Pan handling: For best results match the cookware to the task

After a last flirtation with summer-like weather, fall has finally arrived and with it a craving for warm soups and stews. Before you pull out your favorite recipes, it's time to bone up on some cookware essentials. In Consumer Reports tests of cookware we've found that food tastes better and cooking is easier when you use the right pan for the job. Here are some recommendations from the Cookware Manufacturers Association.

Size the pan to the burner element. Large elements are designed for pans nine-inch in diameter and larger. Most saucepans should go on smaller elements.

Understand materials and how they react to heat. Thin pans and those made of aluminum will heat more quickly than thicker pans and those made of stainless steel or cast iron. For most cooking, particularly with nonstick surfaces, a setting no higher than medium works best. Never leave pans untended, particularly when preheating

Foods determine the pan. Sauces and stews belong in more cylindrical pots where the element's heat can be cycled throughout the food. Quickly cooked items and those needing sautéing are best prepared in skillets or sauté pans.

Cookware is not meant for your oven. Don't use cookware in the oven unless you're sure the handles will withstand the heat. Some modern plastic handles can withstand up to 400 degree ovens, but the handles of older pans are limited to 300 degrees or less. When in doubt, don't use cookware as bakeware.

Some recipes require a specific pan. Roasters are just that—perfect for cooking a turkey or roast inside the oven. Check the recipe carefully for recommendations.

Fit the cover to the pan. Ill-fitting covers allow steam to escape too readily causing the dish to under cook or dry out. Covers should fit snugly for best results. Glass covers use their weight to seal with the pan's top, while metal covers have an inside rim that closely mates with the pan.

Size the pan to the size of dish being cooked. Small one- to two- quart saucepans are perfect for couples. As a family grows, four-quart or larger Dutch ovens may be needed for recipes. Food should occupy no more than two-thirds of the pan, leaving room for expansion during cooking.

The holiday cooking season is approaching and if you're considering a new set of cookware or even some pieces to fill in the set you already have, check our cookware Ratings. Our recommended cookware sets range in price from $150 to $540 including a CR Best Buy, EarthPan with Sand Flow, for $190.

—Mary H.J. Farrell