They allow for the easy release of food, which makes clean-up a breeze. You can even use less oil without worrying about your breakfast sticking to the pan. Though not made entirely of copper, the pots and pans in this set have a heavy base that features layers of copper, stainless steel, and aluminum to help facilitate even heat dispersal. And unlike standard copper cookware, this set also features an anodized aluminum nonstick surface, so they are still easy to use. Overall, testers found that the pieces in this cookware set felt well-built.
The Multiclad Pro set’s upper-temperature limit in the oven stretches a full 110 degrees higher than that, which is impressive. Cuisinart offers multiple cookware collections made of stainless steel, aluminum, hard-anodized aluminum, and copper. Its non-stick pans are coated in both traditional and ceramic materials, depending on the collection. For more information, see our cookware buying guide, which includes a primer on different types of cookware and the materials they’re made of.
On top of that, the lids have tiny handles that we found difficult to grasp, and the set comes with only one skillet. The Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set was our previous runner-up pick. However, after a new round of testing, we found the skillets warped over high heat. The bottom of the pans bowed so much that they wobbled on a flat surface. We tested multiple skillets to be sure this wasn’t a fluke, but all of them had the same results. Although the pans were still usable after warping, their damage voids the warranty.
During testing, the surface temperature was inconsistent throughout the pan. Since this cookware is more durable and made with high-quality material, the type of stovetop may impact temperature performance. The eggs stuck to the rivets and the pan was a bit heavy, making it harder to roll out an omelet. During the sauce test, the sauce was cooked more near the edge of the pan, although it did not scorch or burn. All in all, our testers would recommend and purchase this professional nonstick cookware set. Whether you’re in the market for a high-performance professional cookware set or an affordable starter collection of pots and pans, a minimum of a few pieces are essential to meal prep.
“Avoid screw-on handles and knobs that loosen with use, and opt instead for metal so that the pots and pans are oven-friendly,” adds Chernoff. Look for a set that has riveted stainless steel handles that are fully secure. They are typically ergonomically designed to provide comfort while lifting. Another option cuisinart soup maker is a set with cool-grip handles that are secured with stainless steel rivets, making it easy to carry the pots while they are still warm. To find the best stainless steel cookware sets, we tested dozens of the top-rated cookware sets alongside each other in ourproduct testing Labto see how they really perform.
Along with our in-house experts, our team analyzes thousands of product reviews from the most trusted websites. The beauty of stainless steel is that it’s relatively low maintenance compared to carbon steel or cast iron, both of which require seasoning and special upkeep. “The feel was nice and balanced, and the oven to ice test confirmed it was sturdy and could potentially last a long time.” Donna Currie is a food writer and blogger specializing in recipes and kitchen gadgets.
It is, admittedly, slightly taller and narrower than other sets, and this feature is noticeable when you place the pot on a large burner. That said, I found there was still enough surface area at the bottom of the pot to make an excellent fond on the marinara, which is the true test of a good pot. If you have a large kitchen stove or want to batch-cook often, you may want just a hair more room. A gleaming set of stainless steel cookware is a beautiful sight to behold, and Cuisinart’s stainless steel offerings deliver in that regard. By properly preheating your cookware and using enough fat, you can cook anything without it sticking.
In our Lab, our testing confirmed all of this—fairly even heating, easy to cook with, and beautiful, even crusts when searing, with very little sticking, even with eggs. It has a hard anodized aluminum exterior, a pure aluminum core for fast, even heating and an inner non-stick Quantanium layer. Anodized aluminum is considered twice as strong as stainless steel so this makes the set very durable.
And for the price of this set, we wish it came with a second skillet. We checked to see if the pots dripped while we poured cuisinart pots and pans set sauce into quart containers. We simmered large batches of tomato sauce in the stockpots to test for scorching.
Our journalists combine independent research with over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right . We previously tested the 12½-inch skillet from the Breville Thermal Pro cuisinart griddler elite line for our guide to the best skillet. The Breville weighed almost 5 pounds and retained too much heat due to its thick base, which made temperature control difficult. Based on those results, we opted not to test the Breville Thermal Pro Clad Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set in this roundup.