This set is dishwasher safe, oven safe up to 500 F, can be used on any cooktop, and feature glass lids. The Pro Series also features a three-layer, disc-clad base for fast and even heating across the cooking surface. The base materials are the same, with an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel.
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, 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.
For the record, we’ve always recommended washing any stainless steel cookware by hand, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims. The harsh chemicals in some detergents plus the prolonged exposure cuisinart soup maker to those cleaners over the course of a dishwashing cycle can cause damage to the pans . All-Clad offers a wide range of cookware outside the main set, so you can grow your collection.
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 cuisinart soup maker 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.
The new pans are also about an ounce heavier than the older versions, but the slight weight difference wasn’t discernible in our tests. The 10-inch skillet still browned chicken the same as the older model, too. Whether you’re a beginner cook learning to make simple recipes or a professional chef working on complex cuisines, a set of stainless steel cookware is a great addition to your kitchen. While many cooks prefer to have non-stick pans or cast iron as their cookware of choice, there are definite benefits to going the stainless steel route.
This Great Jones set, which includes cast-iron, stainless steel, and ceramic options, is perfect. On top of looking cute, the cookware set works with all stovetops and is just the right size for most home kitchens. Plus, the Dutch oven comes in seven bright, postable colors—with the option to monogram the lid, in case you’re looking for a personalized Father’s Day gift or a graduation gift. With more than 30,000 glowing reviews and seven photogenic colors, Caraway’s nonstick ceramic-coated set is a great choice for pretty much any home chef. This four-piece kit is versatile enough to create all your favorite recipes—and since it can handle any stovetop and is oven-safe up to 550°F, it’s built to last.
This cookware set was one of the only ones that became spotlessly clean after washing—even when coated with burned-on oil. And although this set is much more expensive than our main pick, we think it’s worth the extra cost for its durability and proven longevity. The knowledgeable team at Sur La Table is always available to help you determine which cookware set best suits your needs. While some brands are costlier than others, most have different tiers within their catalogs to suit a wide range of budgets and cooking experience levels. If nonstick is a nonstarter for you, we’d recommend the Calphalon set, which is made from hard-anodized aluminum to resist corrosion and warping, as well as a durable two-layer nonstick interior.