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. 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.
The three saucepans (holding 1.25, 2, and 3 quarts) have long silicone handles that nestle together. The three pans below them (a 3-quart casserole, a 4.75-quart saucepot, and the 12-inch sauté pan) have side handles. All felt balanced and easy to hold when empty or full of a tasty meal.
While simmering tomato sauce, there was no scorching in the stockpot, even with minimal stirring. We did notice that some tomato sauce dripped down the side of the stockpot while we poured, but there were no splatters on the counter. We tested the Hestan 12.5″ Open Skillet to see if its NanoBond Technology made it less prone to discoloration than other cookware. tramontina cookware set The pan discolored slightly in our tests, but it was easy to clean with the Hestan brand stainless steel cleaner. However, because the skillet concentrated heat in the center of the pan, we opted not to try the full Hestan 10-Piece Set. We also tested the Hestan 12.5″ Probond Forged Stainless Steel Skillet, but it discolored and warped the first time we used it.
After testing the Misen 3QT Saucier in our guide to the best small saucepan, we ruled out the cookware sets from Misen. Its five-ply construction made the pan slower to heat up, and its tubular handle tramontina cookware set was hard to hold onto. We’ve also watched Misen’s cookware go in and out of stock frequently. The Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set was our previous runner-up pick.
This set includes 8½- and 10½-inch skillets, 1½- and 3½-quart sauce pans with lids, a 4-quart sauté pan with a lid, and a 6-quart stockpot with a lid. This may have been a one-off manufacturing error, but we’ll keep an eye on customer reviews to see if others experience a similar problem with the handle. 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. The only drawback to this set is that it doesn’t include a 12-inch skillet.
For the record, we’ve always recommended washing any stainless steel cookware by hand, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims. The harsh chemicals in some detergents plus the prolonged exposure to those cleaners over the course of a dishwashing cycle can cause damage to the pans (particularly the aluminum in the bonded cookware). All-Clad offers a wide range of cookware outside the main set, so you can grow your collection. In our cookware guides, we recommend several other All-Clad pieces, including the 12-inch skillet, the 8- and 10-inch nonstick skillets, the 2-quart saucier, and the flared roaster. 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.
Lids should fit well but somewhat loosely, with just enough wiggle room to allow steam to escape. Many, but not all, Tramontina cookware products are dishwasher safe and sourced from FDA approved materials. This deep cast iron skillet has a pouring spout, but you’re going to need both hands and strong focus because this pan is heavy at 12.58 lbs. The set is oven safe up to 350, but it isn’t designed for baking. Whether you want to steam, stir-fry, sauté, simmer, boil, brown, or sear, the Tramontina Tri-ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set has the pots and pans you would need.
In our test kitchen, we long-term tested an older (now-discontinued) version of this set for two years, and all of the pots and pans distributed heat evenly. The skillets became a bit more discolored after searing meat over high heat, but their performance remained the same. We dismissed sets with plastic handles, since even those made to withstand high temperatures can deteriorate over time. Ideally, we wanted cookware that could safely withstand oven temperatures of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit; that ruled out most cookware with plastic components. Several members of our staff have also seen plastic handles crack after they spent time in the dishwasher.