Though the set is an investment, testers felt like the look of the brushed finish and felt that the high-quality pieces are worth it. In addition to making tri-ply cookware, most high-end manufacturers produce sets that are made from five or more layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and sometimes copper. In most of our tests, five-ply cookware didn’t heat as uniformly as regular tri-ply cookware, or the differences were negligible.
You don’t need to get all of these pieces if you don’t think you’ll use them. If you’d rather start with a few basics, you’ll be able to cook a lot with just a 3-quart saucepan, a 12-inch skillet, and an 8-quart stockpot. The cookware can be used in the oven or under the broiler, and the pans and glass lids are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Customers note that as long as you follow preheating instructions and keep heat low to medium, there should be no problems with food sticking. The set is oven-safe to 500 degrees and can be used under the broiler. For easy cleaning, all pieces are dishwasher safe; however, our reviewer warned that harsh dishwasher detergents could discolor or leave a film on the stainless steel.
While the cookware doesn’t include any helper handles, it is lightweight and balanced, making it easy to move from the stovetop to the sink or oven. Our testers found this unexpected from a just “out of the box” set; however, any chemical odor may dissipate after repeated use. Like other professional brands, extra care is encouraged when cleaning to maintain the coating. With fewer pieces in this set, it might be the perfect fit for well-stocked kitchens that only need a few new pieces.
Naturally, the company has also added cookware to its offerings, with affordable stainless steel pieces and complete sets made with the same lasting quality as the KitchenAid mixers. Founded in 1963, Calphalon is most famous for creating hard-anodized aluminum cookware that quickly became a favorite of professional chefs and at-home gourmet cooks. In our Lab, cuisinart pots and pans set the pans offered fairly even heating and browning for seared scallops, and though we didn’t find any hot spots, there was some discernible variance in temperature across the pan. The stainless steel pan did not perform as well for cooking eggs—there was quite a bit of sticking—so you’re better off tapping the included nonstick skillet for this type of task.
But, when you get into 17 and 20-plus pieces, you can start finding strainers and in-between sizes that are less useful. Contains a 10-inch fry pan, 1.75-quart saucepan with cover, and 4.5-quart Dutch oven with cover. When it comes to quality cookware, Cuisinart makes some of the best in the game.
It’s durable and non-reactive so it’s safe to use with any ingredients. The Chef’s Classic and Professional Series look good, but the cuisinart soup maker Multiclad Pro line is a cut above. The seamless construction and stainless steel lids look like professional-quality cookware.
We did notice that some tomato sauce dripped down the side of the stockpot while we poured, but there were no splatters on the counter. In our Lab, these pans showed excellent, even heating, and gave a really good sear with minimal sticking. The riveted stainless steel handles stayed cool when cooking, making it easy to grab pots and pans without having to search for a potholder. We liked how sturdy these pans felt, and they were also easy to clean, whether by hand or with a run through the dishwasher. Our collection of cookware sets feature all the essentials, including saucepans, saute pans and skillets.
This set also comes with two nonstick skillets, but we’d recommend getting a nonstick pan separately. But maintaining the cooking surface requires more upkeep, and it’s prone to rusting if not properly seasoned. When we prepared caramel, the dissolved sugar bubbled uniformly across the bottom of the All-Clad 3-quart saucepan; this wasn’t the case with saucepans in the other sets we tested. Also, because the All-Clad saucepan distributed heat so well, our testers didn’t have to swirl the sugar in the pan as frequently as they did in the other saucepans. While simmering tomato sauce, there was no scorching in the stockpot, even with minimal stirring.
A few of the Goldilocks pieces are a bit heavier than those in the Tramontina and All-Clad sets, so some people may find them more cumbersome to lift. When purchasing a set of cookware, you’ll want to consider how many pieces you actually need, along with how much space to have to store them. A large set offers cuisinart soup maker variety in sizes and styles, but if you rarely cook for a crowd, you may not need a larger-capacity saute pan or stockpot that might come in a bigger set. Also consider the accessories included with a set, which are included in a set’s piece count, and decide if they are the material and type that you need.