Cookware refers to the pots, pans, and other containers you use to cook food on a stove or in an oven. A basic kitchen might have a frying pan for eggs, a saucepan for heating soup, and a large pot for boiling pasta.

Different types of cookware work better for different jobs. A cast-iron skillet holds heat wonderfully for searing meat or baking cornbread. A non-stick pan makes cooking delicate foods like fish easier because nothing sticks to the surface. A Dutch oven, which is a heavy pot with a tight lid, can go from stovetop to oven, perfect for making stews or chili.

The material matters too. Stainless steel cookware heats evenly and lasts for decades. Copper pots heat up quickly, which is why professional chefs prize them. Some cookware has special coatings to prevent food from sticking, while other pieces are designed to withstand extremely high temperatures.

When someone says they're shopping for cookware, they mean they're buying the tools needed to prepare meals, not the utensils like spoons and spatulas (those are called utensils). Good cookware can last a lifetime with proper care, getting passed down through generations of family cooks.