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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think cookware for single people just doesn't exist?

235 replies

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:00

Please don't tell me to shut up and batch cook. Single people want to eat fresh, too. And not everything is suitable for freezing, defrosting and reheating.

I've been looking for a small (700ml) induction friendly lidded casserole dish that could also go in the oven and - nothing.

I even asked chatGPT - it served me a load that were 3.5L or 2.5L.......

you either get those teeeeny tiny little le creuset pots that are 250ml (I do eat a normal portion size so no and anyway they're ceramic not iron) or 2.5L litre things that I would have to over cook more than I need/want.

It's just weird when there is such a rise in single person homes that some celebrity chef hasn't cottoned on or something and come up with a cookware line that is for single-servings but isn't teeny tiny little dolls-house versions.

Rant over. Any other single people feel the same?

OP posts:
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21
elizabethdraper · 03/03/2026 08:49

TK Maxx have loads of the type of cookware you are looking for.

I am a veggie in a house of meat eaters - we all eat the same food just in different sized pots - i have have never had an issue

LoveWine123 · 03/03/2026 08:48

OP I don’t think you have looked hard enough if I’m honest…

FOJN · 03/03/2026 08:48

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:18

hmmm seems I am in the minority. I will try to see things from the ither side but... Some dishes rely on depth of substance to liquid, layering, surface area....

If you’re cooking something partially submerged in fat or stock, it really doesnt work. Too big a pot for your portion = liquid spreads too thin and it isnt sibmerged. Now a totally different cooking method. You're shallow frying now.

My smallest saucepan is 16cm and holds a volume of 1.2L. From your description of the problem it seems that you should focus on diameter rather than volume. How far a liquid "spreads" will be constrained by diameter.

janietreemore · 03/03/2026 08:46

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:28

Or to put it another way - "Shut up and batch cook"

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Not at all, I was sharing my perspective on casserole making. I always make enough for a couple of days. No need to freeze it.

SuperSharpShooter · 03/03/2026 08:46

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:28

Or to put it another way - "Shut up and batch cook"

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Blimey OP, not sure that was called for.
TBH this seems to be a drama of your own making. There's loads of shops with varying sized dishes/cookware.
Try Asda or TKMaxx 🤷

Coldtoots · 03/03/2026 08:43

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DuchessofStaffordshire · 03/03/2026 08:43

This does sound like an non-issue. The majority of meals prepared in a casserole improve once cooked and reheated at a a later date, and what's not to love about leftovers? It's great knowing one doesn't need to cook another meal and saves loads of time, effort and energy. We are a family of four and I almost always cook far too much deliberately. You could make a decent beef and pork ragu and serve some as an spag bol and have plenty left for a nice lasagne, or a lamb ragu for a moussaka.

upsofloating · 03/03/2026 08:41

Ooh, @StuffFreedom, that Ikea one looks fabulous.

Chemenger · 03/03/2026 08:39

Lakeland does a 14cm casserole, 1l capacity. Much smaller than that and it would start to be too small for a hob. Probably not such a problem on an induction hob but very small pans aren’t very stable on my gas hob.

randomchap · 03/03/2026 08:39

Dartmoorcheffy · 03/03/2026 08:38

Just go in a charity shop and find a good old fashioned pyrex dish. It really is as easy as that.

They won't work on an induction hob.

Dartmoorcheffy · 03/03/2026 08:38

Just go in a charity shop and find a good old fashioned pyrex dish. It really is as easy as that.

upsofloating · 03/03/2026 08:38

randomchap · 03/03/2026 08:05

Is this any good?

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/27658/masterclass-16cm-cast-aluminium-casserole-dish-black

Did you have a look at this one, OP? It looks ideal for what you're describing.

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/03/2026 08:37

FruitFlyPie · 03/03/2026 08:02

I'm single but haven't had this problem, firstly I've got pots and pans of all sizes, secondly a smaller meal can go in a bigger dish.

This. I can't see the problem. Also, batch cooking a casserole, for instance, and having it with fresh vegetables is still eating fresh food.

StuffFreedom · 03/03/2026 08:37

I know exactly what you mean. I to, am looking for a small, but not too small, deep lidded casserole dish.

I use my Staub rice cooker a lot as a pan, it's deep but at 16 or 12 cm in diameter (didn't know they did the 12cm) i reach for it all the time. And it takes up less drawer space.

Here's an IKEA link for a 16 cm https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/vardagen-pot-with-lid-enamelled-cast-iron-matt-black-80560667/

And my beloved Staub, dark interior, so doesn't show the burnt times. I have a stunning dark, green one with an etched lid. They change the colours around. Have an internet deep dive.
https://www.zwilling.com/uk/staub-la-cocotte-16-cm-round-cast-iron-rice-cocotte-citron/1029064.html

Now find me a rectangular, lidded, 21 cm by 14 ISH lidded dish please

VARDAGEN pot with lid, enamelled cast iron matt/black, 5 l - IKEA UK

VARDAGEN pot with lid, enamelled cast iron matt/black, 5 l The joy of food for generations. VARDAGEN cookware in enamelled cast iron spreads heat evenly and is perfect for lovingly cooked dishes on hobs and in ovens. Tasty just like old times – and dur...

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/vardagen-pot-with-lid-enamelled-cast-iron-matt-black-80560667/

BirthdeighParteigh · 03/03/2026 08:37

Weird to make casseroles your hill to die on re batch cooking.

That Staub 800ml one would be great. 100ml really isn’t going to make much difference.

CautiousLurker2 · 03/03/2026 08:36

Lots of single person sized pyrex and containers. A small rice cooker can make a meal for one person. Kitted my DD out for uni with it all. However, she now likes to make enough for at least two so she has a serving for a second night, so we’ve had to buy bigger dishes and a bigger rice maker. And as other say… you’re not obliged to fill a big pot/pam, so put the ingredients for one person in it?

DeftGoldHedgehog · 03/03/2026 08:36

Also small saucepans and frying pans are available.

MagpiePi · 03/03/2026 08:35

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:27

Perhaps. I am also trying not to over eat and be sensible with portion sizes. Make a biryani or risotto with just the 80g of rice - dont over eat go back for seconds or thirds kind of thing. I'm getting bigger and bigger

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Can’t you divide it into portions straight away where you put one on your plate and the others into Tupperware so you are not tempted to go back for seconds?
Seems more of a ‘you’ problem than the type of available cookware.

Shedmistress · 03/03/2026 08:35

Anyway the best thing to buy really is a Remoska. The smaller version. Costs pennies to use and lasts decades.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 03/03/2026 08:35

I've got a casserole dish for two. Just put leftovers in the fridge, it's not batch cooking.

Coldtoots · 03/03/2026 08:34

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