There’s always a lot of controversy about which pans are ideal for cooking and which should be avoided. In the past, some experts have mentioned that carbon steel pans are way better than non-stick pans, while others think otherwise. Hence, making the ideal choice for pans becomes tricky for newbie sellers who want to know the most profitable options.
This article is aimed at helping retailers narrow their search options so that they can pick quality pans that will sell quickly and boost their profits in 2024.
Table of Contents
How fast is the global cooking pan market growing?
5 pan trends still dominating the kitchen space in 2024
Invest in these trends
How fast is the global cooking pan market growing?
Pans are the most successful segment in the global cookware market. Experts estimate pans dominated their parents’ market by accounting for 42% of the total revenue. So, what’s the value of the cookware market? Experts say the global market reached US$ 30.59 billion and expect it to grow at a 7.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2030.
The non-stick/coated segment also attracted the most sales in 2023, occupying approximately 61.80% of the global market. Also, stainless steel was the most sought-after material for pans, with a 27% share in 2023. Regionally, Asia-Pacific accounted for the most sales, and experts predict it will remain dominant over the forecast period.
5 pans dominating the kitchen space in 2024
Frying pans
Versatile, durable, and efficient frying pans are the best tools for various cooking tasks. The best part is that consumers can use them for cooking, including sauteing, searing, browning, pan-frying, shallow frying, stir-frying, and even making sauces or reductions. They can handle everything from eggs to steaks and vegetables to delicate fish.
That’s not all. Frying pans usually heat up fast and evenly, and all benefit from the materials (like cast iron, stainless steel, and aluminum) manufacturers use to make them—though each one brings something different to the table. Regardless, each material is good enough for searing and keeping food warm for a little while after cooking. But the good news is these pans are getting some quality updates
Manufacturers use non-stick technologies to offer greater durability and release without relying on older, potentially harmful chemicals. Some frying pans combine different material layers (like stainless steel and aluminum) for optimal heat conduction, responsiveness, and durability. Handles are also becoming more comfortable with better heat resistance—the safer the grip, the better.
Plus, businesses can also find specialty frying pans designed for very specific tasks, like square pans for grilled sandwiches or ridged pans for grilling indoors. Some nonstick frying pans now include visual indicators to show when they have reached an ideal cooking temperature. Frying pans are trending this year, with Google data showing they had 246,000 searches in March 2024.
Roasting pans
Roasting pans are the unsung kitchen heroes, especially if consumers love beautifully cooked roasts or whole birds. They have enough space to fit whole turkeys, roasts, or even multiple smaller cuts of meat—all the while ensuring everything cooks evenly. But since they are so big, manufacturers make them from stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron to help them distribute and retain heat well enough for consistent roasting.
So, how does food cooked in roasting pans get that browning and crisping effect? Well, these pans have low sides that allow air to flow around the food, giving it a delicious effect. Also, most roasting pans come with racks that keep the food elevated, allowing the juices to drip down and create flavorful pan sauces—which also helps stop the meat from getting soggy.
So, what’s new with roasting pans? Not much, honestly, and for a good reason. The fundamental design and purpose of roasting pans remain perfect—and as the saying goes, “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” However, some minor updates definitely make roasting pans even better.
For instance, manufacturers are applying advanced nonstick coatings for larger pans, making cleanup even easier. Some racks now have designs featuring handles for effortless lifting and more efficient fat drainage. Roasting pans attracted 49,500 searches in March 2024 (according to Google data).
Saucepans
Saucepans are versatile kitchen essentials that deserve a spot in every kitchen. They look very different from other pans, featuring taller sides and smaller bases, which makes them perfect for reducing liquids and creating rich, flavorful sauces. Most quality saucepans have perfect heat distribution, preventing scorching or uneven cooking.
Here’s the cool part: saucepans’ versatility goes beyond sauces. These pans are also perfect for smaller portions of pasta, boiling eggs, or reheating soups and leftovers. Since saucepans have gentle, controlled heat, they can also handle cooking delicate grains or creating creamy custards without scorching. Consumers can even braise small portions or saute vegetables in a pinch with saucepans.
While saucepans haven’t had any big changes, some design innovations have upgraded the experience consumers have with them. More saucepans increasingly feature spouts or strainer lids for easy pouring and precision. And for those who always fail to get accurate quantities, some saucepans now have internal measurement markings for convenient measuring. Saucepans are also making it big, drawing in 246,000 searches in March 2024.
Grill & griddle pans
When consumers don’t have access to a backyard or the weather isn’t cooperating, grill pans bring the grilling experience indoors. They can provide those classic, visually appealing grill marks. These pans also mimic some flavors of outdoor grilling by allowing fat/grease to drip away, which results in a slightly leaner cooking method.
On the other hand, griddle pans offer a large, flat surface that’s perfect for cooking delicate foods or anything where consumers want even, consistent heat. Pancakes, eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and quesadillas excel on a griddle. Griddles are godsends for consumers who love cooking big breakfasts. They can handle hash browns, sausages, bacon, and eggs in one go!
Now, here are some exciting innovations for these pans. For starters, ceramic non-stick surfaces have become popular as a safer, more eco-friendly alternative to some traditional nonstick coatings. Features and designs are also in the update loop, as many pans now offer a grill surface on one side and a griddle on the other, maximizing versatility.
Smart grill pans are also here to revolutionize the market. Some pans now incorporate temperature sensors and can connect to smartphone apps. For this reason, consumers can get precise temperature monitoring and controlled cooking. According to Google data, these pans attracted 74,000 searches in March 2024.
Stir-fry pans
Some dishes require consumers to toss and stir, and stir-fry pans have everything they need to do it properly. Their high-sloped sides ensure consumers can do all that without spilling. Stir-fry pans also help evaporate liquids quickly for that perfect sear. Additionally, stir-fry pans, especially those made from carbon steel or cast iron, heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly, which is essential for stir-frying success.
While ideal for stir-fries, consumers can also use them for deep frying, steaming, braising, and just about any other cooking technique that benefits from large pans. But what’s more appealing about these pans is their high-heat cooking technique creates a unique caramelization and slightly smoky-flavor called “wok hei,” contributing depth and complexity to dishes.
While traditional stir-fry pans remain a staple, the more modern options did not shy away from updates and innovations. For starters, some newer pans have layered constructions (like stainless steel with an aluminum core) for even better heat distribution and better heat retention than single-layer variants.
Flat-bottomed stir-fry pans also make it big because they offer better stability and heat distribution on electric or induction stovetops. Electric stir-fry pans also offer a convenient, portable cooking appliance with easy heat control. These pans may not have those large numbers, but they still attracted 4,400 searches in March 2024.
Invest in these pans
Pans are an integral part of any kitchen. But there isn’t one universal pan—many variants exist to handle different cooking techniques. Whether roasting, sauteing, or frying, there’s a pan available to do what consumers want. For this reason, many consumers pack their kitchens with different pan varieties to achieve the best cooking every time. That’s why each pan discussed here has gathered enough popularity and demand to give them the moniker of “Pans for the decade.” Sellers must not miss out on these pans when sales kick-off!
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