Pedros Kitchen

Upgrading your cookware is expensive and it’s difficult to know if you are truly getting value for your money. However it’s still possible to save money by simply buying smart. One area to look at is non-stick cookware. Now whilst quality and heat conduction are still extremely important, the truth is the pan is unlikely to last you the 30 odd years it claims. This is because even in high-end pans the non-stick coating will scratch eventually (although high-end warranties normally cover that). So if you’re looking for a place to try and make a saving, you should consider buying a lower-price non-stick pan for your collection.

Another option is to go for aluminium. To be honest Aluminium is the cheapest choice, and its best to go down this route for a pan you rarely use or are happy to replace regularly. If you are buying aluminium it’s thoroughly recommended to spend a bit more and get the anodized aluminium. It’ll cook better and last longer, yet remains considerably cheaper than the high-end stuff.

Now compromising on quality isn’t the only way to save. There are great deals to be had by looking for “irregular” or marginally “defective” cookware, from the high-quality brands, and these can usually be bought for considerably less than the usual price. Ordinarily, the issues that make them defective are so small you are unlikely to notice them; an example would be a slight variation in shape or colour. So if you don’t mind a slight imperfection that won’t have any effect your cooking, it’s well worth checking out the high-end bargains found in discount stores and online outlets. In some cases you can even buy them straight from the manufacturer, through regular clearances.

That being said the moral of this post is simple: If you’re in a position to buy the best of everything the best of everything, do it. But if you’re not, be clever, mix it up. Spend as much as you can on the every day pieces, and make savings on the items you rarely use.