Sturdy, riveted stainless steel handles give you easy handling, and the entire pot is ovenproof up to 500 degrees. In addition to the basic skillets and saucepans, you get a large saute pan, a Dutch oven, and a large 8-quart stockpot. As the 12-inch fry pan is deep and rounded, it’s perfect for stir Cookware Sets fries. All in all, you’re pretty much covered for every possible cooking need. Like all stainless, this cookware is dishwasher safe but is prone to some discoloration over time. Perfect for a wedding or house warming gift, this cookware set has everything a new kitchen needs—and it’s affordable.
For anyone looking for additional colors, Crate & Barrel carries four exclusive colors with gold hardware. The clad construction means it heats and cools quickly and evenly, resulting in more optimal temperature control. The marinara had a rich, deep flavor, and cleanup was easy even after a long simmer. It was the turkey burgers, though, that confirmed All-Clad as my top choice.
None of the pans on this list were made using PFOAs; few manufacturers continue to use the chemical. If you want a nonstick alternative to a PTFE-coated pan, consider a cast iron skillet. You can season these pans to be naturally nonstick; they’ll require more maintenance over Cookware Sets time, but will last for many years. Yes, over time and with frequent use, the coating of nonstick pans will wear down. Based on the quality of the coating, how often you use the pans, and how well you care for them will influence whether they make it to five years or not.
This goes without saying, but safety should always be a consideration when working within a cooking space. If you’re willing to spend a little more, this cookware set from Scanpan proved to be a tester favorite for its effective cooking, luxurious design, ease of use, and cleanup. Our team observed consistent temperatures on all sides of the pan when heated, and detected no smell during the cooking portion of tests. The sauce took exactly two minutes to simmer without any scorching. The GreenPan SearSmart Hard Anodized Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Set also has one of the highest heat capacities on this list. You can pop them in the oven with total peace of mind knowing they’re safe for up to 600 degrees F.
One perk is that the pan comes with protectors to help prevent scratching when storing. Even so, its cute light-colored interior prevents any nicks and scratches from being too noticeable. There’s something about a stainless steel cookware set that just elevates your entire kitchen, and this dishwasher-safe set from Cuisinart is no different. Containing 12 pieces, this set has all of the basic cookware necessities included. The cool-grip handles won’t burn your hands, and the tight-fitting lids will keep all of the good stuff in. Each piece is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and even broiler-safe.
The pans themselves aren’t heavy and boast lightweight maneuverability without sacrificing function. In our omelet test, our testers found that there was no sticking at all, and the eggs rolled out easily. The only significant downside we found was the pesky rivets connecting the body of the pots and pans to the handles. They’re not coated in the nonstick coating, so food can get stuck to them and between the rivets and the pan.
As with the handles, lids need to sit comfortably on their respective pan. They don’t necessarily need to create a vacuum seal, but they should also not be perched precariously on the top of the pan. Handles should feel comfortable and be firmly attached to their pot or pan.