Cookware
Commercial Cookware, Catering Pots & Professional Cooking Pans
Cooksmill are the UK's leading catering equipment supplier! Established 30 years ago, we supply thousands of pots & pans, large cooking pots, catering pans, frying pans and skillets to restaurants, cafes and independents all across the UK. Our professional cookware and kitchen equipment range includes high-quality cookware sets, non-stick frying pans, sizzles, griddles and stainless steel cooking pots. Catering pan sizes can be confusing, but there will be just the right catering pans in our range for you. We understand that quality cookware creates delicious food and that's why we sell to both wholesale trade customers and the general public.
Buy online with confidence - FREE next-day delivery over £60. If you're local to Manchester, why not pop into our professional catering supplies superstore in Salford, we're open 6 days a week - your one-stop shop for all your catering equipment needs.
Commercial Cookware for Professional Kitchens
Choosing the right commercial cookware is essential for busy professional kitchens where reliability, performance and durability are critical. Our range of professional cookware is trusted by restaurants, cafés, pubs, takeaways, hotels, schools, universities, care homes and food manufacturers across the UK, providing dependable performance during even the busiest service periods.
Designed for demanding commercial environments, our catering cookware is built to withstand daily use while delivering excellent heat distribution and consistent cooking results. Whether you're preparing large batches of soups and sauces, simmering stocks, frying to order or cooking for hundreds of covers each day, our heavy-duty cookware helps chefs work efficiently without compromising on quality.
Alongside professional kitchens, our commercial cookware is increasingly popular with serious home cooks who want restaurant-quality equipment in their own kitchens. Larger capacities, stronger materials and superior heat retention make professional cooking pots and catering pans ideal for batch cooking, entertaining and preparing meals for large families.
Our carefully selected collection includes commercial pots, professional cooking pots, catering saucepans, stock pots and commercial frying pans suitable for gas, electric, ceramic and induction hobs. Whether you're fitting out a new restaurant kitchen or upgrading your existing restaurant cookware, you'll find durable solutions designed to deliver years of reliable service.
Types of Commercial Cookware
Every professional kitchen has different requirements, which is why our extensive collection includes commercial cookware for every cooking method and kitchen environment. From everyday service to high-volume food production, you'll find durable cookware designed to perform under pressure.
Browse our collection of Frying Pans for everything from breakfast service to high-temperature searing, or choose from our range of Stock Pots for preparing soups, stocks, curries and bulk cooking. Our Saucepans are ideal for sauces, vegetables and smaller portions, while Casserole Pans provide excellent heat retention for slow cooking, braising and one-pot dishes.
For specialist cooking, discover our Woks for fast stir-frying, Griddles for cooking burgers, steaks and breakfasts, and Pressure Cookers that reduce cooking times while maintaining flavour and nutrition.
Material choice is equally important when selecting professional cookware. Our Stainless Steel Cookware offers outstanding durability, corrosion resistance and compatibility with induction cooking, making it a favourite in commercial kitchens. Aluminium Cookware provides rapid, even heat distribution and is popular where speed and efficiency are essential, while Cast Iron Cookware delivers exceptional heat retention for searing, roasting and slow cooking.
Whether you're equipping a restaurant, café, takeaway, catering business or upgrading your home kitchen with chef-quality equipment, our range of commercial cookware includes professional cooking pots, catering pans and heavy-duty cookware to suit every application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Cookware
What is commercial cookware?
Commercial cookware is heavy-duty cookware designed for the demands of professional kitchens. Unlike standard domestic cookware, commercial cookware is manufactured using stronger materials and thicker construction to withstand continuous use in restaurants, cafés, hotels, schools, care homes, takeaways and food production facilities. It includes professional cooking pots, catering pans, catering saucepans, commercial frying pans and stock pots that deliver reliable performance, even during busy service.
What's the difference between catering cookware and domestic cookware?
The main difference is durability, capacity and performance. Catering cookware is built for frequent, high-volume cooking and is designed to withstand the daily demands of commercial kitchens. Commercial pots and pans often feature thicker bases for improved heat distribution, larger capacities for batch cooking and reinforced handles for safe lifting. Domestic cookware is designed for lighter use, while professional kitchen cookware is engineered for years of dependable service in foodservice and hospitality environments.
Is stainless steel better than aluminium cookware?
Both materials offer excellent performance, but each has its advantages. Stainless steel cookware is extremely durable, resistant to corrosion and suitable for induction hobs, making it a popular choice for restaurant cookware and hospitality kitchens. Aluminium cookware heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, making it ideal for fast-paced cooking where speed and efficiency are important. Many professional chefs choose both materials to suit different cooking tasks.
Can professional cookware be used at home?
Yes. Professional cookware is increasingly popular with keen home cooks who want restaurant-quality results. Heavy-duty cookware offers excellent heat retention, greater durability and larger cooking capacities, making it ideal for entertaining, meal preparation and batch cooking. Whether you're preparing family meals or cooking for special occasions, commercial cookware provides the same reliable performance trusted by professional chefs.
What size stock pot do restaurants use?
The ideal stock pot size depends on the kitchen and menu. Smaller restaurants and cafés often use 5L, 10L or 15L stock pots for sauces, soups and vegetables. Busy restaurants, hotels and catering businesses commonly use 20L or 30L stock pots for larger batches, while schools, care homes and food manufacturers may require 50L or even 100L stock pots for high-volume food production. Choosing the correct capacity helps improve efficiency and reduce cooking times.
Is catering cookware suitable for induction hobs?
Many modern catering cookware ranges are compatible with induction cooking, although it's always worth checking individual product specifications. Stainless steel cookware with an induction-compatible base is suitable for induction, while some aluminium cookware requires a bonded induction base. Our collection includes induction cookware designed for use on induction, gas, electric and ceramic hobs, providing flexibility for both commercial and domestic kitchens.
Which type of cookware lasts the longest?
High-quality stainless steel cookware is widely regarded as one of the longest-lasting options because it resists rust, corrosion and everyday wear. Cast iron cookware also offers exceptional longevity and can last for decades with proper care. Choosing premium commercial cookware from trusted brands ensures your investment will withstand the demands of professional kitchens, hospitality businesses and serious home cooking for many years.
What cookware do professional chefs use?
Professional chefs choose cookware that delivers consistent results, excellent heat distribution and long-term durability. Most commercial kitchens rely on a combination of stainless steel cookware, aluminium cookware, cast iron cookware, commercial frying pans, catering saucepans and large stock pots to handle everything from everyday service to large-scale batch cooking. The best choice depends on the cooking method, heat source and volume of food being prepared.
What cookware is best for batch cooking?
Large stock pots, casserole pans and commercial cooking pots are ideal for batch cooking. Their larger capacities make it easy to prepare soups, stews, curries, pasta sauces and stocks for restaurants, schools, care homes, catering businesses or busy home kitchens. Professional cookware is designed to maintain even temperatures across larger volumes, helping to produce consistent, high-quality results.
