Recently, I purchased a new saucepan for my kitchen collection. I was given a windfall, and decided to save the majority of it, but decided to take a bit and treat myself with a new saucepan. Cooking is something I enjoy, and I had been eyeing a new sauce pan for some time. The one that I have currently works just fine, however I am in the process of updating my cooking gear and looking to store the current set (given to my by an old roommate) for use in a possible vacation dwelling down the road.
So, you ask, Why does this concern me?
Well, the one that I purchased can be found here, and yes, I did pay 110.00 for a single pan. I am well aware that it sounds like a but-load of cash (and it is). When you think of the lifetime cost of the pan, however, it becomes cheaper than most pans. A typical cooking set comes with 10 pans, and the one sold here costs $89.98. It comes with two frying pans, 2 sauce pans, four lids and a dutch oven.
While growing up, I can remember my parents going through at least three of these sets, but I am sure that in their many years of marriage it could easily be double that. I always wondered why they would get new cookware, and why the ones they bought did not last longer. “They dont make stuff like they used to” my dad would say. I always wondered why, but just went along with it.
When the moment came (I regretted being an adult and having to spend my hard earned dollars on cookware), but I did the proper research and settled on a brand and began to purchase items piece by piece. I’ve grown my collection up to four pieces at this point, and use each one frequently, and have never had any problems cooking (or cleaning!) any of them. I have included a handy estimation chart to calculate the lifetime cost of purchasing lower quality cookware.
| Year | Cost | Lifetime Cost |
| 0 | 89.98 | 89.98 |
| 5 | 89.98 | 179.96 |
| 10 | 89.98 | 269.94 |
| 15 | 89.98 | 359.92 |
| 20 | 89.98 | 449.90 |
| 25 | 89.98 | 539.88 |
| 30 | 89.98 | 629.86 |
| 35 | 89.98 | 719.84 |
| 40 | 89.98 | 809.82 |
| 45 | 89.98 | 899.80 |
| 50 | 89.98 | 989.78 |
(I assumed a 5 year life span over 50 years. If you have to buy your first set in your mid 20’s, I am assuming you wont need anymore cooking gear in your 70s.)
This does not count the shipping of the pots, nor does it take into account the ‘whole’ (or life cycle) cost of the product. The whole cost is the cost of fuel for transport, the cost of materials disposal or any related costs of making, purchasing and disposing of the product 10 times! As opposed to doing this, you could purchase one high quality set (here, total cost of $850) and use it for the lifetime. While the set requires a large capital outlay, you can obtain your cookware piece by piece. Will you ever really get “tired” of using the same pans for 50+ years? Well, maybe, but you can get over that. These higher quality items will also be available for your children when you’re done on the planet.
Purchasing the cookware just once will also allow for a healthier planet in the longer term, as well as a positive return for your cooking new pan dollar. So next time you need a new pan readers, what will you choose?
For further reading on life cycle analysis, check the following
- EPA Life cycle Analysis – EPA’s information about what a life cycle analysis is, and how it can help you.
- Life Cycle Assessment tool from Carnegie Mellon
Questions to the readers:
- Are there any products which you would pay top dollar for? If so, which ones?
- Do you consider the lifetime cost of a product when purchasing the item?
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