Choosing the Right Cookware: Expert Tips and Insights

In an exclusive interaction with Adlin Pertishya Jebaraj, Correspondent of Homes India Magazine, Arjun Agarwal, Managing Director of Vinod Cookware India, shares how the Indian cookware market is developing rapidly because of increasing interest from end-users to use healthier materials such as tri-ply and cast-iron. This is a trend where end-users have shifted their preferences for cookware from aesthetics to better-performing, longer-lasting, and safer products. 

Arjun Agarwal is experienced in product development and provides expertise to his company through both stainless-steel technology and modern manufacturing processes.

He is responsible for growing the tri-ply, non-stick, and cast-iron categories of the company's cookware line. Arjun is dedicated to incorporating legacy craftsmanship into modern designs by creating healthy and high-quality cookware that will be available to Indian kitchens.

How would you describe the current landscape of the cookware market in India and globally?

In India, the cookware market is very complex due to the vast diversity of cultures and regions. Each region has different preferences, trends, and cooking styles, and as a holistic cookware brand, we must cater to all of them. Many new-age companies focus on a single category, such as Star, a strong competitor in the tawa segment, or the larger players, Prestige and Hawkins, who dominate the pressure cooker segment.

For instance, in Vinod, the aim is to meet every customer’s need. We want customers to be able to find all ranges and products within the brand and trust the quality regardless of the material, size, or category.

Currently in India, we’re seeing a significant boom in tri-ply, cast iron, and more natural cooking techniques. While non-stick continues to perform well, consumers are becoming more health-conscious and are paying attention to the coating and materials used in cookware. We are working to cater to those demands.

Globally, non-stick is a declining category because of concerns around toxic coatings. Many companies are exploring alternatives that offer both stick-free cooking and better health standards. Vinod stands out for its strong stainless-steel practices. We manufacture only stainless steel and will continue to do so because we believe it is a healthier metal.

Financially, the global cookware market, valued at around USD 30 billion in 2023, is projected to nearly double by 2030, showing a growing industry. Cooking at home has increased significantly post-COVID, as consumers realized the quality of food they can prepare at home and the range of cookware now available.

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What are the most common mistakes consumers make when choosing cookware for home kitchens?

One common mistake today is prioritizing aesthetics over performance. Many customers focus on how cookware looks rather than its function. For example, coatings may look attractive but can introduce toxins. Cast iron, on the other hand, isn’t the most aesthetic; it’s usually black and requires more maintenance, but it is one of the healthier materials available.

Another mistake is a lack of awareness. Many cookware products are designed with intentional features to meet specific needs. However, many shopkeepers and customers lack proper product knowledge. This leads to misuse, such as pressure cooker issues like burning or whistles not blowing, and customers often blame the company.

Consumers also sometimes use the wrong cookware for the wrong purpose. Small practical decisions, such as choosing the right vessel for boiling rice, are often overlooked. Customers today are better informed and are moving towards higher-quality brands while moving away from mass-produced, low-quality brands.

Do Indian consumers today value durability and safety over price, or is affordability still the dominant factor?

Indian consumers are increasingly valuing quality over price. Our brand is considered premium, and despite higher pricing, we have seen strong positive growth. Customers are moving towards stainless steel cookware and better-quality aluminium options in the market.

A key point worth mentioning is that we have always refused to produce aluminium cookware, even though it could increase our sales by 15–20 percent. There is demand for aluminium, and customers' trust is enough to buy it from us with the interest of health. Post-COVID, customers are more health-conscious and willing to pay a premium price for safer, cleaner cooking.

How do you balance traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques in cookware production?

Traditional craftsmanship is one of our highest priorities. India has a rich cooking heritage, and we value age-old practices in both ingredients and cooking methods. We build upon traditional materials—like stainless steel and pressure cookers, which have long been pillars of Indian cooking.

Pressure cookers are our strongest product category. We consistently work on improving their quality. At the same time, we focus on innovation. Two years ago, we acquired Helux (Healthy Luxury), a more modern and experimental brand. We combine the legacy value with Helux’s modern outlook.

On the manufacturing side, the factories used to be highly manual and labour-driven, which offered a unique human touch. But today, uniformity, precision, and aesthetics matter more. We recently visited China to explore automated machinery. As a company, we are constantly upgrading, adopting global manufacturing techniques, and bringing them into Indian production to offer world-class quality.

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From your point of view, what are the top three parameters a home cook should consider before buying cookware?

Choosing the right material is crucial. For example, one of our biggest USPs is that we use only 304-grade stainless steel for the pressure cookers, which is the highest grade available. All the pressure cookers have used this grade since the beginning.

Coatings are a major global concern. Many Western countries have banned certain non-stick coatings. Even though non-stick is still a strong category, customers should be aware of the risks. We’ve introduced innovations like Platinum X, which combines tri-ply with an etched layer that creates a buffer between the coating and the steel. This prevents toxins from entering food while still offering the convenience of non-stick.

Consumers should balance their cookware collection and use non-stick where needed, but also include cast iron for healthier cooking.

Customers should ensure the cookware suits their comfort and cooking habits. Complaints often arise about pans being too heavy or too light. We design for all types of cooks. The recent launch of a mini range, which is suitable for nuclear families, young adults living alone, and children learning to cook (on induction for safety). Choosing the right size and shape is as important as choosing the right material.

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Where do you see the cookware industry heading over the next 5–10 years in terms of design, materials, and technology?

In materials, stainless steel and tri-ply are clearly the future. Tri-ply stainless steel, aluminium, stainless steel known as SAS metal, is a term we introduced and patented. We were among the first to launch tri-ply in India, and consistently led innovation. New materials like titanium enamel are trending, and Vinod has its own range to match emerging competitors.

In design, major shifts are subtle. Innovations today focus on convenience, adding spouts to milk pans for easy pouring, ensuring handles don’t heat up, or making pressure cooker safety mechanisms more efficient. For example, we recently introduced a reversible safety value, keeping safety and quality control at the forefront. Customers now place a high value on heavier cookware, which is often perceived as higher quality, which requires us to ensure extremely strong handles and rivets.

In technology, cookware doesn’t drastically change, but material-based innovations continue. At the Canton Fair in China, we saw red-dot technology—coatings that change colour when the pan reaches the right temperature. This can reduce oil usage significantly and enhance health-focused cooking.

Another technological advancement is enhanced customer guidance. The recently launched AI chatbot on our website helps customers choose size, material, coating, and more. It’s designed to make cookware selection easier and more informed.