12 Pc Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set
And it has a ceramic coating, which we’ve found quickly loses its nonstick properties. The set’s only other skillet, a 10¼-inch skillet/sauté pan hybrid, is also on the small side. The All-Clad D3 Stainless 10-Piece Set includes 8- and 10-inch skillets, 2- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with a lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid.
This fully clad tri-ply set performed better than any other set we’ve tested under $250. We like that it includes larger skillets, but the pans are heavier and don’t have the proven longevity of our other picks. However, most of our testers found the stick handles on the skillets to be uncomfortably tramontina cookware set low, preferring the higher angle of the handles on our picks. That said, if you’re shorter, you may actually prefer the lower handle angle. We opted not to test the Five Two Essential Cookware 11-Piece Complete Set because it comes with glass lids, and the stockpot is only 6 quarts.
We also found that the stick handles were comfortable to hold and the appropriate length, unlike the Anolon Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set’s handles, which were too short. Stick handles that provide an easy grip and a comfortable angle allow you to quickly move saucepans around the stovetop using only one hand. So we dismissed sets with small or medium saucepans that had two side handles.
This versatile cookware set has everything home chefs need to find delicious success in the kitchen at a fraction of the cost. Buying this set will score you all the essentials, including a 10-inch frying pan, 6-quart saute pan, 5-quart Dutch oven, and 8-quart stockpot. For superior-quality cookware that will last a lifetime, we recommend getting the All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set. The pros we talked to said the All-Clad tri-ply cookware is the best for both professional and home use because it’s so durable. In our tests, the All-Clad pans heated evenly, were comfortable to hold, and tackled every cooking job without any hiccups. Though the largest skillet measures only 10 inches instead of 12, this set will outfit your kitchen with all the other pots and pans you’re ever likely to need.
In addition to your main set, you can always purchase other essential pieces, such as a Dutch oven, a cast-iron skillet, and a nonstick pan. Ultimately, those pieces won’t see much use and will only clutter up your kitchen. Our experts agreed that you’re better off getting a set with fewer, better-quality pieces that you’ll reach for again and again. A good quality cookware can provide better cooking results, durability and health benefits.