If you’re replacing your kitchen’s existing set, be sure that the new one includes your favorite, most frequently used pieces. You can always buy a stackable set with the basics and use the storage savings for the one-off pans you reach for the most. If you have a glass or induction cooktop, check that the cookware sizes align with your burner diameters to maximize efficiency.
Scoring reflects the durability of the frying-pan’s coating and it’s nonstick quality after being abraded. Nonstick food release score reflects the nonstick qualities of a pan’s interior by cooking four eggs consecutively without oil. The lightweight pans feel flimsy, and with such an uncomfortable handle, it can make using them unenjoyable. Plus, the ceramic coating is prone to sticking, defeating the major “healthy non-stick” selling point of the pan. Gotham Steel is a direct-sales brand focused on selling a high volume of affordable products, so don’t expect excellent customer service. When I called and asked a few questions about the cookware, the representative could not answer them and could only assist with purchasing.
The pots, sauté pan, and fry pans form a tall, yet stable tower when stacked with their lids. When the lids are stored separately, the cookware nests neatly, which T-Fal says gives you 45 percent more storage space in your cabinet. As with all cookware, you have plenty of choices when it comes to materials, inside and out. Non-stick, stainless steel, copper, ceramic—there’s a stackable version for every preference. Many sets work on most, if not all, cooktops, including induction, and the pans can be safely slid into the oven to a certain temperature. If treated with care, these Cookware Sets can last a very long time, and being so affordable adds to the value here.
Teflon is the most famous PTFE coating, but other companies make proprietary cookware coatings too. For PTFE used on cookware, two of the major producers are PPG and Chemours . In our experience, many big-name cookware brands use a coating from one of these two companies. For instance, our top and runner-up picks have PPG coatings.
You don’t have to worry about any leaching or fumes, even when you take the pan to its 500F maximum temperature. The presence of those chemicals in traditional nonstick pans is the reason that many households will opt for ceramic cookware as a healthy alternative. Ceramic nonstick cookware has yet to match the durability or nonstick properties of Teflon. The useful life of ceramic cookware is often around one to two years. Gotham Steel pans fall right in line with that life expectancy, as long as they are treated well in day to day use.
Gotham Steel offers a wide range of kitchen-related products; cookware, bakeware, grills and fryers, and kitchenware. All of the products have a consistent style, so buying from them would ensure that all of your kitchen tools match, giving your kitchen a cohesive look. As a professional chef, I have the opportunity to use some of the best cookware available.
Although the 10-inch All-Clad model toasted flour just as evenly as the Tramontina pan, it took a full minute longer to get there. That didn’t bother us much, but the extra time might be annoying if, say, you’re trying to quickly cook an egg before running out the door. Even though the All-Clad pan took longer to heat, when we removed it from the burner, cuisinart knife it didn’t brown the flour any more than the other pans, which showed us it didn’t retain excess heat. The pan’s thick encapsulated disk helps distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface. The silicone sheath hugs the Nordic Ware pan’s handle with a steadfast grip. Though it’s not easy to remove for cleaning, we nonetheless appreciate the secure fit.
By the end, you will be able to distinguish what’s fact and what’s fiction, and if the pan is worth giving a try. See which set speaks to you the most and make an informed decision on where to invest. Gotham Steel Cookware offers a wide variety of budget-friendly cookware sets. These would make an excellent gift to newlyweds or new students headed off to college.