Finally, a wok perfectly designed for the home cook. Our 5-quart, carbon-steel, flat-bottomed wok heats quickly and distributes that heat evenly for uniform cooking. The domed glass lid seals in liquids, prevents splatters and allows you to see your food when cooking, while also allowing you to steam as well as stir-fry in the wok. The wok’s long handle and helper handle make the wok easy to maneuver, no matter how heavily loaded. We also like this design because it is not too large—many 12-inch or larger woks are difficult to store, so they end up going to the basement, not the kitchen! Pair it with our Wok Spatula.

This durable steak frypan from French company de Buyer's Mineral B line is thicker than other brands and can be used in the oven as well as on the stove. We like the neat, effective design of the triple-riveted handles, which are the perfect length for easy maneuvering. And with each use, the carbon steel develops more of a protective surface coating that has nonstick properties. De Buyer even coats its pieces with a layer of beeswax to resist rust and provide a foundation for seasoning the pan. Choose between a 9.5-inch diameter—the perfect size for one steak—or an 11-inch diameter pan to make steaks for two. Both are perfect for everything from scrambled eggs and seared steak to grilled cheese or stir-fry.

Unlike nonstick pans that need to be replaced every year or two as their coating wears off, carbon-steel pans are designed for the long haul and actually become more nonstick over time. This durable egg pan from French company de Buyer's Mineral B line is thicker than other brands and can be used in the oven as well as on the stove. This compact pan is the perfect size for everyday use, when you want the benefits of carbon steel but don't want to deal with cleaning a large pan; it's also great for toasting small amounts of spices or blooming spices in fat to make infused oils. And with each use, the pan develops more of a protective surface coating that has nonstick properties.

This small, gorgeous cast-iron griddle set from Japan is just the pan to sear scallops, a few jumbo shrimp, filet mignon or asparagus. The thin yet sturdy construction heats up quickly—over any burner or grill--and holds its heat well. The textured surface prevents foodstuffs from sticking. With its hardwood base, the griddle can easily be brought to the table and used as much as a hot plate as a cooking pan. We’ll heat it and fill it with appetizers like warm, spiced nuts or baked feta drizzled with fruity olive oil, herbs and pepper flakes. The ingenious handle removes easily for serving and storage.

• Slim - .5" H x 9.5" L x 5" W
• Standard - .6" H X 9.6" L X 6" W
• Made in Japan
• Cast iron grill pan, detachable cast iron handle and a cedar trivet included

If you are only going to purchase one skillet, this 12-inch Christopher Kimball stainless steel 5-ply skillet is the one to have. It can handle the biggest jobs, including a whole chicken of parts, big batches of vegetables or greens, or even for cooking our Spanish Pork and Chorizo Stew (Carcamusa) on the stovetop. This skillet is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity and cooking performance. The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. No hot spots. Even heating. Great durability because the weight and construction of the pan discourages warping. (Never put a hot pan in a cold sink.) It is made from 18/10 stainless steel and is oven safe up to 500 degrees. The handles are custom designed for comfort and ease of lifting.

Historic French company's Choc Intense line of nonstick pans use the latest generation of nonstick coating—designed to have a 50% longer lifetime than other models—so they release food easily and are a breeze to clean with a soft sponge. These Round Frypans also feature robust forged aluminum walls and induction-friendly stainless steel bottoms, so they are fast-heating and provide even heat distribution when sautéing and searing. The attractive matte black pans are weighty but not cumbersome, with sturdy triple-riveted stainless steel handles. De Buyer even includes a cloth bag with each pan to protect the nonstick surfaces during storage, so you can stack Choc Intense cookware without worrying about scratching the material.

• Dimensions: 8, 9.5, 11, or 12.5-inch diameters available
• Materials: Nonstick: Ultra-resistant and reinforced inner and outer black coating, guaranteed PFOA- and particles-free | Walls: 4-millimeter forged aluminum | Bottom: Induction-friendly AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel | Handle: Stainless steel
• Use: Suitable for all heat sources including induction. Oven-safe for 10 minutes at 445°F maximum. Do not use metal objects on cookware. Do not heat when empty or overheat. Avoid temperature shocks.
• Care: Hand-wash only, with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Place of Origin: France

This traditional earthenware bowl (or ddukbaegi) is incredibly multifunctional, used in Korean cooking for simmering stews or making dolsot bibimbap, a popular sizzling rice dish. Safe for stovetop, microwave and oven use, the cookware is made from fine, porous clay that retains heat well but doesn't absorb soaps, chemicals or any off-flavors—plus, it doesn't require seasoning before first use. Korean stoneware has such excellent heat retention that the bowl is actually meant to double as a serving dish, since it keeps food warm as you're eating. A matching lid and heat-insulating trivet with handles make for easy transport to the table, while the double-fired glaze looks sleek and elegant.

French company de Buyer's heavy-duty, all-purpose Mineral B Bois pans heat quickly and develop nonstick properties just like cast iron, but they're lighter in weight. There's no better cookware for searing, browning or sautéing: These smartly designed pans have a classic Lyonnaise profile, with sloped sides that are slightly taller than most skillets and especially useful for the quick motions required when tossing or flipping food. De Buyer applies an all-natural beeswax coating to each pan, which not only protects against rust but also provides a foundation for seasoning. The more you use your Mineral B Bois Carbon-Steel Fry Pan, the quicker it transforms from its original gray to mottled blues and oranges before developing a lustrous, fully blackened patina. As the seasoning builds, both through normal care and frequent cooking, the surface also becomes smoother and more nonstick.

Before you use your de Buyer carbon-steel cookware for the first time, clean it with very hot water and rub down the entire surface to remove any excess beeswax; the minute amount that remains will help create a protective layer when you season your pan. Heat oil in your carbon-steel pan—enough to cover the bottom—until it starts to smoke, then discard the oil and rub the cookware down with paper towels. Repeat several times (about 5 or 6) until pan is evenly burnished.

Be careful not to use more than a whisper of soap to wash carbon steel, if any, and dry well. Leaving cookware undried or soaking in a sink will break down your hard-earned patina and potentially lead to rust. In case of stubborn, stuck-on bits of food, scrub the pan with kosher salt moistened with oil, which will simultaneously season the pan. We also recommend wiping a thin coat of neutral oil across the pan’s surface for storage (with use and time, as the patina improves, this will become unnecessary).

• Diameter: 6 inches, 8 inches, 9.5 inches, or 12.5 inches
• Materials: Carbon steel, beechwood
• Use: Suitable for all cooktops, including induction. Suitable for flash heating in the oven— no more than 10 minutes at a temp of 390F or less. This is in part due to the wood, but also to the epoxy coating on the handle.
• Care: Hand-wash only. Deglaze, rinse with warm water, dry and oil lightly. Store in a dry place.

Field's cast-iron skillets work just as well as other brands but are so much more lightweight—the 10-inch model weighs just 4 pounds, at least 20% less than other models. The inside of the pans are also well burnished so they're smooth, not rough, for low-stick cooking, especially if you've seasoned your skillet properly. The Field skillets are available in a range of sizes to suit the needs of any home cook. Choose between the No. 4, a compact 6-inch pan that's perfect for morning eggs and personal grilled cheese; the medium-sized 10-inch No. 8 or 12-inch No. 10; or the No. 12, a generous 14-inch skillet that is our favorite for big batches and campfire cooking.

Our five-ply cookware has three layers of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of nonreactive stainless steel. The aluminum core heats evenly and retains that heat well, eliminating hot spots, while the magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The skillet's heavy-duty construction also ensures that it won't warp over time, unlike thin metal pans that become raised in the center. And the rounded, oven-safe handle feels comfortable and well-balanced in the hand, even when handling a full pan of food; plus, the handle's hollow core is lightweight and stays cool during stovetop cooking. We use an 8-inch skillet for a wide range of kitchen tasks from toasting nuts and spices, to breakfast duty, to omelets, to smaller jobs such as steak for one. 

This 10-inch stainless steel skillet is the workhorse of our kitchen for searing, frying and sautéing. It goes from stovetop to oven (handling temperatures up to 500 degrees) and is great for everything from vegetables and sauces to meats and poultry. It is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core that provides superior heat conductivity and cooking performance. The magnetic stainless steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. The handle is a custom ergonomic design that makes the pan easy and comfortable to lift.

This carbon-steel pan from iconic French company de Buyer has rounded sides that are just the right shape for turning or rolling French-style omelets, then gently sliding them out of the pan when done. And it is by no means limited to omelets: The round sides that help with rolling an omelet are also nice for sautéing and flipping any food. Each Mineral B pan has an all-natural beeswax coating that protects against rust and provides a foundation for seasoning. Over time, your pan will transform from its original gray to mottled blues and oranges before developing a lustrous, fully blackened patina. As the seasoning builds, the surface also becomes smoother and more nonstick.

Before you use your de Buyer carbon-steel pan for the first time, clean it with very hot water and rub down the entire surface to remove excess beeswax. Heat oil in your carbon-steel dish on the stovetop—enough to cover the bottom—until it starts to smoke, then discard the oil and rub the cookware down with paper towels. Before the cookware develops a fully blackened patina, we recommend adding a little more oil or butter to start, and ensure the pan is fully preheated and evenly coated in fat before adding ingredients.

In case of stubborn, stuck-on bits of food, scrub the pan with kosher salt moistened with oil, which will simultaneously season the pan. We also recommend wiping a thin coat of neutral oil across the pan’s surface for storage (with use and time as the patina improves, this will become unnecessary).

• Net Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Dimensions: Diameter: 9 inches, Depth: 1.5 inches
• Use: Suitable for oven cooking for 10 minutes at 400°F; compatible with all cooktops, including induction
• Care: Hand-wash only
• Place of Origin: France

Unlike nonstick pans that need to be replaced every year or two as their coating wears off, carbon-steel pans are designed for the long haul and actually become more nonstick over time. This durable roasting pan from French company de Buyer's Mineral B line is thicker than other brands and can be used in the oven as well as on the stove. We love its generous size (about 14 inches by 9.5 inches) and sturdy construction. The sleek stainless-steel handles are also more ergonomic than others we've come across and large enough to accommodate oven mitts—perfect for your next vegetable gratin or casserole. The dish is shallow to allow air contact for evenly roasting meats, but it will also catch juices and drippings better than a baking sheet. And with each use, the pan develops more of a protective surface coating that has nonstick properties. De Buyer even coats its pieces with a layer of beeswax to resist rust and provide a foundation for seasoning the pan.

Before you use your de Buyer carbon-steel pan for the first time, clean it with very hot water and rub down the entire surface to remove excess beeswax. Heat oil in your carbon-steel dish on the stovetop—enough to cover the bottom—until it starts to smoke, then discard the oil and rub the cookware down with paper towels. The cookware's surface will go through a mottled stage before developing a perfectly smooth, fully blackened patina—in the meantime, we add a little more oil or butter to start and ensure the pan is fully preheated and evenly coated in fat before adding ingredients.

In case of stubborn, stuck-on bits of food, scrub the pan with kosher salt moistened with oil, which will simultaneously season the pan. We also recommend wiping a thin coat of neutral oil across the pan’s surface for storage (with use and time as the patina improves, this will become unnecessary).

Many stock pots are only good for boiling liquids since they are not heavy duty and do not contain a core of aluminum. This 8-quart stockpot is the real deal, with 5-ply stainless steel around an aluminum core. You can boil in it as well as sauté, stew, brown, braise—whatever you want—without worrying about burning or hot spots. Also designed for use on induction burners (this pot rated the best when compared to other premium brands in terms of induction efficiency). Great handles that stay cool on the stovetop and are designed for comfort. This pot can go into a 500 degree oven as well. It's an investment, but this pot will never let you down.

French company de Buyer's compact stainless steel bain marie is a double boiler with a convenient built-in water chamber for gently heating foods. Simply fill the water chamber through an opening in the handle, and when heated the bain marie applies gentle, indirect heat to foods. It's ideal for melting chocolate, heating sauces or making custard. We like its pressure valve and heat-resistant silicone handle, which make for safe and easy handling. Plus, de Buyer has measuring marks for the pot's internal volume (in quarts) and a clear window in the handle that allows you to keep an eye on the water level of your double boiler.

Historic French company's Choc Intense line of nonstick pans use the latest generation of nonstick coating—designed to have a 50% longer lifetime than other models—so they release food easily and are a breeze to clean with a soft sponge. This Crepe Pan has shallow sides and a wide surface area that make it easy to slip a spatula under large, flat foods—not only crepes but also sandwiches, quesadillas and pancakes. We also like it for caramelizing onions, especially since the low sides prevent steam from gathering. Plus, the robust forged aluminum walls and induction-friendly stainless steel bottoms are fast-heating and provide even heat distribution, while the sturdy triple-riveted stainless steel handles and matte black finish look neat and attractive. De Buyer even includes a cloth bag with each pan to protect the nonstick surfaces during storage, so you can stack Choc Intense cookware without worrying about scratching the material.

• Dimensions: 10.25 or 12 inches available
• Materials: Nonstick: Ultra-resistant and reinforced inner and outer black coating, guaranteed PFOA- and particles-free | Walls: 4-millimeter forged aluminum | Bottom: Induction-friendly AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel | Handle: Stainless steel
• Use: Suitable for all heat sources including induction. Oven-safe for 10 minutes at 445°F maximum. Do not use metal objects on cookware. Do not heat when empty or overheat. Avoid temperature shocks.
• Care: Hand-wash only, with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Place of Origin: France

Historic French company's Choc Intense line of nonstick pans use the latest generation of nonstick coating—designed to have a 50% longer lifetime than other models—so they release food easily and are a breeze to clean with a soft sponge. This deeper-bowled Rounded Sauté Pan also features robust forged aluminum walls and an induction-friendly stainless steel bottom for even heat distribution. It's especially useful for recipes that require gentle, steady heat to avoid scorching and benefit from the easy cleanup of nonstick, like making a custard or slowly cooking a sugary syrup. We also love it for cooking soft-scrambled eggs over low heat, as the high sides and smaller base keeps eggs together so they cook slower and more steadily. The attractive matte black pans are weighty but not cumbersome, with sturdy triple-riveted stainless steel handles. De Buyer even includes a cloth bag with each pan to protect the nonstick surfaces during storage, so you can stack Choc Intense cookware without worrying about scratching the material.

• Dimensions: Medium: 9.5 inches with 2.75-inch wall, Large: 11 inches with 3-inch wall
• Materials: Nonstick: Ultra-resistant and reinforced inner and outer black coating, guaranteed PFOA- and particles-free | Walls: 4-millimeter forged aluminum | Bottom: Induction-friendly AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel | Handle: Stainless steel
• Use: Suitable for all heat sources including induction. Oven-safe for 10 minutes at 445°F maximum. Do not use metal objects on cookware. Do not heat when empty or overheat. Avoid temperature shocks.
• Care: Hand-wash only, with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Place of Origin: France

The Christopher Kimball 10-inch sauté pan provides superior heat conductivity and an enhanced cooking experience because it is made from 5-ply professional grade stainless steel sandwiched around a pure aluminum core. The magnetic stainless-steel exterior makes this premium cookware ideal for any cooking surface, including induction cooktops. Its deep sides prevent food from splattering and helps to create a larger cooking surface.