We also like that each piece has a helper handle, which offers extra control when moving the pan. Make sure you have the best tools for storing and maintaining your brand-new cookware set. Invest in pot organizers and racks and, if you’re going for stainless steel, copper or cast iron, definitely have a bottle of Bar Keepers Friend on hand.
Additionally, we evaluated how easy the handles were to hold, especially when retrieving the pots and pans from a hot oven using a side towel or pot holders. We also took note of the individual weight and thickness of the pieces in each set. To test for dripping, we observed how easily we could pour liquids from each pot. By hand-washing the pots and pans, we got a sense of how easy they were to clean. And we looked at how well each set nested for convenient storage.
When you’re buying cookware one piece at a time, it’s nice to get a lid, but if you have other cookware, you may already have a lid that will fit perfectly. Lids are often made from the same material as the pot, so they can withstand the same heat. Some lids are made from glass, which means you can see the food without lifting the lid, but they may not Cookware Sets be able to handle high oven heat. Throughout the testing, we noticed the balanced feel of the pots and pans, though they do feel a little on the lower quality side of things. But the overall value of having a full set of cookware plus utensils trumps that. They were very easy to clean and are dishwasher safe, though washing by hand is recommended.
The All-Clad skillets discolored slightly over heat, though significantly less than almost any other cookware we tested. 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.
Ceramic nonstick is usually a very light material that requires a much thinner layer, so these pans feel exceptionally lightweight. Our top pick, the theFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans, earned 5 out of 5 across all categories, including temperature, performance, design, and ease of cleaning. One of the only sets to receive a 5 out of 5 on temperature consistency, these Farberware pots and pans are incredibly reliable.
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. Though a lot of stainless steel cookware claims to be dishwasher-safe, we Cookware Sets still recommend washing it by hand whenever possible. A sponge does a much better job of getting into a pan’s nooks and crannies . For difficult-to-remove items like burnt-on oil or lime deposits, a sponge and some Bar Keepers Friend usually do the trick.
Our favorite set, the All-Clad D3 seven-piece, would cost about $50 more if you bought each piece of cookware individually. The difference will vary based on the brand and the specific set but you can expect to save some money when buying a cohesive set. In terms of design, testers noted that the pan handles had a nice feel and found that the squared-off lid handles fit comfortably in their hands. The bigger pans and pots have a helper handle for ease of holding anything heavier or hot as well.