Featured Products
Throughout our range of Pots & Pans at Oldrids & Downtown, you can find a quality selection to help you cook up a treat for yourself, your friends or your family. Whether you are looking for that everyday saucepan for pasta, frying pans and griddles or something more specialist such as a paella pan or multi-layered steamer, you are sure to find it here.
Our buying team have sourced some of the finest saucepans and cooking pots from the leading household brands including Denby, Judge, Stellar and Tefal to name just a few. Depending on your requirements, we've got everything you need to stock up your kitchen, from three-piece sets to csserole dishes. By having such a diverse range, this also means we can cater for all hob types including gas hobs, induction hobs and ceramic hobs. So whether you are looking for a heat-conducting copper pan, sleek stainless steel saucepan or just need to make sure your set has some soft-touch silicone handles for extra safety and grip, you can find the right pans for your needs.
What pan do I need?
With so many pans on the market, it can be difficult to know which to purchase. A saucepan is known for having higher sides and is a versatile kitchen staple, ideal for making everything from gravy and sauces to heating up leftovers and boiling vegetables. A frying pan is a flat, low sided pan that is used for frying, searing and browning. They are great for cooking your weekend fry-up, using a wide base to ensure good contact between your food and the heat produced by your hob.
We also provide speciality pans for when you need something more suitable for the job. A griddle pan features a large, flat surface but with a ridged base. This allows the fat and juices to flow away from the food, perfect for steaks and can provide signature 'char' marks. A wok is another popular kitchen pan, allowing you to create delicious stir fries at home. A wok distributes heat more evenly than a frying pan and can require less oil, meaning they are not only easy to use but also can be healthier. You may also opt for a saute pan. These have slightly raised, vertical sides and are a cross between a saucepan and a frying pan. They use a lid which is designed to lock in heat and moisture, ensuring your food does not dry out or crisp during cooking. Similarly, you could choose a steamer set for a healthy way to cook your vegetables and other dishes.
What pans can I use in the oven?
When it comes to oven baking and roasting, we have a great range of handy kitchen pans that you will want as part of your collection. For those days when you want to cook a Sunday roast for the whole family, we have a variety of roasting tins available in an array of sizes and styles to help you prep the turkey or the roast potatoes! If you're looking for something equally as versatile, how about a baking tray? These can be used for everything from oven chips to pizzas. A non-stick finish will ensure you are not left scraping food off the tray when it's time to eat!
During the cold, Winter months, nothing beats a thick casserole or stew. We have a great range of colourful and robust casserole dishes availble in cast iron and stoneware designs. Cast iron offers fantastic heat retention and has remained popular for generations. Make sure you go for a larger capacity if you have more mouths to feed!
Make sure you choose the right pan for your hob. Gas remains a popular choice due to its instant 'on/off' appeal, and is suitable for all pan types. In comparison, whilst ceramic or electric hobs offers quick and even heating, solid plates are slower to warm up than gas and less cost effective. Ceramic hobs can also be used with all pan types. Finally, induction hobs are great as they use magnetic conduction to instantly heat through the pan. Induction hobs require a stainless steel or cast iron base - non-magnetic pans will not work on an induction hob.
How should I care for my pans?
A good set of pans should last you a long time, however a little maintenance will prolong their life even further. Avoid the use of metal utensils on non-stick cookware and always wait until a hot pan is cool before placing it in hot water to prevent warping. Some pans may require specific cleaners such as copper. The quality of some non-stick pans can degrade over time if placed in a dishwasher, even if they are labelled as dishwasher safe. For this reason we always recommend you to wash your pots and pans by hand.
What if I need to cook something quickly?
People lead busy lifestyles. If you are looking to cook a meal quickly, why not check out our range of small cooking appliances. For more saucepan and cooking accessories, we have a further range of cooking utensils and gadgets available here.
Got a question about one of our pots or pans? Get in touch with us on 03452 505 502 and one of our friendly team will be happy to help.