• Flat bases
• Secure handles, firmly fixed to the body of the pan
• Heat resistant handles
• Large pans with 2 handles, one on each side
• Securely fitting lids
• A saucepan with a lip to make pouring easier

Most families need a set of three different sized pans, plus a milk pan and a large “casserole” sized pot.

Aluminium pans

Heavy duty and not the most attractive finish, but durable and good value for money. These pans are easy to clean and conduct heat well, ensuring even distribution of the heat when cooking and avoiding burnt spots.They do become stained by the food, though, and some foods react with the metal, meaning food has to be removed straight away after cooking.

Stainless Steel

Attractive and easy to clean, and these pans will not get stained by the food. Not as good at conductiing heat. Look for sets with a copper or aluminium base if possible.

Copper pans

These look wonderful, especially in an old-fashioned farmhouse style kitchen. But the downside is that they need regular polishing and cleaning to keep looking good, and the lining may need renewing if they come in for a lot of use. Copper may also react with some foods, and they may not have heatproof handles.

Enamelled cast iron

Come in a wonderful range of colours, and look very attractive. Heat evenly, but are heavy to lift. May chip if dropped and in time can get stained by food.

Non Stick pans

Coatings have improved greatly over the years and are now hard to beat for sheer ease of cleaning and cooking. Need to be carefully handled and cleaned to avoid scratching the coating. Plastic utensils need to be used for the same reason. Good for milky sauces, porridge and scrambled eggs, which all stick to the pan.

Glass pans

Really made of heat resistant glass. Look good, not good heat conductors and hard to clean. Glass can get scratched over time.

Frying pans

Look for the same characteristics as the rest of the set, but make sure that the pan can stand the heat needed to fry at high temperatures. Cheaper and thinner pans can warp. Remember to check that the set you like and that meets the budget is suitable for your cooking hob, be it electric, halogen, gas or a range cooker. It usually says clearly on the box, so check before you buy!