Are Ikea Pots & Pans Any Good?

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IKEA is famous for its elegant, stylish, and affordable homeware items. But are IKEA pots and pans any good, and is it worth investing in them? 

IKEA pots and pans are worth considering. They come in a broad range of materials, sizes, and prices, with something for everyone. The only downsides are that most IKEA pots and pans aren’t dishwasher safe, and you need to invest in their premium cookware for stainless steel clad pots and pans. 

In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about IKEA pots and pans. Read on to learn why they are worth your while.

Pros of IKEA Pots and Pans

  • Wide variety. IKEA pots and pans come in various sizes, materials, prices, and features. 
  • IKEA 365+ and SENSUELL offer exceptional quality. Cookware from the IKEA 365+ and SENSUELL range is made from clad stainless steel, allowing it to heat evenly and last for several decades. IKEA also gives a five-year warranty on these lines. Opt for the carbon steel cookware from the VARDAGEN range if you want cookware that lasts a lifetime.
  • Budget lines are excellent for college students. If you’re kitting out your college dorm or first apartment, and don’t have much to spend on cookware, buying KAVALKAD or HEMLAGAD pots and pans is a cost-effective option. As long as you’re happy hand-washing them and not putting them in the oven, they’ll last for at least two years. 
  • Excellent customer reviews. When you browse IKEA’s online store, you’ll notice that all its cookware lines feature many excellent customer reviews. Most cookware items have at least four stars, a testament to their value for money. 

Cons of IKEA Pots and Pans

  • The cost-effective cookware lines are disc-bottomed. You save money buying cookware from IKEA’s budget ranges, but these pots and pans have thin, disc bottoms that don’t heat food evenly and could burn it if you’re not careful. 
  • The budget cookware line is not dishwasher, oven, or induction hob safe. The KAVALKAD cookware range is cost-effective. Unfortunately, you need to put up with the inconvenience of handwashing your pots and pans, not using them with an induction hob, or placing them in the oven.  
  • The VARDAGEN line requires a lot of maintenance. VARDAGEN cookware is made from carbon steel, and can easily rust. You have to season it before using it for the first time and dry it thoroughly each time you use it.
  • IKEA’s aluminum cookware stains and burns easily. Some customers have reported that IKEA’s aluminum cookware without a Teflon coating can stain or burn easily, especially if you cook acidic foods, which promote oxidation.

Who Should Buy This?

Before buying an IKEA cookware set online or heading to one of their vast stores, you should consider if any of IKEA’s cookware lines is right for you. 

IKEA’s cookware consists of the following: 

  • Basic non-stick frying pans
  • Large non-stick frying pans
  • Grilling pans 
  • Saucepans 
  • Pots
  • Woks

Most of their cookware comes with lids. 

If you’re a student, moving into your first apartment, or need some cookware for your vacation home, pots and pans from one of IKEA’s budget lines would be ideal. You don’t have to buy these in sets and you’ll be assured of cookware that won’t fall apart after using it for a few months. 

In such situations, HEMLAGAD pots and pans would serve you well for a few years. 

If you’re on a budget but want a cookware set that will last at least a decade, consider the IKEA 365+. It’s not as costly as the premium line (SENSUELL) but consists of durable and high-quality stainless steel products.

Although IKEA is well-known for its low prices and trendy pieces, you will also find higher-priced and classic items here. Their SENSUELL pots and pans have extra-thick, stainless steel clad bases that heat food evenly and last you a lifetime. This range is ideal if you want to stop replacing your poor-quality pots and pans every few years.  

Are IKEA Pots & Pans Any Good?

IKEA offers convenient online and in-store shopping plus reasonably priced products. If you’re in the market for pots and pans, is it worth considering IKEA cookware? 

IKEA pots and pans are good. Their premium range cookware is stainless steel clad, heats evenly, and can last a lifetime. Additionally, budget IKEA cookware has thinner-based pots and pans that will easily last two or more years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions on IKEA pots and pans.

Do IKEA’s Pots & Pans Use Teflon?

All IKEA’s pots and pans use Teflon, except products from the SENSUELL range, IKEA’s premium cookware line with pots and pans made from extra-thick stainless steel. Some people don’t like to use products containing Teflon, a potentially carcinogenic substance that may affect your hormones. 

The risk of contracting cancer from Teflon is slim, but it could be worth spending more money and investing in the SENSUELL range, for your peace of mind. 

Can You Put IKEA’s Pots & Pans in the Oven?

The inability to put your pot or pan in the oven is a dealbreaker for many people. So, which IKEA pots and pans can you put in the oven? 

You can put pots and pans from IKEA’s VARDAGEN, SENSUELL, IKEA 365+, and OUMBÄRLIG ranges in the oven without a problem. However, pots and pans from IKEA’s KAVALKAD, HEMLAGAD, and ANNONS ranges aren’t oven-safe. 

Additionally, you should avoid using a glass lid to cover your cookware in the oven as it could shatter. Thankfully, aluminum foil makes a good alternative. 

Are IKEA’s Pots & Pans Nickel-Free?

According to the National Library of Medicine, nickel can cause allergies, kidney and heart disease, and could cause lung or nasal cancer. Although the risk is tiny, it’s worth buying cookware that doesn’t contain nickel. 

Most of IKEA’s pots and pans are nickel-free. IKEA’s stainless steel pots and pans usually contain no nickel. Their carbon steel, cast iron, and aluminum pots and pans don’t contain nickel because it’s rare for these metals to have this metal. 

Are IKEA’s Pots & Pans Dishwashers Safe?

Being able to put your pots and pans in the dishwasher brings additional convenience. So, are IKEA pots and pans dishwashers safe? 

IKEA pots and pans from the SENSUELL and ANNONS range are dishwasher-safe. However, pots and pans from any other range should be hand-washed gently in warm, soapy water. 

Do IKEA’s Pots & Pans Work on an Induction Hob?

All IKEA pots and pans work on an induction hob, except those from the KAVALKAD or GRILLA range. However, before buying your pots or pans, you need to check if you can use them on your induction hob.

Induction hobs are popular as they use less power and only heat up if you place cookware on the plate. 

Are IKEA’s Pots & Pans Cheap?

IKEA pots and pans are cheap if you buy from their KAVALKAD, HEMLAGAD, or IKEA 365+ range. Prices range from under $5 for a nine-inch (22.86cm) frying pan to under $15 for a set of three saucepans.

However, SENSUELL cookware is pricey and a regular, 11-inch (27.94cm) SENSUELL frying can set you back almost $60. A SENSUELL 2.5 quart (0.95 liters) saucepan costs just under $50. However, if you consider that SENSUELL cookware is long lasting and you’ll likely not need to replace it, buying it could save you money in the long run. 

Are IKEA’s Pots & Pans Safe?

I mentioned that most IKEA cookware is Teflon-coated and doesn’t contain nickel in the previous sections. Does this mean that it’s safe? 

IKEA pots and pans are safe because most of them don’t contain nickel. Nickel-containing IKEA cookware, however, contains tiny amounts that don’t pose a threat to human health. Also, although most IKEA cookware has Teflon, it’s safe to use.

PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is an artificial chemical that’s used to make Teflon, a common material in IKEA pots and pans. Teflon is potentially carcinogenic to humans but, according to the American Cancer Society, the risk is tiny and there are no proven risks from using Teflon-coated cookware.