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Home Beautiful
Teneal Zuvela

7 of the best saucepans for cooking up a storm

The saucepan is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware. With its handy depth, the saucepan can be used for everything from making soups to sautéing vegetables and even boiling pasta — often making it a handy replacement for the pot.

Choosing the right saucepan, however, is another task altogether. There are not only many different types to choose from, but also your own unique cooking needs to factor in.

To make the process easier, we’ve asked Ninja Kitchen’s Product Marketing Manager, Will Tran, for his expert opinion on how to choose the right saucepan for your kitchen.

What is a saucepan?

A saucepan can be identified by its generous depth, smaller width and long handle. Being narrower than a pot, saucepans are suited to cooking with liquids. This makes them ideal for making soups and sauces, as well as boiling pasta, rice and other legumes and grains.

How to choose the right saucepan

Brass pots hanging above a bowl of tomatoes on a marble bench.
(Photography: Hannah Puechmarin / Styling: Hayley Jenkin)

When it comes to choosing the right saucepan for your kitchen, there are a few things to look out for.

“A good saucepan should be strong and durable, offer good heat retention, prevent hot spots, feature heatproof handles and work on all heating surfaces,” Will explains. “Cookware is something you use daily and should last for years, and that’s why doing your research ahead of making your purchase can help you make the right choice.”

When selecting your saucepan, Will suggests keeping the following things in mind:

  • Built to last: With the right love and attention, cookware can last you a lifetime. Look for a design that looks sturdy, with a thick, heavy-gauge base and sturdy handles that won’t wobble or break. As a general note, avoid non-stick saucepans coated in Teflon which tend to break down over time.
  • Be versatile: In making your decision, it’s important to consider your cooking needs and the versatility each saucepan offers. Opt for pans that can be used across all heat sources including induction, gas, electric, oven and fire. Investing in a cookware set means you can start from scratch or replace a worn-out, mismatched collection.
  • Match your lifestyle: Consider your cooking habits and preferences when choosing a saucepan. Tailor your choice to your cooking habits — ask yourself whether you’ll be frying, boiling, roasting or simmering to find the best fit for your kitchen.

It’s important to remember that the best-quality saucepan isn’t necessarily the most expensive one on the market.

“High quality is all about great design and carefully selected materials that should be durable, last a long time and offer a stellar cooking experience every time you use it, ” says Will.

“Better heat distribution and retention in quality saucepans can lead to more consistent cooking results, making them ideal for everything from searing steaks to slow-cooked stews.”

The benefits of different types of saucepans

The best saucepans to buy.
(Credit: Getty)

Stainless steel saucepans

When it comes to the best all-rounder, Will is a fan of stainless steel saucepans.

“Stainless steel saucepans are beloved by many home cooks and restaurant chefs for good reason,” Will explains. “They are very durable, suitable for all heat sources, metal-utensil safe and easy to clean, plus they won’t rust, chip or break. “

The benefits of stainless steel also lay in their longevity.

“Quality 18/10 stainless-steel pans are made to last a lifetime, ” says Will.

“They are an excellent choice for those who love cooking with intense heat [such as] searing a steak or low-heat methods like simmering and braising. Generally stainless steel is one of the most durable materials for saucepans and easy to keep clean, so your cookware will stay looking good for their life span.”

Cast iron saucepans

If you do a lot of slow cooking, cast iron may be your best choice.

“Cast iron absorbs and retains heat, it’s tough, long-lasting and compatible with all cooktop types,” Will says.

However, cast iron might not suit everyone.

“Bear in mind that cast iron is heavy and can rust and become brittle,” Will explains. “Iron pans may be coated in enamel to avoid rust, but this can chip if handled roughly.”

Ceramic saucepans

Ceramic saucepans are also a good choice for many kitchens.

“Ceramic saucepans have natural non-stick properties and even heat distribution when used on low-to-medium heat,” says Will.

However, it’s important to avoid metal utensils and scourers when using and cleaning these saucepans to avoid scratching.

2024’s top saucepans

  1. Ninja ZeroStick cookware saucepan, $79.98 (usually $199.95), Ninja Kitchen 
  2. Le Connoisseur cast iron saucepan, $199.99, Baccarat
  3. Le Creuset classic 3-Ply stainless steel 3pc saucepan set, $820, Myer 

The best saucepans to buy in 2024

A non-stick saucepan.

Ninja ZeroStick cookware 18cm (2.8L) saucepan with lid

from $79.98 (usually $199.95), Ninja Kitchen

Best for: everyday saucepan, non-stick

Those wanting to invest in a reliable non-stick saucepan will appreciate the quality of this one from Ninja. Being scratch-resistant and metal-utensil safe, you can trust this saucepan with your food.

Sizes: 18cm (2.8L)

Colours: Dark Grey

Materials: Hard-anodised aluminium, non-stick coating

Key features:

  • Oven safe up to 260°C
  • Heat-tempered glass lid 
  • Suitable for all hob types

Available at:


red cast iron saucepan

Baccarat Le Connoisseur cast iron saucepan 16cm 1.5L

from $199.99, Baccarat

Best for: cast iron

With its rustic charm and strong cast-iron material, this red Le Connoisseur saucepan won’t just look good in your kitchen, it will also take your cooking to another level.

Sizes: 16cm 1.5L 

Colours: Red

Materials: Cast iron

Key features:

  • Oven and dishwasher safe 
  • Suitable for all cooktops
  • Self-basting lid 

Available at:


Stainless steel saucepan set.

Le Creuset classic 3-Ply stainless steel 3pc saucepan set

from $820, Myer

Best for: stainless steel

This versatile set of Le Creuset stainless steel saucepans will become your go-to cookware for everything from pastas and soups to sauces.

Sizes: 16cm/1.9Lt, 18cm/2.8Lt, 20cm/3.8Lt

Colours: Grey

Materials: Stainless steel

Key features:

  • Hollow cast stainless steel handle
  • Etched capacity marking
  • Dishwasher safe

Available at:


Padova saucepan with smokey sky blue lid.

Padova saucepan with lid

from $194.94, Green Pan

Best for: non-stick

With its healthy ceramic non-stick coating and scratch resistance, you can rely on this Green Pan saucepan for all of your cooking needs. Plus, the pretty eggshell blue and gold handle make for a pretty addition to any kitchen.

Sizes: 18 Diameter/2.0L

Colours: Blue

Materials: Non-stick ceramic

Key features:

  • Free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium
  • Oven safe up to 220˚C
  • Dishwasher safe

Saucepan with a folding handle.

Space folding handle ceramic non-stick blue saucepan and lid

$199.95, Joseph Joseph

Best for: saving space

With a foldable handle, this clever saucepan is the perfect space-saving solution for those with a lack of kitchen storage.

Sizes: 19cm

Colours: Blue

Materials: Ceramic non-stick with stainless steel handle

Key features:

  • Free from PTFE, PFAS, PFOA, Lead and Cadmium
  • Tempered glass lid 
  • Oven safe to 232ºC

A copper saucepan.

RFN by Ruffoni stainless steel induction covered saucepan in copper

$699, Myer

Best for: aesthetic

Copper cookware still contains an element of romance, and this stainless steel copper saucepan is the perfect way to add elegance to your evening meal.

Sizes: 16cm/1.4L

Colours: Copper

Materials: Stainless steel in copper

Key features:

  • Oven stovetop safe to 315C
  • Induction compatible
  • Dishwasher safe

Nina everclad commercial grade stainless steel cookware 7 piece set

$499, Ninja Kitchen

Best for: saucepan in a set

Crafted from tri-ply construction that’s engineered to withstand high temperatures and resist warping, scratching, denting, and rusting, this set of stainless steel cookware is a good option for those wanting a complete cookware upgrade from saucepans to stock pots.

Sizes: Multi

Colours: Silver

Materials: Stainless steel

Key features:

  • Oven safe up to 315°C
  • Tri-ply construction
  • Set of 7

How to clean a burnt saucepan

There are a few different ways to clean a burnt saucepan. We recommend applying a paste of baking soda and water to the burnt parts of the saucepan. After leaving it to soak in for 15 minutes, you can use a non-scratch sponge.

Another option for hard-to-clean pans is to simmer cut-up lemons in the saucepan on the stove. This trick also leaves the kitchen with a lovely citrus fragrance.


This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.

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