We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York.
We were impressed by the quality of the Goldilocks Cookware Set Plus, especially for its low price. Its fully clad tri-ply stainless steel heats evenly across the surface of the pans. This set also includes almost all of the pot and pan sizes we prefer, including a 12-inch skillet—a rarity in most sets.
You could mix and match this set with the pan trio and end up with a useful set. For those looking for induction compatible cookware, this is one of few items to consider from Tramontina. Your frying pans are usually the first thing to go, so replacing them alone makes sense. And compared to other high-end frying pans, this one is quite affordable.
You don’t want to be fooling around with a hot pan trying to remove the grip. It’s important to note that the Tramontina frying pan was designed with professional kitchens in mind. The pan is made out of high quality, commercial-grade aluminum, specially constructed to allow for the even distribution of heat. The biggest downside to stainless steel is that it can be sticky—by this, we mean that unless you heat it up before adding fat (such as oil or butter), your food might stick to the pan. This is because the pans have pores, so to speak, that contract when heated; if you don’t heat your pan up enough, you risk your food being “grasped” by the open pores as they contract. While the Tramontina actually edges out the All-Clad as far as heat retention goes, the All-Clad is an all-around better performer.
The lack of quality of the cookware can be felt in your hand because it’s light. The pans’ handles are comfortable and stay quite cool while cooking, but the pot handles are a bit narrow, and the edges can get hot as you cook. Most stainless steel pans are dishwasher-safe, though we still recommend washing by hand for longevity reasons, as stainless steel can rust in the dishwasher. You can read more about why the Made tramontina cookware set In edged out the All-Clad as our top pick (price!) and our budget-friendly recommendation, which is, of course, from Tramontina. You can determine the best size for your needs by evaluating how much food you cook at a time for your family, as well as where you plan to store the pots and pans. Some high-end cookware sets can cost close to $1,000, but there is no need to break the bank when stocking your kitchen.
While it’s also dishwasher safe, we recommend hand washing all cookware to prevent the harsh environment that dishwashers can create. I placed both pans in a 350°F (177°C) oven for a full hour until they maintained a completely steady temperature of 335°F (168.3°C) as read by my laser thermometer. Traditionally, the next step would be to dump the pans into a well-insulated body of water and note the change in temperature of that water to gauge how much energy was stored in the metal. However, that would give me the capacity of the entire pan, and honestly, I don’t care how well the handle or lips retain heat. A. Hand washing your Tramontina cookware can extend the life of your pots and pans, but most pans are dishwasher safe. We were curious to see if the Demeyere 5-Plus 10-Piece Cookware Set was worth its exorbitant price.