Urvashi Singh
Whether you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware in India in 2023 or the best hard anodized cookware brands in India, most certainly, you will arrive at this page.
The demand for the nonstick cookware, stainless steel cookware or even cast iron cookware has always been high in India.
However, a lot of people are now looking to add hard anodized cookware in their kitchen, given the benefits it has.
In simple words, a hard anodized cookware is extremely lightweight with amazing heat retention properties, has an excellent nonstick surface, and it is twice as tough as stainless steel.
Most importantly, hard anodized cookware does not leach chemicals into your food, and you can enjoy a fast and oil-free cooking with this cookware.
The cookware sets we are going to review today are from some of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India such as Hawkins, Vinod, Prestige, Wonderchef, Anolon, etc.
These are some factors you should know if you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware set in India —
- Number of pieces in the set
- Size of the cookware, depending on your family
- Is it induction compatible
- If there is a lid in the set
- Is there a warranty
If you are short on time, you can also jump to our “Top 3 Picks” for the best hard anodized cookware in India in 2023.
You can also check out other related post on 8 Best Dutch Oven in India, 10 Best Casserole in India and Best Frying Pan in India.
Best Hard Anodized Cookware Brands in India
The best hard anodized cookware brands in India in 2023 are —
- Hawkins
- Anolon
- AmazonBasics
- Prestige
- Wonderchef
1. Hawkins
Hawkins is one of the most popular choices for the best hard anodized cookware brands in India. For a brand, it is very important to develop the trust in customer’s mind, and that is one area, where Hawkins leads the other hard anodized cookware brands in India.
Hawkins is an Indian brand which manufactures pressure cookers and cookware. You will often notice Hawkins products under the brand names of Hawkins, Futura, Contura, Hevibase, Big Boy, Miss Mary and Ventura. In addition to the Hawkins hard anodized cookware set, you will also find hard anodized kadai, frying pan, tawa, stewpot, saucepan, etc from Hawkins.
Who should buy Hawkins hard anodized cookware – If you are looking for a massive 5 year warranty on the hard anodized cookware set, you should go for Hawkins.
Best Hawkins hard anodized cookware set in India – Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set
2. Anolon
If you have ever heard of the Meyer cookware brand, then there are chances you know Anolon as well. Anolon is a premier brand offered by California-based Meyer Corporation, one of the largest cookware companies in the US.
As a matter of fact, the majority of the Anolon cookware comes with a triple-layer non-stick cooking surface, made by DuPont. Moreover, Anolon as a brand, mostly deals in hard anodized cookware and nonstick cookware, due to their speciality in these types of cookware.
Who should buy Anolon hard anodized cookware – If you are looking for a lifetime warranty on the hard anodized cookware, you must go for Anolon.
Best Anolon hard anodized cookware in India – Anolon 84750 Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set
3. AmazonBasics
For those who do not know, AmazonBasics is Amazon’s private label brand for everything from kitchen gadgets to tech accessories and almost, everything in between.
Not just AmazonBasics, Amazon Solimo is also one of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India. Both these brands are known for their premium quality as well as affordable pricing. The good thing is there is a lot of variety in hard anodized cookware from these brands.
Who should buy AmazonBasics hard anodized cookware – If you are looking for a premium hard anodized cookware set, you must go for AmazonBasics.
Best AmazonBasics hard anodized cookware in India – AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set
4. Prestige
In addition to Hawkins, Anolon, AmazonBasics and Wonderchef, Prestige is yet another best hard anodized cookware brand in India. For any Indian kitchen, Prestige is not a new brand, and it is a brand, that everyone can associate with.
Prestige deals in pressure cookers, gas stoves, mixer grinders, nonstick cookware, glass top stoves, etc. Prestige has been in business in India for more than 60 years now, and you can trust their cookware to be sturdy as well as affordable.
Who should buy Prestige hard anodized cookware – If you are looking for a hard anodized cookware set, which is induction compatible, you can choose Prestige.
Best Prestige hard anodized cookware in India – Prestige Hard Anodised Magna 4 Pc Cookware Set.
5. Wonderchef
Wonderchef is a premium Indian brand, which is owned by the famous chef Sanjeev Kapoor. All the Wonderchef kitchen products are a combination of German standards of quality and Italian designs.
Their kitchen tools are a bit expensive, but it is worth every single rupee you will spend on it. In addition to the hard anodized cookware, Wonderchef is also known for nonstick cookware, stainless steel pans, pressure cookers, cooktops, chimneys, kitchen tools, flasks, bakeware, etc.
Who should buy Wonderchef hard anodized cookware – If you are looking for a hard anodized cookware set, which comes with a 5 year of warranty and is induction compatible, you can go for Wonderchef.
Best Wonderchef hard anodized cookware in India – Wonderchef Royal Velvet Plus Aluminium Nonstick Cookware Set, 4Pc.
Comparison
Hard Anodized | No of Pieces | Induction | Warranty | Ratings | Check |
3 | Yes | 5 Years | 5/5 | ||
1 | No | Lifetime | 5/5 | ||
12 | No | 1 Year | 5/5 | ||
3 | Yes | 2 Years | 4.9/5 | ||
1 | Yes | 2 Years | 5/5 | ||
1 | No | Nil | 4.8/5 | ||
1 | Yes | 5 Years | 5/5 |
Editor’s Pick
Reviews
1. Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set Reviews
The first product in our today’s review of the best hard anodized cookware in India in 2023 is from the best hard anodized cookware brand in India, Hawkins.
One thing is for sure, if you search Amazon or Flipkart for the hard anodized cookware, the majority of the products will be from Hawkins.
This hard anodized cookware set from Hawkins come in a set of 3. In this set, you will get a frying pan, a deep fry pan, and a cook and serve bowl.
The frying pan has a diameter of 25 cms, with a capacity of 2.4 litres. The deep frying pan has a diameter of 26 cms, with a capacity of 2.5 litres.
The cook-and-serve bowl has a good capacity of 3 litres, which be used to cook as well as serve the food, if required.
All the 3 pieces of this cookware set includes a lid. The lid of thecook-and-serve bowl is hard anodized, whereas the lid of the frying pan and deep frying pan is made from stainless steel.
The best part about the Hawkins hard anodized cookware set is that it is induction compatible, so you can easily use it on your induction cooktop.
The induction is possible due to the steel base plate on the bottom of the frying pan, deep frying pan, and cook and serve bowl.
All the pieces of the set have a thick base, which means your food will get cooked evenly, and conveniently with lesser amount of oil.
The surface of the Hawkins hard anodized cookware set is non-toxic, non-staining and non-reactive with foods.
The cookware set is highly thermal efficient, which means it will heat fast and evenly, and is not damaged by the high heat of the gas burners.
One thing you should know about the Hawkins hard anodized cookware set is that it is not nonstick, so you can use a metal spatula and a steel wool to clean the surface easily.
The only feedback for Hawkins is that they could have included a steam hole in the lid of the cookware set, which helps to release the steam.
Hawkins is offering a 5 year warranty on this hard anodized cookware set, which makes this set one of the best hard anodized cookware in India in 2023.
If you do not wish to buy an entire hard anodized cookware set, you can also check out hard anodized tawa and hard anodized deep frying pan from Hawkins.
Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 3
Induction compatible – Yes
Lid – Yes
Warranty – 5 years
Iight – 5.21 kgs
Dimensions – 10.4 x 39.4 x 24.8 cm
Pros of Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set:
One of the best hard anodized cookware in India
Trustworthy and durable
Compatible with induction cooktop
5 years warranty
Include 3 lids, 2 stainless steel and 1 hard anodized
Ideal for healthy and low oil cooking
Non-toxic, non-reactive with food
Extra thick base
Comes with a recipe cookbook
Cons of Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set:
Hawkins could have added a hole in the lid for steam release
2. Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan Reviews
Anolon cookware is the best choice for those who have a love and passion for gourmet style of cooking.
As a matter of fact, almost all the Anolon cookwares have a rating of 4 plus on Amazon.
The famous Meyer Corporation US distributes kitchen products under the brand names of Anolon, Circulon, Farberware cookware and many other brands.
You can guess the popularity of theAnolon cookware by the fact that you will get a lifetime warranty on their cookware, which is very impressive.
Speaking about this frying pan from Anolon, it is made from hard anodized aluminium. The frying pan has a diameter of 22 cms or 8.5 inches.
You can also check out 10 and 12 inch frying pans from Anolon, if you have a bigger family.
The 8.5 inch frying pan from Anolon comes with a heavy-duty hard-anodized construction with a bronze nonstick exterior.
One of the best thing about the Anolon frying pan is its premium triple nonstick layer. Due to this solid coating, you can also use metal utensils on the frying pan.
The grip on the handle of theAnolon frying pan is dual riveted for extra strength, and is colour coordinated with the exterior.
You can be assured of the fact, that you can hold this frying pan for longer durations, without feeling the heat of the food you are cooking.
The hard anodized Anolon frying pan can be comfortably used in the oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 205 degree Celsius.
Due to the nonstick surface, the cooking experience is going to be flawless with an extremely easy cleaning of the pan.
The hard anodized Anolon frying pan only takes a couple of minutes to get hot, and once it is hot, it maintains the temperature very well for longer durations.
Another thing you will notice with this frying pan is that nothing will stick to its surface, and we mean it, absolutely NOTHING.
As far as the quality of this pan is concerned, it is heavy enough to feel good in your hand, but not heavy enough to make cooking or washing uncomfortable.
One thing you should know about this frying pan is that it is not induction compatible.
Overall, the price of this hard anodized frying pan is a bit high, but you will surely not have to buy another frying pan for at least 10 years, if you buy this Anolon frying pan.
Except for the high price, this frying pan from Anolon is the best hard anodized cookware in India.
If your budget allows, you can also check out Anolon 81133 Accolade Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 12 Piece.
Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 1
Induction compatible – No
Lid – Yes
Warranty – Lifetime
Iight – 0.45 kgs
Dimensions – 38.1 x 21.59 x 5.08 cm
Pros of Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan:
Ideal for cooking omelette, flipping pancakes and sautéing vegetables
World’s best hard anodized cookware brand
Premium frying pan
Premium triple nonstick layer
Bronze coating
Oven safe
Lifetime warranty
Double riveted handle
Goes with metal utensils too
Best nonstick layer
Super easy to clean
Cons of Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan:
Not compatible with induction cooktop
3. AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set Reviews
If you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware set that is nonstick, and you get a lot of hard anodized cookware utensils in it at an affordable price, you must choose AmazonBasics.
AmazonBasics is one of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India.
Most of the hard anodized cookware sets in India come in 3 or 4 pieces, whereas, the AmazonBasics Hard Anodized cookware set comes in 12 pieces.
The good thing is this is a nonstick set as well, so you can cook your food with less oil too.
In this hard anodized cookware set from AmazonBasics, you will get:
- 16 cm, 1.4 litre saucepan with lid
- 20 cm, 2.8 litre saucepan with lid
- 24.1 cm, 5.7 litre casserole dish with lid
- 24.1 cm, 2.8 litre sauté pan with lid
- 20 and 25 cm skillets
- and a slotted spatula and solid spoon
Each piece in this hard anodized cookware set includes a dual-riveted silicone handle, which provides a cool-touch comfort grip while you are cooking.
The frying pans and casserole dish include tempered glass lids, which will allow you to check the progress of your food.
The AmazonBasics cookware set has been manufactured using hard anodized exterior coating for durable use.
In order to ensure a faster cooking experience, the cookware set has a pure aluminium core, which helps in even heat distribution.
The multi layer nonstick coating is PFOA free, this means, no chemicals were used in the manufacturing process of the non-stick coating.
The hard anodized cookware set is oven safe up to 150 degrees, and is suitable for all stove tops except induction cooktop.
I noticed that the red handles of this cookware set are very attractive, and they also have a nice soft gripping feel to them, and the handles stay cool while you are cooking.
Additionally, the two spoon utensils included in this set are a nice bonus to get you started in caring for your pans and pots properly.
The cookware set from AmazonBasics is perfect for someone, who needs to stock an empty kitchen, or for someone who wants to get rid of their old cookware set.
The different sizes of the cooking utensils in the cookware set allows you to entertain different cooking requirements for a large family or a large gathering.
AmazonBasics is offering a 1 year warranty on this hard anodized cookware set.
Overall, this is a value for money cookware set from AmazonBasics, and certainly one of the best hard anodized cookware in India.
AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 12
Induction compatible – No
Lid – Yes
Warranty – 1 year
Iight – 7.12 kgs
Dimensions – 60.5 x 37.49 x 24 cm
Pros of AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set:
Value for money
Nonstick hard anodized cookware set
12 pieces in the cookware set
PFOA free nonstick coating
Dual riveted silicone handles
Tempered glass lids
Dishwasher safe
1 year warranty on the cookware set
Extremely attractive handles
Oven safe
Very easy to clean
Cons of AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set:
Not compatible with induction cooktop
4. Vinod Hard Anodized Cookware Set 3 Pieces Reviews
Vinod is a famous Indian brand manufacturer of pressure cookers, hard anodised, stainless steel, sandwich bottom cookware, insulated water bottles, etc.
The brand, Vinod, is known to have the best stainless steel cookware in India.
This hard anodized cookware set from Vinod comes in a set of 3 pieces. In this set, you will receive a deep kadai with a tempered glass lid, one frying pan, and a tawa.
The diameter of the deep kadai is 24 cms, the diameter of the frying pan is also 24 cms, and lastly, the diameter of the tawa is 25 cms.
The Vinod hard anodized cookware set comes with a thickness of 3.25 mm.
The 100% virgin aluminium construction ensures even heat distribution, which will make sure your food does not burn, and it cooks quickly.
The entire cookware set is scratch and chip resistant. The handles of the cookware set are riveted, which means they will not get loose, even after years of usage.
This cookware set from Vinod is not nonstick, so you can use metal spoons on it.
The good thing is you can use theVinod hard anodized cookware set on induction cooktop as well.
In addition to a scratch resistant cookware set, you can also expect a safe, non-toxic, and a non-reactive cooking surface.
You can use the Vinod hard anodized cookware set for everyday cooking, since the kadai can be used for cooking veggies, curries or deep-frying snacks.
Similarly, you can use the tawa for making rotis, parathas or even omelettes etc. Lastly, the frying pan can be used to cook tikki, stir fry vegetables, etc.
Vinod is also offering a 2 year warranty on this hard anodized cookware set, which is really good.
The only thing that could have been improved in this set is that it is not nonstick.
Overall, the cookware set from Vinod is the best hard anodized cookware set in India in 2023.
You can also check out the hard anodized deep kadai with glass lid or hard anodized sauce pot with glass lid from Vinod.
Vinod Hard Anodized Cookware Set 3 Pieces Ratings – 4.9/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 3
Induction compatible – Yes
Lid – Yes
Warranty – 2 years
Iight – 3.43 kgs
Dimensions – 46.7 x 28.4 x 13.6 cm
Pros of Vinod Hard Anodized Cookware Set 3 Pieces:
Affordable hard anodized cookware set
100% virgin aluminium construction
Induction compatible
2 years of warranty
Scratch resistant
Riveted handles
Metal spoon friendly
Bakelite handles
Tempered glass lid
Cons of Vinod Hard Anodized Cookware Set 3 Pieces:
Does not have a nonstick coating surface
5. Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Induction Base Tawa Reviews
If you are looking for the best hard anodized tawa in India in 2023, you must simply choose Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Cookware Induction Base Paratha Tawa.
Prestige is easily one of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India, as we did review one of their tawa in our “Best dosa tawa in India” post.
Prestige is one of those brands in India, which is known for its premium quality at an affordable price.
This hard anodized tawa from Prestige comes with an induction base plate, so you can easily use it on an induction cooktop too.
The hard anodized tawa from Prestige has a diameter of 26.5 cms, and has a base thickness of 4.88 mm, which is really good from a durability point of view.
With a really wide base, you can expect to cook large paranthas on this Prestige tawa.
The extra comfortable grip of the permacool handle helps in handling the tawa without any issues.
The quality of this tawa is excellent, and is ideal for making chapatis.
Once the tava heats up, you can lower the flame while thechapatis is still on it, it will burn thechapatis otherwise.
Prestige is also offering a 2 year warranty on this hard anodized tawa.
Overall, if you are looking for the best hard anodized tawa in India under 1000 rupees, you can buy Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Cookware Induction Base Paratha Tawa.
You can also check out Prestige Hard Anodised Magna 4 Pc Cookware Set, or, Prestige Hard Anodised Cookware Lifetime Induction Base Sauce Pan, 200mm.
Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Induction Base Tawa Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 1
Induction compatible – Yes
Lid – No
Warranty – 2 years
Iight – 1.74 kgs
Dimensions – 47 x 30 x 8 cm
Pros of Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Induction Base Tawa:
One of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India
Trustworthy Indian brand
Wide hard anodized tawa
Thick base of 4.88 mm
Gas and induction compatible
Comes with a permacool handle
2 years of warranty
26.5 cms diameter
Metal spoon friendly
Non-toxic surface
Cons of Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Induction Base Tawa:
None
6. Amazon Solimo Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai Reviews
If you have been searching Internet for the best hard anodized kadai in India under 1000 rupees, take a look at Amazon Solimo Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai.
For those who do not know, Amazon Solimo is a private label brand owned by an Amazon entity globally, and made specifically for the Indian market.
The hard anodized kadai from Amazon Solimo has been made from high quality 100% food grade virgin aluminium sourced from Hindalco.
The hard anodized kadai comes with a diameter of 22 cms, and can be used for cooking vegetables, meat, gravies, sauteing, deep frying etc.
The kadai has a capacity of 2.5 litres, which means it is ideal, if you have a family of 2-3 people.
Due to the hard anodized coating of 46 microns on the Amazon kadai, the surface of the kadai is scratch resistant, durable, non toxic, and non reactive.
The Amazon hard anodized kadai has a thickness of 3 mm, an overall length of 32 cm, and a 7.9 cm depth.
On both the sides of the kadai, you will see bakelite handles, which prevents heat transfer to the hands, and also offers comfortable holding, while you are cooking.
The heavy gauge material used to make the kadai helps to prevent wobbling and toppling, while you are cooking in this kadai.
With all these benefits, Amazon is not offering any warranty on this kadai. Another feedback is Amazon could have supplied a lid for the kadai, which is not there.
This is a budget and value for money hard anodized kadai, especially for those, who do not want to spend a lot on the kadai.
Amazon Solimo Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai Ratings – 4.8/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 1
Induction compatible – No
Lid – No
Warranty – Nil
Iight – 0.70 kgs
Dimensions – 31.4 x 24.4 x 11.9 cm
Pros of Amazon Solimo Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai:
Value for money hard anodized kadai
Bakelite handles
Good thickness and depth
Perfect for day to day cooking
Made from food grade virgin aluminium
Scratch resistant
Non toxic and non-reactive
Easy to clean and use
Cons of Amazon Solimo Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai:
No warranty
Not induction compatible
7. Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai Reviews
The last product in our today’s review of the best hard anodized cookware in India is from one of the best hard anodized cookware brands in India, Wonderchef.
Wonderchef is a premium kitchen appliance brand in India, which is owned by the famous chef, Sanjeev Kapoor.
The brand Wonderchef is known to have products with a combination of German standards of quality, and Italian designs.
The hard anodized deep kadai from Wonderchef comes with a capacity of 3 litres, which is good enough for a family of 2-3 people easily.
The kadai has a diameter of 24 cms or 9.4 inches. The hard anodized kadai also includes a stainless steel lid.
The addition of wooden handles provides an elegant look to your kitchen.
In terms of the durability, the 60 microns anodized coating makes the hard anodized kadai 2.4 times stronger than the stainless steel material.
In addition to the gas stoves, you can also use this kadai on an induction cooktop. The finishing is very well done all over the kadai as well as the lid.
The thickness of the kadai is pretty good. The handle of the kadai is made of shisham wood, and it is highly insulated.
This means, your hands will not get hot, even when you are holding a very hot kadai. Wonderchef is also offering a 5 year warranty on this hard anodized kadai.
Overall, if you don’t mind paying a bit extra, and you are looking for the best hard anodized kadai in India, you can buy Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai with Lid.
If you are rather looking for a hard anodized nonstick cookware from Wonderchef, you can check out Wonderchef Ebony Hard Anodized Nonstick Handi with lid.
Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai Ratings – 5/5
Product Specifications:
Number of pieces – 1
Induction compatible – Yes
Lid – Yes
Warranty – 5 years
Iight – 1.39 kgs
Dimensions – 20 x 9 x 6 cm
Pros of Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai:
Most premium hard anodized brand in India
One of the best hard anodized kadai in India
Solid round base kadai
Thickness of 3.25 mm
Ideal for a family of 2-3 people
Stainless steel lid
Wooden cool handles
5 years of warranty
Cons of Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai:
None
Which is the Best Hard Anodized Cookware in India in 2023
Now, if you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware in India in 2023, you will have to figure out if you want the complete cookware set or just a single piece of cookware.
If you are looking for a complete hard anodized cookware set, you can choose between Hawkins Futura Hard Anodised Induction Compatible Cookware Set or AmazonBasics Hard Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set.
If you are looking for an affordable hard anodized cookware set, you can choose Vinod Hard Anodized cookware set 3 Pieces.
However, if you are not looking for the entire hard anodized cookware set, you can take a look at these options too —
Best hard anodized frying pan in India – Anolon Advanced Hard-Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan
Best hard anodized tawa in India – Prestige Aluminium Hard Anodised Cookware Induction Base Paratha Tawa
Best hard anodized kadai with lid in India – Wonderchef Ebony Aluminium Hard Anodized Deep Kadhai with Lid
Buying Guide
When it comes to the kitchen cookware, you have a lot of choices to pick from. You can buy stainless steel cookware, cast iron cookware, nonstick cookware, or hard anodized cookware. Needless to say, every type of cookware has its own pros and cons, and there is no perfect cookware for every kitchen in India.
In this buying guide, we intend to cover everything you need to know about the best hard anodized cookware for Indian kitchen or Indian style of cooking, along with some other doubts that people usually have about hard anodized cookware in India.
What is Hard Anodized Cookware?
In order to understand what is hard anodized cookware, you will have to understand a bit about the aluminium cookware. There is no doubt about the fact aluminium is one of the most abundant materials available, and that is why, aluminium cookware is very cheap in the market.
Now, when you buy an aluminium frying pan or a kadai, and use it on a daily basis in the kitchen, you will start facing a few issues after a few days of use. Firstly, you will notice the aluminium cookware will stain, especially when you are cooking acidic foods, such as vinegar, tomatoes, etc.
In addition to this, aluminium is a very soft material, which means it is not as tough as stainless steel. This means you will have to reinvest in the aluminium cookware, since it is not sturdy enough to last for years.
Due to all these disadvantages of the aluminium cookware, manufacturers wanted an aluminium cookware, which is tough for everyday cooking purposes. In the scientific world, anodizing is a very popular method for changing the surface chemistry of metals.
So, in order to create a tough aluminium cookware, brands started anodizing the aluminium surface to make it at least 2 times stronger than the stainless steel material.
This process involves coating of the aluminium with a protective oxide layer by an electrolytic process, in which the metal forms the anode. As a result of this chemical process, you get a cookware, which is very hard, and a surface, which is literally nonstick at times.
Moreover, the hard anodized cookware after the chemical process is quite lightweight, and more importantly, it is an excellent heat conductor, which is perfect for a faster cooking experience.
As far as the price is concerned, the hard anodized cookware is a bit more expensive than the regular aluminium pots and pans, but it has its own set of advantages.
Anodized vs Hard Anodized Cookware
There is not much of a difference between anodized vs hard anodized cookware, except for the one major part, which is thickness and appearance. A hard anodized cookware is much thicker than the regular anodized cookware.
The extra thickness of the hard anodized cookware also provides for a higher abrasion resistance. Moreover, anodizing is usually done in 3 different ways. Depending on the type of anodizing and use of chemicals, you will either get an anodized cookware or a hard anodized cookware.
The use of anodized aluminium is commonly seen in architecture, aerospace and automotive industries. On the other hand, hard anodized aluminium is used in the kitchen as a cookware material, and also in the exterior of the buildings. As far as the kitchen cookware is concerned, you will only find hard anodized cookware in the market and not the other type of aluminium.
The Advantages of Hard Anodized Cookware
Before you look to buy the best hard anodized cookware for your kitchen, do make sure you know everything about it. This starts with understanding the advantages of hard anodized cookware and all the reasons, why you should have hard anodized cookware in your kitchen.
1. Low Maintenance – Stainless steel cookware, if not taken care of, can lead to rust over a period of time. Ceramic cookware needs to be handled well, as it is prone to breakage and dents. Similarly, nonstick and cast iron cookware needs to be seasoned from time to time. However, hard anodized cookware is one cookware that needs low maintenance. With the majority of the hard anodized cookware, you do not need to season it. This type of cookware can be used right out of the box.
2. Uses Less Oil – Hard anodized cookware is usually nonstick, but with a tougher layer of nonstick coating. The addition of nonstick coating ensures you do not have to use oil or very little oil to prepare your food. This leads to a healthier cooking process, which is oil free.
3. Durability – One of the main reason anodized cookware was introduced in the first place was to have a more durable cookware material, which is far more durable than aluminium and even stainless steel. As a matter of fact, due to the additional anodized coating, an anodized cookware is known to be the most durable kind of cookware available in India, and also twice as strong as stainless steel.
4. Faster Cooking – If you look at stainless steel cookware, it is very durable, but it is not an excellent conductor of heat. Similarly, cast iron cookware is extremely tough, but it can take a while for the cast iron pan to get hot. When it comes to the hard anodized cookware, it is an excellent heat conductor. This means, your hard anodized aluminium pan will heat evenly and quickly. In addition to the faster heating, the hard anodized cookware will also cool down quickly.
5. Scratch Resistant – The hard anodized coating not only leads to a durable surface, but it also makes the cookware more scratch resistant. As a result, you can stack these cooking pots and pans on top of each other to save more space in the kitchen. Moreover, the way our Indian kitchens are short spaced, and considering the rough and tough usage, a sturdy cookware is a handy accessory.
6. Food Safe – One of the major drawback of having an aluminium cookware is that it has the tendency to leach chemicals into the food, which may not be a food safe experience. Moreover, cooking with acidic foods such as lemon, tomatoes, vinegar, eggs, etc. can leave a metallic taste in your food, which is not a good experience. However, the hard anodized cookware is totally food safe, as it does not leach chemicals, and you can cook all types of dishes in it, including the acidic ones.
7. Lightweight – Unlike a cast iron or stainless steel cookware, an anodized cookware is relatively very lightweight and easy to use. A cast iron pan weighs around 2 to 3 kgs easily, on the other hand, an anodized pan only weighs around 1 kgs. This is ideal, if you have senior folks in the kitchen, who cannot lift and use heavy utensils on a daily basis.
The Disadvantages of Hard Anodized Cookware
Just as you should know the advantages of the hard anodized cookware, you should also understand what are the disadvantages of the hard anodized cookware, before you venture out to buy one.
1. Expensive – If you compare the price of a nonstick cookware set or a stainless steel cookware set to that of a hard anodized cookware set, you will notice the hard anodized cookware set is more expensive than the others. Of course, the higher price is related to the durability of the anodized cookware set, so you may not mind paying a little more for the premium quality.
2. High Heat – As a hard anodized aluminium cookware has an excellent heat retention properties, which means, it can heat up and cool down very quickly. The high heat also has a disadvantage, since it can sometimes lead to overheating of the dishes, and may even lead to burnt dishes, especially when you are not careful.
3. Not for Dishwasher – 99.9% of the hard anodized cookware sets are not dishwasher friendly, until and unless, the product label says so. As a recommendation, you should always make sure to handwash the hard anodized cookware, since strong dishwasher cycles can lead to wear and tear of anodized cookware, leaving the set useless at times.
4. Not for Induction – For a hard anodized cookware set to be induction compatible, there has to be a steel plate at the bottom of the cookware, which makes the set good for induction. However, the majority of the hard anodized cookware sets does not have an induction plate. If this is a requirement for you, do check the manufacturer details before buying the set.
5. Beware of Cheap Quality – There are more than a 1,000 hard anodized cookware available on Amazon and other E-commerce websites in India. Needless to say, some of these cookware may be cheap in price, and that directly leads to a poor quality cookware for your kitchen. With this kind of cookware, there is always a chance of food sticking to the bottom, which will lead to more difficulties in cleaning and maintaining the cookware.
Hard Anodized Cookware vs Other Cookware Types
Ever wonder what is the difference between hard anodized cookware vs stainless steel vs nonstick or even cast iron. All these are the different types of cookware we use in our kitchen on a day to day basis. Honestly speaking, none of the cookware is perfect, as that would mean all of us would have only 1 cookware in the kitchen.
Having said this, one of these cookwares may be your perfect choice, if it meets your cooking demands and requirements. You can also check out our post on 7 Types of Cookware Materials in India in 2023 & Pros and Cons, which will give you more idea on different types of cookware.
Let’s evaluate all these types of cookware on a range of different factors —
1). Best for – When it comes to the USP of all these cookware types, hard anodized cookware is known for its durability, since it is created in a way, that it remains extra strong. Stainless steel is known to be used for rough and tough usage, especially catered for Indian style of cooking. Nonstick cookware allows you to cook with less oil, but you need to ensure regular seasoning. Cast iron cookware is super sturdy, and may even last for decades. Lastly, Aluminium as a material is an excellent heat conductor, and it heats up very fast.
2). Durability – If we have to assign a score out of 10 for durability of each of these cookware types, nothing beats stainless steel. Hard anodized is also very strong, and scores 9/10. Cast iron is extremely durable, but it needs to be cared for, so, 8/10 for cast iron. Aluminium and nonstick cookware may not be as durable as the other cookware types, hence, 7/10 for them.
3). Ability to Cook Acidic Foods – Depending on the material of the cookware, you may not be able to cook acidic foods, as it can cause the metal to leach in your food contents. With hard anodized and stainless steel, there is no such issue, and you can cook almost everything or anything in it. However, when it comes to nonstick, cast iron or aluminium cookware, they may not be a perfect choice to cook acidic foods such as tomatoes, vinegar, etc. Having said this, with time, if you season your cast iron and nonstick pans well, you can cook even acidic foods in it.
4). Iak Points – Every piece of cookware, no matter how good it is, has some cons and flaws. One of the major drawbacks of a hard anodized cookware is that it is not induction compatible, although some brands do keep a steel plate at the bottom to make the cookware compatible with induction cooktops. Similarly, stainless steel cookware is not the most attractive, and comes with average and traditional looks. When it comes to the nonstick and cast iron cookware, it needs a lot of regular care, such as seasoning from time to time, proper cleaning, etc. Lastly, aluminium cookware is not compatible with dishwashers, hence should be hand washed only.
5). Cooking Heat – The time required to cook the food depends a lot on the type of cookware. Some cookware takes a bit of time to get hot, and thus it delays the cooking time. If you have a hard anodized cookware, it is ideal for medium to medium-high heat cooking on the gas stove. Stainless steel cookware is the most versatile, as you can cook on high heat settings too. With cast iron and nonstick cookware, you need to cook the food at low to medium temperature, since excessive heat can damage the coating too. Moreover, both these types of cookware takes a bit of time to get heated up, but they also stay hot for longer durations.
6). Iight of the Cookware – The weight of the cookware is important, since heaving lifting with full vessels may not be comfortable for senior folks cooking in the kitchen. In this regard, hard anodized, stainless steel and aluminium cookware are pretty much lightweight. On the other hand, nonstick and cast iron cookware are quite heavy.
7). Visual Looks – A lot of us spend plenty of money on the kitchen, designing its looks and making it modern as per the current trends. However, the looks of the cookware may or may not be compatible with how your kitchen looks like. Stainless steel and aluminium cookware are not very attractive due to their plain design. However, cast iron, nonstick and hard anodized aluminium cookware have an edge over the other types of cookware, as they are more classy and elegant.
8). Affordability – Every type of cookware material has its own pros and cons, and each cookware comes in a different price range. If we have to find the price range and affordability for each of the cookware materials, aluminium is the most affordable. After aluminium, stainless steel is also affordable. On the other hand, cookware like hard anodized, nonstick and cast iron are a bit expensive than the other types of cookware.
9). Seasoning – Seasoning is a process, where you have to apply a thin layer of oil which can either be vegetable oil or olive oil, in order to fill small pores in the surface coating and further prevent food from sticking. With stainless steel and aluminium, you do not have to season at all. However, cast iron and nonstick cookware requires almost regular seasoning to create a good cooking experience. When it comes to the hard anodized cookware, it does not require seasoning, however, many people still prefer to season them from time to time.
How to Choose the Best Hard Anodized Cookware in India
If you go to Amazon India and search for hard anodized cookware, you will see there are more than 2,000 choices for the same. For anyone to pick the best hard anodized cookware brand amongst 2,000 other choices, it can get really difficult. This is why, you can refer to the below factors, while you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware brands in India.
1). Number of Pieces – The first thing you will have to figure out is the number of pieces you want in a hard anodized cookware set. For someone who is trying to set up the kitchen or getting rid of old cookware, it may be a very good idea to go for a 10 or 12 piece hard anodized cookware set. Depending on your requirement, you can also go for a 3 piece hard anodized cookware set which includes a frying pan, deep kadai, and a casserole dish. Lastly, if you do not need the complete set, simply buy a hard anodized kadai, frying pan or a sauce pan, etc. Also, check if the cookware comes with a lid or not.
2). Stove Compatibility – If you are using a gas stove for daily cooking requirements, you can buy any hard anodized cookware set. On the other hand, if you have an induction cooktop, be sure to check the product label since most of the hard anodized cookware sets are not compatible with induction. If this is a must-have for you, you can choose Hawkins, Vinod or Prestige since their hard anodized sets are induction compatible.
3). Style of Cooking – Hard anodized cookware sets may or may not have a nonstick coating on it. So, while you are looking for the best hard anodized cookware brands in India, do consider your style of cooking, as it will help you to make the best choice. If you want to cook with less oil, go for cookware sets that have an extra nonstick coating on the surface. However, if nonstick coating is not a requirement for you, you can choose any hard anodized cookware set.
4). Handles – Depending on the type of cookware you will be buying, a handle may be an important accessory you may want to choose. A cookware with a handle provides more value to the cooking utensil. However, the most important part is the handle should be cool, and it should not get hot while you are cooking, otherwise you will find it very difficult to hold the cookware. Some of the brands add a bakelite cool or a wooden handle, which is the best choice for a handle.
5). Customer Reviews – It does not matter whether you are looking for a hard anodized cookware set or a single piece of cookware for your daily cooking needs, always check the customer reviews before making the final decision. The more reviews a product has, the better are the chances of that product being the best. If you see a cookware with 4 star ratings, the signs are it’s a good product. Moreover, read negative reviews as compared to the positive ones, since most of the negative reasons are quite subjective, and may have nothing to do with the product itself.
6). Best Brands – The decision to pick the best hard anodized cookware in India will become much easier, if you are able to figure out the best hard anodized cookware brands. In 2023, the best hard anodized cookware brands in India are Hawkins, Prestige, AmazonBasics, Vinod, Wonderchef, and Anolon. All these brands are the best because of their excellent customer reviews, after sales support, company’s overall performance trends, etc.
7). Price & Warranty – The price of a hard anodized cookware depends on the number of pieces in the cookware set. For a 3 piece hard anodized cookware set, you will have to pay anywhere from 1500 to 2000 rupees. Similarly, expect to pay around 4000 to 5000 rupees for a 12 piece hard anodized cookware set. If you only buy a single piece of cookware, it will cost you less than 1000 rupees. As far as the warranty is concerned, it varies depending on the brand. Brands like Hawkins and Wonderchef offers a 5 year warranty on their hard anodized cookware. At the same time, Anolon offers a lifetime warranty on their hard anodized frying pan.
Safety Tips for Hard Anodized Cookware
In order to ensure the maximum durability for your hard anodized cookware, these are some basic tips you can follow in your day to day life —
1). Some brands claim you can put your hard anodized cookware in the dishwasher, however, this is something you should avoid at all the times. Rough cycles of the dishwasher over a period of time can tarnish the hard anodized coating, therefore, it is the best to handwash them.
2). Never use rough and abrasive cleaners or any kind of cleaning spray to clean the hard anodized cookware. These sprays often have chemicals, which can damage the surface of the cookware.
3). Similar to the nonstick cookware, avoid stacking the hard anodized cookware on top of each other. While this practice helps to save a lot of space in the kitchen, but it often impacts the coating of the cookware, which will begin to come off in the future if you continue doing this.
4). Instead of using the metal utensils, always use a silicone or a wooden spatula.
5). If you are cooking on the hard anodized cookware, cook your food on a medium or low heat. For high heating, stainless steel cookware should be your choice.
6). Most of the hard anodized cookware is not induction compatible, so do not use it on induction, unless the product details say so.
7). If your hard anodized cookware comes with a nonstick coating, make sure you season it from time to time to ensure the longevity of the nonstick surface.
How to Clean Hard Anodized Cookware
In order to clean the hard anodized cookware, you should start by allowing the cookware to cool down first. Putting a hot piece of cookware in the cold water can lead to substantial damages. Now, the next step is to give the hard anodized cookware a quick rinse using some mild dishwashing detergent.
The detergent should not be abrasive, and most importantly, it should be chemical free. Once you have given the cookware a rinse, use a soft brush or even a toothbrush to clean the anodized cookware. If there are stains or burnt food stuck on the cookware, just fill the cookware with some lukewarm water and allow it to stay that way.
The hot water will allow enough time for the stains to leave the surface of the cookware, and eventually, it will come off. Our first recommendation to remove stains is hot water instead of using baking soda paste.
This process will help you to clean the hard anodized cookware easily and quickly. When you are done cleaning the cookware, let the cookware get some air and dry on its own. One, last important thing is to avoid using a dishwasher to clean the hard anodized cookware.
FAQs
Q. Is it necessary to season a hard anodized cookware pan?
A. No, it is not necessary to season the hard anodized cookware, but it is rather a personal preference. The oxidation process already strengthens the surface of the hard anodized pans, after which, seasoning is not really required. However, if you do want to season the cookware, there is no harm in it.
Q. How to season hard anodized cookware?
A. If you decide to season the hard anodized cookware, you can simply place the cookware at high heat and add some cooking oil. Now, spread the cooking oil at every nook and corner of the cookware’s surface. Once the cookware gets more hot, you will see smoke coming out, which is actually coming from the oil’s burning. Now, remove the cookware and let it cool down. After this, wipe off the excess oil from the cookware’s surface and store the pan safely. The next time you are going to wash the cookware, only use warm water, and no soap.
Q. How to store hard anodized cookware?
A. The coating and material of the hard anodized cookware is very strong, so stacking them on one another may look like a very good choice. Having said this, if your kitchen has plenty of cabinets, use that space to store the hard anodized cookware, instead of stacking it. Always make sure not to stack other cookware materials such as ceramic, nonstick against hard anodized cookware.
Q. Is hard anodized cookware safe?
A. There are a plenty of theories on the Internet which states hard anodized cookware has some health risks, but in reality, nothing has been proved till date. There is absolutely no scientific evidence, which proves hard anodized cookware is unsafe for human consumption. Having said this, you should always invest on a good quality cookware, as any cheap material be it hard anodized, steel or nonstick may prove to be unhealthy. Moreover, the hard anodized surface of the cookware makes sure the aluminium does not leach into the food we cook.
Q. Is hard anodized cookware induction safe?
A. For a cookware to be induction safe, it needs to have magnetic properties, and aluminium being a non-magnetic metal, makes induction very difficult. However, brands like Hawkins, Vinod and Prestige in India, manufactures induction safe hard anodized cookware, which is only possible with the help of steel bottoms their cookware comes with.
Q. Is hard anodized cookware good for acidic cooking?
A. Most of the Indian kitchens will be incomplete without the use of acidic ingredients such as tomatoes, lemon, fish, vinegar, etc. The best part about hard anodized cookware is that it can be used for all types of acidic foods, since the hard surface makes sure the metal does not come in contact with the acidic foods, and, this is why,hard anodized cookware is good for acidic cooking.
Q. How long does hard anodized cookware last?
A. There is no really straight answer to the durability of the hard anodized cookware, but it mostly depends on how you use the cookware, and how much care have you done for the cookware’s longevity. Some hard anodized cookware maintains a nonstick coating, but with time, if the coating starts to come off, the hard anodized cookware may be near to its expiry. Having said this, it can take at least 3-5 years for this process to happen.
I hope this post on “Top 7 Best Hard Anodized Cookware in India” was useful and informative to you. I also encourage you to read the customer reviews of any product before buying. Should you have any questions on this, feel free to leave a comment. If you want our team to review a product you are interested in buying, you can reach out to us at askus@betterchoices.in, and we will be happy to review it.
