A good pot or casserole is used every single day, so it is worth choosing well. The right one cooks evenly, cleans easily and lasts for years; the wrong one scratches, sticks or warps within months. At Souk Al Ras we sell around 270 cookware products, from single casseroles and frying pans to complete sets and pressure cookers, in almost every material. Our customers' first question is always the same: which cookware is the best? This guide answers that, and everything else you need to choose the right cookware the first time.
Quick answer
- Most popular: 18/10 stainless steel. It lasts the longest and suits every type of cooking.
- Most natural: cast iron. No coating, does not change the taste of food, and holds heat for grilling and slow cooking.
- Easiest to clean: granite, ceramic and other non-stick coatings. Use less oil, use silicone utensils, and replace a piece once the surface is scratched.
- Size: around 20 cm for a small family; 22 cm and above for a family of 5 or more.
- Piece count: lids are counted as pieces, so a set of 4 pots with lids is an 8-piece set.
- Induction: if a magnet sticks to the base, it works on induction.
1. Which cookware material is best?
Each material has its strengths. Choose by how you cook, not only by how it looks:
| Material | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 18/10 stainless steel | Everyday cooking, searing, stews, rice | Lasts the longest. Does not react with food. Needs a little oil and the right heat to avoid sticking. |
| Cast iron | Grilling, frying, slow cooking, oven dishes | Natural, no coating, holds heat very well. Heavy, and needs seasoning. |
| Granite / non-stick | Eggs, fish, low-oil cooking, easy cleaning | Usually an aluminium body with a stone-look non-stick coating. Replace a piece once it is scratched. |
| Ceramic coating | Low-oil cooking, easy cleaning | Smooth, non-stick surface. Treat it gently like other coatings. |
| Aluminium | Large pots, fast heating, big family meals | Light and affordable. Choose a steel or induction base if you cook on induction. |
Our customers in the UAE choose 18/10 stainless steel more than any other material.
2. 18/10 stainless steel: what the numbers mean
18/10 means the steel contains about 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Chromium protects against rust; nickel adds shine and extra corrosion resistance. That is why 18/10 is the grade used in most quality stainless steel cookware, and why it lasts the longest.
Look also at the base. Better stainless steel pots have a thick multi-layer (encapsulated) base or a 3-ply body, which spreads heat evenly and avoids hot spots. Many of our 18/10 casseroles and sets are made in Turkey by brands such as Alfa, Astra and Parla Home, and some carry warranties of 3 to 5 years.
Tip: To stop food sticking in stainless steel, heat the pan first, then add oil, then the food. Do not move the food until it releases on its own.
3. Cast iron: natural, premium and built to last
Cast iron has no coating, does not change the taste of food, and holds heat better than any other material, which makes it ideal for grilling, frying and slow cooking. Our cast iron range by Nalino includes fry pans, grill pans, woks, pots and 10-piece sets, with a 2-year guarantee.
Cast iron needs seasoning: wipe on a very thin layer of oil, heat it in the oven upside down at around 230–260°C for an hour, and let it cool. After cooking, wash it, dry it straight away and wipe on a little oil to stop rust. Every time you cook, the surface gets better.
4. Granite, ceramic and non-stick: easy cooking, gentle care
Non-stick cookware gives the easiest release and the quickest washing up. "Granite" cookware is usually an aluminium body with a speckled, stone-look non-stick coating; it is named after its look, not made of stone. To make any non-stick piece last:
- Use silicone or wooden utensils, never metal.
- Cook on low to medium heat and never heat the pan empty. Non-stick coatings are made for temperatures up to around 260°C.
- Choose PFOA-free where it is stated on the product.
- Replace a piece once the surface is scratched or flaking. This is the most important rule for non-stick.
5. What size casserole do I need?
| Diameter | Best for |
|---|---|
| 16–20 cm | 1–3 people, sauces, sides, small families |
| 22–24 cm | Families of 4–6, stews, salona, daily cooking |
| 26–28 cm | Families of 5 and more, rice, machboos, harees |
| 30–34 cm and above | Gatherings, big batches, Ramadan and Eid cooking |
Many casseroles show both the diameter (cm) and the capacity (litres). Deeper casseroles of the same diameter hold more.
Our rule of thumb: around 20 cm for a small family, and 22 cm and above for a family of 5 or more. A set that combines small and large casseroles covers every meal.
6. How to read the piece count of a set
In almost every cookware set, the lids are counted as pieces. A set of 4 casseroles with 4 lids is an 8-piece set. If the set also has a frying pan without a lid, it becomes 9 pieces. Some sets add serving spoons or tools to the count. Always check the title and the photo together to see exactly what you get.
You can choose from casserole-only sets, frying pan sets, mixed sets with casseroles, a saucepan and a frying pan, and big sets of 15 pieces or more. See all cookware sets.
7. Pressure cookers: the right size and material
A pressure cooker cuts cooking time for meat, rice, beans and harees. We sell them in aluminium, 18/10 stainless steel and granite-coated finishes, from 3L up to large sizes for gatherings and catering.
| Household | Suggested size |
|---|---|
| 1–3 people | 3–5 L |
| 4–6 people | 5–7 L |
| 6 people and more | 7–10 L |
| Gatherings and catering | 11 L and above |
Never fill a pressure cooker more than two-thirds full, or half full for rice and beans.
Browse all pressure cookers.
8. Induction, gas or ceramic hob?
Most cookware works on gas and electric hobs. For induction, the base must be magnetic: hold a magnet to it, and if it sticks firmly across the whole base, it will work. Stainless steel with a magnetic base and cast iron work on induction; plain aluminium does not unless it has a steel induction base. Many of our products say "induction" in the title.
9. Care tips to make your cookware last
- Let pots cool before washing. Pouring cold water on a hot pan can warp it.
- Wash non-stick and granite by hand with a soft sponge, even if it says dishwasher safe; it lasts longer.
- Remove stains from stainless steel with a paste of baking soda and water.
- Dry cast iron straight away and wipe it with a little oil.
- Store non-stick pans with a cloth or paper between them so the coating does not scratch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cookware material?
There is no single best material. 18/10 stainless steel lasts the longest and is our most popular choice for daily cooking. Cast iron is natural, uncoated and holds heat best for grilling and slow cooking. Granite and other non-stick coatings need the least oil and are easiest to clean. Aluminium is light and heats quickly.
What does 18/10 stainless steel mean?
18/10 means the steel contains about 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The chromium resists rust and the nickel adds shine and extra corrosion resistance. It is the grade used in most quality stainless steel cookware.
Is granite cookware safe?
Yes, when used correctly. Most granite cookware is an aluminium body with a stone-look non-stick coating. Choose PFOA-free, do not heat it empty or above about 260°C, use silicone or wooden utensils, and replace a piece once the coating is scratched or flaking.
How do I know if my cookware works on induction?
Hold a magnet to the base. If it sticks firmly across the whole base, the pot works on induction. Many of our sets say "induction" in the title.
What size casserole do I need for my family?
Around 20 cm suits a small family. For a family of 5 or more, choose 22 cm and above, and add a 26–28 cm casserole for rice, machboos or harees.
Does the piece count include the lids?
Yes. In almost every set the lids are counted as pieces. A set of 4 pots with 4 lids is an 8-piece set. Always check the title and the photo together.
What size pressure cooker do I need?
As a guide: 3–5L for 2–3 people, 5–7L for 4–6 people and 7–10L or more for bigger families. For gatherings and catering we have pressure cookers up to 40L and above.
Do you deliver cookware across the UAE?
Yes. We deliver to all emirates in 1–2 working days, with same-day delivery available in Dubai and Sharjah for orders placed before 2 PM (arranged with our team on WhatsApp).
Shop cookware at Souk Al Ras
Browse all cookware, or go straight to cookware sets, pots & casseroles, frying pans & woks, pressure cookers, 18/10 stainless steel, cast iron and granite, ceramic & non-stick. Pay by card, cash on delivery or Tabby. Need help choosing? Message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 193 3053.
This guide was written by the Souk Al Ras team and first published on SoukAlRas.ae on 26 October 2026. © 2026 Souk Al Ras. All rights reserved.
