First, a set can be less expensive than buying individual pieces, so you’ll save money. Second, different types of cookware can behave differently on the stove, but when all your cookware is the same, you’ll be familiar with how they heat up and respond to temperature changes. Whether you’re building your household from scratch or looking to make a change in the kitchen, chances are good you’ll need a new cookware set. If you’ve done even a little research, you know that cookware set prices can quickly reach $1,000 and more. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality cookware set. Great for searing, sautéing, browning, and frying, these classic, colorful pieces transition seamlessly from stovetop or oven to your dining table.
Outfit the kitchen with a splash of color, high-performance nonstick, and quilted cookware surfaces. Curated with kitchen essentials including frying pans, saucepans, stockpots, and more. Our top picks have been broken down into several categories so you can make a more informed decision on the best set for you. Read on for our top selections of cookware that will fit into any kitchen.
For anyone looking for additional colors, Crate & Barrel carries four exclusive colors with gold hardware. The clad construction means it heats and cools quickly and evenly, resulting in more optimal temperature control. The marinara had a rich, deep flavor, and cleanup was easy even after a long simmer. It was the turkey burgers, though, that confirmed All-Clad as my top choice.
Though this set is on the smaller side, Caraway’s set has everything you need to get cooking. The 6.5-quart Dutch oven can be your pasta pot or serving dish for large meals, and the 4.5-quart saute pan is perfect for large fry-ups. I tested the Caraway Home set and found each piece to have excellent heat retention and useful design details. However, I don’t think the included storage system adds much to the set. Insider reporter James Brains has used a similar T-fal set since 2018. He said that the pieces have held up well through daily use, though he recommends hand washing the fry pans to preserve the nonstick coating.
As with the handles, lids need to sit comfortably on their respective pan. They don’t necessarily need to create a vacuum seal, but they should also not be perched precariously on the top of the pan. Handles should feel comfortable and be firmly attached to their pot or pan.
The pans themselves aren’t heavy and boast lightweight maneuverability without sacrificing function. In our omelet test, our testers found that there was no sticking at all, and the eggs rolled out easily. The only significant downside we found was the pesky rivets connecting the body of the pots and pans to the handles. They’re not coated in the nonstick coating, so food can get stuck to them and between the rivets and the pan.
In our Lab, we determined these pans to be excellent for high-heat cooking, like searing meats and sautéing vegetables. Though they tend to concentrate heat in the center at first, it eventually spreads to the edges of the pan and provides steady, even heating. We did notice a bit of scorching while cooking tomato sauce over a medium setting, but gently stirring every so often should help avoid any hot spots as the pan heats up. Read on for our picks of the best gotham steel cookware sets for your kitchen, according to our Lab testing. When you’re searching for the best cookware to outfit your kitchen, there are some advantages to buying a complete set.
This goes without saying, but safety should always be a consideration when working within a cooking space. If you’re willing to spend a little more, this cookware set from Scanpan proved to be a tester favorite for its effective cooking, luxurious design, ease of use, and cleanup. Our team observed consistent temperatures on all sides of the pan when heated, and detected no smell during the cooking portion of tests. The sauce took exactly two minutes to simmer without any scorching. The GreenPan SearSmart Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Set also has one of the highest heat capacities on this list. You can pop them in the oven with total peace of mind knowing they’re safe for up to 600 degrees F.
For context, a 2-quart saucepan can comfortably cook 7 hard-boiled eggs without stacking the eggs on top of each other. For example, if you’re making pasta sauce in a 1-quart saucepan, you could serve up to three people. But a soup in the same size pan might only be enough for a single person. Our tester found the price to be “affordable considering the quality and number of useful pieces you get.” We expect this set to last a long time so it’s definitely an investment worth making.
One perk is that the pan comes with protectors to help prevent scratching when storing. Even so, its cute light-colored interior prevents any nicks and scratches from being too noticeable. There’s something about a stainless steel cookware set that just elevates your entire kitchen, and this dishwasher-safe set from Cuisinart is no different. Containing 12 pieces, this set has all of the basic cookware necessities included. The cool-grip handles won’t burn your hands, and the tight-fitting lids will keep all of the good stuff in. Each piece is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and even broiler-safe.