The 7 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets of 2024
Finally, we made scrambled eggs in a dry pan to check for even heating and to note how much food residue would get left behind. We also took into consideration the weight of the pans, how quickly they heated up and cooled down, and how easy they were to clean. 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. Classic stainless steel is the material of choice for both amateur and professional cooks because of its durability, superior ability to brown meats, and oven-proof capabilities—you can go straight from stovetop to broiler. 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.
The cookware can be used in the oven or under the broiler, and the pans and glass lids are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. As long as you follow preheating instructions and keep heat low to medium, there should be no problems with food sticking. During our tests, this warmed up thoroughly and uniformly when we needed subtle heat for eggs or scallops. It also seared steak beautifully, leaving a restaurant-worthy crust. That steak did leave behind a bit of fond that can off easily during our deglaze.
In addition, its magnetic stainless-steel exterior is compatible with any professional or household induction cooktop, and provides exceptional cooking performance on conventional gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops. Before using your cookware for the first time, Tramontina online discount store hand-wash with warm, soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Then season by lightly rubbing cooking oil onto the cooking surface and heating the cookware over medium heat for two to three minutes. The set is oven-safe to 500 degrees and can be used under the broiler.
That said, stainless steel, by nature of how it cooks food, is prone to (harmless!) stains that require a smidge more effort to get out. We like using Barkeeper’s Friend or a Mr. tramontina cookware set Clean Magic Eraser to help remove stains; they usually do the job well. Some pans were unanimously denounced as too heavy, others as having unbearably uncomfortable handles.
We made the decision to elevate the Greenpan above though because we are aiming to recommend PFAS-free cooking equipment whenever possible (more on that below). No matter how we cooked our eggs—scrambled, sunny-side up, over easy—they didn’t stick to the pan’s surface. In fact, the only reason you’d need oil or butter in this pan right out of the box is for flavor (we highly recommend flavor in your cooking). I also made sure all the skillets were oven-safe, which I think is a critical feature in a piece of cookware that ideally can go from the stovetop to the oven without issue. Peruse your local cookware store or search options online, and you’ll notice a staggering range of prices and specs.