We prepared small batches of caramel in the saucepans to check for hot spots. Many sets include a pasta insert or steamer basket for stockpots, but these pieces are superfluous. In our experience, they take up too much space or have a shallow design that doesn’t allow enough circulation for pasta when boiling. Anodized aluminum’s dark color can make it hard to tell whether foods are browning properly, which is especially important for challenging tasks like making caramel. This material can also be more difficult to clean than stainless steel because it’s harder to tell whether you’ve scrubbed off every bit of burned-on oil.
The pans have a mirrored finish inside and out, an encapsulated base for even heat distribution, and can be used on all cooking surfaces. If you’re looking for a quality set of cookware that won’t break the bank, this Cuisinart set has everything you need. It has a brushed stainless exterior and a polished interior surface, cool-grip handles that are riveted on for security, and tight-fitting lids that self-baste the food as you cook. Another advantage of stainless steel handles is that the pans can go into the oven as these pots are oven safe up to 500F.
All you might need to add is an extra nonstick pan or a cast-iron Dutch oven to round out your collection. Shop Cuisinart cookware sets with all the cookware basics like stock pots, frying pans and more so you’ll have the right cookware for every meal. You’ll find durable construction in stainless steel, anodized aluminum and other modern materials for quick prep and easy cleanup.
The lids for the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic stainless steel line are all made from tempered glass. Something you’ll appreciate if you like to keep a close eye on things with the cover on. Testers liked that the handle of the pan remained cool to the cuisinart griddler elite touch even with high heat, an ideal safety feature especially if you have small children at home. They also loved how durable this set feels, describing it as “a beast.” Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.
For other cleaning options, refer to our blog post and video on the subject. Since the Goldilocks set is relatively new, we don’t know how it will perform over time (as we do with the Tramontina and All-Clad sets we’ve been long-term testing for years). However, we’ll continue to test this set to see how it holds up against our other picks, and we will update this guide accordingly. Goldilocks offers a lifetime warranty on its cookware, and it accepts returns within 30 days of your purchase. But even with the added shipping cost, this set would still be less expensive than similar-quality cookware. The chicken we cooked in the Goldilocks 12-inch skillet wasn’t quite as evenly browned as the chicken we cooked in the All-Clad 12-inch skillet (which isn’t included in the All-Clad 10-piece set).