Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets On The Market – 2019 Reviews

A stainless steel cookware set can add prestige to any kitchen it is placed in. These quality sets of pots and pans are designed to last throughout many years of cooking. Not only are they strong and durable, but they also have a stylish, classic look that goes well with any type of kitchen décor. You won’t want to hide a great set of stainless steel cookware in the pantry or cupboard. They should instead be on display to show off their beauty and give your cooking area a gourmet touch.

Why Use Stainless Steel Cookware?

With so many different types of cookware made from various materials currently available, why should we still use stainless steel cookware? There are so many new non-stick options out there for skillets, pots, and pans that really do cook without causing food to stick. One reason why so many people avoid beautiful stainless steel sets is due to the fact that food sticks to the surface so easily and it can be a nightmare to clean.

It turns out there is more to stainless steel cookware than simply being durable and a great aesthetic addition to your kitchen. Heavy, sturdier pots can help prevent hot spots, which would cause food to be prepared unevenly, from occurring.

If you look for stainless steel cookware that includes cooper, the heat will distribute evenly, preventing any hot spots from occurring and promoting nice even cooking. This is essential when preparing meats such as steak or pork chops, because you don’t want one side of your ribeye to be well done while the other is perfectly medium rare.

Stainless steel cookware is also very versatile. It doesn’t react to stain-causing foods such as carrots or Brussel sprouts. It will likewise not corrode or pit, unlike other types of cookware material. It is dishwasher-safe which makes cleanup a breeze, and you can easily find a good set of moderately priced stainless steel cookware at most brick-and-mortar and online retail locations.

What Exactly Is Stainless Steel?

If you’ve ever wondered what stainless steel is aside from being a strong and durable metal, we have the answer for you. It is a steel alloy that has a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass. An alloy is a combination of several different types of metals all mixed together. The chromium that is included in stainless steel will not tarnish or rust, giving your pots and pans that lustrous shine. Stainless steel is able to withstand high temperatures and is safe for use inside the oven (depending on the material your cookware’s handles are made of).

When to Use Stainless Steel Cookware

There aren’t any limits on what you can prepare using stainless steel cookware. You can use it on the stovetop for frying, boiling, or steaming. It is great for baking and roasting in the oven, grilling, barbecuing, poaching, scrambling, and braising. The only thing you can’t use your stainless steel cookware with is the microwave, unless you want an explosion in your kitchen. However, it can be placed in the refrigerator to easily store leftovers since it will not corrode.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Cookware 

One of the biggest issues that many people have with stainless steel is that it is so hard to clean. But if you have prepared meals using this type of cookware for a long time, chances are you have figured out a few tricks to keeping your pots and pans looking their best.

You can use the cookware right out of the box after washing and drying it. There is no need to season it like you would with porcelain or cast-iron skillets. It’s important to always fry foods with some type of cooking oil so it won’t stick to the pan. You don’t have to use tons of vegetable oil or shortening to successfully fry meats or other foods using stainless steel cookware. You can instead use a good cooking spray, olive oil, butter, coconut oil, or any other type of unsaturated fat. Just be sure to coat the bottom of the pan and add in more oil as needed while you are frying.

To prevent food from sticking after you cook, remove everything from the pan and place on a serving dish instead of leaving it in the skillet to set. Clean out all the food scraps and rinse the pan off before handwashing or placing it in the dishwasher. The sooner you are able to remove all the food and scraps from the pan after cooking, the easier it will be to clean.

You shouldn’t put salt directly on the bottom of your stainless steel cookware. This can possibly cause the metal to pit over time. If you want to use salt, add it to boiling water or to foods while they are cooking. You can remove streaks from your cookware by using clear distilled vinegar and wiping the affected area with a cloth, then washing with soapy detergent, rinse and towel dry.

Stainless steel will sometimes have some discoloration that resembles a rainbow. This happens when the heat is too high for the material. You can remove this discoloration by using stainless steel cleaners or 100% tomato juice. The juice can also remove burned and stuck bits of food thanks to the natural acidity of the tomatoes.

The Top 5 Stainless Steel Cookware Sets 

There are plenty of great stainless steel cookware sets on the market for you to try. We have put together a list of the very best that are highly recommended based on features, efficiency, customer reviews, and price.

T-Fal is a name that many people associate with quality cookware. Their products are also available at a reasonable price. This copper bottoms of this stainless steel cookware set features professional construction that will keep you cooking for years to come. The base of each piece is magnetic so that it may be used with an induction stove top. With the multi-layered base that includes stainless steel, aluminum and copper, along with an additional layer of aluminum and stainless steel, you will have fast and even heat distribution every time you cook.

All included lids and pans are dishwasher-safe and may be used in ovens at temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The tempered glass lids have vent holes that allow steam to escape while keeping your foods full of flavor. The steam vents can also help prevent liquids from boiling over.

This Ultimate line cookware set includes an 8” and 10.5” frying pan, one, two and three-quart saucepans, a 5.5-quart covered Dutch oven, a stainless steel spoon, and a slotted spatula.

The Chef’s Star Professional Grade Stainless Steel Cookware 17 pc. Set is designed to last a lifetime. It is made from 18/8 commercial stainless steel and the base is made from impact-bonded aluminum to ensure that there are no hot spots. All items in this set may be used with induction cookers and other stovetops including electric, gas, infrared, glass, and ceramic.

The handles for all lids in this set are ergonomically shaped to fit your hands to reduce slipping. The lids are made from tempered glass with stainless steel rims and handles, and they feature a satin finish that allows them to securely fit the pans. All items are dishwasher-safe and may be used in the oven at up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. These pots and pans are even safe for use in the freezer for food storage.

This 17-piece set includes an eight-inch and 9.5-inch frying pans, 1.6 and 2.5-quart saucepans with lids, a 4.2 casserole with lid, an 8.6-quart stock pot with lid, a 5.5-quart sauté pan with a helper handle on the front and lid, a boiler basket for lasagna and pasta, a colander with folding handles, a large spoon, a slotted spatula, and a two-prong cooking fork.

This Cuisinart Multi-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Cookware set is a great choice for anyone who loves the culinary arts. Featuring a professional look, this set includes everything you need to prepare a family dinner or entertain your guests during the holidays.

The interior of the pots and pans is composed of stainless steel while the outside is made of brushed stainless steel. This set features pieces with the brand’s PowerBond high-impact bonded base that heats up fast and distributes heat evenly without any hot spots. It features triple-ply construction to promote heat conductively using its pure aluminum core. You can use these pots and pans with an induction cooktop as well as gas, infrared, glass, and ceramic stovetops. The cookware may be placed inside an oven at up to 500 degrees without the glass lids.

The tempered glass lids feature FlavorLock to help seal in the flavor of your food as well as nutrients and the moisture needed for your dishes to turn out perfectly. The lids are only safe to use in the oven with temperatures up to 350 degrees.

The set includes a 1.5-quart saucepan and a lid, a three-quart pouring saucepan with an included straining cover, a 3.5-quart sauté pan with lid, an eight-quart stockpot with lid, an eight-inch skillet, a 10-inch skillet, and a 7-inch steamer insert with lid.

The Calaphalon Classic 10pc Stainless Steel cookware set is an incredible investment if you want a cookware set that will last for decades to come. Calaphalon is a name that is synonymous with quality, and many professional chefs use their products in their own homes.

The set is made from non-corrosive metal alloys that improve the overall appearance of the cookware. Each piece features etched fill lines for easy measuring while cooking. The pots and pans also have pouring spouts on the sides that eliminate messes. The lids feature straining holes that line up with the pour spouts, so that you don’t have to use a colander. Al lids are made from tempered glass with stainless steel rims.

The pots are all dishwasher-safe as well as oven and broiler-safe. The long handles are double-riveted to provide you with a secure grip. They also stay cool even during while in use. You can use practically any type of utensil, such as metal, nylon, or wood, with these pots and pans. However, do keep in mind that metal can scratch your cookware’s insides, so you should use them carefully.

The set includes eight and ten-inch frying pans, 1.5- and a 2.5-quart saucepans with lid, a three-quart sauté pan with lid, and a six-quart stockpot with lid.

The Duxtop Professional Grade 10pc Cookware Set is designed to last for many years to come. It is made from 18/10 professional-grade heavy gauge stainless steel. This set can be used with induction cookers and other types of stovetops. The base is made from heavy gauge impact-bonded aluminum that will evenly distribute the heat, so you’ll have zero hot spots. Keep in mind that these pots and pans are not non-stick, so you will need to use some type of oil such as butter or olive oil when frying.

Duxtop is a name that is known for quality cookware and this set is sure to add a professional touch to your kitchen. The 10-piece set includes 1.6- and 2.5-quart saucepans with lids, a 4.2-quart casserole with lid, an 8.6-quart stockpot with lid, a boiler basket, and a steamer basket.

The cookware features ergonomic riveted handles that make them easy to grip. All pieces are dishwasher-safe and can be placed in the oven at up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.

Are You Ready to Make the Switch to Stainless steel?

Stainless steel cookware has been around for ages and features a traditional look that many people love to have in their kitchens. Maintain it well, and you can expect your stainless steel set to last for many years to come. This type of cookware helps to distribute heat evenly and is highly versatile. You can use it on practically any stove top and inside the oven for baking and roasting. Everyone who loves to cook should own a great stainless steel cookware set like those mentioned in this review.