As well-loved as Cuisinart is, this set was edged out for a few reasons. Our testers found the nonstick coating to be not quite up to par. One of the more significant complaints, though, was the handle design. The handles are uncomfortable to use and difficult to grip, which is exacerbated when the pan gets heavier. The additional holes on the handles also make them more difficult to clean.
Even if you’re not super familiar with all the most popular brands in the kitchenware market, you’ve probably still heard of Cuisinart. They also make one of our other favorite in stainless steel. This set is excellent for any task that requires you to go from the range to the oven, like making a perfectly set frittata or finishing a chicken breast in the oven. With four pots, two pans, lids, and a stainer, the Cuisinart GG-12 GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized 12-Piece Set is pretty comprehensive.
The Always pan by Our Place is a real workhorse, doing the job of eight traditional cookware pieces–ideal for a cozy kitchen without an abundance of storage. Nonstick pots and pans are made from aluminum, but have hard enamel porcelain exteriors that’ll look so glossy on your stovetop. You get the usual pots and pans, plus shatter-resistant glass lids, a slotted turner and a spoon.
A frying pan will have a tapered or flared outside and are perfect for quick cooking. A sauté pan will have tall, vertical sides and is best used for searing or dishes with sauces. Lodge cast iron has been around for over 125 years and can be used on just about any cooking surface, including a grill or campfire. Their cook set comes with a seasoned Dutch oven and lid, a seasoned griddle, and two skillets.
She also consulted Jason Santos, a chef, Will Gilson, chef and co-owner of Puritan & Company, and Mary Rodgers, head of marketing communications at Cuisinart. None of the pans on this list were made using PFOAs; few manufacturers continue to use the chemical. If you want a nonstick alternative to a PTFE-coated pan, consider a cast iron skillet. You can season these pans to be naturally nonstick; they’ll require more maintenance over time, but will last for many years. Aside from considering the ratings of each set we researched, we also evaluated the durability and quality of each set. They also needed to fulfill aspects such as heat retention, heat distribution, and price point.
This is partly what made us excited about our new budget pick, the Goldilocks set, which is one of the only sets we’ve seen lately that includes both 10- and 12-inch pans. Many sets also have 6-quart stockpots; these are too small for making large batches of stock (8-quart or larger stockpots are best for preparing stocks, and they provide ample room for boiling pasta). The main incentive for buying piece by piece Cookware Sets is that most sets come with smaller pan sizes. Even the stickiest foods, like fried eggs and pancakes, fall out of the pan, leaving the surfaces virtually spotless, even when you don’t use butter. While you may think of nonstick as best for frying, you’ll also appreciate how rice doesn’t stick to the pots. You can also count on these pots and pans to brown burgers evenly and simmer a tomato sauce steadily.