When we tested this in The Lab, we found that this set excels in heat distribution. During our tomato sauce test, it began to bubble evenly around the diameter of the saucepan and developed an even simmer throughout after a few minutes. Because of the copper, our infrared cuisinart knife thermometer detected consistent temperature through the bottom and center of the pan while the walls stayed a bit cooler. Though the frying pans require oil to make a fried egg without sticking, the resulting egg was delightfully even and beautifully cooked.
The set is easy to clean and offered an even sear during cooking tests. Generally speaking, you should not use metal utensils like whisks or spatulas on a nonstick surface. Another no-no for nonstick surfaces is extremely high heat, as it can shorten the life of the pan.
The more pieces in the set, the more storage space you’ll probably need. With that said, if you lack space, either 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. Ceramic usually has a higher price point than nonstick, but their performance is relatively equal.
Now, you can easily match your favorite Smeg kettle or toaster to your cookware too. The line is 100 percent dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze. You need to consider appearance, quantity, material, durability and cleanup.
We were curious to see if the Demeyere 5-Plus 10-Piece Cookware Set was worth its exorbitant price. In our tests, the pans heated incredibly evenly and didn’t discolor over high heat. However, the pans took almost double the time to preheat as our picks and were heavier than we’d prefer. We think this set is worth the steep price only if you’re looking for rivetless 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). Most people are inclined to buy sets because doing so is cheaper than buying pieces individually, but sets involve a compromise.
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.