6 basic types of pot you need in your kitchen

Which cookware do I need in my kitchen? What pot should I buy? Is it worth buying a milk jug? What kettle should I get? What is a saucepot? The questions that plague you are endless so together we will try to solve your most basic questions regarding the basic pots and pans you absolutely must have in the kitchen.

There are really too many types of pots, with so many different uses... This is something that makes it difficult for all new cooks and new cooks to figure out which type of pot they need to use at any given time, which one to buy and how to make use of what cookware they already have at home. So if you are also new to the world of cooking, this guide will be a great help! 

In this blog we will learn together about the six basic types of a  pot, help you understand their differences, which types of  pots are must haves for your new home and how you can make the most of the pots already in your home! 

What do you think? Let's go over them together?

1. The basic casserole

The pot is one of the most basic cooking utensils that every home should have. Most are made of stainless steel and have a cylindrical design. This helps to make it easier to simmer soups and heat all foods that have water or a sauce as a main ingredient. Their large capacity allows you to cook all the foods you want slowly and steadily. In this way, the flavour is enhanced giving your food a guaranteed delicious result!

Our proposal: Casserole "Nature" with non-stick coating stone 24cm

With a wide circular base and high straight sides, the Nature pot is a basic pot that should be in every home! In it you can cook large quantities of food and change the temperatures you wish to use without worrying that the pot may be damaged. It has a non-slip, ergonomic, wood-look handle that stays cold even after hours of cooking so you can safely carry the pot around at all times. 

What I can make with the Nature pot:

● Soups, 

● Pasta and 

● Stew

2. Deep fry pan

The deep fry pans are most often found in professional kitchens and are one of the most elegant types of pans. Chefs use their large surface area to make sauces, sauté ingredients, fry and bake in the pan and also to bake their preparations in the oven. Deep fry pans are usually made of either stainless steel or copper, but sometimes also made of enameled cast iron.

Due to their impressive size and their large cooking surface, you can easily cook large pieces of meat, such as ribs, in them. A deep pan also enables you to easily transfer your food from the hob to the oven in case you want to have a complete roast!

Our suggestion: Deep fry pan "Ωmega" with lid and non-stick coating stone 28cm

A pan with a modern design and excellent thermal conductivity. The Ωmega deep fry pan heats up quickly, maintains its temperature for long periods of time and allows the heat to flow evenly over the entire surface of the pan so that you always have a uniform meal, saving energy by cooking at a low temperature. 

You can use a deep fry pan to cook: 

● Red meat 

● Roasts

3. Saucepan

Small pots and pans or saucepans are another type of pot that a home needs. What they have in common is a circular base in a smaller size than a classic saucepan, but with the same high sides and a tight lid. If you don't want to dirty large pots to heat your food, make a sauce or warm some milk this is the pot for you.

Unlike pots, they have one extended handle instead of two smaller ones on the left and right. They are ideal for boiling and quickly heating up a meal. They are usually made of stainless steel and copper.

The NAVA proposal: Saucepan "Ωmega" with lid and non-stick coating stone 16cm

The small Ωmega milk pot with saucer has a timeless design and is made of cast aluminium with a solid metal composition and a heavy bottom to distribute the temperature evenly throughout the vessel. It heats up quickly, maintains its temperature for long periods of time and allows you to save energy by cooking at a low temperature. It's an ideal choice for everyday use thanks to its non-stick, 5-coat surface for maximum long-term durability.

Use the milk jug - saucepot to make: 

● Rice, couscous, quinoa, bulgur

● Salty, sweet, sweet and sour, spicy sauces.

● Warming milk or butter 

● Instead of microwave 

● Boiled eggs

4. Pressure cooker

The pressure cookers belong to the large and heavy pieces of cookware. They are almost always made of enamelled cast iron. Because of their weight, size, thick walls and heat retention capabilities, pressure cookers are your ally for slow low-temperature cooking, but also high-temperature cooking (in the early stages of food preparation). The best? If you're new to cooking and are afraid of frying, remember... A pressure cooker can even be used as a deep frying pan! 

Our proposal: "Acer" stainless steel 6L pressure cooker.

What to watch out for when cooking with a pressure cooker:

- When releasing steam, keep your hands, face and body away from the pressure regulating valve to avoid burns.

- Always monitor the pressure cooker when it is in operation or under pressure.

- If during the cooking process you notice steam coming out of the safety valve or sealing rubber, immediately turn off the cooker, remove the pressure cooker, look for the cause of the problem and correct it. Use the pressure cooker again only after making sure the problem has been solved.

The pressure cooker will save you a lot of trouble if you want to cook quickly and easily: 

● Chicken

● Soups

● Beans

● Cooked foods that have been simmering for a long time.

● Pasta

5. Roaster - Casserole

If you've never used a roaster, then you don't know what you're missing. You may think it's a utensil our grandmothers used, but the taste of food that comes out of a roaster can't be compared to anything!

The casserole in the form of a roaster is mostly found in professional kitchens. It is usually made of superior quality cooking materials such as copper and stainless steel. Visually, they are slightly larger and wider than traditional casseroles but their main feature is their curved walls. But why is it worth having a roaster in your home? Quite simply, it's a safe choice for a surefire meal. The pot has no corners, so there's no chance of food getting stuck somewhere and/or burning. The best? It can be used as both a roaster and a casserole.

We recommend the: "Terrestrial" roaster & casserole with ceramic non-stick coating

It has 3 layers and the quality of the ceramic coating inside and outside is very important for the long life of the pot. The high-strength glass lid, with a special hole for the diffusion of aromatic substances while baking in the oven, completes the durability and quality features of the pan. It has a high resistance to sudden temperature changes and a solid metal composition so that the heat is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the pan.

Make in the roaster: 

● Rabbit Stew

● Turlu

● Bean soup, chickpeas and lentils

● Bread

6. Low casserole - Roaster

The best feature of a low-casserole is the curved rim around the bottom of the pan. Its gentle slope makes decanting food easy and hassle-free. Usually, low-casseroles are made of stainless steel, which makes them ideal for quickly preparing salsa. 

NAVA's proposal: the "Funtzio" square low casserole - roaster with non-stick coating stone 28cm

The FUNTZIO low casserole has a perfectly durable non-stick coating, giving you the feeling that you are cooking on natural stone. The solid composition of the metal and the heavy bottom help to evenly channel the heat over the entire surface of the pot, while the high-strength glass lid with a special hole for the diffusion of aromatic substances completes the durability and quality characteristics of the pot.

What can I make in a low casserole?

● Oven baked spaghetti and dishes with a sauce base such as mac & cheese

● Jams

● Caramel sauce

● Meals that need constant stirring such as risotto

Are you ready to buy?

Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of pots and pans and how to use them, you should also have a clearer picture of which utensils are missing from your kitchen. And even if you already have a few of these pots in the house, you should consider whether it's time for an... upgrade. 

In NAVA's official online shop you will find high-quality, chef-approved cookware that will significantly improve your cooking experience and enrich your kitchen and your creative imagination!