That said, pans that are just stainless steel are not ideal. What you really want is for the pan to be “fully clad,” meaning that it’s crafted from different layers of metal. The general consensus is that fully clad tri-ply stainless steel is most desirable. These have an aluminum layer sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. That aluminum will distribute heat well and heat up more quickly, and the stainless steel will retain the heat. There are also five-ply options, but those tend to take longer to heat up and the heat is less evenly distributed. You can also find “encapsulated” bases, sometimes called a “disk-bottom” where just the base is clad. If you cook a lot at home, we recommend approaching your stainless steel cookware as an investment. It will serve you well and last just about forever. All-Clad is seen as the gold standard for most chefs, but after looking at all of the factors, our top choice is the Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad 12-Piece Cookware Set. Start planning your pasta sauces, homemade caramel, sautéed greens, and more because it’s time to get cooking! Here are the best stainless steel cookware sets. A great cookware set will not only have a good combination of pots and pans but will also have pots that can handle a variety of recipes. For a durable, easy-to-use set that checks both boxes, we love the Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad 12-Piece Cookware Set. For starters, it comes with two fry pans, though you may need to pick up a 12-inch one for larger recipes. Beyond that, the four pots, stockpot, and large sauté pan, can manage most everyday cooking. The entire set is produced with 18/10 stainless steel, an aluminum layer, and a magnetic stainless steel layer that will work on induction cooktops. All of this set’s pieces will heat quickly and evenly, while the handles stay cool on the stove. It has a lifetime warranty, is dishwasher safe, and its European styling will look gorgeous in your kitchen. It’s not safe for metal utensils, but otherwise, there are very few drawbacks to this set.Price at time of publish: $610 Goldilocks, formerly known as Potluck, is a fairly new brand but is quickly building a following. Why? It’s budget-friendly cookware, but thanks to its innovative business model, you don’t sacrifice on quality for the price. This set is for those who know that they need a stockpot and that they’ll want to use their pans in the oven. Everything is tri-ply stainless steel construction throughout the base and sides with handles that stay cool on the stove, and thoughtful details like that the lids fit every pan. The lids are also domed so any condensation drips back into the pot, and not on your hand. The pieces are safe for the dishwasher and come with a lifetime warranty.Price at time of publish: $175 All-Clad is the gold standard for cookware. You’ll pay more, but its impeccable design and durability make it a worthy investment if you have the cash. All-Clad always covers the details that will matter for a lifetime of cooking. Our best beginner set is a smaller version of our best overall from Tramontina. With two pans, two pots, and a Dutch oven, this is a great set to begin exploring the world of cooking. Perhaps you’re reading these sets thinking they sound great, but when you look at your kitchen, you just don’t know where you’d store it. If you don’t have much room, the Calphalon Premier Space-Saving Stainless Steel Supper Club Set is the way to go. Made In is another direct-to-consumer brand that has quickly built a following among the press, professionals, and consumers alike. Its kitchenware is used in Michelin-starred restaurants like Chicago’s Alinea and Le Bernardin in New York City. In other words, Made In is the real deal; it’s reliable, well-made, and will make your cooking life far simpler with its ease of use. Our favorite set to stock your kitchen is the Sous Chef set. This set is mostly 5-ply stainless steel with a carbon steel and a nonstick fry pan. Those two additions are what make this set worth it. Carbon steel is similar to cast iron in that it can handle extremely high temperatures (this one is safe to 1200 degrees), which makes it excellent for searing meat, but you’ll have to regularly season it. That’s why Made In includes a 2-ounce jar of seasoning wax. The nonstick pan, which is safe to 800 degrees, is PFOA-free and extra resistant to degrading.
What to Look for a Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Piece Count
The sets we included were generally 8 to 12 pieces (don’t forget that includes lids!), but you can find smaller ones. It’s important here to think about how often you cook and how many you’re cooking for. For a big family of food lovers, you may want the sets with more pieces and variety. For a couple who tends to order delivery more than you cook, you could likely get away with a smaller set or even individual pieces.
Materials
Stainless steel is durable and holds heat well. But, the best stainless steel pans have some aluminum sandwiched in between those layers to help distribute heat and get hot more quickly. Look for the words “tri-ply.”
Maintenance
Most blemishes on stainless steel cookware are just that—they may make it a little less lovely to gaze upon, but they’re not going to impact performance. That said, there are precautions you can take so your pots and pans stay gleaming. Always dry your pan as soon as you’re done using it. Add salt to your water once it’s boiling, not before, to avoid pockmarks in your pan. Food will be more likely to stick if it’s cold, so if you can, leave it out at room temperature so it doesn’t stick to your pan. Wait until your pan is hot to add oil and wait until the oil is hot to add the food you’re hoping to cook. Just about any discoloration that occurs can be cleaned with a bit of Bar Keepers Friend, a powerful, non-corrosive cleaner.
Is stainless steel cookware coated at all?
No. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. However, it is often made with layers of metal alloys to assist in even heat conduction and durability, explains chef Joe Asto, whose name you may recognize from such shows as “Top Chef” and “Chopped.” Those alloys include nickel and chromium, the former of which increases its strength and the latter of which is essential to rust and corrosion resistance. However, none of these provide nonstick properties, which is why you need to ensure “there’s enough fat in the pan,” when cooking in stainless steel, advises Asto.
What’s the difference between stainless steel and aluminum cookware?
“Aluminum is much lighter and conducts heat better. However, it is reactive to food where stainless is not,” says Suzanne Vizethann, chef/owner of Atlanta’s Buttermilk Kitchen. This key difference means that acids and alkaline ingredients can cause metallic flavors in your food. Stainless steel is also much stronger, as compared to the more malleable and softer aluminum. For that reason, Asto prefers not to use this material. “It can easily burn food, scorch, warp, and conduct heat unevenly,” he says, which is a poor pay-off for the minimal benefits of a lower price tag and lighter weight.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Christine Clark is a writer, cheese educator, and home cook. When she’s not writing about food, she’s generally cooking it. She aspires to own an All-Clad set. Read Next: The Best Instant Pots
