Looking back at pandemic cooking trends, you might recall a wave of attempts at breadmaking, whipped coffees, and hot chocolate bombs. More time at home meant more time in the kitchen for many. The initial spike in home cooking trends (are you still feeding that sourdough starter?) gave the illusion of a newfound love of cooking.
Interest in cooking among new fans of the kitchen was short lived though. In fact, Americans’ love of cooking is on the decline in 2021.
What does this mean for our favorite cookware brands? Perhaps an opportunity to appeal to those who are less versed at The Joy of Cooking. Practical alternatives for those whose interest is periodically piqued by creating a meal of their own may begin to gain traction among consumers.
What’s Next in Cookware?
While subway tile backsplashes have been enjoying their moment in the limelight, bold cabinetry and kitchen accents have trailed closely behind. But how will bold color trends impact cookware? We took a closer look at the importance of color when selecting cookware.
CivicScience data show that consumers are split on the importance of color, with 53% making this consideration when purchasing new pots and pans.
The importance of color when selecting cookware is a larger concern for women (52%) than it is for men.
Color is also more important to consumers who own a matching set of home cookware (52%).
For each income group, having an opinion about the color of cookware claims just under 50%. But among those making between $25K and $50K per year, the preference is slightly stronger (55%).
Popular Brands and Products
So, which brands are cooking lovers using in their own homes? Our data show a few frontrunners. When asked to select which brands were used in their own home, over 20% of home cooks indicated they own items from the following brands: KitchenAid (45%), Cuisinart (41%), Calphalon (27%), Farberware (26%), and T-fal (22%).
Preferences in cookware material are also varied among the population with 41% indicating they use nonstick cookware most frequently followed by 22% who use stainless steel, and 17% using cast iron.
Fifty five percent of individuals who purchase cookware are at least somewhat interested in multi-purpose cookware (pots and pans designed for multiple purposes).
This interest is led by those who enjoy home cooking, with 20% of respondents very interested in multi-functional cookware. Ease of use, and versatility are selling points to the home cook that is already interested in this type of product (and don’t forget about color).
As restaurants begin to reopen and many regions in the U.S. are transitioning to milder weather, we will continue to monitor the impact on the product and brand preferences of home cooks.
