Good cookware is one of those things you do not fully appreciate until you have it. Not the kind you grab on sale and replace every couple of years. The kind that sits on your stovetop for decades, gets handed down, and somehow still looks sharp. That is the Essteele promise.
Made in Milan since the late 1940s, Essteele is Italian cookware in the truest sense. Not just designed there, but actually manufactured there. The craftsmanship shows in the weight of the lids, the finish on the handles, and the way heat moves through the base. These are pans built to outlast the kitchen they live in.
Minimax stocks four distinct Essteele Cookware ranges, each engineered for a different kind of cook. Here is what sets them apart.
Per Vita: When Heat Control Actually Matters
Most home cooks do not think much about what is inside the base of their pans. With Per Vita, it is worth knowing. The base construction layers solid copper between aluminium cores, all wrapped in 18/10 stainless steel. Copper conducts heat faster than almost any other metal, which means the pan responds immediately when you turn the heat up or down. No lag, no hot spots.
Essteele Per Vita Cookset 5 Piece ($399) Three covered saucepans (14cm, 16cm, 20cm), a 24cm stockpot, and a universal steamer. This induction compatible cookware is oven safe to 260°C, and dishwasher safe. A complete kitchen setup in one box.
Essteele Per Vita Skillet 28cm ($159) Uncoated stainless steel, which means it gets properly hot and holds that heat when a cold
piece of meat hits the surface. The result is a sear, not a steam.
Essteele Per Vita Copper Base Covered Sauteuse 28cm 5.2L ($199) Deep enough for a pasta bake, wide enough for a braise. The arched European-style rim pours cleanly without dripping. Oven safe to 260°C.
Per Salute: Non-Stick That Actually Holds Up
Non-stick pans have a reputation for wearing out fast. Per Salute is built to challenge that. The coating is diamond-reinforced, which gives it a hardness that standard non-stick simply cannot match. It is also free from PFOA and nickel, so there are no concerns about what is leaching into your food.
The standout feature, though, is the Thermotech™ handle. There is a small button on the handle that turns green when the pan has reached the right temperature for cooking. No guessing, no wasted time hovering with your hand above the surface. Just a clear signal that it is ready to go.
Essteele Per Salute Frypan and Sauteuse Set 26cm ($129) A 26cm skillet and a 26cm covered sauteuse together. Both oven safe to 180°C and induction compatible. Good value for setting up two of the most-used pan shapes at once.
Essteele Per Salute Covered Saute Pan 32cm 5.7L ($169) At 5.7 litres, this is the pan for big family dinners, one-pan meals, and anything that needs room to move. The lid locks in moisture and the DuraShield™ interior adds an extra layer of toughness to the non-stick surface.
Eternità: Clad Construction, Edge to Edge
The difference between a pan with a heavy base and a fully clad pan comes down to where the heat goes. A heavy base heats the bottom well. A clad pan, like the Eternità range, runs the aluminium core all the way up the sides. That means heat wraps around whatever you are cooking, not just underneath it.
The Eternità range also has a high-polish stainless steel exterior and flared rims for drip-free pouring. Practical details that make a difference when you are cooking in a hurry.
Essteele Eternità Cookware Set 4 Piece ($399) Three covered saucepans (16cm, 18cm, 20cm) and a universal steamer. Oven safe to 260°C, induction compatible, and fully dishwasher safe, including the rims.
Essteele Eternità Skillet 26cm ($139) A polished open French skillet that handles high heat well and cleans up without fuss. At 1.59kg it is substantial without being heavy.
Essenza: Recycled Aluminium, Zero Compromise
The Essenza range takes a different approach to the others. The pan body is made from 100% recycled aluminium, and the non-stick coating is a 4-layer ceramic system derived from natural minerals. No PFAS anywhere in the construction.
It is the lightest range in the Essteele lineup and the most eco-conscious, but it does not cut corners on performance. The stainless steel base means it works on induction, and the ceramic coating resists scratches and stains better than most standard non-stick surfaces.
Essteele Essenza Frypan 28cm ($69.95) A solid everyday frypan at a genuinely accessible price point. Oven safe to 180°C and
dishwasher safe.
Shop Essteele at Minimax
The full Essteele Cookware range is available online and in-store at Minimax. Every piece comes with a lifetime warranty. Free delivery on orders over $130, and Click & Collect is available at all 15 Minimax stores nationwide.