Cooking at home has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it a great way to save money, but it also offers numerous health benefits. When you cook at home, you have complete control over the ingredients you use, allowing you to make healthier choices and avoid processed foods. Additionally, cooking at home can be a fun and relaxing activity that brings families together. And with the best cookware set, you can easily whip up delicious meals in no time!
It’s no surprise that eating out isn’t the best choice for a healthy diet. Fast food often contains more calories, sugar, and fat than home-cooked meals. According to one study, fast food may be the leading cause of obesity and malnutrition, as well as a real budget drainer! “By cooking more often at home, you have a better diet at no significant cost increase, while if you go out more, you have a less healthy diet at a higher cost,” notes Adam Drewnowski, the study’s lead researcher and a professor of epidemiology. Moreover, if you’re thinking about impressing your date, cooking meals at home is the way to go! From a recent poll of about 2000 Americans, when it comes down to deciding what to do for date night, half prefer a home-cooked meal over going out!
In fact, from this same poll, 70 percent agree that whipping something up for their partner in the kitchen is actually more intimate than having sex. This may be due to the boost of confidence that occurs simply by successfully cooking a meal in the kitchen! According to one study, having cooking skills builds confidence and improves mental health. The study from Edith Cowan University revealed that participants who took part in a seven-week cooking course displayed significant improvements in their mental health, overall health, and perceived vitality. Importantly, these enviable improvements in well-being appeared immediately after the group finished the cooking class and remained for up to six months afterward.
So, it sounds like with the right cookware set, you can take your cooking to the next level, build confidence, and impress your date, all while eating healthier and saving money. Say no more! If you’re ready to get your chef on, we’ve put together a list of the top five best cookware sets out there! We consulted 10 expert food sites to compile this list of chef-approved kitchen collections to get you started. Let us know any of your recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best Cookware Sets, According to Food Experts
1. All-Clad
When it comes to the best cookware sets, the All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set is a clear winner. This set is made with a three-layer construction, which includes an aluminum core for even heat distribution. The stainless-steel exterior provides a sleek and durable finish, while the interior is non-reactive and easy to clean.
“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. 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,” says Wirecutter.
The set includes a variety of pots and pans, including a 8-inch and 10-inch frying pan, 2-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with lid. Each piece is oven and dishwasher safe, making it convenient for any home cook.
“When it comes to high-quality cookware, All-Clad has built a reputation of trust among amateur and professional cooks alike. The d5 series is made of five alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum for durability and optimum heat distribution, and is built to last,” adds The Spruce Eats. “Our testing proved that these pans are excellent for high-heat cooking, like searing meats and sautéing vegetables. The unique handles stay cool, though some might find the groove slightly uncomfortable. You should also be aware that the 5-ply construction translates to heavier cookware. While this set is definitely not cheap, you get what you pay for with All-Clad—it’s a set of cookware you won’t have to replace for years, if ever.”
NY Post lists this brand as the best heavy duty cookware set. “For half a century, All-Clad has been revolutionizing the cookware industry. Born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the heart of the American steel and aluminum market, All-Clad’s metal fabrication is unmatched,” writes NY Post.
What’s more? All-Clad also has a line of nonstick pots and pans, which USA Today has dubbed the best nonstick cookware set. “The All-Clad HA1 Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set has your back,” mentions USA Today. “It aced our tests in style with a sleek, black finish and shiny metal handles. The handles are long enough to create a perfect balance with each pan, and All-Clad’s signature concave shape makes them super comfortable to hold. The pans are a little heavier, because they’re well-built with durable, heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum. All-Clad also coats them with three layers of PFOA-free nonstick material, creating a slick finish that helps the food release easily. They perform well, too.”
While the price point may be higher than other cookware sets, the quality and longevity of the All-Clad brand make it a worthwhile investment. If you want to elevate your cooking game and have a set of cookware that will last for years to come, this is the set for you.
2. Tramontina
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line cookware set that can handle all of your cooking needs, the Tramontina Gourmet 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set is a great choice. This set is made from high-quality stainless steel and features a tri-ply construction that provides even heat distribution and excellent cooking performance. The set includes a variety of pots and pans, including a stockpot, saucepans, and frying pans, so you’ll have everything you need to cook up a storm in the kitchen.
“The pots and pans in the Tramontina Gourmet 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set heat evenly and are a comfortable weight, so they aren’t cumbersome to lift. Their rounded, ergonomically shaped handles are also comfortable to hold. We’ve long-term tested an older (now-discontinued) version of this set for two years, and we’re confident that this durable cookware set will provide you with many years of use,” says Wirecutter. “If you’re unable to find the full set, Tramontina also sells its cookware ‘open stock,’ which means you can build your own set for about the same price.”
CNN Underscored adds, “A solid choice that checks all the boxes, these pots and pans were our favorite in terms of performance, ergonomics and even nonstick handling, all for a great value.”
Another great thing about the Tramontina Gourmet 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set is its versatility. The set is compatible with all cooktops, including induction, so you can use it on any type of stove. Plus, the set is oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can easily transition from stovetop to oven when cooking.
“This collection offers you a lot of value for your money. In addition to the basic skillets and saucepans, you get a large saute pan, a Dutch oven, and a large 8-quart stockpot. As the 12-inch fry pan is deep and rounded, it’s perfect for stir fries,” says Food Network. “All in all, you’re pretty much covered for every possible cooking need.”
3. Caraway
If you’re looking for a cookware set that offers both style and substance, then the Caraway Cookware Set is definitely worth considering. This set is not only aesthetically pleasing with its sleek and modern design, but it’s also made with high-quality materials that ensure durability and longevity.
“Caraway’s signature is its ceramic nonstick coating. Ceramic coatings offer the same nonstick properties as traditional ones, but contain no trace elements of PFOA, PFTE, lead, or cadmium. Caraway cookware has an aluminum core that ensures rapid and even heating, while the coating decreases your need for oil and makes the surface easier to clean,” says Insider. “Altogether, this set is designed to limit clutter and keep your kitchen functional as well as well-stocked.”
“Caraway has made a name for themselves not just for how stunning their cookware looks, but for their overall superior design. The modern aesthetic not only looks amazing but doesn’t sacrifice function for form,” adds allrecipes. “Almost every facet of this set seems to be designed with usability in mind, from the pan’s sloped sides perfect for sliding an egg out of all the way to the notches under the handles to alert you of how far down you can go before it gets too hot. This set even comes with smart solutions for storage like a canvas lid holder, magnetic pan rack, and cork trivets.”
The Spruce Eats writes, “These pieces displayed controlled and even heat distribution, giving a subtle sear and gentle buildup of color without scorching. The nonstick surface is perfect for evenly cooking eggs without sticking, and it also made cleanup seamless each and every time. The pots and pans are generously sized and perfect for large-batch recipes, though we do wish there were one more small fry pan included for quick, small tasks.”
Overall, the Caraway Cookware Set is a great investment for anyone who wants to elevate their cooking game while also prioritizing their health and the environment.
4. Made In
If you’re looking for something that’s durable, long-lasting, and easy to clean, you can’t go wrong with the Made In The Stainless Cookware Set. The Strategist adds, “It comes recommended by culinary producer Kiano Moju, who says ‘They’re properly made. They literally still look brand-new. Especially the fact that the nonstick is still in good shape is shocking to me. I cook on pretty fast and high heat and have destroyed some other pans in like a month.’ The Sous Chef also recently expanded to include a 12-inch carbon-steel frying pan and wok, plus a roasting pan with a fitted rack in the same material (sort of like a lighter cousin to cast iron).”
Food & Wine comments on the smaller Made In 6-Piece Set: “This cookware set comes with the essentials that home cooks need on a regular basis: two frying pans, a saucepan, and a stockpot. We love that one of the frying pans is nonstick, and the other is stainless clad, so you can choose between the two depending on what you’re cooking. For instance, whipping up omelets would be great in the former, and searing steak would work well in the latter,” says Food & Wine. “If you’re going to invest in a cookware set, especially one where you may not get as many pieces for the price, you want it to be functional and long-lasting, and this set is certainly that. Design touches like rolled rims for easy pouring and draining, stay-cool handles, and five layers of metal for superior heat conductivity make cooking a breeze, and cleanup is pretty easy too.”
On their nonstick options: “The pots and pans are coated with two PFOA-free nonstick layers. Each piece features an ergonomic handle design, with one handle on the frying pan and two helpful handles on the three other pieces, making them easy to carry from stovetop to a trivet on the table for serving. The stock pot is exclusively sold with this set, and is oven safe up to 500 degrees, making it an acceptable Dutch oven substitute,” says Insider.
5. GreenPan
For the best budget friendly, eco-friendly, and non-toxic cookware set, GreenPan is a great choice! “Ceramic nonstick coating is known for being the slipperiest, smoothest nonstick on the market, and this GreenPan Revolution Ceramic Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set is a shining example. Our testers loved this coating and found it to be highly nonstick…In our chicken test, our testers again noted its supreme nonstick ability since it didn’t stick to the chicken while still giving superb browning. This also came in handy in our tomato sauce tests since its slippery surface made pouring a breeze,” says allrecipes.
“The frying pans are textured so you can still achieve a great crisp and browning on your food, the surfaces are scratch-resistant, and the riveted stainless steel handles are comfortable to hold and maneuver. You’ll also notice that the pan’s shallow design leaves you more room to cook, which is useful when preparing several servings,” says Food & Wine. “Another big plus with this set is that while it’s nonstick, it’s free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. Simply put, you’ll get the stress-free qualities of nonstick (just watch those eggs easily slide right out), but there’s no danger of toxic fumes being released during cooking.”
The Strategist adds, “Cookbook author and broadcaster Yasmin Khan is a fan of GreenPan’s nonstick cookware. ‘They’re great,’ she says, ‘The saucepan you can use for a stew, for pasta — it’s very versatile. You can use other ones for frying onions, for poaching eggs. Also, I’m half-Iranian, and in a lot of Iranian recipes, we use a nonstick pan, like for tahdig. At the end of the day, it’s just easier to cook things in a nonstick. You don’t necessarily need to splurge on fancy pans.’”
You might also be interested in:
Sources
- Insider
- NY Post
- The Strategist
- Food & Wine
- Wirecutter
- USA Today
- allrecipes
- CNN Underscored
- Food Network
- The Spruce Eats
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
