Cookware – it’s all the same isn’t it? All you need is a saucepan, frying pan or whatever basic equipment you have, place over somewhere hot; add food, wait until its done and leave alone. It is that kind of thinking that has at times made my cooking feared and loathed by all who try it. So, to take myself on a useful bit of education, the time has come to venture out into the big bad world of cookery to see how the best modern equipment can improve my frankly shocking skills.

First of all the materials from which they are made. You need a base that will be effective at conducting heat and a surface that will remain non stick despite prolonged use. You also have to consider the handles. I always thought this would be a case of stating the obvious, but you’d be surprised to see how much cookware I’ve had in my time that uses handles made of super conductive material. Even after only a short period of time on the hob it is blazing hot to the touch and that’s no fun at all.

The best modern products now come with specially insulated material that not only look good, but will also stay comfortable to the touch.

Additions such as this explains the disparity in price between the basic run of the mill products and the real high flyers. While you might baulk at spending so much on a simple piece of cooking equipment the investment will be worth it in the long run.

However, all the good cookware in the world won’t necessarily make much different unless you develop your own skills into the bargain and this is where a lot of people – yours truly included – often let themselves down. Instead of adhering to instructions and cooking on a low heat until ready we take the approach of more is, well, more. We heat it up as much as possible, stand back and admire the blackened approach.

No cookware can ever hope to withstand such abuse which is why some people have come to call me the grim reaper of sauce pans. However, it is never too late to change your ways. Developing cookery skills opens up an entire new world of cuisine and options. All it takes is a little care, a bit of research and the will to change your ways.