What are pans made out of?

Pans and other cookware are made from a variety of different materials, including aluminum, carbon steel, cast iron, copper and stainless steel. The quality of the cookware’s appearance, conductivity and durability depends on the quality of the materials used in the manufacturing process.

Some cookware also contains special coatings to enhance its appearance and functionality. Non-stick coatings, such as ceramic, fluoropolymer or silicone, make cooking and cleanup easier. Enamel, often used on cast iron and steel cookware, is a non-reactive coating that prevents corrosion and holds heat effectively. Tin lining is used in copper cookware to protect the pan material from acidic foods.