Not all guests want a hotel experience when traveling which is one of the reasons why the Airbnb-type of travel has become so popular. For guests who wish to feel at home and cook their food while on vacation, you need quality pots and pans.
We’ve put a lot of thought into selecting the best cookware for Airbnb, and we invested a lot of time reading reviews from customers, guests, and vacation rental owners. Our top pick for short-term rentals is the T-fal Titanium Advanced Cookware Set.
Why Get Cookware for Your Airbnb?
Adding a set of cookware can increase your bookings because you’ll entice guests who’re looking for a place where they can prepare their meals. Keep in mind that there’s a big difference between offering one pan and two pots and offering a full cookware set; listing your rental as a vacation home with a fully equipped kitchen without actually providing it could cause a backlash.
If guests plan to cook, they’ll need a variety of pots and pans to prepare different meals. In addition to cookware, your vacation rental kitchen checklist should include flatware, dishes, glassware, mugs, and more; that’s when you can claim to have a kitchen suitable for everyday cooking.
In case your first thought was to buy cheap non-stick pots and pans, bear in mind that you’ll probably need to buy a new set every few months because these cheap sets are usually impossible to clean. That’s why investing in reliable cookware pays off in the long run.
Factors to Consider When Buying Cookware for Your Airbnb
Here are a few considerations that can help you find the best cookware for your short-term rental:
Materials – The material of the cookware is the key factor because that’s what determines the durability. Here is the list of some of the popular materials with their pros and cons:
- Stainless steel – Its non-stick quality, resistance to corrosion and warping, high durability, ease of cleaning, and affordable price are pros. The con is that it can burn if left on high heat for too long.
- Aluminum – Aluminum is durable, lightweight, has excellent thermal conductivity, and has a great price point. However, its soft texture tends to scratch more easily and warp in high heat. It is also reactive to alkaline or acidic foods.
- Ceramic – Benefits are its durability, the need for little to no oil, ease of cleaning, and non-stick features. The downside is that guests can scratch it easily if they use metal flatware.
- Carbon steel – This material is durable, lightweight, and quick heating. It’s great for frying, for example. The downsides are that it is heavy, so it’s more difficult to work with, and it is susceptible to rust and corrosion.
- Copper – The main benefit is its excellent thermal conduction. However, the disadvantage is that it is high-maintenance because it needs to be polished frequently to prevent corrosion.
- Cast Iron – More than other materials, cast iron lasts longer, has a naturally nonstick finish, keeps the food hot for a long time, and is chemical-free. The disadvantage is that it takes longer to heat up, needs re-seasoning, and it is heavy to hold and maneuver.
After reviewing these popular materials, we can conclude that stainless steel and aluminum are best for Airbnb because it checks the main boxes: durability, ease of cleaning, and affordable price.
Ease of Cleaning – Aim for cookware that is dishwasher safe and that doesn’t demand any special treatment when it comes to cleaning. Here’s a little tip for property owners: if the cookware asks for special care like using wood utensils or washing with a certain scrubbing pad, provide guests with those items and leave a reminder in the kitchen that explains why.
Style – You can choose a set of cookware to complement your short-term rental’s aesthetic. For example, pans and pots with wooden handles can go well with a rustic theme. You can also buy cookware in a specific color to make your kitchen more vibrant. Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware, for example, comes in a variety of colors including red, lavender purple, agave blue, pumpkin orange, and more. These also go well with vintage-themed rentals.
The Best Cookware for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
The search was long and hard, but we managed to find the best cookware for short-term rentals, and that is the T-fal Titanium Advanced Cookware Set. This set of pots and pans has rave reviews from thousands of customers on Amazon who’ve been more than happy with this product.
T-fal Titanium Advanced Cookware Set
Besides positive reviews, here’s what won us over:
Durable Non-Stick Coating – T-fal’s cookware has titanium advanced non-stick coating that can handle the constant use which comes with short-term rentals. This set has the highest rating on Amazon when it comes to sturdiness, so you can forget about buying a new set any time soon.
Variety of Pots and Pans – The 12-piece set includes pots and pans of different sizes, and it even comes with a solid spoon and slotted spatula. Your guests will be able to cook any meal they want thanks to this variety. There’s also an option with a griddle if that suits your needs more.
Easy to Clean – This cookware requires minimal care and is dishwasher safe.
Oven Safe – Your guests can use these pots for baking as well.
Heat Indicator – Guests won’t need to think about when and whether the pans are properly preheated because there’s a heat indicator that turns red when the cookware reaches the ready-to-cook temperature.
Affordable Price – The cost of this 12-piece set is more than affordable when you consider what you’re getting for your money and the quality of this cookware.
Other Airbnb Cookware Alternatives
If you want to keep looking before you swipe your card, we’ve picked out a few contenders that are also suitable for vacation property owners.
The GreenLife Ceramic Cookware Set is the best choice if you want the best ceramic pots and pans for Airbnb. These are made of ceramic and recycled aluminum with a stainless steel handle. The cookware is coated, so it won’t release toxic fumes when overheated. We love that it comes in a variety of colors, so it can give your kitchen a splash of color and make it more lively. It is also dishwasher safe.
For durable stainless steel cookware, we picked the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware Collection. It is an 11-piece set with an aluminum encapsulated base and a stainless steel surface that won’t discolor, react with food or ruin your guests’ meal by altering flavors. The side grips will make it easy for guests to hold them. And lastly, it’s worth mentioning that this cookware set comes with a lifetime warranty!
If you have a limited budget, the Amazon Basics Non-Stick Cookware Set may be the right choice. Since it has an aluminum body with a non-stick coating, both cooking and cleaning will be a breeze. It is a 15-piece set that includes pots, pans, utensils—all of it! On top of it all, tens of thousands of reviews confirm its durability and quality. However, the downside is that it can only be hand-washed.
Final Thoughts
If you want it all—quality, durability, and affordable price—T-fal Titanium Advanced Cookware Set is the way to go. Next to several worthy competitors, T-fal stands out because it has managed to tick all of the boxes when it comes to criteria for the best pots and pans without any disadvantage to take away its MVP (Most Valuable Pan/Pot) title.
