Chef's Steel Symphony: A Critical Review Of Gourmet Chef Stainless Steel Cookware Sets

Gourmet Chef offers a range of stainless steel cookware sets in different sizes, including 10, 12, and 14 pieces. The sets feature sauce pans, pots, stock pots, frying pans, and sauté pans of various sizes, all with tempered glass lids that allow you to monitor the food as it cooks. The cookware is made of 18/10 stainless steel with encapsulated aluminum or steel bases for even heat distribution. The sets are generally well-reviewed for their value, performance, and ease of cleaning, although some customers have noted issues with the handles and stickiness.

Dishwasher and scratch-resistant

The Gourmet Chef 12-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set is dishwasher-safe and scratch-resistant. It has an encapsulated 3-ply base for even heat distribution and tempered glass lids for easy viewing of food during cooking. The set includes a 1.6-quart milk pan, 1.6-quart and 2.3-quart sauce pots, a 3.2-quart sauce pot, a 6.3-quart Dutch oven, and a 9.5-inch frying pan, all with glass lids. The handles are made of stay-cool bakelite, and the cookware is suitable for use on all cooking surfaces, including induction.

The Gourmet Chef 10-piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set is also dishwasher-safe and has an encapsulated base for even heat distribution. It includes a 2-quart covered sauce pan, a 3-quart covered sauce pot, a 4-quart covered sauce pot, a 7-quart covered stock pot, and a 10-inch covered sauté pan. The set features tempered glass lids and riveted stainless steel handles.

Heat distribution

Tramontina Gourmet Tri-Ply Clad 8-Piece Cookware Set

This set offers excellent heat distribution, with reviewers saying that it heats up quickly and cooks food evenly. The skillets produce perfectly browned chicken pieces with nice fond development, and the saucepans and stockpot simmer liquids without scorching. The set includes an 8-quart stockpot with a lid, 3-, 2-, and 1½-quart saucepans with lids, 8- and 10-inch skillets, and a 6-quart deep sauté pan with a lid.

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set

The All-Clad set is known for its even heat distribution, with the pans in this set continuing to impress users with their ability to distribute heat uniformly. The set includes 8- and 10-inch skillets, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with a lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid.

Goldilocks Cookware Set Plus

The Goldilocks set is another great option, with fully clad tri-ply stainless steel that heats evenly across the surface of the pans. The set includes 10- and 12-inch skillets, 1½- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid. While the set performed well in tests, some minor sticking occurred while sautéing chicken in the skillets.

Hestan Nanobond Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

The Hestan Nanobond set is infused with titanium, which makes the pots and pans strong and practically nonstick. The set excelled in tests, with the pans heating evenly and browning steak nicely on both sides. The set includes a 10-inch fry pan, two saucepans, a 3-quart sauté pan, an 8-quart stockpot, and lids for each piece.

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Tri-Ply 12-piece Cookware Set

The Cuisinart set offers rather even heat distribution, though the walls of the skillet heat faster than the center. The set includes two saucepans, a sauté pan, a stock pot, two skillets, a steamer insert, and five lids. The steamer insert is a rare inclusion that is great for steaming vegetables or draining pasta.

Made In Starter Stainless Steel 6-Piece Cookware Kit

The Made In set is made of five-ply stainless steel, which means it has five layers of stainless steel and aluminum. This construction allows the set to heat evenly and be super durable. The set includes a 10-inch skillet, a 10-inch nonstick skillet, a 2-quart saucepan with a lid, and a 5-quart stock pot with a lid.

Glass lids

The glass lids are also convenient for storage as they can be stacked together. However, some users have noted that the lids can collect water if submerged, and that the handles can get hot during cooking. Overall, the glass lids are a popular feature of Gourmet Chef's stainless steel cookware sets, providing both functionality and convenience for home cooks.

Handle design

When it comes to the handle design of the Gourmet Chef stainless steel cookware sets, there are a few different options available. Some sets feature bakelite handles, which are designed to stay cool and provide a comfortable grip. These handles are also double handles on some of the sauce pots, making them easy to use. Other sets feature riveted stainless steel handles, which offer a secure grip and a smooth surface on the inside of the pots and pans. Additionally, some sets have silicone rubber handles that stay cool and provide a convenient grip, especially when cooking multiple dishes at once.

While most users find the handles to be comfortable and functional, some reviews mention that the handles can sometimes get hot, so it is important to be careful. There are also a few reports of handles being broken upon arrival or not being as sturdy as expected. Overall, however, the handle design of the Gourmet Chef stainless steel cookware sets seems to be well-received by customers, with some mentioning that the handles are easy to grip and stay cool during cooking.

Value for money

The Gourmet Chef Stainless Steel Cookware Set is available in a 10-piece, 12-piece, and 14-piece set. The 12-piece set is the most popular and is available from a number of retailers including Amazon, Wayfair, and Walmart. Prices range from $49.98 to $79.36. The 10-piece set is available from Amazon and has received 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews. The 14-piece set is available from athimport.com for $130.99.

Reviews for the 12-piece set are mixed, with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars from 106 reviews on Amazon. Some customers have praised the set for being good value for money, easy to clean, and lightweight. However, others have criticized the set for having poor-quality handles that are prone to breaking and scratching. Some customers have also reported that the set gives off an odor when heated and that food sticks to the pans.

The 10-piece set has received more positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon. One customer commented that the set is "nothing special, but better than expected". Another customer stated that the set is "great for the price".

Overall, the Gourmet Chef Stainless Steel Cookware Set offers a range of options in terms of the number of pieces included. The 12-piece set is the most popular and is available from a number of retailers at varying price points. Reviews are mixed, with some customers praising the set's value for money and ease of cleaning, while others have criticized the quality of the handles and the stickiness of the pans. The 10-piece and 14-piece sets have received more positive reviews, but are available from fewer retailers.

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