Budget-friendly cookware in Canada

Today's post is for students, bachelors and families, who are new to Canada or planning to come to Canada. Do note, this article is purely based on my personal experience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, if you buy through the links I have mentioned in this article.

While moving to Canada with my family, I was looking for some pointers to buy essential cookware at an affordable price. But whenever I searched online, I stumbled upon brands like Lagostina, Paderno, Tfal, Kirkland etc., which were priced more than $150 for a cookware set. Undoubtedly, all these are popular brands, but I didn't intend to invest in them, given our short stint at Canada. Also I had to spend additionally for a griddle (tawa) and an electric cooker. So I started off exploring, slowly by adding kitchenware suitable for our everyday cooking. My quest resulted in some great finds, that were economical too😊These items should be appropriate for students, bachelors or small families of 4 members. 

Electric cooker: Cooker is the most important item used in Indian meal preparation. I brought a 3L pressure cooker while coming from India. However I wanted another cooker specifically for preparing rice. My choice was an electric cooker and I chose Black+Decker 2-in-1 rice cooker and food steamer, due to its review on Amazon. Moreover, it was decently priced at $32.99. As on date, it is available at a much lower price ($24.98) on amazon.ca. It comes with a non-stick cooking bowl, steamer basket, serving spoon and measuring cup. The bowl is dish washer safe.

To buy this cooker, click here

Cast iron griddle: Next item, is a griddle (tawa), for making dosas, rotis and parathas, which are staple in our house. I was specifically looking for a cast iron tawa, as it gives a nice texture to dosas and parathas in comparison to a non-stick. I found Lodge 10.5 inch cast iron griddle at a good deal for $26.07 against it's original price of $44.99. This tawa can be used for stove top and induction cooking. I have been using it for more than 1.5 years, almost everyday and have no qualms. However I wasn't a pro at using cast iron initially. But later on picked up the trick of proofing it. Proofing helps to keep the surface non-sticky and makes our dosas crispy 😋

To buy this griddle, click here. You can also check out another amazing 8" skillet here.

Non-stick pan: My next look out was for a frying pan with lid to make curries, pasta, noodles, fried rice (instead of wok) and deep frying. I bought T-Fal Maharaja, Karahi with lid from amazon for $29.97. It is non-stick and they claim the non-stick coating is PFOA, lead and cadmium free. Its oven safe up to 350° F (176° C) and is induction and stovetop compatible. It has a clear tempered glass lid, heavy base and sturdy handles that are heat resistant. I have been using this for an year and its pretty decent. 

To buy the pan, click here

Pots and sauce pan: I accidentally spotted this amazing product while browsing Ikea's site and is my best buys so far. Annons 5-piece cookware set was $19.99, comprising of stock pot with lid (2.8L), sauce pan with lid (1.7L) and a smaller sauce pan without lid (0.9L). The pot and pans are made of steel with tempered glass lids and suitable for stove top and induction. They can be washed in dishwasher. What else one needs at this price point? I was skeptical about its quality, given its low price and didn't buy it immediately. Even after a couple of months, I couldn't get this off my mind and really wanted to give it a try and check its quality myself. Trust me, this set is more than worth the dollars spent. We can make sambar/dals, curries, oat meal, deep frying (2.8L pot) etc. Just be careful to stir well to avoid any food burns, which is the case with any stainless steel vessels. This same product costs $38.88 on amazon. So grab it when you visit Ikea or order it online, in case your are purchasing few other items, to take advantage of the shipping charges paid in addition.

To buy this cookware, click here

Non-stick 3-piece skillet: When I began using cast iron tawa, I wasn't proofing it well and often the dosas I made used to stick to the surface. During those days, when I noticed an unmatchable offer at Costco, I immediately bought the T-Fal Non-stick 3-piece skillet set. I got it for $29.99 at Costco's store, which was half the price on Amazon ($63.84). Note, Costco charges slightly more online, compared to its store. This set has 3 skillets of size 8in, 9.75in and 11.25in. The small one is best suited for cooking pan cakes, small quantity of poha, upma, tadkas etc. The medium ones can be put to use for frying vegetables. The big one is perfect to make dosas given its size. All these pans can be used for baking and can withstand a maximum temperature of 350° F (176° C). You can prepare yummy cookies, broccoli/ sweet potato/ mushroom roast etc., making this set very versatile.

To buy these skillet set, click here

Budget is one of the factors we generally consider while deciding any household product. Students or any first-time travelers to Canada on a PR (without a job), I am sure, will be tight on their expenses. So this article will definitely be of some help to them. This list of basic cookware along with an electric cooker and griddle comes within $135 and one may save additional dollars, if bought during a sale. You can click on the product name for links to purchase online. You can wither buy all of these or a combination of cooker, griddle, T-fal skillet set and Annons cookware set, costing you less than $100, that too of good quality.

Do comment, if you are aware or using any other cookware that is of fine quality, available at a competitive price.

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