The latest craze in cookware selection is celebrity-endorsed pots and pans. Everyone from Emeril Legasse to Martha Stewart has their own line of cookware. Whether you want Emeril or Rocco’s high-end selections or prefer Martha Stewart’s more budget-conscious “Everyday” collection, so you can cook with the stars.

Wolfgang Puck’s has its “Bistro Collection”. This set can only be purchased through the home shopping channel. At the base of the pots there is a 4-millimeter aluminum disk and the handles are hollow, made of stainless steel.

Of course, not all celebrity-endorsed cookware is up to the task. For example, the Good Housekeeping test kitchen didn’t give Martha’s Everyday Cookware Collection a thumbs up. Unfortunately for Martha Stewart, her cookware line didn’t do well in the Consumer Report Kitchen. The editors of Good Housekeeping have tested just about every type of pot and pan imaginable. They have tried everything from frying pans and saucepans to dutch ovens and broilers. It should be noted that the Martha Stewart Everyday Cookware Collection costs considerably less than the other celebrity options.

One of the tests that Good Housekeeping performs is heat conduction. Heat conduction is the most important factor in cookware construction (according to the testing committee). They test other items, but if the cookware doesn’t pass this test, what’s the point?

Martha’s kitchen utensils did not fare very well. The report concluded that Martha Stewart’s 12-inch nonstick skillet held heat poorly. The pan got too hot on high heat. Pan heated too slowly on low heat. The editors say he burned onions in his skipped tests.

Legasse endorses Emerilware, which performed well in all categories. The brand behind it has great cookware. Emerilware cookware is constructed of heavy-gauge aluminum with a durable enamel exterior for long-lasting style in the kitchen. Cookware has a durable enamel.

Food Network series star Rocco DiSpirito introduced Rocco Cookware “for
serious chefs”. The collection is the first cast aluminum cookware collection with a porcelain interior and exterior. The cookware features his signature trendy colors and bold design. In addition, Rocco introduces a collection of pressure cookers and new low-pressure cookware sets that take “cooking under pressure” to the next level.

For cookware that isn’t famous, heavy-gauge stainless steel is the best high-end cookware. Stainless steel is a good choice for use with gas stoves and cookware is oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The non-stick version is a very good option.

Inexpensive nonstick cookware made from hard-anodized aluminum with a nonstick coating is lighter than the more expensive brand. This cookware is not dishwasher safe. This cookware is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Copper pots and pans are among the most expensive cookware. Gourmet chefs love copper for its excellent heat conductivity. Copper pots should be lined with low-maintenance tin or stainless steel.

The cookware you choose, celebrity or not, should fit your budget and lifestyle. There are so many options available that when a celebrity endorses a product, our choices are easier.