During each test, we evaluated the design, durability, heating capabilities, versatility, and ease of cleaning for every pot. We also sent some of the most popular sets to our experienced team of writers and editors forhome testing. When you set out on a cookware set shopping expedition, it’s all but expected that you’ll be looking at higher price tags. That was certainly the case with most of the pan sets we tested in our larger review of stainless steel cookware. After all, finding an entire family of high-quality pots and pans without shelling out top dollar can be tricky indeed. That said, it’s not impossible—a fact we happily confirmed when we got our hands on Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Set.
’ since she found the non-stick qualities to be superior to her Teflon pan. Quantanium, like MOST non-stick coatings, does contain the chemical PTFE which is also used in the making of Teflon. So if that is a consideration for you, then this might not be the right set for you. I’ve checked out several cookware sets and I rarely see a manufacturer claim oven safety above 440 F.
In our tests, the Tramontina 3-quart saucepan made perfect caramel without burning, though we had to swirl the pan more to distribute the heat evenly. This wasn’t the case with the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic stockpot, which required frequent stirring to prevent the sauce from burning. We excluded sets with glass lids because they can break or crack easily if dropped. Glass lids also offer little advantage over stainless steel lids because you can’t see through them when they’re covered with condensation. Lids should fit well but somewhat loosely, with just enough wiggle room to allow steam to escape. Because of its even heat distribution, fully clad tri-ply stainless steel is the best option for both pros and home cooks.
The testers also found this set very easy to clean, and the deep pans are perfect for cooking larger batches for a family or crowd. The sizes of the pans are good, and given the price point, this cookware set offers affordable and exceptional value with good performance. We like the angle of the stick handle, and the rounded bottom fits nicely in your hand, even when you’re holding a dish towel or pot holder. That said, some people may find the concave handle uncomfortable to hold. We also found the handles on the All-Clad lids easy to grab, unlike the tiny ones on the Mauviel M’cook pieces .
And while this set doesn’t have fancy carbon steel or hard-anodized aluminum, it is nontoxic and has a built-in spoon rest. The seared scallops did leave a mark however it was easy to remove with the help of Bar Keepers Friend. The Open Kitchen by Williams-Sonoma Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set has a small, 6-quart stockpot (we recommend at least an 8-quart stockpot), so we opted not to test. But if you want to prolong the life of your pans, avoid using sharp utensils whenever possible.
In our test kitchen, we long-term tested an older (now-discontinued) version of this set for two years, and all of the pots and pans distributed heat evenly. The skillets became a bit more discolored after searing meat over high heat, but their performance remained the same. All told, I’ve spent more than 140 hours researching and testing cookware sets for this guide. As a senior staff writer at Wirecutter, I have written reviews for all kinds of kitchen equipment and gadgets, including skillets, knife sets, and cutting boards. And prior to joining Wirecutter in 2016, I spent over 10 years working in various facets of the food and restaurant industry. After testing Tramontina’s redesigned 8- and 10-inch skillets, we still recommend its cookware set as our top pick.
The pieces have sturdy handles and after cooking, testers didn’t notice any warping. They specifically liked how easy the set was to clean, earning it a near-perfect score in that category. With just water and a spatula, testers were able to rid the pan of food remnants. It’s dishwasher safe too, making it even easier to give it a thorough clean. The Goldilocks pot lid handles, and those on the sides of the stockpot, are wide with a slight dimple (similar to All-Clad’s handles); this makes them easier to grasp and more comfortable to hold. The stick handles on the Goldilocks set are strikingly similar to those on the Cuisinart 77-7 Chef’s Classic Stainless 7-Piece Cookware Set .
While cooking a frittata, the eggs took a bit of coaxing with the spatula to get them out of the pan without sticking. Overall, the handle stayed cool to the touch during the cooking process and there was no warping when the pan cooled off in the ice bath afterward. cuisinart soup maker During testing, testers found that the pan heated evenly at all points, with the average temperature being around 325 degrees. For information on how to prevent food from sticking to your stainless steel cookware, check out our blog post on the subject.