Cookware: Pots, Pans and Cookware Sets
Minimax Cookware for a Better Culinary Adventure
Cooksets
Frypans
Grill Pans
Saucepans
Bakeware
All Cookware
Shop the best cookware brands at Minimax. Save on pots, pans and full cookware sets in stainless steel, cast iron, non-stick and ceramic, from Scanpan, Le Creuset, Essteele and GreenPan. Buy online with free metro delivery over $99, or Click and Collect from your nearest store.
Which cookware material should you buy?
This is the decision that actually matters more than the brand. Here is the short version.
| Material | Best for | Watch out for |
| Stainless steel | Searing, sauces, anything acidic. Dishwasher safe. | Food can stick if the pan is not hot enough first. |
| Non-stick | Eggs, fish, anything you do not want to wrestle out of the pan. | Coating wears over years. Skip metal utensils. |
| Cast iron | Searing, braising, decades of use. | Heavy, and bare cast iron needs seasoning. |
| Cast aluminium | Fast, even heating without the weight of cast iron. | Usually needs a non-stick or anodised coating to last. |
| Ceramic | Baking dishes, casseroles, oven to table. | Can chip if dropped. Not for stovetop shock. |
If you’re cooking on an induction cooktop, not every pan will be compatible. See our induction cookware guide or browse induction friendly cookware directly.
Cookware by type
Once you know your material, narrow down by what you are actually cooking. Frypans for daily cooking, saucepans and steamers for sauces and veg, stockpots for stock and big batch soup, woks for high heat stir fries, and roasting pans for the Sunday roast.
Shop cookware by brand
Scanpan is the pick for non-stick, Danish made, PFOA-free, backed by a 10 year warranty. Browse Scanpan.
Essteele is the pick for stainless steel, Italian made, with a lifetime warranty and a copper base for even heat. Browse Essteele.
GreenPan is the pick if you want ceramic non-stick without the traditional coatings. Browse GreenPan.
Le Creuset is the pick for enamelled cast iron that gets handed down rather than replaced. Browse Le Creuset.
Solidteknics is the pick if Australian made matters to you, solid iron cookware forged from a single piece of metal. Browse Solidteknics.
Anolon rounds out the mid to premium range with hard anodised construction. Browse Anolon.
Not sure which brand suits you? Read our full guide to the top kitchenware brands in Australia, or browse all cookware brands.
How to choose the best cookware
- Cooktop compatibility. Always check if a pan works on your stovetop, especially induction, which needs a magnetic base.
- Heat distribution. Good cookware heats evenly across the whole base, not just the middle.
- Durability. Stainless steel, cast iron and cast aluminium last the longest with normal care.
- Ease of cleaning. Non-stick wins here. Stainless steel wins on long term durability instead.
- Versatility. Enamelled ceramic and cast iron go straight from stovetop or oven to the table.
Buying cookware at Minimax
We stock cookware across all 15 Minimax stores in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, and online everywhere else.
- Price match if you find it cheaper somewhere else
- Click and Collect from any Minimax store
- Free metro delivery on orders over $99
- Returns and exchanges if something is not right
- Minimax Rewards points on every order
Cookware sets vs buying separately
A cookware set is the fastest way to kit out your kitchen, as they include the most commonly used pots and pans. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s also a more cost effective way to stock your cupboards, with a set usually costing less than buying each pan on its own. If you need to fill a gap, a bigger stockpot, a proper roasting pan or other loose cookware items, then you’re better off buying separately.
If you are set on a set, our guide, Pots and Pans 101: A Guide to Selecting the Best Cookware Set, walks through how to pick one based on kitchen size and how you actually cook.
Cookware FAQs
What is the best cookware material?
Depends on how you cook. Stainless steel is durable and versatile, non-stick is easiest for everyday cooking, and cast iron holds heat the longest.
What cookware lasts the longest?
Stainless steel and cast iron. Both can last decades, and often get passed down rather than replaced.
What cookware do professional chefs use?
Mostly stainless steel, for its durability and heat control. Cast iron for searing and finishing dishes in the oven.
Is non-stick cookware safe?
Modern non-stick from a reputable brand is PFOA-free and safe for everyday use. GreenPan is a good option if you specifically want to avoid traditional coatings altogether.
Should I buy a cookware set or individual pieces?
A set if you are starting from scratch. Individual pieces once you already have the basics and just need to fill a gap. See cookware sets or shop by type above.
Where can I buy cookware in Australia?
Online at Minimax, or in store. We have 15 stores across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Find your closest one.
Is non-stick cookware safe?
Modern non-stick from a reputable brand is PFOA-free and safe for everyday use. GreenPan is a good option if you specifically want to avoid traditional coatings altogether.
Should I buy a cookware set or individual pieces?
A set if you are starting from scratch. Individual pieces once you already have the basics and just need to fill a gap. See cookware sets or shop by type above.
Where can I buy cookware in Australia?
Online at Minimax, or in store. We have 15 stores across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Find your closest one.