November 13, 2009
Traditionally Utilised for Making Sauces, Saucepans Are amongst the Most Versatile of Cooking Pieces
Traditionally utilised for making sauces, sauce pans are also used to steam vegetables, heat soups, cook rice and oatmeal and much more. Because of the sheer number of cooking applications saucepans can be used for, it is strongly recommended that you buy several different sizes of high quality sauce pans. There are a number of considerations to be taken into account when selecting a sauce pan or sauce pan set.
Sauce pans are normally made using either copper, aluminium, cast iron, a special non stick coating or stainless steel. While all these materials have their elements that are both advantageous and disadvantageous, different cooking applications and budgets will be suited to particular types of sauce pans. For serious cooks, only the best will do, but for everyday purposes many mid-range sauce pans work exceptionally well. Copper-clad saucepans are the most expensive. This is mainly due to their excellent conductive properties. As such, they will heat quicker and more evenly. On the downside, they are harder to keep shiny and clean.
Although stainless steel is a poor conductor of heat, it is the perfect cooking surface as it is nonporous, non reactive, non poisonous, and highly durable. It browns food splendidly, a key component for developing flavour. These saucepans are perfect for everyday use as they are inexpensive and long lasting. Another common type of sauce pans are non stick sauce pans. They are becoming more and more popular, mainly due to their easy cleaning and because less oil is required when cooking. Although non stick sauce pans have their advantages, they generally don’t brown food as well as metal surfaces.
Every type of sauce pan has its advantages and disadvantages. As such, saucepans that are constructed using layered aluminium cores and clad entirely in stainless steel are often recommended. These saucepans are responsive, work with all cook tops including induction, and cost significantly less than copper saucepans.

