Cookware is the cornerstone of every kitchen. Finding a set that’s durable and can heat evenly is crucial for anyone who wants to become a better cook.
Solid construction, aesthetics and affordable price are the three most common criteria by which most people shop for their cookware. While all these three criteria are important, there is much more to consider when buying a suitable cooking set. In this article we are going to look at how to go one step further and choose a cookware that’s best suitable for anyone who is serious about their cooking.

So first, the common old question; cooking set or open stock? Which one is better?

Cooking Sets vs. Open Stock, which is better?

As already mentioned, the generic three criteria most of us usually look for are solid construction, aesthetics and reasonable price. At least two of these criteria are easier to meet when we shop for our cookware in set. It is a convenient and more affordable alternative to tracking down pots and pans one piece at a time. It also solve the issue of aesthetics for those who want to have their cookware consistent in appearance.

Functionality and compatibility among pieces is also something to consider, even though this is usually relevant only in higher-end cooking sets that have been thoughtfully designed to serve cooks rather than other away around. Mozow pots and pans are the good example of such a set. Each piece fits in seamlessly and complements one another.

Be aware of cheap cookware sets

Cheap cookware sets comes at the hidden cost. It is not a big issue if you are shopping for kitchenware that won’t be used much. For example when purchasing a filler for your AirBnB apartment. However, if you are looking for something you do plan to use regularly, be aware of some of the common drawbacks of cheap cookware. Sizing and usefulness of individual piece within each set comes to mind. Shrinking the pot and pan sizes might reduce the manufacturing cost and therefore the price, but it also means cooking in batches which can slow you down in the kitchen. Additionally sets often sell you pieces that you don’t need and never will. This is why many professional cooks prefer to pick and choose what they want individually piece by piece.

Buying cookware set is almost always a compromise, unless you purchase a set that was uncompromisingly designed to be useful in the kitchen. Those sets are more expensive and premium in quality for those who are serious about their cooking.

In addition, cookware sets are great gifts for weddings and graduations, or for anyone who is setting up their kitchen for the first time.

We recommend to shop for a cookware set rather than open stock, piece by piece, if you are setting up your kitchen for the first time, looking for a gift or seeking comprehensive one-off solution to your future cooking needs.

The important criteria to be paying attention to when choosing the right cookware are as follows: pot and pan sizes, durability and heat distribution, weight, ergonomics and material they are made of. So let’s look at each of those in more detail.

Optimal pot and pan sizes

Most people are inclined to buy sets because it is cheaper than buying pieces individually. However buying a cooking set involves a compromise. Most manufacturers cut corners by including smaller pot and pan sizes in a set to reduce the overall price. Therefore it’s worth to pay attention to sizing of the pots and pans in each set. Remember, what seems like a minor issue and a big saving at the time of purchase, can easily turn other way round and become a small savings and a major issues in the kitchen later. Smaller pot and pan sizes will require you to cook in batches and can slow you down in the kitchen.

Also, sets often sell you pieces that you will never need, which leads to further purchases of additional individual pieces later on. These additional purchases mean spending the saved money, often paying more at the end.

In general it is better to buy a small, but useful set of optimal sizing rather than large set with many pots and pans of useless sizes. Many of the pots and pans in those larger sets are just fillers, or even worse a clutter in your kitchen.

To learn more about optimal pot and pan sizes, visit this article.

Weight

Getting a sense of each set just by looking at pictures online, especially when it comes to ratio between weight, material and size, is extremely difficult. Therefore it is usually better to swing by to your local shop and check the cookware sets in person. That way you get a feel for the weight and the actual size of the pots and pans.

While the ideal weight and balance of cookware is somehow subjective, most people seem to prefer skillets that weight somewhere between 0.9 and 1.5 kgs. This is still light enough for tossing ingredients on a pan without placing too much torque on your wrists. Weight is another reason why MOZOW’s pots and pans are the good choice for those who intend to cook regularly.

[ Image with mozow pieces each featuring weight ]
MOZOW cookware comes at weights that are ideal for everyday cooking, with centre of gravity strategically adjusted for a better balance.