“Quality stainless steel cookware is expensive for a reason — it lasts,” says Chernoff. “You won’t find anything more durable, as it won’t crack, warp, or scratch.” Plus, stainless steel cookware holds up better than other options. “It doesn’t rust as iron does, and no chemicals will leach into the food as with some non-stick surfaces, because the surface can’t be compromised,” explains Chernoff. While stainless steel is made from, well, steel, hard-anodized cookware is made of electrochemically treated aluminum that features an oxidized top layer that acts as a nonstick coating. The stainless steel pieces are very affordable—even the Professional Series won’t break the bank.
As my test results revealed, Cuisinart’s impact-bonded stainless steel cookware does not deliver consistent heat to the pan’s sides. If you’re looking to get the best performance from a stainless steel set, go with a fully-clad option like Cuisinart Multiclad Pro . If you want stainless steel at a lower price, opt for an impact-bonded option like Cuisinart Professional Series. Cuisinart offers a solid lineup of cookware collections, each with the versatility to handle the modern home chef’s needs. Cuisinart also offers stainless steel lids as a part of other collections that are also oven-safe (up to 500°F).
Overall, the best stainless steel cookware set is the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Triple Ply 12-Piece Set. Plus, the handle on the pan remained cool to touch, cuisinart soup maker which makes it safer to use. For a less expensive option, the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 7-Piece is the best stainless steel cookware set.
In our tests, the pans heated incredibly evenly and didn’t discolor over high heat. However, the pans took almost double the time to preheat as our picks and were heavier than we’d prefer. We think this set is worth the steep price only if you’re looking for rivetless cookware. Since the skillets and stockpot in the All-Clad D3 Curated 10-Piece Set (sold exclusively at Crate & Barrel) are smaller than we recommend, we opted not to test the full set. However, we’ve tested similar pieces from All-Clad’s D3 Stainless Everyday line, which you can read about above. Several of our staff members also have All-Clad pots and pans in their own home kitchens , and they find that they continue to heat evenly and clean up well, even after years of persistent use.
It’s a great entry point if you’re just starting out with stainless steel cookware, or if you’re shopping on a budget. Contains a 10-inch pan, 3-quart saucier with lid, and 3-quart sauté pan with lid. Contains a 10.5-inch frying pan, 10.5-inch sauté pan with lid, and 3-quart pot with lid. Today’s offers include a whopping $140 off this non-stick cookware set from Cuisinart, a great way to get a jump on your kitchen-related resolutions.
If possible, it’s best to invest in a multi-ply set as the pieces are durable and long-lasting. However, it’s worth noting that they’re likely going to be a more expensive design. It’s worth noting that the lids on this set have a rounded, dome shape that might be hard to store in a kitchen. Testers also found that the pots were a bit heavy and might be hard to stack, so the set may be more ideal for someone who stores their set on a hanging rack.
At 3 pounds, 14.8 ounces, the Signature Thermo-Clad pan was a bit hefty for some of our testers. We dismissed sets with plastic handles, since even those made to withstand high temperatures can deteriorate over time. Ideally, we wanted cookware that could safely withstand oven temperatures of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit; that ruled out most cookware with plastic components. Several members of our staff have also seen plastic handles crack after they spent time in the dishwasher. Most people are inclined to buy sets because doing so is cheaper than buying pieces individually, but sets involve a compromise. To reduce the overall price of a set, most manufacturers include smaller pot and pan sizes.
In fact, the fry and sauté pans can easily cook up to six servings, and they’re comparable in size to the All-Clad. The kitchens of France were the inspiration behind the elegant Cuisinart® Chef’s Classic™ Nonstick Stainless Cookware collection. Cuisinart® expertise was the inspiration behind this spectacular 10 piece collection. We know our way around the kitchen, and have included everything you need to perfectly perform all the basic cooking tasks, large or small. From reheating a single portion of soup, to preparing appetizers, entrée and side dishes for the entire family, you’ll find every tool you need in this deluxe set.