Mistakes to avoid when buying kitchenware

I. Mistake 1: Blindly Pursuing “Multi-Functionality” While Ignoring Actual Usage

“One unit is worth ten” or “covers 30 functions”—many people are tempted by these claims from kitchenware manufacturers, believing that buying a multi-functional appliance will save space and money. However, in reality, many functions are often unused, becoming useless. For example, many people only use a multi-function food processor that claims to be able to “juice, grind, blend, and heat” for soy milk, using the other juicing and grinding functions less than once every six months. A multi-function electric griddle that claims to be able to “fry, bake, steam, and boil” may ultimately be used only for frying eggs, with the steaming and baking functions shelved due to their inconvenience.

Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls:

Clarify your core needs: Before purchasing, clearly determine what functions you’ll use most often. For example, if you need to make soy milk and rice paste daily, choose a basic blender instead of models with less popular functions like heating and fermenting. If you occasionally want to bake bread, choose a basic toaster instead of a complex oven that can bake cakes and pizzas.

Calculate usage: For kitchen appliances claiming to be “multi-functional,” list all functions and mark those used “at least once a week.” If you have fewer than three such functions, it’s likely unused and should be discarded. Prioritize “Single Functionality”: Instead of buying a multifunctional cookware that “does everything but doesn’t do anything well,” it’s better to buy several basic models with “single function” that excel. For example, a professional egg cooker is more convenient for boiling eggs than a multi-function food processor, and a professional frying pan is more convenient for stir-frying than a multi-function electric griddle.

II. Misconception 2: Thinking “More is Better,” Ignoring Value

Many people believe that “more expensive means better,” especially when buying durable cookware like pots and knives. They blindly choose high-priced products, believing that the higher the price, the better the quality. However, the premium for some high-priced cookware comes from brand marketing and design rather than core performance. Conversely, some mid-priced products offer comparable materials and craftsmanship, offering better value. For example, a stainless steel wok from a certain brand may be priced at 2,000 yuan, but its core material (304 stainless steel) and craftsmanship (three-layer composite bottom) are essentially the same as a similar product priced at 500 yuan. The higher price is more reflected in the brand premium and packaging. Pitfall Avoidance Tips:
Focus on Core Parameters: Different cookware has different core parameters. For example, for pots, consider the material (304/316 stainless steel, medical-grade non-stick coating) and the base finish (is the base evenly coated); for knives, consider the steel hardness (HRC55 and above for greater durability) and handle design (anti-slip, ergonomic); for small appliances, consider the motor power (blenders with motors ≥1000W are more powerful) and battery life (rechargeable models, consider the battery capacity). If these core parameters meet the standards, mid-priced products can also meet your needs.

Reference Real User Reviews: When viewing product reviews on e-commerce platforms, focus on “follow-up reviews” and “reviews with pictures” to understand the product’s performance after long-term use, rather than just looking at promotional images. For example, if many users report that the coating on a high-priced non-stick pan peeled off after three months in follow-up reviews, it indicates that the product isn’t cost-effective.

Calculate “Usage Cost”: For durable cookware, calculate the “average annual cost” (total price divided by expected lifespan). For example, a 1,000 yuan non-stick pan is expected to last five years, with an average annual cost of 200 yuan. A similar 500 yuan non-stick pan is expected to last three years, with an average annual cost of approximately 167 yuan, making the latter more cost-effective.

III. Misconception 3: Believing in “low price, high quality” and ignoring material safety

Contrary to the “more expensive, better” mentality, some people choose ultra-cheap cookware to save money. This is especially true when purchasing plastic cookware and non-stick pans, which come into direct contact with food. This can lead to inferior products and pose health risks. For example, a plastic cutting board sold on a certain platform for 10 yuan is made of recycled plastic and contains harmful substances (such as bisphenol A), which can migrate into food over time. A non-stick pan sold for 20 yuan has a low-quality Teflon coating, which releases toxic gases at high temperatures and is harmful to health.

Tips for avoiding pitfalls:

Set a “floor price threshold”: Set a reasonable floor price for each type of cookware. Products below this threshold are likely to be of inferior quality. For example, a plastic cutting board (food-grade PP) might cost 50 yuan, a non-stick pan (medical-grade non-stick coating) 100 yuan, and stainless steel knives (high-quality stainless steel) 80 yuan. If the price is lower than these, be wary of material safety issues.

Check “Safety Certifications”: When purchasing kitchenware that will come into contact with food, be sure to check for reputable safety certifications, such as China’s “Food Contact” mark (with “GB 4806”), the EU’s “LFGB Certification,” or the US’s “FDA Certification.” Avoid products without safety certifications.

Be wary of “abnormally low prices”: If the average price of a certain type of kitchenware is around 200 yuan, but a product is only 30 yuan and claims to have “same materials and functions,” it’s likely they’re cutting corners, such as using recycled plastic instead of food-grade plastic or inferior coatings instead of medical-grade coatings. Avoid purchasing.​

4. Mistake 4: Ignoring “Compatibility” and Buying “Unusable” Kitchenware

Many people only focus on the product itself when purchasing kitchenware, ignoring its compatibility with their own kitchens. This results in unusable kitchenware. For example, they buy a high-wattage electric oven, only to discover their home outlet is rated for 10A (maximum power 2200W), while the oven’s power draw is 3000W and requires a 16A outlet, making it unusable. They buy a large wok with a 32cm diameter, only to discover their gas stove’s hob spacing is too narrow to place the wok on it. They buy a tall, upright sterilizer, only to discover their kitchen cabinets aren’t tall enough to accommodate it.

Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls:

Measure “Kitchen Parameters” in Advance: Before purchasing, measure key dimensions, such as the distance between gas stove hobs (to determine the maximum pot diameter), cabinet height/width (to determine the maximum size of small appliances), outlet type (10A/16A, to determine the maximum power draw of small appliances), and countertop area (to determine the maximum number of appliances that can be accommodated). Check “Compatibility”: When purchasing small appliances, check the “Power Requirements” (voltage and current) in the product manual to ensure compatibility with your home’s electrical system. When purchasing cookware, check the “Stove Compatibility” (whether it’s compatible with gas, induction, or ceramic hobs). For example, glass pots aren’t compatible with induction cooktops, so confirm this before purchasing.

Choose “Adjustable/Miniature”: If your kitchen is small or has specific requirements, consider adjustable and compact cookware. For example, foldable silicone drain racks, mini rice cookers, and height-adjustable shelves are more suitable for small kitchens.

V. Mistake 5: Focusing on “Appearance” and Ignoring Practicality
The design of kitchenware can certainly impact the aesthetics of your kitchen, but focusing solely on appearance and ignoring practicality can lead to a poor user experience. For example, a popular online “petal-shaped frying pan” may look exquisite, but its base is small, making it suitable for frying only one egg at a time and unsuitable for large families. A knife with a “transparent glass handle” may look attractive, but its handle lacks slip resistance, making it prone to slipping when cutting vegetables. A ceramic bowl with a “cartoon-like” design may look attractive, but its rim is shallow, making soup prone to spilling.

Tips for avoiding pitfalls:

“Practicality over appearance”: When purchasing kitchenware, first consider “usability” before “appearance.” For example, when choosing a frying pan, prioritize a flat base (for even heating) and a spill-resistant rim (to prevent spills), followed by color and pattern. When choosing bowls and plates, prioritize capacity (for adequate storage) and rim depth (for spill prevention), followed by design. Test the “usage details”: When purchasing in an offline store, personally experience the feel of the cookware. For example, grip a knife handle to feel whether it’s non-slip and smooth. Test the weight of the pot. For women, it’s recommended that a wok weigh less than 1.5kg to avoid stress when stirring. Check that the bottoms of bowls and plates are flat to prevent them from being unstable when placed on the counter.

Avoid “over-decoration”: While kitchenware with complex patterns and raised decorations looks attractive, it can be difficult to clean. For example, grease easily accumulates in the gaps between patterns, and raised decorations are easily damaged by bumps. It’s recommended to choose kitchenware with a “simple design” that is both durable and easy to clean.

Sixth Mistake: Following the “Influencer Style” Trend and Ignoring Your Own Needs
There is an endless stream of “influencer kitchenware” on social media, such as the “Volcano Rock Non-Stick Pan,” the “Propeller Mixer,” and the “Cloud Silicone Steamer.” Many people buy these trendy items, only to find they don’t suit their usage habits. For example, a popular online “propeller blender” advertises “no need to wash, automatic blending,” but in reality, it only blends liquids, not solid ingredients, and cleaning requires removing the propeller, making it more troublesome than a regular cup. Another popular online “cloud silicone steamer” looks good but has poor load-bearing capacity. It loses its shape after steaming two buns, making it far less practical than a traditional bamboo steamer.

Tips for avoiding pitfalls:

Analyze whether the selling point of an online celebrity product is suitable for you: The selling points of popular online kitchenware are often targeted at specific groups, such as a “mini rice cooker” for singles or a “large-capacity air fryer” for large families. Before purchasing, consider whether the selling point solves a specific pain point. For example, if you rarely steam food at home, a popular online silicone steamer might not be useful for you.

Check whether there are alternatives: Many of the functions of popular online kitchenware can be achieved by traditional kitchenware, and they are more durable. For example, the stirring function of the internet-famous “automatic blender cup” can be achieved with a spoon, without the need for charging and making it easier to clean. The non-stick properties of the internet-famous “volcanic rock non-stick pan” can be achieved with the same performance as traditional medical-grade non-stick pans, but at a lower price.

Beware of “marketing tactics”: Some internet-famous kitchenware’s “good reviews” are inflated through offers like “free trials” and cashback, and are not genuine word-of-mouth. You can cross-verify reviews on multiple platforms (Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and Zhihu). If only one platform has a large number of positive reviews, while others have relatively few, this could be a marketing tactic and warrants caution.

Conclusion: Choose rationally and make your kitchenware a “kitchen helper.”

The key to purchasing kitchenware is to “meet your needs, ensure safety and durability, and balance cost-effectiveness,” rather than blindly pursuing multifunctional, high-priced, or internet-famous items. Avoid the six misconceptions mentioned above. Clarify your needs, review specifications, and pay attention to compatibility before purchasing. Only then can you choose kitchenware that truly suits you—one that won’t sit idle, poses no health risks, and makes cooking easier and more enjoyable. After all, good kitchenware isn’t about being expensive, good-looking, or trending online. It’s about being practical, safe, and tailored to your needs. Starting today, choose your kitchenware wisely, and make sure every piece becomes a helpful addition to your kitchen life, not a burden.