The one brand that I considered testing but ultimately did not was Great Jones, which has garnered quite the following and fanbase in recent years. Alas, their Family Style Set is a mix of cast iron, stainless Cookware Sets steel and nonstick, and it didn’t meet our criteria. Any heavy high-quality cookware can be reused as long as there is not any physical damage. Nonstick is best for easy cleanup and lower temperature settings.
In both of our Lab tests, 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. Since the skillets and stockpot in the All-Clad D3 Curated 10-Piece Set (sold exclusively at Crate & Barrel) are smaller than we recommend, we opted not to test the full set. However, we’ve tested similar pieces from All-Clad’s D3 Stainless Everyday line, which you can read about above. We excluded sets with glass lids because they can break or crack easily if dropped.
During the process, I also consulted gear pro and kitchen equipment tester, Sharon Franke, a 30-year veteran of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. After the testing was complete, Nick DeSimone compiled this list. Nick has spent hours and hours on the line pushing cookware to its maximum capacity. They have nearly a decade of professional kitchen experience and have handled nearly every pot and pan on the market. Over time, they have learned which brands and sets make the cut and which are better left behind.
PTFE starts to break down at 500˚F and can decompose more significantly at or above 660˚F, so use your nonstick pans over a medium or low flame. “If you like nonstick, but worry that the finish won’t last, this might change your mind. This set is very versatile and amazing for high-heat cooking.” Our home 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. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right .
But there are distinct advantages to buying a full set of cookware in one fell swoop. For one, you’ll save money since most brands offer a discount for the set versus buying each piece individually. Finally, there’s an aesthetic bonus since all your cookware will match in whichever style you choose. There’s also a seven-piece version of this same set at Walmart for $190 if this feels like too much cookware. The smaller set is the fry pan, chef’s pan and stockpot with lids and a few utensils.
And we believe the Tramontina Gourmet 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set is the best for most home cooks because it offers solid construction at an affordable price. Before you balk at the price, the editors at Cook’s Illustrated point out that this set will last you a lifetime. And the set price is actually Cookware Sets a bargain compared to adding up even just a few of the pieces separately. The testers said the cookware browns food perfectly, feels balanced, has stay-cool handles, and holds up very well over time. For what it’s worth, we’re big fans of this set and it was also Wirecutter’s choice for an upgraded pick.