished.	Totally ovenproof stainless steel fittings All round pouring lip suits l/h and r/h cooks Non stick coated frying pan option Extra deep saucepans available	ü	ü	Ł27.00
Meyer Circulon 2		A range of heavy gauge hard anodised cookware with Meyer's unrivalled non-stick performance.	Cast stainless steel riveted handles 18/10 stainless steel lids Oven safe to 475ş F / 240şC, gas mark 9	X	X	Ł37.00
Meyer Anolon Professional		A hard anodised range often seen on TV cooking programmes. The most advanced durable Autograph non-stick interior by DuPont.	Heat toughened glass lid Stainless steel riveted handle Oven safe to 475şF / 240şC, gas mark 9 (without glass lids) Used by Raymond Blanc's cookery school	X	X	Ł40.00
Jamie Oliver Professional Hard Anodized by Tefal		Hard Anodized pans are considered to be the most hard wearing of non-stick pans - this range is one of the best. Also features Thermo-SpotŽ	Stay cool riveted handles Pro-metal bonded anodised interior Thermo spot heat indicator Lifetime guarantee	X	ü	Ł46.00
Jamie Oliver Professional Stainless Steel by Tefal		Endorsed by Jamie Oliver, the range features high quality stainless steel, a heavy gauge aluminium core base and riveted soft touch handles	Oven safe to 260°C 18/10 stainless steel Thermo spot heat indicator Lifetime guarantee	ü	ü	Ł46.00
Le Creuset 3-Ply		A fantastic new range of stainless steel pans from Le Creuset - one of the best range of all steel pan ranges currently available.	Tri-ply construction, the latest technology in stainless steel cookware. Continuous pouring rim to prevent drips Saucepans and casseroles feature measuring marks Oven and dishwasher safe 18/10 stainless steel	ü	ü	Ł50.00
Le Creuset		Enamelled cast iron traditional cookware with phenolic handles. Available in various colours.	Large range with complimentary oven-to-tableware, kettles & other accesories Silverstone non stick items available Oven safe to 400ş f/200ş c, gas mark 6	ü	ü	Ł54.00
Mauviel M'Heritage Copper		A lovely range of traditional copper pans, formerly known as Cuprinox. Good to use, great to look at. Note that copper needs regular cleaning to prevent tarnishing.	Heavy duty catering copper with permanent stainless steel lining Most pans have traditional cast iron handles	X	X	Ł98.60

Stainless Steel Pans

Stainless steel is a very hardwearing material but is not a good conductor of heat and so a good quality steel pan will have an aluminium base either sandwiched or fully encapsulated between a thin layer of stainless steel. Aluminium is a good conductor of heat but is not as hard wearing as stainless steel so the benefits of each material are utilised by using them together.

A thick base is best to ensure even heat distribution and, used correctly, food will not stick to the base of the pan. Pans with thinner bases often have 'heat spots', and it is the uneven heat which tends to cause food to stick.

We stock: Le Creuset 3-Ply, Jamie Oliver Stainless Steel, Stellar 1000, Stellar 7000, Stellar Specialities, Judge Vista, Judge Catering and Aga Cookware

Hard Anodised Pans

These are aluminium pans which undergo an electro-chemical process which change the molecular structure of the base metal making it twice as hard as stainless steel. The end result is that they are very hardwearing but still conduct heat efficiently and are usually quite light in weight. Sometimes the inside is coated with a non-stick material.

We stock: Jamie Oliver Hard Anodized, Meyer Anolon Professional, Meyer Circulon 2, Stellar 6000 Hard Anodised, Stellar 3000 and Stellar 3000 Black.

Cast Iron Pans

These pans are much heavier than other pans and are also very hard wearing. Iron is a good conductor of heat, slower to heat up, they also retain the heat longer. Most have an enamelled exterior with either an enamelled or non-stick finish inside.

We stock: Le Creuset and Chasseur.

Copper Pans

The main attraction of copper pans is their appearance and the fact that copper is a good conductor of heat. Many top chef's use copper cookware because of their heat control. The disadvantages are that they are more difficult to clean (copper can tarnish) and they are more expensive than most other pans.

We stock: Mauviel M'Heritage (Cuprinox).

Tri-ply Pans

These pans use Tri-ply technology to provide superior heat distribution, throughout the base and walls - fast. Tri-ply pans are manufactured using the latest technology. An aluminium core sandwiched between two other layers ensures excellent even heat distribution from the base to the rim of every pan, preventing 'hotspots'.

We stock: Le Creuset 3-Ply.

Budget Pans

Budget pans come in all forms and guises, are usually made from thin steel without a quality base, are often enamelled and frequently have a non-stick coating. There is nothing wrong in using cheaper pans as long as not too much is expected from them. Ideal for students moving into a flat or holiday homes and caravans.

We stock: Judge Harlequin.

Induction Cooking

Discovered by Michael Faraday towards the end of the 19th Century, but remained only of academic interest until the 1930's when the British steel industry needed a fast way of heating steel. With advances in electronics, by the 1990's the first induction hobs were being produced but were difficult to repair. Today they are much less expensive than before and much more readily available.

It is probably the cleanest and fastest way of cooking. Under the ceramic top there are coils of induction energy producing high frequency alternating current from a low voltage direct current.

Cookware with a magnetised base reacts with this energy and becomes hot. As soon as you remove the cookware from the hob it stops reacting and immediately starts to cool. This gives the cook as much control as if cooking with gas but without gas emissions.

See the pan comparison chart to find out which pans are suitable for induction cooking. We also stock the Stellar 3000 5 Piece Pan Set, the first hard anodised pans suitable for use on induction hobs.

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