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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
ChocolateCinderToffee · 03/03/2026 08:33

John Lewis have a 20 cm casserole.
And Pyrex do any size you might want.

Starlight1979 · 03/03/2026 08:33

I have the same pots and pans now that I had when I was single and I can't for one second think of a time that I've ever had an issue cooking?!

You're talking about making biryanis and risottos OP, just make them in a normal sized pan?!

Shedmistress · 03/03/2026 08:33

If you dont want to batch cook, and for the life of me I cant understand why because making enough for 2 portions and saving the second for another meal is not only energy efficient but time efficient, then just put less in the casserole dish or pan.

I have 2 single serving casserole dishes which I use for making nachos and macaroni cheese as we have one each. I just bought them in a regular cook shop and have had them for over 20 years. Never thought to measure their volume

Catza · 03/03/2026 08:33

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:28

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

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It's not batch-cooking though, it's just...cooking. Things like curries, casseroles etc are best cooked the night before as flavours percolate through the dish. Batch cooking typically involves cooking a large pot of something and then separating it into smaller containers for daily use. Cooking enough casserole for two days is not it.
Single person here. I have 1l casserole dish which does me three meals. I consider myself eating fresh food and I certainly don't batch cook in any shape or form.

ImWearingPantaloons · 03/03/2026 08:30

I had a little slow cooker from Lakeland once that did a maximum of 2 servings.

babasaclover · 03/03/2026 08:29

Go to TK Maxx they have all sorts of weird and wonderful sizes

GoldenGoldenGolden · 03/03/2026 08:29

This is such a non issue, only on mumsnet do I see single people acting so hard done by or like the world is against them. And I say that as someone thats been single for years and now a single parent.

StopWindingBobStopWinding · 03/03/2026 08:28

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.

But those sorts of meals lend themselves perfectly to storing in fridge or freezer - stew or curry type meals - so you’d just make two portions in that case. Or get a smaller pan. There are lots available in department stores and cook shops. I lived on my own for years, cooked extensively, and never encountered this ‘problem’. There are some things in life where being one is difficult, like single supplements for travel, but honestly - cooking pots isn’t one of them.

Boomer55 · 03/03/2026 08:28

Amazon sell many types and sizes of cookware, by various makers.

Original poster
MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:28

janietreemore · 03/03/2026 08:22

I get what you are saying but a casserole is one thing that I would always make several portions of because it keeps well and improves with keeping.

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

OP posts:
Original poster
MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:27

sixsept · 03/03/2026 08:23

It's the size I have and I find it fine cooking for 1-2 people. Maybe I just eat bigger portions! I have a larger one for family meals.

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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

OP posts:
Coldtoots · 03/03/2026 08:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 03/03/2026 08:26

I did have a really lovely single-portion size bowl that I used for making things like bread and butter pudding and macaroni cheese. It's now the dog's living room water bowl, so I use the bigger dishes and just make more. Stick it in the fridge or freezer for later and it's like 'yay! Bonus food!' when I remember it.

JHound · 03/03/2026 08:23

Never noticed. My pan sets do me fine as a single woman. (No idea what an induction pot is anyway.)h

Misread. I don’t know where you would get a casserole pot that size but personally I prefer batch cooking as I hate cooking.

sixsept · 03/03/2026 08:23

MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:20

This is 2.7 L

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It's the size I have and I find it fine cooking for 1-2 people. Maybe I just eat bigger portions! I have a larger one for family meals.

Gowlett · 03/03/2026 08:23

TK Maxx / Homesense

janietreemore · 03/03/2026 08:22

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.

I get what you are saying but a casserole is one thing that I would always make several portions of because it keeps well and improves with keeping.

PollyBell · 03/03/2026 08:22

When i lived alone i just used normal cookware

HoppingPavlova · 03/03/2026 08:20

I’m not getting it. We are a house stuffed with people, so mostly large volume cookware. However, sometimes people want to cook something particular just for themselves. Our large scale cookware has not held anyone back from doing this. Admittedly, we do have a milk saucepan, small frypan people could use for this, but otherwise they make do with the large cookware.

WineNoMore20 · 03/03/2026 08:20

I agree OP, I’m often irritated by the lack of suitable sizes in my own collection- so these suggestions and links are great. Thank you!

Original poster
MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:20

sixsept · 03/03/2026 08:07

Never had this problem.

21cm diameter should be fine: https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cast-iron-round-casserole/p4055471

This is 2.7 L

OP posts:
Original poster
MindYourUsage · 03/03/2026 08:19

AnnaQuayRules · 03/03/2026 08:15

I second this. I've not got this size, but I've got several casserole dishes from this range and love them.

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quotes wrong post - page updating while i am clicking!

OP posts:
SpringIsSpringing2026 · 03/03/2026 08:18

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.

Exactly.

there are things that are annoying as a single person. Cookware has never crossed my mind.

@MindYourUsage cook once, eat twice. It's hardly 'not fresh' 🙄

Original poster
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.

OP posts:
MissCooCooMcgoo · 03/03/2026 08:18

You are creating a problem here where there is none.