Saucepans

What is a saucepan used for in cooking?

A saucepan has the specific purpose of heating liquids such as water, milk and of course, delicious sauces. Typically it will have straight and high sides as well as a long handle to protect you hand from the heat.

The best assortment of good quality cooking saucepans

A good quality saucepan is an essential in every kitchen no matter your level of cooking experience. Here you will find a wide range of saucepans and lids from highly appreciated brands such as De Buyer, Fiskars and WMF for the best cooking experience.

Practical benefits of a saucepan lid

Choose from our selection of saucepan lids for faster heating and for keeping your food warmer for longer. By keeping the steam from escaping out the pot, they also ensure that foods like custards and sauces don’t dry out. A saucepan with a lid also prevents splashes of hot liquid that can jump out and make a mess. Glass saucepan lids are a good choice if you prefer to keep an eye on your hot food or liquid so you can see when it is boiling.

How to choose a saucepan

When choosing a saucepan for your kitchen, it is important to consider the material of the saucepan, the stove top in your kitchen and the size of the saucepan. Here you will find useful information to help you make the best choice.

Make sure to choose a saucepan compatible with your stove top

When choosing the best saucepan for you, it is important to consider the type of stove top in your kitchen, as certain kitchen saucepans work better with different hobs.

What saucepans work on induction hobs?

Induction hobs are becoming more popular as they are energy-efficient and fast-heating, however they are not compatible with all saucepans. Be sure to check the product specifications when making your choice so you can specifically select a saucepan for induction hobs. In order for a cooking saucepan to work on an induction hob, it will need to have a magnetic base or have a layer with magnetic properties. Stainless steel saucepans and cast iron saucepans are the best induction saucepans whereas copper and enamel saucepans should be avoided for this type of stove top.

Consider what type of saucepan material suits your needs best

Each saucepan material has specific attributes with different benefits, therefore when making your decision about which saucepan material to choose, it is important that you consider the advantages for each type so you know you are making the right choice for you.

Stainless steel saucepans – the most popular choice

Stainless steel saucepans are the most popular choice and are excellent for both beginners and professionals. They are long-lasting, fast heating and easy to clean. Stainless steel is a durable and highly rust-resistant material, so rest assured it will stay in good shape for years.

Copper saucepans – for quick temperature changes

Copper saucepans are excellent heat conductors, spreading the heat both quickly and evenly. They also are quick to cool once the heat is turned off, giving you a greater control over the temperature. Because of this feature some quality saucepans, mainly made of some other material, are provided with a copper base to improve the heat conduction. A copper saucepan can also be nice detail when stored in the kitchen, hanging on hooks, or standing on an open shelf. There are also health benefits from cooking in a copper pan, since a small amount of copper will be transferred into your food, which you then will consume.

A cast iron saucepan for rustic cooking

There are two types of cast iron saucepans - enamel coated and pure. Both types are tough and long-lasting. They are especially suitable for slow cooking due to their excellent heat absorption and retention, so you can place the saucepan on the table and have a long meal with your family without it getting cold. The cast iron saucepans can also be used on all types of hobs – even on an open fire when cooking outdoors. The cast iron saucepans with an enamel surface, are also good for baking bread in, for example. Pure cast iron saucepans transfer iron into the food you are cooking, which is both a health and taste benefit.

Enamel saucepans for easy handling

Enamel saucepans are a practical choice as they will not rust and are easy to clean. They are the lightest type of saucepan which makes them very easy to use. It is a long-lasting material with a classic look that only gets more beautiful over time.

Aluminium – a saucepan material with many benefits

When aluminium is used as a material for saucepans, it will be for its inner core to make it a lighter weight and to help spread the heat evenly to the edges of the saucepan. As this material should not be in direct contact with the food for health reasons, the outside is then coated with some other material making it safe to use.

It is also commonly used for sandwich bottoms, which is a “modern technique” for “old styled” thick bottomed pans and pots, that make the heat spread more evenly and reduce the risk of burning the food. Due to the great heat spreading, a stainless steel saucepan with a sandwich bottom consisting of aluminium is especially good for boiling, and a stainless steel saucepan with an aluminium core is especially good for making sauces, oatmeal or a risotto for example. Since it also prevents burning, they work as nice complements to saucepans with Teflon or ceramic surfaces.

Ceramic, Teflon & other coated non-stick saucepans for easy cooking

There are a variety of non-stick saucepans from the most common ones like ceramic and enamel to Teflon and other branded non-stick coatings. The main benefit of them all is that you will be able to cook at ease as your food will not stick to the surface anywhere near as much as to an uncoated surface. For very easy-cleaning, a non-stick saucepan may be the perfect choice for you. The best non-stick saucepans allow for you to cook with very little or no cooking fat, while still heating your food to the perfect point. With us at Nordic Nest, you will find a range of non-stick coated saucepans in good quality materials such as stainless steel, aluminium to cast iron.

What size saucepan should you choose?

When considering the different saucepan sizes, you should keep in mind the quantities of food or liquid you will be heating. For example, when cooking pasta, you’d want a large enough saucepan for the water not to evaporate nor to boil over the edge – at the same time, you don’t want one too big since it will take much longer for the water to start boiling and you will have to use much more salt in the water than if you had a smaller saucepan.

A small saucepan with a diameter of 16 cm to 18 cm will be comfortable to carry even when it is full. On the other hand, if you will need to heat large quantities of liquid or food, a large saucepan with a diameter of 22 cm to 24 cm may be better suited to your needs. A mini saucepan is normally between 10 cm and 12 cm and is perfect for heating small quantities such as a glass of milk or melting butter. Why not choose a good a quality saucepan set so you can select the perfect saucepan for every dish?

Cookware saucepan sets

For a uniform and professional look, choose a cookware saucepan set along with a matching frying pan and cooking pots in a range of sizes. For classic kitchen interiors, a stainless steel saucepan set is timeless and elegant and for a modern and clean look, a white saucepan set will be a stylish addition to a minimal kitchen.

Our assortment offers you high quality saucepan sets by well-known and highly appreciated brands like Eva Solo and Alessi. You can find them in smaller sets of 2 or 3 pieces and even up to a 9 or 10 piece set for the full collection. If you are short on space, choose a stackable set to maximise your saucepan storage space.