Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. “If the food is very stuck on then I would recommend soaking them while hot. Barkeepers friend and a scouring pad help bring the finish back to normal,” Gilson says. “Dishwashers gotham steel cookware sets often don’t do the trick and the drying cycle can actually bake on the stuck-on food.” Stainless steel is going to feel heavier than more inexpensive construction items like aluminum but according to experts, that’s the point.
The stick handles on the Anolon Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set were too short and not as comfortable to hold as the wide, longer handles on the Tramontina cookware. For information on how to prevent food from sticking to your stainless steel cookware, check out our blog post on the subject. Never clean your stainless steel cookware with harsh chemicals, like oven cleaner, that could cause permanent damage. Also, avoid using steel wool, which can severely scratch your cookware.
The pros we talked to said the All-Clad tri-ply cookware is the best for both professional and home use because it’s so durable. In our tests, the All-Clad pans heated evenly, were comfortable to hold, and tackled every cooking job without any hiccups. Though the largest skillet measures only 10 inches instead of 12, this set will outfit your kitchen with all the other pots and pans you’re ever likely to need. And if you’re partial to keeping your cookware bright and shiny, note that in our tests this set was one of the few that looked like new when we cleaned it—even after years of testing.
“If you are looking for a cookware set and are torn between stainless steel and nonstick, this is it. Some tasks are best left to a nonstick pan, and with the Sardel, you’ve got options.” Read on for our picks of the best cookware sets for your kitchen, according to our Lab testing. Since the Goldilocks set is relatively new, we don’t know how it will perform over time (as we do with the Tramontina and All-Clad sets we’ve been long-term testing for years). However, we’ll continue to test this set to see how it holds up against our other picks, and we will update this guide accordingly.
You’ll also want to think about what specific pieces you need and how big of a set to buy. If you already own astockpotor small skillet you love, for example, you might want to look for a smaller set without those to save money. You’ll likely want a 10-inch frying pan, stockpot, saucepan and covered saute pan. The most Cookware Sets common additions to these basic four are larger and smaller frying pans and saucepans. For less than $400, this Caraway set includes a 10.5-inch fry pan, 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart saute pan and 6.5-quart Dutch oven. It also comes with a smart magnetized storage rack and canvas lid for keeping your cookware organized.
Like purchasing any cookware set, you’ll want to make sure that what is included in the set will fit into your lifestyle. Consider how much storage space you have, how often you cook, and what you like to cook when purchasing a set. Our advice has always been to skip sets and just buy the pans you need. But new brands offering practical cookware packages compelled us to take another look. There are a huge variety of pots in different shapes, often for specific uses, like crepe pans or grill pans. In general, wide, shallow pans are best for cooking foods where evaporation is desired.
When I made a fried egg, tipping the pan ever so slightly, it slid out so fast that I nearly missed my target plate. When I didn’t quite get the simmer temperature right on my rice test using the saucepan, I expected a sticky disaster. Instead, every single grain came out without any coaxing, and the pan ultimately forgave my mistake gotham steel cookware sets even better than a PTFE nonstick would. I struggled to get a nice fond during the marinara test since nothing could stick to scrape off, and the burgers didn’t crisp up or caramelize the way I was hoping they would. For the sauté pan, I cooked 6-ounce thin, boneless and skinless chicken breasts for five to six minutes per side.