Saucepan Guide: 12 Best Types to Get for 2022

This Farberware model perfectly fuses tradition and modern innovation with its classic yet highly functional design. Online customers patronize this product, so much that it now ranks as the number one best-selling saucepan on Amazon with over 10,000 ratings. 

Structural integrity is one of this pan’s strongest suits. Its base is built with an aluminum core sandwiched in between layers of stainless steel, for durability and even heating. And despite being made of heavy-duty material, the handle of the Farberware unit is comfortable to hold. Both the lid and the pan itself have a mirror coating for a sleek look.

In terms of versatility, you can use this cookware on the stovetop, and it’s safe for oven use up to 350 degrees F. With this product, you won’t have to worry about burning your pasta sauce ever again.

Small saucepans are ideal for cooking portions of food like light servings of Indonesian-style cabbage soup for individuals and small families. Not only are they easier to clean, but they store better too! Compared to the larger models, the compact size of this product won’t take up much space in your kitchen. 

This nonstick one-quart saucepan by Cuisinart is our top pick for this category. It has all the trappings of a good piece of cookware in one small and convenient package. Even-heating hard-anodized aluminum is the core of this cookware. On the inside, it’s finished with a quantanium nonstick coating, specially designed for better scratch resistance.

You’ll also be able to pick up this piece of cookware and pour its contents easily, thanks to its drip-free design and specialized stainless steel handles that are resistant to heat. Lastly, it comes with a tempered glass lid, which is handy for checking the contents of your saucepan without having to lift the lid. 

The standard size for a saucepan is around two to three quarts, and this unit from Cook N Home takes our top spot for the best medium-sized ones. This is ideal for cooking a portion or two of dishes like this creamy baked potato soup. Aside from having a nonstick coating, this product’s thick aluminum core makes it durable and even heating. 

This Cook N Home model comes with a soft riveted handle for comfort, and a snug-fitting tempered glass lid that is built to withstand high temperatures. The lid is designed to have a stainless steel rim for a more polished look and a steam vent for releasing pressure that builds up during the cooking process.

The only downside to this piece of cookware is that it’s not oven safe and isn’t compatible with induction cookers. However, if you only plan on using it for traditional stovetop dishes, then this won’t be much of a problem. 

If you’ll be cooking large servings of food at a time, then you’ll likely benefit more from getting a four-quart saucepan or larger. This size range is a great option for big families, and even for commercial or restaurant use. For this category, this Cuisinart saucepan bags our top spot, and for good reason. 

Aside from the rave reviews on Amazon, this product is sturdy and reliable because it’s made of durable 18/10 stainless steel. The saucepan with a tapered rim, its riveted handle, and its accompanying lid all have a sleek feel and look because of this material. You’ll be able to use this piece of cookware on the stovetop or get creative with some oven or broiler dishes since it’s designed to withstand temperatures of up to 550 degrees F. Recreate P.F. Chang’s iconic hot and sour soup using this impressive kitchen equipment.

A stainless steel saucepan is an excellent non-reactive, non-toxic, and chemical-free cookware option for those who are looking to avoid certain manufacturing substances due to allergies and other health conditions. More than that, stainless steel is a reliable material since it’s sturdy and is generally capable of browning food better than its nonstick counterparts. 

The base of this saucepan, in particular, is built using the PowerBond technology offered by Cuisinart. It’s made of impact-bonded stainless steel, giving it better and more consistent heat retention all throughout. This material is compatible with induction cooktops and has a heat capacity of 500 degrees F. This makes it safe for use in both ovens and broilers.

In addition to that, this Cuisinart saucepan is designed to have a riveted stick handle made of cast stainless steel for easier gripping, as well as a lid made of tempered glass. Use this classic kitchen equipment to whip up signature recipes, like this hearty Panera French onion soup.

Nonstick cookware is a popular choice among beginner cooks, oil-free cooking enthusiasts, and those who simply want something easy to clean. True to its name, this special coat provides a barrier between the food and metal base so that the particles don’t stick to the pan. However, some people tend to veer away from this type of cookware because of certain chemicals that were once used in the coating.

But don’t fret! This nonstick saucepan by the Utopia Kitchen brand is guaranteed free of the substances PFOA, lead, and cadmium that are harmful to the human body. More than that, this piece of cookware is more scratch-resistant than the average nonstick since its coating is multi-layered.

The core of this pan is also made of durable 3003 aluminum alloy, and its handles are heat resistant. With this saucepan, you’ll have no problem cleaning up after making this easy and creamy white sauce recipe for your pasta or bread.

Enameled cookware is the best kitchen-to-table option because they usually come in vibrant-colored pieces. Their cast-iron core is a reliable and heavy-duty material that is well-known to last a long time. They tend to be more expensive than most, but a lasting cast-iron saucepan will be more practical in the long run. Off the bat, this Tramontina model is one of the more affordable options on Amazon with rave reviews.

The Tramontina enameled saucepan stands out from the rest of its contemporaries with its bright red hue. This pop of color comes from its gradated porcelain enamel coating that’s free from the chemical substances PFOA and PTFE. It’s oven safe and is compatible with most types of cooktops, including gas, ceramic, electric, and induction.

Copper cookware is sought after by professional cooks and pastry chefs precisely because of the material’s capacity for unparalleled heat retention. However, copper can be a bit difficult to work with especially if you’re just starting your culinary journey. If improperly handled, they’re prone to have uneven hotspots. They often come with a hefty price tag too. 

For a more budget and user-friendly experience, you can opt for a nonstick copper saucepan for now. This model by the Shineuri brand is a lot more affordable than authentic copper pans. It has a sturdy and even-heating aluminum core, with an eye-catching copper coating. The cooking surface of this pan is also nonstick for easier cleanups.

Another advantage of this product is its compatibility with most cooktops. Unlike lined copper pans, the base of this saucepan is ferromagnetic, which means that it works even with induction cooktops.

For a nonreactive saucepan, ceramic is also a great material to go for. Much like stainless steel cookware, ceramic doesn’t alter the appearance or flavor of food, making it suitable for slow-simmered food like this boozy carrots recipe. This material is also almost as good as a nonstick coating in terms of ease of cleaning. 

This ceramic saucepan set by GreenLife promises a healthier method of cooking with its smooth, nonstick, and chemical-free surface. Its core is made from sturdy and even-heating recycled aluminum, with a nonstick ceramic coating derived from sand. This saucepan is safe for oven use, and it’s compatible with most cooktops aside from induction. It also comes with a glass lid for convenient food viewing.

The handle on this product is made of bakelite, a non-burning malleable plastic that’s soft and comfortable to hold. However, it’s still best to take precautions and keep the handles away from open flames as some customers have reportedly experienced unintentionally burning and/or melting this part of the pan.

This three-quart saucepan by Circulon comes with a durable, shatter-resistant glass lid that doubles as a colander. It’s also a suitable cookware option for whipping up large portions of food like this creamy cheddar broccoli soup bathed in a generous amount of cheese.

This Circulon unit has a hard-anodized aluminum core, which is more durable than plain stainless steel. Despite having a nonstick surface, the coating on this pan is strong enough to withstand metal utensils. This pan is safe for oven use up to 400 degrees F, and you can use it with almost all cooktops aside from induction.

The French brand Le Creuset is widely beloved as a prime manufacturer of high-quality, kitchen-to-table enameled cast iron cookware. This saucepan model of theirs is designed to stand the test of time, both in terms of durability and style.

This enameled Le Creuset saucepan is available in two of the brand’s standard colors: cerise which is a deep red, and deep teal. It has a stain-resistant sand-colored interior for easier food monitoring. This product is designed to have a large handle and knob for easier handling. All parts are completely heat-safe, so you’ll be able to use this cookware for oven dishes.

This Farberware unit is the best among all the affordable saucepans you can get on Amazon. With a limited capacity of one quart, it blurs the distinction between a saucepan vs a saucier. You won’t be able to use this piece of cookware for large quantities of food. However, this piece of cookware will be handy to have for whipping up a portion or of oatmeal or soup for yourself. It’s also useful for menial cooking tasks like melting butter, making reductions, or warming up some syrup for your yummy dessert recipes.

Made of heavy-duty aluminum, this product looks and feels sturdy. It’s oven-safe, withstanding temperatures of up to 350 degrees F. In addition to that, it has a nonstick coating so it will be a breeze to clean. The small size of this cookware is convenient for small kitchens with limited space.