Aluminum, Cast Iron, Clay, Copper, Stainless Steel.... With so many materials and styles to choose from, how do you know which cookware will suit your needs? While it's not a one-size-fits-all situation, there are some basic things that are helpful to know about each cookware type before making your purchase. Here are some things you'll want to keep in mind:



A common, less expensive, and lightweight metal is aluminum. These pans often react with acidic foods and will therefore often change the resulting flavor of your dish. As it's a soft metal, it will also dent easily. A more durable type of aluminum to choose would be either anodized or hard anodized. This cookware is made with a non-stick finish so it will not ruin the flavor of your foods. Any of these non-stick finishes should be hand-washed and not be placed in the dishwasher as it ruins the finish.

Cast iron has been around for a long time. It has excellent heat retention and is a very durable metal. Available in enameled and non-enameled finishes, the non-enameled will require periodic seasoning with a thin layer of vegetable oil for longevity. Cast iron should be hand-washed and it being a very heavy cookware material, it is not recommended for those suffering from arthritis or for anyone who has issues lifting heavy objects.

A lesser-known cookware material is clay. Dating back to Roman times, cooking with clay is reported to be a healthy cooking method as the dishes cook in their own juices rather than in added oils or fats. Ideal for baking or roasting your meats and vegetables, clay bakers are breakable but will give you many years of use with good care. Always soak your clay cooker in water for 15-20 minutes prior cooking.

Copper is an excellent conductor of heat but, like Aluminum, is a soft metal, known to react with acidic foods. Many copper pots are now available with stainless steel linings to prevent acidic food reactions. The higher quality copper/stainless steel pots are on the expensive end of cookware prices and purchasers should expect to polish their cookware frequently to maintain the beautiful luster.

Classic stainless steel is probably the most popular metal and easily the most versatile. It's known to be easy to maintain, durable, attractive, and relatively inexpensive. Since stainless steel is not the best heat conductor, many better product lines are known as "Tri-Ply" stainless steel. Cookware made of this material has a stainless steel layer inside and outside with a core of aluminum to create excellent heat conductivity. Again, remember that the non-stick versions of this cookware would not be dishwasher safe.

It's possible you'll want to buy cookware in a variety of materials. Commonly, purchasing a set of quality stainless pots and pans with some additional specialty items such as a cast iron a cast skillet or a clay baker is a great place to start. Choose quality cookware that best suits your needs and budget, and continue to buy additional items as needed or as your funds allow. Cookware also makes a great birthday, holiday, or housewarming gift.