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.
With superb heat distribution, great durability, eye-catching design, and nifty extra features like tapered rims, you really can’t go wrong with this set. Stainless steel cookware sets each come with their own set of cleaning instructions, so it’s worth double-checking what the manufacturer recommends to ensure they’re staying in good shape. Overall, testers cuisinart soup maker found that the pans in this Calphalon set were fairly nonstick and the pans heated quickly. However, testers found the pans in this Calphalon set heated unevenly and there was some discoloring of the pan as well. Cleaning the pan after cooking the scallops took a bit of elbow grease as well and the handles got very hot during one of the cooking tests.
Particularly tricky food types include fried eggs, fish, and other proteins. In fact, the stickability of proteins to stainless steel cookware is one of the big disadvantages of this material, regardless of brand. To me, the difficulty of cleaning is probably going to be the drawback that repels some people from buying this Cuisinart cookware set.
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. Though the set is an investment, testers felt like the look of the brushed finish and felt that the high-quality pieces are worth it. Plus, another detail that makes this one cuisinart soup maker of the best stainless steel cookware sets worth considering is that the inside of the pans has measurements, so even beginner chefs can cook up something. During cooking testers, our testers liked that this pan heated up fast and reached 400 degrees—it cooked both the scallops and frittata perfectly, without any sticking.
In fact, both cooked with a nice, even heat, and there was no noticeable warping when we dipped the pan into ice after cooking. The set was noticeably easy to clean, which is a plus given that it’s not recommended to put the pieces in the dishwasher. It’s worth noting that since the lids aren’t glass, you’ll have to lift them to check on your dishes as they cook. However, all of the pieces are dishwasher safe, so they’ll be easy to clean in case anything spills over.
Stainless steel pots and pans are a fantastic addition to your kitchen, whether you’re just starting to build out your kitchen, or upgrading to a gorgeous new set. In addition to having a gleaming finish, stainless steel cookware sets are highly durable and can last a long time with the right care. When you set out on a cookware set shopping expedition, it’s all but expected that you’ll be looking at higher price tags. That was certainly the case with most of the pan sets we tested in our larger review of stainless steel cookware. After all, finding an entire family of high-quality pots and pans without shelling out top dollar can be tricky indeed. That said, it’s not impossible—a fact we happily confirmed when we got our hands on Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Set.
Make your next meal your best one yet when you create it with Cuisinart. They allow for the easy release of food, which makes clean-up a breeze. You can even use less oil without worrying about your breakfast sticking to the pan. 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.
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.