The Best Material For Cooking Pans

While aluminum is the most popular material for cookware, carbon steel is the cheapest and easiest to maintain. Unlike stainless steel, carbon is susceptible to rust, and stainless steel is also dishwasher-safe and does not react with acids. While both materials are highly scratch-resistant, carbon steel is favored by many chefs and experienced cooks. They can be heavy and seasoned like cast iron, and this type of cooking pan is also more expensive than other materials.

If you consider copper cookware, look for one made from heavy gauge copper.