In our tests, eggs needed only a shake to release from the pan’s textured surface and scrambled eggs cleaned up with just a touch of the sponge. The Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro Fry Pan can handle more robust tasks as well; it seared steak evenly on both sides and is oven safe up to 500˚F. We took a closer look at the line to better understand the performance of the nonstick coating, durability, heat distribution and overall design of Tramontina’s pots and pans. We synthesized findings from 10 hours of product research and owner feedback into our Tramontina ceramic cookware reviews. We tested the Hestan 12.5″ Open Skillet to see if its NanoBond Technology made it less prone to discoloration than other cookware. The pan discolored slightly in our tests, but it was easy to clean with the Hestan brand stainless steel cleaner.
And we looked at how well each set nested for convenient storage. We like the Tramontina ceramic cookware set as an affordable option to outfit a kitchen. Compared with other makers of ceramic cookware, this set has good durability and is compatible with gas, electric and ceramic glass cooktops. Do not buy this set if you plan on using an induction cooking surface – it won’t work. Weighing just under three pounds, it was hefty enough to offer great heating, but not so heavy as to cause wrist strain.
Again, a major plus of ceramic cookware is that we feel comfortable using it in the oven and on high heat. Caraway, especially, is great for high-temp cooking, because it can be used at up to 550°F in the oven, which is higher even than most other ceramic nonstick pans. Contributor Lauren Joseph loves the large sauté pan for one-pot dinners. While neither as strong as a cast-iron workhorse nor as indestructible as stainless steel, the best nonstick pans are what we reach for when cooking eggs, crisping fish skin, or reheating leftovers.
I started this blog because someone told me I couldn’t and before I knew it, I was doing it purely out of my love for food. We do recommend that if you are going to make the investment, you look at all of the details and go ahead and spring for the premium investment over the base set. Stainless steel is composed of mostly or exclusively stainless steel, which is the primary difference between the two. Yes, they are both stainless steel, but they are different overall. These sets come in different sizes and some even have different color options. Let’s have a quick overview of the cookware items that Tramontina has available.
This set is priced on the “affordable” end of the market when compared to competitor brands, and carries a lifetime warranty from manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship. If you are purchasing an individual fry pan, rather than the set, size the pan to fit your burner. The 12 inch fry pan may be a good fit if you have many mouths to feed, but for most kitchens the 8 inch or 10 inch version may be a better fit for your stove top element.
According to our research, ceramic coatings don’t last as long as PTFE coatings. Since the Goldilocks set is relatively new, we don’t know how it will perform over time (as we do with the Tramontina tramontina pans and All-Clad sets we’ve been long-term testing for years). However, we’ll continue to test this set to see how it holds up against our other picks, and we will update this guide accordingly.
At 3 pounds, 14.8 ounces, the Signature Thermo-Clad pan was a bit hefty for some of our testers. On top of that, the lids have tiny handles that we found difficult to grasp, and the set comes with only one skillet. The Goldilocks pot lids are noticeably lighter than those in the All-Clad set. However, considering this set’s remarkably low price, we don’t think tramontina pans this small flaw should deter you. Just keep in mind that since the lids aren’t quite as durable as those of our other picks, they may dent easier if they take a tumble from your stove onto the floor. If you’re partial to keeping your cookware looking bright and shiny, note that this was one of the only sets we tested that looked like new after we cleaned it.
Since the skillets and stockpot in the All-Clad D3 Curated 10-Piece Set (sold exclusively at Crate & Barrel) are smaller than we recommend, we opted not to test the full set. However, we’ve tested similar pieces from All-Clad’s D3 Stainless Everyday line, which you can read about above. I also spoke with several home cooks, including members of our own staff, who have used cookware sets for years. This fully clad tri-ply set performed better than any other set we’ve tested under $250.