If you’re partial to keeping your cookware looking bright and shiny, note that this was one of the only sets we tested that looked like new after we cleaned it. Of course, burned-on oil or grease can be more challenging to remove with just regular dish soap or a run through the dishwasher. But applying Bar Keepers Friend or a slurry of baking soda and warm water with a nonabrasive sponge gets the job done. The All-Clad skillets discolored slightly over heat, though significantly less than almost any other cookware we tested. Buying a set of cookware can be a convenient and affordable alternative to tracking down pots and pans one piece at a time. I also spoke with several home cooks, including members of our own staff, who have used cookware sets for years.
We also tested the Hestan 12.5″ Probond Forged Stainless Steel Skillet, but it discolored and warped the first time we used it. So we decided not to test the Professional Clad Stainless Steel 10-piece Ultimate Set. The Thomas Keller Insignia 7-Piece Cookware Set has only two universal pot lids and is quite expensive, even at its reduced price of $900 . We cuisinart soup maker think anyone would be happier with the All-Clad set we recommend, which costs significantly less. However, most of our testers found the stick handles on the skillets to be uncomfortably low, preferring the higher angle of the handles on our picks. That said, if you’re shorter in height, you may actually prefer the lower angle of the Made In cookware.
Testers found the pan had some serious discoloration after removing it from the oven too, and the scallop marks have gotten even darker. There was even more discoloration around the sides and edges, which testers thought was probably from the cooking oil. When it came to cooking, testers noted that the pan we tried heated quickly and very evenly—around 400 cuisinart griddler elite all across the pan—to the point that the butter for the frittata seemed on its way to burning. This caused the frittata to stick to the pan a bit while scallops quickly caramelized and left discoloration and marks on the pan. Piecing together your own cookware set gives you the freedom to customize your collection and allows you to buy only what you need.
It’s worth noting that since the lids aren’t glass, you’ll have to lift them to check on your dishes as they cook. However, all of the pieces are dishwasher safe, so they’ll be easy to clean in case anything cuisinart pots and pans set spills over. Although the Mauviel M’Cook Stainless Steel 9-Piece Cookware Set performed well in our tests, it includes a small, 1-quart saucepan, which we found more limiting than a 1½- or 2-quart saucepan.
Disc cladding is nice because it’s inexpensive to produce, making it more affordable. But, the Professional Series is too similar to the Chef’s Classic stainless steel cookware to be worth the higher price tag. Instead, skip it and go for their higher-end Multiclad Pro stainless. Getting started with stainless steel comes with a noticeable learning curve. Luckily, Cuisinart makes several high-performing options that offer incredible value for the price.