The most important decision you’ll make is what cookware material your set is made from. Cookware is commonly constructed from aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, copper, nonstick chemical compounds or a combination of several materials. As you might guess, each type of cookware surface has its pros and cons as it relates to cooking, cleaning, durability and storage. But I have picks in other categories, too, including a sturdy cast-iron cookware collection, a nonstick cookware set and a medley of excellent and inexpensive budget cookware. So strap on your best apron and read through our list of the best for 2022.
A six-and-a-half quart sauté pan is roomy enough for many meals worth of food—which means far fewer dishes. In 2019, design-firm-turned-lifestyle-company Pattern released Equal Parts, a line of “chemical-free” nonstick cookware . Equal Parts cookware originally came in all-black, but they recently redesigned their line in WGSN-approved muted colorways like cream and light blue. Anyday was founded by Steph Chen, and as many great ideas start, this one began as an accident. A simple quest to roast a chicken, but to save time, was microwaved. Hard to believe, but with Anyday, you can make home-cooked meals in minutes, turning raw vegetables and chicken into delectable dinners.
Calphalon, Cuisinart, and All-Clad are well-known brands that commonly show up on “best cookware” lists. You also can’t go wrong with the classic black and cream colorway. Enamel pins are also known for even cooking without any reaction. Enamel is dishwasher safe and withstands high-temperature tolerance.
We prepared small batches of caramel in the saucepans to check for hot spots. We sautéed chicken, made caramel, and simmered tomato sauce to test for warping, even heat distribution, and ease of handling. From trivets and handle holders to scrub brushes and seasoning spray, our indoor and outdoor accessories help you care for your cookware.
“Heavier pans tend to have thicker vessel gauge which will help to even heat,” a representative for the Calphalon research and development team explained to us. “Multi-ply sets in three or five ply are the best performing and more expensive, but cookware is an item used every day in-home kitchens and is an investment,” Rodgers says. “If you invest in a good multi-ply stainless-steel set, you will have it for an extremely long time if cared for appropriately.”
According to Mary Rodgers, head of marketing communications at Cuisinart, 7-11 pieces is an ideal range to start with but you’ll want to keep in mind that lids count in that number. In general, she recommends looking for a combination of saucepans, sautés pans, skillets, and stock pots. Saladmaster supports healthy eating lifestyles for families and performance-based endurance for professionals. Our stainless steel cookware sets provide a beautiful shine in your kitchen for years.
The included lids are glass, so you can check on the food without releasing the heat, and the handles are generously sized, so they’re easy to grab and hold. The All-Clad D3 Stainless 10-Piece Set includes Cookware Sets 8- and 10-inch skillets, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with a lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid. The only drawback to this set is that it doesn’t include a 12-inch skillet.
One exception was the Demeyere 5-Plus 10-Piece Cookware Set, which heated impressively evenly. That said, the pans in this set took longer to heat up than those in the All-Clad set. Five-ply cookware also holds onto more heat, so it’s slower to react when you lower the heat on your stove.