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Kitchen Aid may be best known for its appliances and the company that built its reputation on their standing mixers. There are also a few other lines of Kitchen Aid cookware. But unless you are already an expert on pots and pans, it is difficult to know which to choose. It pays to do your research before spending more than $100 on something you will be using frequently.

Gourmet Excellence

The top of Kitchen Aid’s cookware line is the Gourmet Excellence steelclad aluminum assortment of products. These pots, pans, and skillets will conduct heat quickly and well, will not have hot spots. However, the less serious chef might prefer a more economical set for everyday cooking.

Gourmet Essentials

Kitchen Aid’s Gourmet Essentials cookware lines are made of stainless steel with optional anodized nonstick coating. These pans may not heat quite as quickly or evenly as those with an aluminum core. Also, if you use cookware with any kind of nonstick coating, you can only use wooden or other nonstick utensils. No matter what a company claims, nonstick cookware will last exponentially longer if it is never scratched with metal utensils.

Gourmet Distinctions

Finally, the Gourmet Distinctions line of Kitchen Aid cookware is also aluminum clad in steel on the inside and copper along the outside of the bottom. This copper helps distribute heat evenly, and this set is a good allaround choice, especially for induction stoves.

Making the Choice

So even with all of this information, how do you pick the best Kitchen Aid cookware for your home? First, if you are an active hobbyist, someone who knows about how to really cook, it is best to go with the top of the line stainless steel cookware. You will appreciate the ease of use, cleaning, serving, and storing.

For someone who needs a little more convenience in the kitchen, a line with nonstick coating will work best. Some Kitchen Aid cookware is lined with Teflon, some with other products. This makes it easier for the novice chef to cook without worrying about scalding the pan.

Finally, go to the store and check out all the cookware next to each other. The employees of specialty gourmet shops are likely to be ‘foodies’ themselves and can make good recommendations. You can actually feel each style and see which you like best in terms of weight and size. Also, it gives a good chance to ask if there are any upcoming sales or specials.