Photo: Cuisinart
Stainless steel cookware sets are very strong, durable and highly versatile, which makes them very popular in most kitchens.
With these properties, the cookware pieces do not rust, can withstand high heat, are stain-resistant and do not react with acidic food. As such, they maintain a shiny look throughout, all while remaining fully functional and ready to prepare your next meal.
Even with these properties though, there are different varieties of these sets to choose from in the market, but the review below covers 10 of the best stainless-steel cookwares that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- 10 Best Stainless-steel Cookware Sets – Review
- 1. Duxtop 1209 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Stay-Cool Handles
- 2. Secura Duxtop SSIB-17 – Best Professional Stainless-Steel Cookware Set
- 3. Cook N Home 02408 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- 4. Cuisinart FCT-10 – Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- 5. Cooks Standard NC-00232 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Air Flow Technology
- 6. Cuisinart MCP-12N – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Tapered Rims
- 7. All-Clad BD005705 D5 – High-quality Stainless-steel Cookware Set
- 8. Chef’s Star Premium Cookware Set – Freezer-safe Stainless-steel Cookware Set
- 9. Farberware 75653 – Easy-to-clean Stainless-Steel Cookware Set
- 10. Calphalon 1891242 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Fill Lines
- How to Buy the Best Stainless-steel Cookware Set
- Conclusion
10 Best Stainless-steel Cookware Sets – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Duxtop 1209 (With Stay-Cool Handles) |
| |
 | 2. Secura Duxtop SSIB-17 (Best Professional) |
| |
 | 3. Cook N Home 02408 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 4. Cuisinart FCT-10 (Tri-Ply Construction) |
| |
 | 5. Cooks Standard NC-00232 (With Air Flow Technology) |
| |
 | 6. Cuisinart MCP-12N (With Tapered Rims) |
| |
 | 7. All-Clad BD005705 D5 (High-Quality) |
| |
 | 8. Chef’s Star Premium Cookware Set (Freezer-Safe) |
| |
 | 9. Farberware 75653 (Easy-to-Clean) |
| |
 | 10. Calphalon 1891242 (With Fill Lines) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Duxtop 1209 (With Stay-Cool Handles)
|
2. Secura Duxtop SSIB-17 (Best Professional)
|
3. Cook N Home 02408 (Best Budget)
|
4. Cuisinart FCT-10 (Tri-Ply Construction)
|
5. Cooks Standard NC-00232 (With Air Flow Technology)
|
6. Cuisinart MCP-12N (With Tapered Rims)
|
7. All-Clad BD005705 D5 (High-Quality)
|
8. Chef’s Star Premium Cookware Set (Freezer-Safe)
|
9. Farberware 75653 (Easy-to-Clean)
|
10. Calphalon 1891242 (With Fill Lines)
|
1. Duxtop 1209 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Stay-Cool Handles
Photo: Duxtop
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 10
- Oven Safe: Up to 550˚F
This 10-piece set consisting of 2 fry pans, a saute pan, saucepan and sauce pot has all the pieces fitted with stay-cool perfect-grip handles, which are comfortable to hold even as the pan gets hot. These handles are also tightly riveted to the pans, giving a strong bond that is very durable.
Adding on to the durability and this set features a strong tri-ply stainless steel construction, which consists of a thick aluminum core sandwiched between 18/10 magnetic stainless-steel layers.
Apart from being highly durable, this design eliminates hotspots to ensure even heating across the bottom and sides of the pans.
Other features include being oven-safe up to 550˚F, dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe and compatibility with all cooking sources such as electric, gas, induction, halogen, ceramic, radiant glass, etc.
However, the included lids are made of stainless steel, and this limits your ability to monitor the food inside, unlike the glass option. Also, no kitchen tools are included, such as a frying spoon.
Pros:
- Stay-cool perfect-grip handles for comfortable use
- Tri-ply stainless steel construction eliminates hotspots for even heating
- Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe and oven-safe up to 550˚F
- Compatible with all cooking sources
Cons:
- Stainless steel lids limit the ability to monitor the food through them
- Kitchen tools not included
2. Secura Duxtop SSIB-17 – Best Professional Stainless-Steel Cookware Set
Photo: Duxtop
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 17
- Oven Safe: Up to 550˚F
Duxtop’s SSIB-17 stands out as the best professional cookware set because it is compatible with all cooking surfaces and contains 17 pieces, giving you 1.6 and 2.5-quart saucepans with lids, 8 and 9.5-inch frypans, a 4.2-quart casserole, 3-piece kitchen tools, and many others.
All the pans are made of a high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, with a heavy gauge impact-bonded aluminum bottom, making them very durable.
With this construction, the pieces are dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe and oven-safe up to 550˚F.
Other features include ergonomically-shaped non-slip handles that are riveted to the pan for durability purposes and tempered glass lids that make it easy to monitor the cooking process. However, the pans have no fill lines for easy measuring of water or other liquids.
Pros:
- Compatible with all cooking surfaces
- Contains 17 pieces, which includes pans and 3-piece kitchen tools
- High-quality 18/10 stainless steel construction
- Durable heavy-gauge impact-bonded aluminum bottom
- Dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe and oven-safe up to 550˚F
Cons:
- No fill lines
3. Cook N Home 02408 – Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Photo: Cook N Home
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 10
- Oven Safe: Not Oven Safe
If you are on a tight budget, Cook N Home’s 02408 is an affordable stainless-steel cookware set that you should consider.
This has actually largely contributed to it being the top-rated stainless-steel cookware set in this review and despite this, the 10 included pieces have a high-quality build.
They are made using 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum disc at the bottom for distributing heat evenly while mirror-polished interiors and exteriors make cleaning easy.
The set is actually dishwasher-safe, which further simplifies cleaning, and is compatible with all cooking sources, and includes tempered glass lids with steam vents for easy monitoring of the cooking process.
On the downside, this set is not oven safe and no kitchen tools, such as a frying spoon, are included.
Pros:
- Affordable
- High quality 18/10 stainless steel construction
- Aluminum bottom helps in even heat distribution
- Easy-to-clean mirror-polished surfaces
- Tempered glass lids make it easy to monitor the cooking process
Cons:
- Not oven safe
- Kitchen tools not included
4. Cuisinart FCT-10 – Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Photo: Cuisinart
- Steel Grade: Pure Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 10
- Oven Safe: Up to 500˚F
This 10-piece cookware set is characterized by a tri-ply stainless-steel construction, in which a pure aluminum core is sandwiched between pure stainless-steel layers, resulting in even heat distribution.
All the pieces are fitted with solid stay-cool stainless-steel handles that also provide a comfortable grip while a thumb ret gives you ultimate control.
Also included are tight-fitting stainless-steel lids, which seal in the moisture and nutrients for healthy and flavorful cooking results every time. However, these lids make it quite difficult to monitor the cooking process without raising them.
Other features include being dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance and oven-safe up to 500˚F. However, the pans have no fill lines for easy measurement of fluid ingredients.
Pros:
- Tri-ply stainless steel construction gives even heat distribution
- Stay-cool stainless-steel handles with a thumb ret
- Tightfitting lids lock in the moisture and flavor
- Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500˚F
Cons:
- No fill lines for easy measurement
- Stainless-steel lids make it difficult to monitor the cooking process
5. Cooks Standard NC-00232 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Air Flow Technology
Photo: Cooks Standard
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 12
- Oven Safe: Up to 500˚F
With its riveted handles, this stainless-steel cookware set features a V-shaped design with spaces in between where the handle meets the pan.
Dubbed the airflow technology, this ensures air flows swiftly at this point to cool the handle faster and prevent heat from reaching your hand.
Other than that, the included pans feature a tri-ply construction, with two stainless-steel layers enveloping an aluminum core, resulting in better heat distribution.
The stainless steel used is actually 18/10 grade and is polished on the surface for durability and easy cleaning.
More features include compatibility with all cooking sources, including induction, ceramic, halogen, glass, etc., dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning and oven-safe up to 500˚F.
However, the pans come with stainless steel lids that make it difficult to monitor the cooking process and kitchen tools are not included.
Pros:
- V-shaped handles stay cool longer due to the airflow technology
- Tri-ply construction for even heat distribution
- Easy-to-clean polished stainless-steel surface
- Compatible with all cooking sources
- Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500˚F
Cons:
- Difficult to monitor the cooking through the stainless-steel lids
- Kitchen tools not included
6. Cuisinart MCP-12N – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Tapered Rims
Photo: Cuisinart
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 12
- Oven Safe: Up to 550˚F
The 12 pieces in this stainless-steel cookware set are characterized by tapered rims, which enable you to pour liquids drip-free, thereby eliminating messiness.
Covering these rims are tight-fitting stainless-steel lids, which seal in the moisture, flavor, and nutrients for more flavorful results. However, these make it a bit difficult to monitor the cooking process from the outside.
More features include a tri-ply construction for even heat distribution, stay-cool grip handles, polished surfaces that are easy-to-clean and do not react with foods or alter flavors, compatibility with induction cooktops and other sources, dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 550˚F.
However, you get no kitchen tools in the set.
Pros:
- Tapered rims for drip-free pouring
- Tightfitting lids seal in moisture, flavor, and nutrients
- Tri-ply construction for even heat distribution
- Stay-cool grip handles
- Easy-to-clean polished surfaces
Cons:
- No kitchen tools
- Difficult to monitor the cooking process through the stainless-steel lids
7. All-Clad BD005705 D5 – High-quality Stainless-steel Cookware Set
Photo: All-Clad
- Steel Grade: 18/10 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 5
- Oven Safe: Up to 600˚F
Though very costly, this cookware set features a tough 5-ply bonded construction with alternating stainless steel and conductive aluminum layers.
This gives the pieces a very strong, high-quality build that won’t warp and results in excellent heat distribution. In fact, this design is optimized for induction cooking and other heat sources can be used as well.
The pieces’ outer stainless-steel surface is highly polished with a starburst finish for stick resistance and easy cleaning.
Other features include heat-resistant stainless-steel handles, oven and broiler safe up to 600˚F and a dishwasher-safe design for easy maintenance.
On the downside, you only get 5 pieces per set. However, there are 7, 10- and 14-piece sets, but these are much more expensive to buy.
Pros:
- Tough 5-ply construction
- Optimized for induction heating
- Easy-to-clean polished stainless-steel surface with a non-stick coat
- Stay-cool stainless-steel handles
- Oven and broiler-safe up to 600˚F
Cons:
- Few pieces per set
- Expensive
8. Chef’s Star Premium Cookware Set – Freezer-safe Stainless-steel Cookware Set
Photo: Chef’s Star
- Steel Grade: 18/8 Stainless Steel
- Number of Pieces: 17
- Oven Safe: Up to 550˚F
Apart from being BPA-free, dishwasher, and oven-safe (up to 550˚F), Chef’s Star premium cookware set is also freezer-safe for extensive refrigerated food storage.
That said, the set contains 17 pieces, which includes 2 saucepans, a stockpot, casserole, 2 frying pans, boiler basket, saute pan, steamer basket and 3 kitchen tools (spoon, prong fork, and slotted spatula).
The pieces are made using commercial grade 18/8 stainless steel and the pans have impact-bonded aluminum encapsulated at the bottom for durability purposes.
With this setup, the set is ideal for use on all cooking sources, including induction stoves, and has ergonomically shaped handles with an anti-slip satin finish for comfortable use. Also included are glass lids for easy monitoring of the cooking process.
On the downside, the pans have no fill lines marked on the inside for easy measurement of liquid ingredients.
Pros:
- BPA-free, dishwasher, freezer, and oven-safe (up to 550˚F)
- 17-piece set that includes 3 kitchen tools
- Durable impact-bonded aluminum on the pan bottoms
- Compatible with all cooking sources
- Ergonomically shaped handles with non-slip finishes
Cons:
- No fill lines
9. Farberware 75653 – Easy-to-clean Stainless-Steel Cookware Set
Photo: Farberware
- Number of Pieces: 10
- Oven Safe: Up to 500˚F
Farberware’s 75653 stainless steel cookware contains 10 pieces that have polished surfaces and are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Glass lids are included for covering the pans and pots as you cook, and these let you monitor the cooking process easily.
The pans also feature a thick aluminum core encapsulated between stainless steel layers in a tri-ply construction, which greatly helps to enhance heat distribution for even cooking.
Other features include stay-cool stainless-steel handles that are riveted to the pan for added durability and compatibility with all cooking sources, including induction cookers.
However, no fill lines are indicated on the pans for easy measurement of liquid ingredients and the cookware’s surface is not non-stick. There is a non-stick option though, but this is more expensive.
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe with easy-to-clean polished surfaces
- Glass lids let you monitor the cooking process easily
- Tri-ply construction gives better heat distribution
- Stay-cool stainless-steel handles
- Compatible with all cooking surfaces
Cons:
- The cooking surface is not non-stick
- No fill lines
10. Calphalon 1891242 – Stainless Steel Cookware Set with Fill Lines
Photo: Calphalon
- Number of Pieces: 10
This cookware set is quite unique because the pots are fitted with fill lines, which make it easy to measure your liquid cooking ingredients.
Additionally, the included pot covers feature straining holes, which line up with pour spouts on the pots, thereby allowing you to drain liquids without using a separate colander.
Other than that, the pieces have impact-bonded aluminum bases that provide fast and even heating while long, ergonomic handles with a V design give you a secure grip while remaining cool to touch.
You also get glass lids for easy monitoring of the cooking process and a dishwasher, oven, and broiler-safe design.
However, no kitchen tools are included (spoon, prong fork and slotted spatula) and the pot/pan surfaces are not non-stick.
Pros:
- Fill lines make it easy to measure liquid cooking ingredients
- Straining holes in the lids allow you to drain liquids without using a separate colander
- Impact-bonded aluminum base for fast and even heating
- Long, ergonomic, stay-cool handles
- Glass lids for easy monitoring of the cooking process
Cons:
- Kitchen tools not included
- No non-stick surfaces
How to Buy the Best Stainless-steel Cookware Set
Photo: Cuisinart
1. Your Cooking Style
Ultimately, the best stainless-steel cookware set is the one that contains all the pieces that are required for cooking, from frying pans to saute pans, saucepans, casseroles, steaming baskets, etc.
However, with such many pieces, such sets are usually very costly and therefore, you might want to consider the ones with fewer pieces.
This means you have to check your cooking style to determine the kind of pans and pots that you need, then buy the set will work best for you.
2. Your Cooking Surface
Another important thing to consider is your cooking source or surface, and especially if you have an induction cooker.
Induction cookers only work with magnetic-based materials and therefore, you must ensure that the stainless steel cookware set is magnetic.
As for the rest, ensure that the pan and pot bottoms are flat for even heating.
3. Steel Grade
As you can see in the review section above, there are two main stainless-steel grades used, which are 18/8 and 18/10.
According to MightyNest, the first number (18 in this case) refers to the chromium content while the second number shows the nickel content as a percentage. This means 18% chromium and 8 or 10% nickel.
Chromium helps to prevent rust while also enhancing the glossiness of the cookware. On the other hand, nickel enhances the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Therefore, the higher the chromium and nickel content there is, the better.
Thus, in terms of quality, 18/10 stainless steel is better than the 18/8 grade, which is then better than pure stainless steel.
4. Quantity
As stated above, the more the number of pieces per set, the better. This is because you will get all kinds of pans, ranging from frying to saute, sauce, etc. You will also get kitchen tools such as spoons, spatulas, and forks.
However, such complete sets might be very costly and therefore, it is recommended to get the set that contains the very necessary tools that you need, which will most likely be cheaper.
5. Oven Safe
While ordinary cooktop cooking is the primary use of these stainless-steel cookware sets, it would be ideal if they can also be used in the oven so that you can prepare different types of meals.
Therefore, you need to check if the set is oven safe. However, you should be careful not to exceed the maximum oven temperature that the cookware can handle.
Other desirable features to look for include being freezer-safe for refrigerated food storage and dishwasher-safe for hassle-free cleaning.
Read More: Is Stainless Steel Cookware Safe?
6. Handles and Lid
Lastly, you need to check the cookware set’s handles and lids. For comfortable use, the handles should be ergonomically designed with anti-slip surfaces, and also have a stay-cool design to keep you from burning your hands.
As for the lid, tempered glass pieces are best because they allow you to easily monitor the cooking process from the outside. Stainless steel lids are quite limiting because you have to raise them so as to have a look at the food inside.
Conclusion
In summary, stainless steel cookware sets come in different quantities and different structural designs as shown in the review above.
With all these options to choose from, our review details all the important features to look at and at the end of it all, you should be in a better position to pick the best stainless-steel cookware that suits your needs.