A dishwasher-safe design and long, cool handles are just the cherries on top. In terms of design, the set received a near-perfect score as testers liked the glass lids and the included steamer pot attachment. They also appreciated the traditional design on this set and noted that the pieces feel substantial. Plus, another detail that makes this one of the best stainless steel cookware sets worth considering is that the inside of the pans has measurements, so even beginner chefs can cook up something. This set includes a 1.5-quart saucepan and 3-quart saucepan with lids, an 8-quart stockpot with cover, and a 10-inch skillet—all the basic pans you need in your kitchen.
The durability of stainless steel allows it to stand up to daily use and does not limit you to using only certain utensils while cooking. Though stainless steel is less reactive than some other types of cookware, it is not recommended cuisinart griddler elite that you store food in your stainless steel pots for long periods of time. Before cleaning, always let a hot pan cool down before soaking—this will help prevent warping—then gently scrub away food particles with mild, soapy water .
Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, but it’s very expensive and difficult to maintain. However, we did test the All-Clad Copper Core 10-Piece Cookware Set because it has a stainless steel exterior. We sautéed chicken, made caramel, and simmered tomato sauce to test for warping, even heat distribution, and ease of handling.
But, stainless steel is simply not non-stick, no matter how much it costs. For example, Aluminum is a great choice for the core of a pan, because it conducts heat extremely well. At the same time, aluminum isn’t very durable and also reacts poorly to acidic ingredients. That means instead of only a tri-ply base, they feature three layers of material throughout the entire piece of cookware.
Testers did not that the stock pot felt a bit small for batch cooking, however they liked that the set had glass lids that make it easy to monitor your food. If you’re looking for a set that’s less expensive than other options, the best stainless steel cookware set is this 7-piece set by Cuisinart. The set received one of the highest ratings overall and was one our testers wanted for their own kitchens. Because copper is such an excellent conductor of heat, we decided to test the All-Clad Copper Core 10-Piece Set to see how it would perform against regular tri-ply stainless steel cookware. In our tests, the Copper Core cookware heated up so fast we had to swirl the pan more when making caramel, to prevent it from burning. Unlike the tri-ply All-Clad set we recommend, the Copper Core skillets discolored badly over high heat.
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. We excluded sets with glass lids because they can break or crack easily if dropped. Glass lids also offer little advantage over stainless steel lids because you can’t see through them when they’re covered with condensation. Lids should fit well but somewhat loosely, with just enough wiggle room to allow steam to escape. Because of its even heat distribution, fully clad tri-ply stainless steel is the best option for both pros and home cooks.