When it comes to making crepes, non-stick pans definitely work best since a crepe should never stick to the pan in order to come out perfect. Milk tends to burn quickly, though, so a good milk pan needs to have a nice thick base that provides even heat distribution. Grill pans can be either round or square and there are also some rectangular models that fit over two burners on the stove to maximize the grilling surface. Hardly anyone can fire up a grill any time they feel like it, but a grill pan is there to solve this problem.
If you don’t need quite as many pieces, check out the 12- and 14-piece sets, too. If you plan on using your cookware in the oven, make sure that the whole thing is safe for use at high temperatures — some options gotham steel cookware sets aren’t oven-friendly at all. If you’re still unsure which size to buy, grab a measuring cup and pour one quart of water into a bowl. It will help you visualize what you’ll get with each saucepan size.
Once you’re done, these stackable pieces nest easily into one another. The Caraway Ceramic Coated Set is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional nonstick pots and pans — and it’s available in six attractive colors. The more pieces in the set, the more storage space you’ll probably need. With that said, if you lack space, either cuisinart knife look for a smaller or stackable set. “In general, sets with larger pieces are better buys unless you cook in very small quantities,” noted Franke. The highlight here is Scanpan’s signature 5-layer nonstick—called “stratanium”—which had a slightly different feel than other pans and was highly effective at preventing sticks.
You don’t want a wobbly handle to cause hot food to slop out of the pan. Circulon brand is manufactured by Meyer and features nonstick products. Prices are midrange, and this cookware is available online and in department stores, specialty stores, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target. Real copper cookware provides quick and even cooking, and cools down quickly, providing maximum control. Look for heavy-gauge copper (1⁄16- to 1⁄8-inch thick) for longest wear.
And while this set performed reasonably well in our tests, our testers said they wouldn’t recommend this set based on the intense smell they produce when heated. Teflon can provide a great nonstick coating but can also begin to flake off after a few years, depending on how well you take care of the pan. Ceramic is also nonstick and said to be better for the environment. Ceramic pans also have a higher heat tolerance than traditional nonstick pans.
While we haven’t tested this All-Clad set, we are pleased to see that the brand’s new nonstick line is oven-safe up to 500˚F. We’re also fans of sets like these that include small and medium sauté pans. Lastly, I connected with a cookware specialist at Williams Sonoma. She told me 3-quart saucepans are their best-selling size by far. She said 4-quart saucepans are too big, and if you need that much space, you’re better off with a stock pot or Dutch oven.
If you’re looking to get a good sear on a piece of steak or crisp up potatoes, choose a different material. Not only is the Tramontina set’s practical range of sizes — with cookware scaled for both individual meals and large gatherings — one of its major assets, but so is its durable construction. We turned to the experts, who all agreed that less is more when it comes to cookware. The one brand that I considered testing cuisinart knife 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 steel and nonstick, and it didn’t meet our criteria. I also wanted to test the browning and caramelization capabilities of each fry pan, so I pan-fried 85% lean turkey burgers in 4-ounce portions for five to six minutes per side on medium-high heat.
Unlike most stainless steel cookware, nonstick cookware can significantly degrade over time. The nonstick coating can wear away, making the pan no longer nonstick and, worst-case scenario, no longer safe to use. Complete with two lidded saucepans, a saute pan, a Dutch oven, and two frying pans, this nonstick set includes enough to tackle most cooking projects with ease.