Our testing team, led by our Kitchen & Cooking editor (who is also a professional chef) assessed this cookware set by putting each piece through a variety of tests. Investing in a cookware set that’s going to (hopefully) last for years to come can feel like a daunting investment. And while chef-approved brands like HexClad and Hestan may be fantastic, they come at high costs that can be unrealistic for the average home cook. The Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Set earned our vote for the best value set in our tested analysis of the wider stainless steel cookware market. Ahead, learn more about the set’s features and why we’d quickly recommend it to anyone searching for budget-friendly cookware.
In terms of design, testers noted that the pan handles had a nice feel and found that the squared-off lid handles fit comfortably in their hands. The bigger pans and pots have a helper handle for ease of holding anything heavier or hot as well. Overall, they felt that the set had a substantial feel that helped justify the price point.
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. The overall rating was determined by averaging the scores of each category. The seared scallops did leave a mark however it was easy to remove with the help of Bar Keepers Friend.
The best Cuisinart cookware set is the Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel collection. Featuring suave looks, superb performance, and excellent durability, this stainless steel set is a steal for the price (not sorry cuisinart pots and pans set about that pun!). While cooking, it’s not ideal for your food to stick to the pan or pot you’re using. In addition to it being difficult to remove your food, it can also make cleaning more difficult as well.
They also loved how durable this set feels, describing it as “a beast.” This set is oven safe to 500 degrees and during testing, the temperature of the pan stayed pretty cuisinart soup maker even. The temperatures ranged from 350 to 400 to 334 around the pan, which means when you’re browning meat or fish it’s going to be evenly cooked without a lot of fuss.
The frittata slid right out of the pan with very minimal sticking as well, with testers noting that the handles didn’t stay hot for too long afterward. You also can’t use metal utensils or cook on a very high heat the way you can with a stainless steel set. All of the above can be accomplished with Cuisinart—so, though it’s a little more expensive than a nonstick set, it’s worth it for a thoughtful cook. My best guess is that the cookware sets are either made in France or from the company’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.