Whether you’re a culinary master in the kitchen or limit yourself to warming up baked beans and scrambling an egg, having the right pan set is essential.
Whilst many of us, myself included, like to think we can get by with just a few odd sized pans which are falling apart in some way, be it a wobbly handle, peeling non-stick or scorch marks on the base, investing in a new set can transform your cooking.
In the same way as we wouldn’t be using blunt kitchen knives to cut food or a broken freezer to store goods, we shouldn’t be using subpar saucepans no matter how basic our cooking is.
Before buying a saucepan set, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about what you would use the saucepans for the most as naturally sets come in all shapes and sizes and you want the right depths to suit your cooking style. It might sound fairly obvious but, if you’re regularly whipping up dishes for a lot of people, look for sets containing mostly larger pans versus smaller ones - and vice versa if you tend to make meals for one. We recommend looking for pans ranging in size from 16-20cm.
It’s also important to think about storage as a saucepans can take up a lot of space. Look for sets that are compact if you’re light on space. Also ask yourself whether you are actually likely to use those extra large pans before purchasing a set that features them. There’s also options with removable handles that make much more cupboard-friendly options.
When it comes to quality, we advise buying the best you can afford. Although a cheap deal on pans might be tempting at the beginning, you’ll likely pay the price a few months in when they’ll need binning; perhaps because you find fragments of non-stick in your dinner (as was the case for me).
If you’re ready to invest in a quality set of saucepans read on as we’ve got everything from best budget buys to state of the art.
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Tefal Ingenio Easy Cook & Clean 10 Piece Set
Best for: Small spaces
If you’ve ever tried to ram a number of saucepans in a cupboard and not been able to shut the door properly because of the handles poking out, then this pan set will change all of that. This ten piece set comes with removable handles on all the pans and they all slot into each other, meaning you can easily store them away or cover them and put leftover food in the fridge.
These saucepans help take the guesswork out of cooking as the pans will turn red once they have heated up to the perfect temperature. The set features two frying pans (24/28cm), two saucepans (16/24cm), a saute pan (24cm), three glass lids and two bakelite handles.
Buy now £112.49, Robert Dyas
Amazon Basics 15-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set, Aluminium
Best for: All the gear
If you’ve perhaps just moved home or have tired and worn out kitchen utensils and pans then the 15 piece non-stick cookware set from Amazon is ideal. This enormous set comes with two frying pans, two saucepans, two casserole pans with lids and a five piece utensil set which includes a pasta server, serving spoon and soup ladle. All the items are a good size and the non-stick works well provided that you hand wash.
Buy now £61.53, Amazon
Le Creuset 3-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid, 20 x 12.2 cm
Best for: Quality
As a brand that has almost become synonymous with luxe kitchen cookware, the Le Creuset stainless steel saucepan set has a lot to live up to, and it did not disappoint. The pans themselves are made from three-layers that evenly spreads heat across the pan, whilst the handles are designed to make the saucepans easy to lift and move. They wash well both by hand and in the dishwasher and with just one use, you can tell that the quality pans are very well crafted. These will stand the test of time.
This set features three saucepans (16/18/20cm).
Buy now £288.75, Amazon
Always Pan
Best for: A one-stop pan
Whilst not technically a saucepan set as it is only one pan and a lid, the Always Pan claims to replace nine different kitchen items. With just one singular pan you can fry, boil, steam and so much more. This pan has rightfully become a cult favourite and if you are short on space, you may want to consider trying it out and freeing up some cupboard space from all those old random sized pans currently sitting there. We also love the different colours available and the 30 day free trial means if you don’t love it, it’s easy to return.
Buy now £125.00, Our Place
Amazon Basics Multi-Function 6-Piece Non-Stick Induction Cookware Set
Best for: Kind to the wallet
After good quality saucepans that don’t break the bank? If so this Amazon Basics 6-piece set is great as it features a variety of sized pans which are all dishwasher and induction hob safe. We also love the pistachio colour that will brighten up even the darkest of kitchens. The set features two lids alongside a saucepan, shallow pan, frying pan and steamer.
Buy now £44.41, Amazon
Robert Dyas 5 Piece Cast Iron Pan Set - Cerise
Best for: Colourful crockery
This gorgeous Robert Dyas cast iron pan set will not only work well but also looks great as it comes in a lovely cerise colour. It’s the kind of set you won’t want to store away in a cupboard. The pans are made from high-quality cast iron which means they are rather heavy but the material distributes heat evenly so there will be no overly hot or cold spots in your food.
We love that this set features more than just saucepans and have found that the casserole and oven dishes are particularly useful for transferring food from the hob into the oven. The set features one frying pan (25cm), one griddle pan (23cm), two casserole dishes (21/26cm) and a square oven dish (23cm).
Buy now £69.99, Robert Dyas
Robert Welch Campden Cookware Saucepan Set, 3 Piece
Best for: Induction cooking
Whilst this pan can be used on all types of cookers, we found that it worked particularly well on induction hobs. It was also great at quickly boiling water for cooking rice, pasta or vegetables as the heat is evenly distributed across the bottom of the pan. The saucepans can also be put in the oven and are safe up to 250 degrees which allows for more versatile cooking and cuts out the need to transfer food from one pot to another.
Buy now £185.00, Amazon
Design Plus 6 Piece Cookware Set, Stainless Steel
Best for: Fashion statement
Who said saucepans had to be boring? This well-designed set from Italian kitchen crockery maker Inoxriv has a fashionable angular look on the lids and handles which actually makes it easier to hold when the pan is hot. The set features three saucepans each with its own lid which is actually a rarity as many sets come with more pans than lids. These pans can be used on an induction hob and are dishwasher safe.
Buy now £129.00, MADE
Tala Performance 5 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Best for: A premium set with the price to match
If you’re willing to splash out on some of the best saucepan sets that money can buy then Tala Performance cookware set is highly recommended. While it may have a high price tag, this is reflected in the quality. The set features two stainless steel saucepans, a small milk pan and a non-stick frying pan. We particularly like the internal markings in the pan for easy measuring of liquids as you’re cooking. The set also helps you save energy as the base of the pans retain some heat so you can take the pan off the hob and the food will be kept warm.
Buy now £526.50, Amazon
Verdict
Overall if you’re low on space in your kitchen but don’t want to compromise on quality then we think the Tefal Ingenio Easy Cook & Clean 10 Piece Set is the best purchase as they are sturdy pans that are easy to pack away. If you are looking for an extremely high quality saucepan set, and are willing to pay the necessary price, then the Tala Perforance cookware set is so worth it.
