Here's What All The Types Of Cookware Do If You're New To Cooking

So you want to get into cooking but are wondering, like, what pans do what? This 18-piece set from GreenLife has everything you need to get started. Best of all, its ceramic nonstick coating is absolutely toxin-free.

For when your cooking is unapologetically basic.

Honestly, cooking can be extremely overwhelming when you first start out, so it’s OK to be basic about your pans at first, especially if you’re cooking for just one.

Frypan

Perfect for the busy bee who wants a quick, delicious meal. All you need is low heat, minimum oil or butter, and a couple minutes!

Look into nonstick options, like GreenLife's dishwasher-safe, toxin-free frypan, for something that'll easily wipe clean.

Recommended dishes: scrambled eggs, omelets, tapas, sausages, and fish.

Saucepan

Unless you plan on cooking in a poncho, you're not going to want to cook liquid-heavy recipes in a frypan. Needless to say, saucepans are most commonly deployed for making sauces, but they can also be used for cooking grains, soups, noodles, and small stews.

Recommended dishes: cooked veggies, rice, reheating soups, and boiling pasta noodles.

Cutting Board

You could cut on pretty much anything, but the benefit of having an actual cutting board is that it preserves both your counter and your knives.

For when what you’re cooking is a little extra.

OK, so maybe you’ve honed the basics and want to spice things up. Since cookware is a long-term investment, it doesn't hurt to stock up on pieces that actually look good, too (think: something with a pop of color). Here are some other ways to be extra in the kitchen.

Sauté Pan

The frypan's quirky cousin, the sauté pan, is the same basic shape as a frying pan with higher edges, which makes it perfect for...sautéing! But it’s also super versatile — it has a little more space so your food has breathing room; it comes with a lid that’s perfect for simmering; and you can even use it for baking.

Recommended dishes: stir-fry, chicken, pasta, stove-top pizza.

Utensils

Spatulas: Imagine a spatula. OK, you're prolly thinking of the turner. Another type of spatula is the fish spatula, which is specially angled for flipping more delicate foods (such as fish!).

Ladle: Just a large, deep spoon that's perfect for serving soups, sauces, and punch.

Slotted spoon: Thousands of years ago (presumably), some genius drilled holes in a big spoon and — voilà! — no more dousing guests with sauce!

Measuring spoons/cups: Master chefs can probably just eyeball ingredients, but when you first start out, it's best to stick with the recipe, so these guys are your best friends.

For when you inevitably go through a big baking phase.

For some, baking is their gateway into cooking; for others, it’s an inevitable stop on the path to cooking mastery.

Cookie Sheet

Whether it's snacks at a party or a quick baked dinner for two, the cookie sheet is a versatile go-to for all your oven creations.

Recommended dishes: cookies, cookie bars, peanut butter bars, nachos, slab pie, sheet-pan chicken, polenta, bacon, and fajita toppings.

For when you’re cooking for a crowd.

Got the whole squad coming over? Time to bring out the big guns...or pots.

Stockpot

It may look intimidating, but once you learn how to handle this big boy, it’s a very useful ally in the kitchen, especially if you like to entertain. Stockpots are designed to heat large amounts of food quickly and to simmer over long periods of time.

Recommended dishes: corn on the cob, vegetables, seafood, brined turkey, cooking whole chickens, broths, stews, soups, chili pasta, beans, lentils, applesauce, and processing jars of jam.

Larger Pans

The bigger the pan, the bigger the job. If you're expecting friends over, trying to impress a date, or just looking to finish your one-pan masterpiece in the oven, these pans give you room to work your magic.

Again, consider something nonstick so cleaning will be a breeze!

Cooking can be a daunting task (especially around the holidays), but GreenLife’s 18-piece set of healthy, ceramic, nonstick coated cookware gives you everything you need to do the season right. Get cooking!