Milk Street Cast Iron Furusato
Here at Milk Street, we’re big proponents of cooking with cast iron because it heats evenly and retains that heat—which is why we designed our own pot for the ideal solution for soups and stews. Our Cast Iron Furusato is modeled after the traditional pot used for Japanese nabe (hot pot), but its durable cast-iron craftsmanship and stunning wooden lid carved from Japanese cedar make it a candidate for everyday use. Sturdy yet light enough to use often, it’s equipped with a swinging handle for easy maneuvering. Plus, unlike some furusato pots, this one is compatible with any stovetop, and it comes with a small silicone pot holder.
de Buyer Mineral B Egg Pan
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.
Milo by Kana 5.5-Quart Enameled Dutch Oven
This 5.5-quart Dutch oven from Milo by Kana is made from high-quality enameled cast iron that retains and redistributes heat for even cooking and can handle scraping, though the enameled finish will prevent burned-on foods to begin with. It also requires no pre-seasoning before first use and is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
de Buyer Choc Intense Round Frypans
Vermicular 10.2 inch Oven Safe Skillet with Lid
Our kitchen team was, quite frankly, stunned by the Vermicular 10-inch skillet. Weighing in at 2.4 pounds, it is at least 50% thinner than other cast-iron skillets, making it the lightest skillet we’ve tried. Durably designed and nonreactive, it features a heat-resistant enameled surface and an oven-safe aluminum handle. The pan cooks more like stainless steel than cast iron thanks to its thinness, which makes it heat more quickly, but it offers the nonstick and cleaning advantages of enameled cast iron. And it still retains heat well and evenly like cast iron. It’s the perfect skillet for searing or stir-frying. The skillet also comes with a stainless steel lid with an attached cast-iron handle that’s designed to be stood upright to avoid touching a dirty counter. Use to sauté veggies, fry an egg, sear a steak or make the perfect crispy grilled cheese.
de Buyer Mineral B Steak Frypan
JIA Inc. Companion Wok
Crafted from carbon steel, our preferred wok cooking material, this pan features a long beech wood handle (which won’t overheat) as well as an ear handle for easy pouring and transport. Although it doesn’t have any sort of chemical coating, the pan’s glossy black interior undergoes a special nitriding process, which produces an iron nitride layer that increases durability and prevents rust. The inside is then polished to a shine and given a fish-scale uneven finish to promote air flow under food, both of which give the pan incredible nonstick properties straight for the box with a quick initial seasoning. So you don’t have to worry as much about building up a layer of seasoning straight away like you would with other carbon steel pans or cast iron.
Plus, its flat bottom ensures it’ll work with any cooking surface and the accompanying lid with an easy-to-grip wood knob makes it ideal for steaming as well.
Küchenprofi Half-Quart Saucepan with Clad Bottom
Most cookware lines lack a small, convenient pot for minor tasks: This half-quart saucepan from Küchenprofi fills that gap. Use this small pot for quick stovetop tasks, like melting butter; it comes with one spout on each side, ideal for pouring heated sauce or broth, as well as an ergonomic, heat-proof handle that’ll keep your hand safe from burns. Clad-bottom pots are ideal saucepans: They have a layered base, usually comprised of a heat-conductive copper or aluminum center sandwiched inside an external stainless steel layer, which concentrates heat at the bottom of the pot for faster cooking. This one has high quality 18/8 stainless steel sides (complete with metric gradation marks through 500 millimeters) and a magnetic steel encapsulated base that’s compatible with induction, gas and electric stoves.
Field Company Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillets
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 come pre-seasoned and 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. You can purchase the custom Field Company cast iron lids here.
de Buyer Choc Intense Rounded Sauté Pans
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.
de Buyer 9-Inch Mineral B Omelet Pan
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/3.2 pounds
- Dimensions: Diameter: 8 inches/9.5 inches/11 inches, Depth: 1.5 inches
- Use: Compatible with all cooktops, including induction
- Care: Hand-wash only
- Place of Origin: France
de Buyer Bain Marie/Double Boiler
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.
de Buyer Mineral B Oval Roasting Pan
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).
Milo by Kana Ultimate Skillet
As a complement to its original Dutch oven, Milo from Kana also designed a 10-inch skillet using its enameled cast iron, which requires no seasoning before first use and will put a thick crust on steaks and release eggs with ease. The long handle of this skillet has a flat top and a rounded bottom for better gripping, while a smaller secondary handle provides extra support, making it easy to pour out sauces or rendered fat—especially with the two spouts on either side.
Staub Cast Iron 4 Piece Stackable Set
Designed for convenient storage, this set from Staub comes with three essential pieces—a braiser, grill pan and a round cocotte (also known as a Dutch oven). A universal lid fits all of them and seals in steam and moisture for Staub’s signature even cook. Each piece is designed with sloped sides and comes with removable rubberized bumpers for safe, scratch-free nesting. Staub's durable enameled cast iron cooks evenly at a broad range of temperatures and has low-stick properties for easy, no-fuss cooking. This set works for everybody: it's a perfect first investment in high-quality cast iron, or a fabulous gift that'll last a generation. The enameled finish means you can use soap to clean the cast iron, while the pop of glossy color on the handles and outside beautifully accents any kitchen. Available in three classic shades: Black, Grenadine and Dark Blue.
3.5-Quart Braiser Staub calls this 3.5-quart braiser “the perfect pot for one-dish dinners, slow-cooked braises and simmered soups” and we couldn’t agree more. With its signature enamel cast-iron heat-retaining and browning qualities, plus beautiful craftsmanship, one-pot meals, braises and soups will be the star of dinnertime.
5.25-Quart Round Cocotte A Dutch oven like this one is essential gear for any kitchen, but Matthew Card, our Creative Director of Recipes and Products, even uses his cocotte nestled in the coals of his grill, after which it cleans up beautifully. This 5.25-quart model is a nice manageable size for everyday use; the company thickly glazes the outside of its cookware and lines the interiors with a matte-black enamel, so it's impervious to chipping.
10-Inch Pure Grill Staub's Pure Grill has a nonstick enameled finish, shallow sides and ridges on the cooking surface that drain off excess fat and allow for better crisping; achieve diamond charring on your steaks, hamburgers, chicken and more without having to fire up an outdoor grill. Two ear handles instead of a long handle make the pan easy to maneuver.
Milo by Kana Dutch Oven and Ultimate Skillet Set
Milo by Kana's 5.5-quart Dutch oven from Kana and 10-inch skillet together are a perfect kitchen starter set. Both are made with enameled cast iron that retains and redistributes heat evenly, for gentle, uniform cooking on the stove or in the oven. The Dutch oven’s lid fits perfectly on the skillet, so no more scrambling for an ill-fitting lid; together, these two will cover all of your cookware needs.
Milo by Kana 3.5-Quart Enameled Dutch Oven
For those who want the versatility of a Dutch oven but don’t need large batches every time they cook, the 3.5-quart Dutch oven from Milo by Kana is just the right size. Made from a high-quality enameled cast iron that doesn't require seasoning before first use, it is large enough to bake loaves of bread and make dinner for two, but small enough that it won’t take up all your cabinet space—or dishwasher space, for that matter, since the company’s products can go right in for easy cleanup.
Crazy Korean Cooking Premium Korean Stone Pot
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.