For more guidance on how to take care of your copper pots and pans, check out our guide to copper cookware. We ordered 25 different nonstick cookware sets to perform side-by-side testing in our kitchen. Our product testers spent hours examining each set’s design and performance with an omelet and rice pilaf test as well as a simmer and scorch test.
And in our ratings, we note which pans are induction compatible. Keep in mind that some of the items are lids and sometimes the manufacturer throws in a few plastic utensils and adds them to the piece count. This article has been reviewed since its original publish date for accuracy, pricing and availability. If the cookware material is not magnetic, a magnetic plate is applied to the base in order to make it induction safe. The manufacturer will clearly label the induction capabilities of the cookware.
To pick the appropriately sized saucepan, you need to factor in weight, your stovetop size, the pan material, and more. “I loved that I could still touch the handles on both sides without burning my hands—even after 15 minutes heating up on the stovetop.” The cookware industry consists mostly of large corporations that manufacture several brands. For example, Meyer manufactures Anolon, Circulon, Farberware, and Rachael Ray brands.
The pieces stand out for having the heft of stainless steel pans but the ease of nonstick pans. In our tests, they heated evenly and maintained a steady simmer; plus, the pan and lid handles stayed cool. We particularly liked how the lids fit smoothly cuisinart knife onto each pan, an often overlooked detail. Eggs and pancakes slid off the pan without any grease needed, and the inside of the pan wiped clean. Before purchasing, you should also think about the cookware that would be useful in your kitchen.
For context, a 2-quart saucepan can comfortably cook 7 hard-boiled eggs without stacking the eggs on top of each other. For example, if you’re making pasta sauce in a 1-quart saucepan, you could serve up to three people. But a soup in the same cuisinart knife size pan might only be enough for a single person. Our 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.
The pans themselves aren’t heavy and boast lightweight maneuverability without sacrificing function. In our omelet test, our testers found that there was no sticking at all, and the eggs rolled out easily. The only significant downside we found was the pesky rivets connecting the body of the pots and pans to the handles. They’re not coated in the nonstick coating, so food can get stuck to them and between the rivets and the pan.
This goes without saying, but safety should always be a consideration when working within a cooking space. If you’re willing to spend a little more, this cookware set from Scanpan proved to be a tester favorite for its effective cooking, luxurious design, ease of use, and cleanup. Our team observed consistent temperatures on all sides of the pan when heated, and detected no smell during the cooking portion of tests. The sauce took exactly two minutes to simmer without any scorching. The GreenPan SearSmart Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Set also has one of the highest heat capacities on this list. You can pop them in the oven with total peace of mind knowing they’re safe for up to 600 degrees F.
The greatest choice for those who frequently cook in the kitchen and don’t want mismatched cookware is to purchase items in sets. You can’t go wrong with cookware sets if you prefer to have a consistent set of pots and pans in the kitchen. If you’re the only one cooking and you often make one-pot meals, a 4-piece cookware set could be enough for you. If you love to cook more involved meals and you’re not the only cook in the house, going with a 5-piece or 6-piece pots and pans set could help everyone live their best chef’s life.
Springform pans, muffin tins, muffin rings and pie pans all fall into this category. However, most of these tasks can also be done with one square, medium-sized and medium deep baking dish. While traditionally they were made of metal, baking dishes are made of various materials today. It is deeper than a frying pan and also a bit deeper than a saute pan.