Choosing the Right Cookware for Your Kitchen
Vignesh MadhavanShare
🍳 Compare Sizes — Choosing the Right Cookware for Your Kitchen
When it comes to cookware, size matters. A few extra centimeters can make the difference between a pan perfect for single servings and one ideal for feeding the whole family. Choosing the right size helps save time, reduce waste, and ensure even cooking.
Here’s a detailed cookware size comparison guide to help you pick exactly what you need.
🥄 Small Saucepan — 16 cm vs 18 cm
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16 cm Saucepan: Best for reheating, boiling eggs, or preparing single servings of soup, tea, or coffee. Compact size makes it perfect for hostel students or solo living.
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18 cm Saucepan: Slightly larger, great for making sauces, boiling milk, or cooking portions for 2–3 people.
🍲 Kadai — 2L vs 3L vs 5L
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2L Kadai: Perfect for cooking for 1–2 people. Best for small portions of curries, gravies, or shallow frying.
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3L Kadai: The most versatile size, ideal for a small family. Suitable for sabzis, curries, and light deep-frying.
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5L Kadai: Large and spacious — great for bigger households, frying snacks like pakoras, or preparing curries for 5+ people.
🍳 Fry Pan — 20 cm vs 24 cm vs 28 cm
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20 cm Fry Pan: Compact, good for omelettes, scrambled eggs, or single-person stir-fries.
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24 cm Fry Pan: The all-rounder size — perfect for everyday cooking, sautéing veggies, or frying fish for 2–3 people.
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28 cm Fry Pan: Wide surface area, best for family-sized portions, paneer dishes, or shallow frying.
⏱ Pressure Cooker — 3L vs 5L vs 7L
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3L Cooker: Compact cooker for 1–2 people, ideal for quick curries, rice, or small dals.
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5L Cooker: Most common size for medium families (3–4 members). Can cook rice, sambar, or biryani in one go.
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7L Cooker: Large capacity, designed for 5+ family members or when cooking in bulk. Best for biryanis, dal, or large stews.
🥟 Idli Steamer — 2-tier vs 4-tier
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2-Tier Steamer: Makes around 12–16 idlis in one batch. Perfect for small families and daily use.
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4-Tier Steamer: Makes 20+ idlis in one go. Great for bigger families or when hosting guests.
🍪 Baking Tray — 30 cm vs 40 cm
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30 cm Tray: Fits compact ovens and OTGs. Best for small batches of cookies, brownies, or reheating snacks.
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40 cm Tray: Larger size, suitable for OTGs or ovens with more capacity. Ideal for cakes, pizzas, or big batch baking.
🍖 Cast Iron Skillet — 20 cm vs 26 cm
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20 cm Skillet: Perfect for side dishes, searing single steaks, or sautéing veggies. Small but retains heat very well.
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26 cm Skillet: More versatile for family meals. Great for frying, searing, or cooking one-pan meals like shakshuka.
🍚 Rice Cooker — 1.2L vs 1.8L vs 3L
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1.2L Cooker: Compact, good for singles or couples. Ideal for small portions of rice or porridge.
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1.8L Cooker: Perfect for small families (2–3 members). Can handle daily rice or pulao.
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3L Cooker: Larger capacity for families of 4–5 or occasional guests. Can also steam vegetables.
🔥 OTG / Oven Capacity — 19L vs 28L vs 40L
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19L OTG: Entry-level size for beginners. Perfect for basic baking, toasting, or reheating.
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28L OTG: Balanced size for families. Can bake pizzas, cakes, or small roasts.
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40L OTG: Large capacity for advanced baking or roasting. Can handle large trays, cookies, or even whole chicken.
📦 Storage & Stackability
If space is tight, opt for stackable cookware sets or nesting pans with lids. They’re perfect for small kitchens and maximize shelf space without compromising on functionality.
🛒 Final Word
Choosing cookware is not just about material but also about size. A 16 cm saucepan may be perfect for one person, while a 28 cm fry pan is better for family meals. Similarly, the right capacity in kadai, cooker, or OTG ensures less wastage, efficient cooking, and a better cooking experience.
Pick sizes that match your family size, cooking style, and kitchen space — and your cookware will serve you for years.