Funny names, great kitchenware

I suppose I’m probably too old for IKEA. It’s probably presumed by the time you reach your mid-thirties that you’re finally old enough to buy furniture that is not only pre-assembled, but even comes delivered to your door while you don’t break a sweat or have to break a nail on some sort of odd little hex key/allen wrench thingy.

A few years ago I discovered IKEA’s kitchenware department. Something the little culinary snob in me had previously wafted breezily through in that maze they have that finally leads to a checkout lane. As I was looking for quality items I could stock my portable demonstration kitchen with, the quality and prices of IKEA’s stainless steel stockpots, roasting pans and even knives caught my attention.

What was supposed to be cookware I could keep packed away for demonstrations and not care if they get banged around a bit, have now become my go-to staples in the kitchen. I cannot remember the last time I pulled out my $125 stainless steel roasting pan with rack when IKEA’s Koncis 16 by 13 inch roasting pan (also with grill rack), costs only $17.99. In addition, they have two smaller sizes, an 8 by 10 inch and a 13 by 9 inch that are excellent for roasting side dishes and smaller roasts. The design includes a recessed area around the outside of the interior that collects roasting juices and the mirrored stainless interior is always easy to clean – especially in the dishwasher. Plus, you can make your sauce directly in the pan as it will easily fit on your cook top.

After recently attending the International Home and Housewares Show, it’s quickly obvious that the selection of cookware available in the marketplace is overwhelming. One of the signs of quality cookware is a thick, layered base, and in IKEA’s 365+ line of stock pots, sauté pans and a great saucier, you’ll find a three-layer base of stainless steel with an interior layer of even heat conducting aluminum that will prevent your food from becoming a burnt-on crust on the bottom of the pan. I’ve used my IKEA pots on a variety of cook tops, including gas, electric, induction and solid cast-iron and have been pleased by the heating results on each.

Other great features of the 365+ line can be found in their design. Since they are all stainless steel, you can go from cook top to oven to take advantage of direct and indirect heat. The exterior has a brushed finish (easier to clean and not have fingerprints) and the interior is polished with English and metric measurements lightly printed on the side of the stockpots which makes for easy measuring when making rice, pasta, etc.

The stockpots come in 3 quart, 5 quart and 11 quart sizes and the saucier (sauce pan) is approximately 2.5 quarts. Both have interiors that are slightly rounded at the bottom and sides – this makes for easy stirring of sauces, candies, polenta, etc. and also easy to beat items like mashed potatoes or fudge. And for $17.99, the IKEA saucier is a good deal compared to an All-Clad, 2 quart saucier that retails for more than $100.

One of the best finds IKEA’s kitchenware department offers is their Skärpt knife range with prices ranging from $7.99 to $24.99. There are 10 different knives available including two sizes of chef’s knives, a ceramic sharpening steel, a cleaver, fillet knife and one my favorites, the meat slicer which is the most expensive of the Skärpt knife range yet much more reasonable than other meat slicers that sell for upwards of $70 to $100.

The Skärpt knives feature blades that are made of stainless molybdenum/vanadium-steel and have a tang the runs through the complete length of the handle making for a firm cutting action and a long-lasting knife. One of the best features however is the design of the bolster and heel area – where the blade meets the handle – as it is softened and tapered allowing for a firm grip, while reducing stress on the joint of your index finger and lessening the formation of calluses.

Of course IKEA excels at offering a variety of little goods that fill your cart so innocently and can cause sticker shock upon checkout. If you’re looking for a couple of inexpensive, but well made, kitchen filler items check out their Magnifik magnetic, silicone trivets and their Tekla dish towels. The trivets are great to use with the saucier and stock pots when taking them from cook top to counter and the towels, at only 49 cents each, are 100 percent cotton, dry well and are of course, made from a renewable resource. We’ve even used them for napkins and as liners in gift baskets during the holidays.

So even if you’re old enough to have furniture that does come preassembled, you might still want to check out an IKEA the next time your near one of their big, blue cubes, (especially if you’re a cookware whore like myself) because you might just find a good deal.


- GE, 3/26/08