Why We Love the Tramontina Fry Pan for 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter
Cookware manufacturers often sell variations of the same cookware set to different retailers. They do this primarily to avoid competition among big-box stores, such as Target and tramontina cookware Walmart, that sell similar items. We tried to cut through all of that confusion by testing the best version of each cookware set that we could find across multiple retailers.
We’ve always recommended washing any stainless steel cookware by hand, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims. The harsh chemicals in some detergents and the prolonged exposure to those cleaners over the course of a dishwashing cycle can damage pans (particularly the aluminum in the bonded cookware). Most people are inclined to buy sets because doing so is cheaper than buying pieces tramontina cookware individually, but sets involve a compromise. To reduce the overall price of a set, most manufacturers include smaller pot and pan sizes. Or perhaps you already own stainless steel cookware, but it’s dented, warped, or inclined to cook unevenly. In that case, we think upgrading to a stainless steel set is worth doing because it will last a lot longer—maybe even a lifetime.
We were curious to see if the Demeyere 5-Plus 10-Piece Cookware Set was worth its exorbitant price. In our tests, the pans heated incredibly evenly and didn’t discolor over high heat. However, the pans took almost double the time to preheat as our picks and were heavier than we’d prefer. We think this set is worth the steep price only if you’re looking for rivetless cookware.
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This variant of the Tramontina Professional nonstick pan, made specifically for Walmart, functions identically to our pick, with minor aesthetic differences. We dismissed the Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-piece Cookware Set because the rivets weren’t secure on some of the pot handles, causing them to wiggle. Some skillets, such as this Viking Contemporary Frying Pan, have sharply angled sides that make tossing vegetables while sautéing difficult. This well-constructed, affordable, fully clad tri-ply set distributes heat evenly, and it’s durable enough to take some abuse in a busy household.
Anything abrasive can scratch the pan’s surface and damage the nonstick coating, so you should also avoid using metal utensils when you cook. Goldilocks is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand that was formerly called Potluck. (We opted not to test the former Potluck set because it came with just seven pieces and included a 10-inch skillet only.) The set we now recommend was introduced after the company’s rebranding.
We also experienced some minor sticking while sautéing chicken in the skillets, but it was minimal. Overall, the Goldilocks set performed better than any other set we’ve tested in this price range. The Great Jones Family Style set is unusual among the cookware sets we looked at in that it includes a nonstick pan and an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. For one, when testing the Great Jones Saucy for our guide to the best small saucepan, we found the loop-shaped handles uncomfortable to hold. Also, the nonstick pan is only 8½ inches, so it’s not as versatile as the 10-inch pans we recommend in our guide to nonstick skillets.
And if you’re partial to keeping your cookware bright and shiny, note that in our tests this set was one of the few that looked like new when we cleaned it—even after years of testing. If ceramic cookware is more your vibe, you’ll love Tramontina’s Ceramica Deluxe set. The entire set is free from PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium, so you can cook easy knowing your food is safe. The Goldilocks pot lid handles, and those on the sides of the stockpot, are wide with a slight dimple (similar to All-Clad’s handles); this makes them easier to grasp and more comfortable to hold.