Stainless Steel Cookware: Pros, Cons, And Best Brands

Stainless steel cookware is a great addition to every kitchen. It looks gorgeous, lasts a lifetime, and can be used for everything from steaming rice to braising chicken to simmering soup. Stainless steel is a poor heat conductor, but this can be improved by layering it with a more conductive metal like copper or aluminium. This is known as 'cladding'.

When choosing a set, it’s important to consider what foods you cook most frequently and how many people you’re typically feeding. A good set of pots and pans will heat up evenly without scorching and will be easy to clean.

- All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set: This set includes a good assortment of essential pots and pans, including an 8-quart stockpot. It can be used at temperatures up to 600°F and is dishwasher-safe.

- Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Stainless Steel Set: This set gives you the professional look of the All-Clad set and more pieces at less than half the price. It includes generously-sized pieces like a 12-inch frypan, a 5-quart saute pan, a Dutch oven, and an 8-quart stockpot.

- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 17 Piece Set: This large set includes pots and pans for just about every cooking situation imaginable, from small ones for heating a single serving of soup or frying an egg to huge ones for braising one-dish dinners or boiling lobsters. It heats extremely evenly and is easy to clean.

- Hestan ProBond Clad Stainless Steel Ultimate Set, 10-piece: This pricey set feels well-balanced and has curved handles that give you a comfortable grip. It provides beautiful browning and exceptionally even simmering. It can be used at temperatures up to 600°F.

- Misen Essentials Cookware Set, 9-Piece: This set is a great choice if you’re not looking for a huge assortment of cookware but want what you do buy to be of the highest quality. Constructed of three layers of aluminium that are completely encased in stainless steel, Misen is heavier than its competitors which means it takes longer to heat up but is also less likely to burn or scorch foods.

Best overall stainless steel cookware set

The Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Set is a great option for those looking for the best overall stainless steel cookware set. It offers an incredible set of cookware at a great price. Each piece is made of 18/10 stainless steel wrapped around an aluminium core, which means that it'll heat evenly every time. It's also induction compatible.

During tests, this set warmed up thoroughly and uniformly and seared steak beautifully, leaving a restaurant-worthy crust. The riveted handles were comfortable throughout the days of testing, though they did get warm when cooking over high heat. The downsides are that the set doesn't stack easily together, and some people may find the weight of the pots centred in the middle, making them feel unbalanced.

The set includes an 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart braiser, 1.5-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, and a 6-quart stockpot. The material is 3-ply clad 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminium core. It is dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended. It is also induction-ready and has a lifetime warranty.

Best budget stainless steel cookware set

If you're looking for a budget-friendly stainless steel cookware set, there are a few options that offer excellent value for money. Here are some detailed descriptions of the best budget stainless steel cookware sets:

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set

This set is an excellent choice for those on a budget, retailing for less than $200. It includes all the basic pans you need, such as a 1.5-quart saucepan, a 3-quart saucepan with lids, an 8-quart stockpot with a cover, and a 10-inch skillet. The pans have a mirrored finish inside and out, an encapsulated base for even heat distribution, and are compatible with all cooking surfaces. They heat up quickly and evenly, and while there can be some sticking with certain foods, they are easy to clean. The riveted stainless steel handles stay cool during cooking, making it safe and comfortable to handle the pots and pans.

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad 10-Piece Stainless Steel Set

This set offers incredible value for money, with each piece made of 18/10 stainless steel wrapped around an aluminum core, ensuring even heating every time. It's also induction-compatible. The set includes two fry pans (8-inch and 10-inch), a 2-quart saucepan with a lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with a lid, a 3-quart saucepan with a lid, and a 6-quart stockpot. The pieces heat up uniformly, making them ideal for cooking eggs or searing steak. The riveted handles stay comfortable during cooking, although they do get warm over high heat. The set is easy to clean and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware Set

The Calphalon set is another great budget option, usually priced at around $200. It includes a 10-piece collection of pots and pans, featuring a 10-inch fry pan, a 2-quart saucepan with a lid, a 3-quart sauté pan with a lid, a 6-quart stockpot with a lid, and a 12-inch fry pan with a helper handle. The impact-bonded base provides fast and steady heating, and the long handles are ergonomic and securely riveted for a comfortable grip. The lids are made from tempered glass, and the pans are oven-safe and dishwasher-safe.

Goldilocks 7-Piece Cookware Set

The Goldilocks set is a no-frills option that includes everything you need without any unnecessary extras. For about $45 per piece, you get a 10-inch skillet, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, and an 8-quart stock pot with a lid. The pieces are sturdy, cook food evenly without hot spots, and are easy to clean as they are dishwasher-safe. The straight handles make them comfortable to grip, and the flared lips on the saucepans make pouring easy.

These budget-friendly stainless steel cookware sets offer a combination of performance, durability, and value, making them excellent choices for those looking to upgrade their kitchen without breaking the bank.

Best value stainless steel cookware set

If you're looking for the best value for money when it comes to stainless steel cookware, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set is a great option. It's an excellent starter set for beginner cooks and anyone who wants quality, multi-purpose cookware for a very reasonable price.

The set includes 8- and 10-inch fry pans, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. The saucepans even have measurement markings so you know exactly how much liquid to add. The set is made from 3-ply clad stainless steel with an aluminium core, which provides even browning and can be used on electric, induction and gas cooktops.

In testing, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set performed well, producing perfectly cooked eggs and rice, and flavourful marinara sauce. It heats up quickly and evenly, though it does require careful oversight when searing or sautéing as the pans can heat up very quickly. The smaller pots' handles are also a little uncomfortable to grip due to their short length and narrow width. However, the set is easy to clean and can be washed in the dishwasher.

Overall, if you're looking for a large set of stainless steel cookware that offers great value for money, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set is a fantastic option.

Best professional-grade stainless steel cookware set

If you're looking for a professional-grade stainless steel cookware set, the Hestan ProBond Collection is a great option. Designed to withstand the demands of professional use, this set offers even heat distribution, ergonomic handles, and a well-balanced construction. The set typically includes a stockpot, a large saucepan, a small saucepan, a skillet, and lids.

Here's a more detailed look at the features of the Hestan ProBond Collection:

• Construction and Materials: The set is made of 3-ply stainless steel with an aluminium core, ensuring optimal heat distribution and retention.
• Performance: The set delivers even heat distribution with a slight concentration of heat in the centre. It responds quickly to temperature changes, making it easy to adjust your cooking as needed.
• Handle Design: The handles are designed to be ergonomic and easy to grip, with the exception of the stockpot handle, which some testers found uncomfortable.
• Cleanliness: The set is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, although the flush rivets may require extra attention to ensure no food bits are trapped.
• Oven Safety: The Hestan set can withstand oven temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for a variety of cooking needs.
• Induction Compatibility: The set is compatible with induction cooktops, offering versatility in your cooking methods.

While the Hestan ProBond Collection offers a great balance of performance and durability, it's important to note that the stockpot may be too heavy for individuals with mobility issues. Additionally, the stockpot handles may be uncomfortable for some users. However, if you're looking for a professional-grade stainless steel cookware set, the Hestan ProBond Collection is a strong contender and will likely serve you well in your culinary endeavours.

Best hybrid stainless steel cookware set

If you're looking for a hybrid stainless steel cookware set, the Made In 10-piece stainless set is a great option. It is a 5-ply set, which means it has five layers of alternating stainless steel and aluminium, resulting in even heating and optimal heat distribution.

The set includes a non-stick frying pan, a regular frying pan, a saucepan with a lid, a sauté pan with a lid, and a stock pot with a lid. The non-stick pan is perfect for cooking sticky and delicate foods like fish and scrambled eggs. The set is induction-compatible and oven-safe up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pans are well-balanced and have wide, ergonomic handles that make them easy to control. The only downside is that the handles are larger than those of other brands, so you'll need extra storage space.

The Made In set is a beautiful, durable, and high-performance option for those looking for a hybrid stainless steel cookware set.

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