Non-Stick Cookware: How to Choose the Right Size and Shape for Your Needs

Non-stick cookware is a modern kitchen essential that makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. However, with the wide range of sizes and shapes available, choosing the right one for your cooking needs can be challenging. Here’s a guide on selecting the best sizes and shapes for non-stick cookware to suit various dishes and cooking styles. Plus, we’ll explore how Meyer’s versatile range offers options to meet every requirement.

Consider Your Cooking Habits

Your cooking preferences play a big role in choosing the right non-stick cookware. Here are some common dishes and the most suitable cookware shapes:

• Frying and Sautéing: For eggs, pancakes, stir-fries, and sautéed vegetables, a classic frying pan or skillet is ideal. A 10 to 12-inch skillet is typically the most versatile size, accommodating everything from one-person meals to family-sized portions.
• Simmering and Searing: If you cook dishes that require simmering or browning, like stews, pasta sauces, or meat dishes, consider a sauté pan with higher sides. The high walls allow for tossing ingredients without spills and help contain moisture.
• Deep-Frying and Braising: If you like to braise meats, make one-pot meals, or deep-fry, a deep non-stick pot or Dutch oven with ample depth is essential. A 6-quart size is usually sufficient for most recipes and prevents oil splatter, keeping the cooking area clean.

Match the Pan Size to Your Stove Burner

The size of your pan should ideally match the size of your stove burner to ensure even cooking and energy efficiency.

• Smaller Pans: Small, 8-inch pans are great for quick tasks like toasting nuts, frying an egg, or preparing single portions.
• Medium Pans: A 10-inch pan is more versatile and allows you to cook larger portions without crowding the ingredients, making it ideal for two-person meals.
• Larger Pans: A 12-inch pan or larger is perfect for cooking family-sized meals, allowing you to sauté large batches of vegetables or brown meats without overcrowding.

Matching the pan size to the burner also prevents damage to the pan’s non-stick coating from excessive heat.

Evaluate Different Shapes for Specific Cooking Tasks

Different shapes of non-stick cookware serve specific purposes, so consider the shapes that will best suit your most common dishes:

• Skillets and Frying Pans: These are ideal for quick, high-heat cooking tasks, such as frying eggs, making pancakes, or searing meats. Skillets typically have sloping sides, which make flipping and stirring easy. Meyer offers a variety of skillet sizes, from compact 8-inch pans to larger 12-inch options for family cooking.
• Sauté Pans: A sauté pan with straight, high sides and a larger cooking surface is perfect for braising meats, simmering sauces, and cooking one-pot dishes. Meyer’s sauté pans are available in multiple sizes, so you can find the right one for both small and large meals.
• Saucepans: Non-stick saucepans are perfect for tasks requiring moisture, such as boiling, steaming, or making sauces. Sizes vary from smaller 1-quart saucepans for individual servings to larger 4-quart versions for family meals. Meyer’s range includes several saucepan options to suit different needs.
• Stockpots and Dutch Ovens: For soups, stews, pasta, and large-batch cooking, a stockpot or Dutch oven provides the depth and capacity needed. Meyer offers non-stick stockpots in several sizes, making it easy to choose one based on the portions you typically prepare.

Choose the Right Depth for Your Dishes

The depth of a pan affects the cooking process and the types of dishes you can make. Consider the depth that best suits your needs:

• Shallow Pans: A shallow pan is ideal for frying and quick-cooking tasks where high heat and quick evaporation are needed, such as searing fish or browning meats.
• Medium-Depth Pans: Medium-depth pans, like sauté pans, are good for recipes that involve tossing or stirring ingredients. This design makes it easier to move the food around without spilling, making it perfect for stir-fries or sautéing vegetables.
• Deep Pans: Deep pans, like stockpots or deep fryers, are great for dishes that require extended cooking times and plenty of liquid, such as soups, stews, and pastas.

5. Consider Handles and Lids

Handles and lids also play a role in the overall functionality of non-stick cookware:

• Comfortable Handles: Look for ergonomic handles that provide a secure grip and stay cool on the stovetop. This is especially important for larger pans and pots that may require more handling.
• Lids with Venting: Many non-stick cookware sets come with lids that help retain moisture and lock in flavor. Choose pans with glass lids if you want to keep an eye on your food without lifting the lid. Meyer’s selection often includes glass lids with vents to release excess steam, making it easy to monitor and control cooking.

Explore Meyer’s Range for Versatile Cooking Options

Meyer’s diverse collection of non-stick cookware offers options in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to find the perfect piece for any cooking need. From compact frying pans to large, deep stockpots, Meyer’s range accommodates everything from quick weekday meals to elaborate weekend feasts. The different pan sizes, along with lids and ergonomic handles, make Meyer cookware easy to use for a range of dishes. Each piece is designed to deliver exceptional performance and durability, helping you achieve perfect cooking results every time.

Think About Storage Space

When choosing non-stick cookware, it’s also helpful to consider how much storage space you have in your kitchen. If space is limited, select versatile pieces that can handle multiple tasks. For example, a deep 10-inch skillet can often double as a sauté pan or small stockpot, giving you greater flexibility with fewer pieces. Meyer’s range also includes stackable options, which make storing and organizing cookware more convenient.

Invest in High-Quality, Durable Options

Non-stick cookware varies in quality, and choosing a well-made, durable pan will enhance your cooking experience and protect your investment.

How Meyer’s Range Stands Out: Meyer cookware is made with high-quality, durable materials, ensuring even heat distribution and a long-lasting non-stick surface. High-quality non-stick pans resist scratches, chips, and wear, even with frequent use, helping you enjoy healthier, oil-free cooking for years.

Versatility for Every Cooking Method

With a variety of shapes and sizes, Meyer’s non-stick cookware is versatile enough to support every cooking method, from stovetop frying to oven baking.

• Oven-Safe Options: Some of Meyer’s non-stick cookware is oven-safe, allowing you to start dishes on the stovetop and finish them in the oven. This is ideal for recipes that require a sear before baking, such as frittatas or baked pasta.
• Dishwasher-Safe for Convenience: Meyer also offers dishwasher-safe options, making cleanup easy and convenient. This is particularly helpful for everyday use, allowing you to maintain your cookware’s non-stick coating without extra effort.

Conclusion

Choosing the right non-stick cookware involves understanding the types of dishes you cook, the number of people you usually serve, and your kitchen storage space. By selecting the right size and shape, you can enhance your cooking efficiency and achieve perfect results with less effort. Meyer’s range of non-stick cookware offers a variety of options in different shapes and sizes, from versatile skillets to deep stockpots, providing solutions for every cooking style and need. With high-quality materials, durable non-stick surfaces, and ergonomic designs, Meyer cookware is an excellent choice for home chefs looking to upgrade their kitchen.