The 6 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, According to Lab Testing

The same enthusiasm and creativity cooks put into every dish they make, we put into every piece of cookware we make. We never compromise on quality or settle for good enough performance. To us, cooking to perfection is more than just a saying, cuisinart pots and pans set it’s our mission. As one of the best non-toxic cookware brands of 2022, Milo Cookware focuses on longevity, sustainability, and conscious production. Much like most non-toxic cookware brands they are PTFE FREE and handcrafted in the USA.

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 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. Pay attention to the material and sizes of the included lids—bear in mind that glass lids are usually less heat-proof than metal , but do allow you to visually monitor your cooking.

cuisinart pots and pans set

Five minutes later, I pressed the palm of my hand on the cooking surface to test its heat retention. 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 also offers stainless steel lids as a part of other collections that are also oven-safe (up to 500°F).

That said, some people may find the concave handle uncomfortable to hold. We also found the handles on the All-Clad lids easy to grab, unlike the tiny ones on the Mauviel M’cook pieces . 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. One exception was the Demeyere 5-Plus 10-Piece Cookware Set, which heated impressively evenly.

If for some reason there are leftovers stuck to the pans you only need to soak the pans for 15 minutes and that’s it. There’s a lot more where this came from.Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter to get all our cuisinart soup maker reviews, expert advice, deals and more. Looking to outfit the rest of your prep space with high-quality kitchen equipment? Be sure to browse Cuisinart bakeware and kitchen appliances as well as Cuisinart knives.

After each test, I allowed the pans to cool and then hand washed them with warm soapy water to assess their ease of care. The series of tests I conducted assessed whether the pans could cook standard recipes within an expected time and resulted in the expected color, texture, and flavor. Each test was designed according to the pan shape, and I kept them as straightforward as possible to avoid significant variability. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Whether you’re putting together your first apartment kitchen or wanting to upgrade your mismatched pans to a more cohesive collection, a full set of cookware is a solid investment. It takes the guesswork out of picking out the pieces you need and is often a much better value than buying one piece at a time. While stainless steel pans can require a little more elbow grease to remove stuck-on food, proper maintenance can keep them looking practically new for their entire lifespan.

If you’re a somewhat experienced cook looking for a level up, opt for this Copper Triply M’3 S 7-Piece Cookware Set from Mauviel, a French cookware company established in 1830. Made in France, this set is pricey but has a lifetime warranty to back it up. It also comes with a Copperbrill cleaner and a beautiful wooden crate. This set comes with a few Le Creuset favorites, including the 4.25-quart round Dutch oven and signature square skillet. The saucepan and Dutch oven come with tight-fitting lids that feature stabilizers so they never slip off. If you love cooking with cast iron but hate the maintenance that typically comes with this cookware, this is the set for you.

Ruiz and Cayne gave us the low down on the pros and cons and the differences between these materials—plus their best uses. Copper cookware is an elegant, unique option often used in high-end French restaurants. Copper is an excellent heat conductor which heats quickly and evenly, but also cools down quickly.