Guide to Pots and Pans: Cooking Basics Start with the Right Tools

by HIKIFUNEKIRIO

The Role of a Pot in Cooking

A pot is more than just a container—it’s a tool that controls heat, shapes flavor, and locks in aroma. The pot you choose directly affects the final taste and texture of your dish. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common types of cookware, their materials, and the dishes they’re best suited for, whether in a home kitchen or a professional one.

🏺 Materials and Their Characteristics

Material Features Best Uses
Aluminum Lightweight, fast heat conduction Boiling water, noodles, miso soup
Stainless Steel Durable, retains heat well, can scorch (improved with multi-layer base) Stews, soups, sauces
Cast Iron Handles high heat, develops seasoning Braising, searing, deep-frying
Copper Excellent heat conduction, pro-level, requires care Delicate sauces, sugar work
Donabe (clay) Infrared heat effect, great insulation Rice, hot pot, porridge
Enamel (enameled steel) Attractive, acid-resistant Stews, jam-making, storage
Nonstick (Teflon) Easy release, easy to clean Egg dishes, milk-based sauces

🍳 Types of Pots and Their Uses

  1. 🥘 Stockpot / Casserole (両手鍋)

    • Best for: Curries, soups, stews, pasta

    • Features: Deep, great for large portions

    • Recommended materials: Stainless steel, enamel

  2. 🍲 Saucepan (片手鍋)

    • Best for: Miso soup, small-batch soups, reheating

    • Features: Easy to handle, versatile everyday pot

    • Recommended materials: Aluminum, stainless, copper

  3. 🍛 Braiser / Shallow Casserole (浅型両手鍋)

    • Best for: Braised hamburg steaks, stuffed cabbage, sukiyaki

    • Features: Wide and shallow, heats quickly and evenly

    • Recommended materials: Enamel, stainless steel, cast iron

  4. 🍚 Donabe (Clay Pot)

    • Best for: Cooking rice, hot pot, porridge

    • Features: Excellent insulation, brings out gentle flavors

    • Recommended dishes: Takikomi gohan, yudofu, oden

  5. 🍛 Dutch Oven

    • Best for: Outdoor cooking, oven substitute

    • Features: Heavy cast iron, retains heat, suitable for roasting and stewing

    • Recommended dishes: Roast chicken, bread, hearty stews

  6. 🥄 Milk Pan / Butter Warmer (ミルクパン)

    • Best for: Warming milk, melting chocolate, sauces

    • Features: Small, often with spouts, convenient for baby food

    • Recommended materials: Nonstick, stainless steel

🧠 Tips for Choosing the Right Pot

  1. What are you cooking? Stewing, searing, or steaming will each need different tools.

  2. Check your heat source: Gas, IH (induction), or open flame compatibility.

  3. Maintenance: Cast iron needs care, enamel is easier to manage.

  4. Weight and storage: Don’t overlook these—heavy pots can be difficult to use daily.

👨🍳 Recommended Starter Pots for Beginners

Use Case Pot Type Why
Soups and stews 20cm stainless steel stockpot Versatile, durable, long-lasting
Rice & hot pot Medium-sized donabe Produces superior flavor over a rice cooker
Small portions 16cm saucepan Everyday essential, quick to use

The Right Pot Changes Your Cooking

Even with the same ingredients, a different pot changes the flavor and texture. Material, structure, thickness, and heat retention all matter. A pot is the “commander” that directs heat and time.

Start by finding the one pot that feels right for you—your cooking will become more free, fun, and flavorful.

👉 Explore our pot collection →

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