How to Choose the Right Pan for You

Whether you're starting from scratch and finally ditching that peeling coated junk, or adding a few more Solid heroes to your forever collection, this quick guide will help you choose the right Solidteknics cookware with confidence.

And while there are no hard and fast rules (AUS-ION™ and nöni™ work brilliantly together and both can handle just about anything), this guide is here to simply help you narrow the choices so you find your groove faster.

The things that matter most

Before you add anything to cart, think about: what material suits you best? What foods do you cook most? What size do you reach for often? And what's your budget?

A quick note on what makes our cookware different

Both AUS-ION™ and nöni™ are Australian-made and wrought from a single seamless sheet (no rivets, no welds), with no toxic synthetic coatings (making it PFAS-free cookware), that won't flake, peel, or end up in landfill. They're built to last for generations, backed by a multi-century warranty, and work on all heat sources including induction.

Step 1: Start with material

AUS-ION™ wrought iron

AUS-ION™ is your solid iron cooking powerhouse. It cooks and seasons like cast iron, but is more robust, lighter, and more conductive. The more you cook with fats and oils, the more your patina (natural seasoning) develops, building a non-toxic, forever-renewable surface that becomes more forgiving with every cook.

Best for: everyday frying, baking and roasting — eggs, pancakes, baking bread, fried rice, frittatas, steaks, veggies and all the golden, crispy things.

nöni™ stainless steel

nöni™ is our low-maintenance, non-nickel culinary star. It requires no seasoning, and is dishwasher safe. It's perfect for cooking acidic sauces, wet foods, and slow-cooked meals. It's also a brilliant all-rounder for frying and baking — and with the right balance of heat and fats/oils, you can achieve great non-stick results too.

Best for: pasta, steamed/boiled veggies, sauces, curries, soups, stocks, paella, risotto, casseroles and more!

Cleaning differences

AUS-ION™: avoid soaking, and dry thoroughly after washing. Avoid acidic foods while your seasoning is still developing.

nöni™: easy cleaning, dishwasher safe (though hand washing is recommended).

Step 2: Think about what you cook most

• If your kitchen leans towards everyday frying, sautéing, baking and roasting, start with AUS-ION™.
• If you cook a lot of wet, saucy, or acidic meals like tomato, you'll likely reach for nöni™ more often.

Step 3: Choose the ideal sizes

Be realistic about who you're cooking for. Our most popular starting points:

• 26cm — perfect for 2–4 people (our bestselling size)
• 30/31cm — best for 4+ people or bigger meals
• 20/22cm — great for solo cooking, side dishes, and smaller serves

Step 4: Consider your budget

Equivalent pans in AUS-ION™ are often a little less expensive than nöni™, but both are multi-century durable and suitable for all heat sources.

Remember: no hard rules here. AUS-ION™ and nöni™ work brilliantly together. We recommend building your cookware collection with pieces from both ranges for ultimate versatility.