The Best Cookware Sets: Reviews of T-Fal, Calphalon, Cuisinart

If you have a gas stove or you want durability and a nonstick surface all in one, your best option is the hard-anodized. These are definitely resistant handles but are a little uncomfortable to use. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard Anodized cookware can be used in the oven or broiler up to 500 degrees F. ❌ Can be more difficult to clean compared to other materials such as non-stick or ceramic.

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 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.

According to Rodgers, it’s important to follow the directions from the maker of your stainless steel cookware set to ensure you’re keeping it in the best shape. While many sets are dishwasher safe, some may recommend just using soap and water instead. Whether you’re moving into a new home or just tapping into your cooking skills, this 10-piece Calphalon set is the best stainless steel cookware set you should consider. Testers appreciated the set’s price point and liked that it offers even cooking and an easy clean-up. Overall, the best stainless steel cookware set is the Cuisinart MCP-12N MultiClad Pro Triple Ply 12-Piece Set. According to testers, the cookware set feels durable and like it would last a long time.

The non-stick surfaces are coated with either a PTFE-based or ceramic material. The bottom line is the performance of Cuisinart cookware varies by collection. Cuisinart also offers ceramic coating (PTFE and PFOA-free) on the Ceramica XT and GreenGourmet collections. Cuisinart coats many of its non-stick pans with Quantanium, a PTFE-based non-stick formulation reinforced with titanium for longevity and durability. Many home cooks don’t need this level of control, but it’s useful for recipes like fish, sauces, risotto, jams, caramel, and chocolate. You have a choice of non-stick for delicate foods like eggs and stainless steel for searing, browning, and overall versatility.

Just make sure to use silicone kitchen utensils rather than metal ones to protect the coating. To preserve your non-stick Cuisinart pots and pans set for years to come, hand-wash using a gentle sponge. Whether you’re cooking for large groups of people or just bigger quantities to stock in your freezer, this space-saving cookware set can take whatever you throw at it. The high-quality stainless steel is virtually indestructible and metal utensil- and induction cooktop-friendly.

One standout feature people really seem to love is that these pots and pans were clearly designed for easy stackability and storage. The 8-inch skillet performed well in the omelet test with no sticking, and the eggs rolled out easily. The 1.5-quart sauce pot was quick to simmer, although there was slight sticking in the grooves and on the sides after cooking. The rice cooked well in the 2.5-quart saucepan without sticking or burning, and the testers found the temperature was consistent across the pan surface. While testing the 8-inch skillet, our testers found that the eggs stuck to the pan’s rivets and sides.

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 cuisinart griddler elite 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.

cuisinart pots and pans set

Below are the 10 best cookware sets from CR’s latest tests, both nonstick and stainless steel, listed alphabetically by type. CR members can jump to our cookware ratings for details and more options. Sometimes a single frying pan is all you need to achieve Top Chef glory. Other recipes require the full treatment—steaming, boiling, sautéing.

“I like heavy just because I think common sense would say the heavier they are, the slightly better quality they are,” says Jason Santos, a chef. “I’ve seen really cheap stainless steel pans that you can basically bend. So I think a heavy set is good. It’s safe to say it’s probably decent quality.” “Heavier pans tend to have thicker vessel gauge which will help to even heat,” a representative for the Calphalon research and development team explained to us.

When it came to the sauce test, there was no visible scorching after ten minutes of simmering sauce in the 3-quart saucepan. Overall, the testers found the cookware maintained a consistent temperature throughout the pan when heated. This five-ply set was one of our highest-rated picks and is the best stainless steel cookware set if you’re in the market for a stylish and durable design.