The Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, Tested & Reviewed

Now it’s time to cook in the stainless steel pots and pans that pro chefs want to use.

We choose the best stainless steel cookware set as our top choice for a few reasons. When someone needs help to choose a cookware set, we usually recommend stainless steel. Stainless steel cookware is capable of high temperatures and can be used to provide a good sear on vegetables and proteins, but is generally lighter than cast iron, and far easier to clean and maintain.

Although stainless steel is more expensive as compared to other cookwares, it will serve a long period hence is cheaper and more economical in the long term. The Beauty Homes has tried more than 31 sets of cookware such as stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel and nonstick pans. The first factor we consider is the ply of a set, or how many layers of metal the pan is made up of, a long lasting pan is usually tri-ply or five-ply.

We test how evenly the skillets heat up, how successfully they can sear up a steak, how steady they can keep a simmer and how fast they can boil pasta. We also evaluate other features that make them easy to use such as how easy to hold, the level of coolness of the handle when cooking and how easy to clean. While stainless steel cookware is a choice of professional cooks, it looks intimidating to beginners.

Stainless steel cookware is extremely easy to clean and cook with, but it possesses a few tricks. Purchasing stainless steel cookware sets you with a wide range of tasks and it saves money. Here’s our article on the best stainless steel cookware sets, plus, we’re sharing some basic ways to extend the life of your cookware.

1

Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Made In Cookware -10 Piece Stainless Steel Set

PROS

• Withstands high temperatures  
• Balanced design  
• Simple to clean  

CONS

• Pricey  
• Fully clad cookware makes a big difference

We have probably heard of clad cookware and wondered, what that means? It’s basically very simple:; the cookware is made of layers of metal, usually covered with stainless steel on the outer surface and sandwiched in the middle with aluminum or copper, or both. The sturdy stainless steel provides durability and the heat-responsive core ensures that your food is cooked evenly.

Not all cookware is fully-coated; some are only coated on the bottom, but you can buy fully-coated stainless steel cookware; such as this one by Made In. Better still, this set is oven safe up to 800ºF which is well beyond what most ovens can attain and it will never warp or buckle.

It’s fully-enclosed construction means that whether you’re searing or frying steak, heat is transferred quickly. Meat comes out easily and requires no extra effort, eggs come out easily and require no extra effort, and mirepoix comes out easily and requires no extra effort in our tests.

The pans in this set are easy to clean, simply hand-washing using a scrubbing sponge. The additional benefit is that they are dishwasher-friendly and the same thing cannot be said about most nonstick cookware. If you prefer a non-stick pan, a Made In non-stick frying pan will go nicely with this set.

Material: 5-ply stainless steel and aluminum | Oven-safe temperature: 800ºF  | Number of pieces: 10 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

2

Best Value Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 8-Piece Cookware Set

PROS

• Very good heat dispersion
• Quickly water boiled in the stock pot

CONS

• Rivets inside the cookware can trap food

This package is the best balance between low cost and excellent performance. The skillet in this Tramontina set got sufficiently hot more evenly than most skillets we tested. The handles are comfortable to touch and are quite wide, and cookware is relatively light but sturdy.

In the 2-quart saucepan, we were able to clean burnt tomato sauce in less than a minute without leaving any streaks, and this stock pot boiled a full 6 quarts of water in less than 15 minutes on our gas stove and an induction cooktop, which is faster than some of the more expensive sets we tested. We also realised that the lids and handles were cold to the touch, even after 15 minutes of simmering tomato sauce.

This lightweight tri-ply cookware set is less heavy as compared to other stainless steel utensils yet is very durable. We did find that the interior rivets have the ability to hold food,  however this cookware set is dishwasher safe to help reduce the workload, so the cleaning process is not a burden. The cookware is also safe in the oven up to 500o F.  In case you need the bigger cookware set, Tramontina Tri-Ply also offers a 10-piece and 12-piece cookware set both with a reasonable price.

Material: Tri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior | Oven-safe temperature: 500°F | Number of pieces: 8 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

RELATED:  The Best Cookware Sets

3

Best Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

PROS

• All-Clad cookware set top-tested
• Conveniently designed handles for easy handling
• Saucepan handle cool to touch

CONS

•  Weighty

Our pick for the best all-clad cookware set is the All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set. Out of seven sets of All-Clad that we tested, this one tops the list in terms of excellent performance. Each piece is made of three layers: stainless steel outside and inside and aluminum as the core. 

Our skillet heated well and gave us a consistently browned steak due to the sloping edge. The skillets and saucepans have a distinct shaped handle: long and thin, and with a long deep indentation, which encourages a good hold.

One of our favorites to boil eggs is the 2-quart saucepan. The surface is small, the edges are tall and straight, which means less minutes spent at the sink filling it with water. We did find that the saucepan needed a tough cleaning afterward to get off the burnt-on tomato sauce as opposed to the competitors. Even so the handle was cool to touch during 15 minutes of simmering tomato sauce. 

It’s worth noting that these pans are weighty compared to other stainless steel sets that we reviewed and the company suggests that you wash by hand. The pans are well balanced, and we especially like the angled handle on these saucepans, like those found in a restaurant pan. The set was a little difficult to clean, particularly in and around the rivets of the fry pan.

Material: Tri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior | Oven-safe temperature: 600°F | Number of pieces: 10 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: No

4

Best Mid-Priced Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Cuisinart 12 Piece Cookware Set, MultiClad Pro Triple Ply

PROS

• Comes with stainless steel steamer basket
• Stock pot of water boiled in under 15 minutes
• Skillets has its even heat distribution

CONS

• Experienced some tarnishing after using on high heat

Cuisinart 12 piece cookware set is the biggest set on this list which includes two saucepans, a saute pan, a stock pot, two skillets, steamer insert, and five lids. We particularly love the steamer insert, which is a feature rarely found and terrific at steaming vegetables or draining pasta water. We liked the square handles on this cookware that offer high surface areas so that you can utilize your thumb. 

According to our testing, this cookware was pretty even in terms of heat distribution, although the walls of the skillet heated up faster than the center. Simmering tomato sauce in the 2-quart saucepan took 30 minutes after which we found that the sauce partially adhered to the bottom edges and to sides but did not burn. The sauce was easily cleaned.

This cookware is easy to hand wash, dishwasher-safe and compatible with induction cooktop. In fact, when we boiled 6 quarts of water in the 8-quart stockpot using an induction cooktop it took less than 15 minutes, and only 18 minutes using a gas stove. The cookware did discolor a bit at the extreme heat so we recommend having Bar Keepers Friend on hand for cleaning.

Material: Tri-ply with 18/10 stainless steel interior | Oven-safe temperature: 550°F | Number of pieces: 12 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

5

Best Restaurant-Quality Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Made In Cookware – 6 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

PROS

• Sustainable
• Heats quickly and distributes warmth evenly
• Comes with a nonstick pan

CONS

• Tough stains can be difficult to clean with just soap and water

Made In’s sturdy pots and pans look like they belong in a restaurant kitchen. These are five-ply which means that they’re constructed using five layers of stainless steel as well as aluminum making them evenly heated and very durable. We found them to be durable and having an ergonomic long handle to allow easy lifting and maneuverability around the stovetop. Plus, oven-safe temperature up to 800ºF.

This compact set includes 4 cookware essentials: a 10-inch skillet, a 10-inch nonstick skillet, a 2-quart saucepan with lid and a 5-quart stock pot with lid. Another exclusive piece to this stainless steel set is the nonstick skillet to add versatility to your kitchen arrangements than other stainless steel sets and works best to cook eggs and pancakes or any other delicate ingredients.

Made In also offers a 10-piece set that includes more frying pans and a 13-piece set of a wok and a roasting pan. Both skillets cooked evenly on our tests and cooked the steak with a nice brown color, but the stainless steel skillet was difficult to clean. Eggs did not stick to the nonstick pan without additional oil, and water boiled fast in contrast to other saucepans.

This is a favorite set, says one of our testers. Made In is my favorite brand. I used them in my house over a period of about six months, I picked them over other cookware of my own every time; they’re an excellent size and weight. The stainless steels warm up well and I also appreciate that they have a nonstick pan.

Material: Five-ply stainless clad | Oven-safe temperature: 800ºF for stainless steel pieces; 500ºF for nonstick pan | Number of pieces: 6 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, for stainless steel pieces; no for nonstick pan

6

Best Starter Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Viking 3-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

PROS

• Easy to wash by hand
• Saucepans feature capacity markings

CONS

• Lids may become hot

While this Viking cookware set isn’t really cheap, this 10-piece set is perfect for those on a budget but need excellent quality products to start their own stainless steel cookware. This set includes an 8-inch and 10-inch fry pan, a 1.5-quart and 3-quart sauce pan, a 3.5-quart saute pan and 8-quart stock pan.

The fry pan tested was excellent; it was lightweight and yet balanced and comfortable to hold.  It warmed up quite nicely and evenly spread. In terms of cooking the steak, both sides of the meat were browned pretty evenly although there were some darker areas where the fat had touched the pan more extensively.

The saucepans contain a marked capacity on the interior of the pots to facilitate easy measurements during cooking. We found that when performing the scorch test with the 3-quart saucepan, the lid did become hot, so when using it, you are better off using an oven mitt or a pot holder.

Material: Tri-ply stainless steel | Oven-safe temperature: 600ºF | Number of pieces: 10 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand-wash recommended

7

Best Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Calphalon Classic 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set

PROS

• Strainer holes on the lids make draining easier
• Offers even browning
• Easy to clean and budget-friendly

CONS

• The pans aren’t fully clad 

We’ve consistently rated this set highly for its long, easy-to-grip handle and other features that make it beautifully designed, including measurement markings on the inside of the pan and holes in the lid. The pans in this collection offered a pleasant, even sear to foods, and never stuck, including when we cooked up omelets. 

The handles were usually not too hot to touch but the little pan with the little handle became a bit warm. The glass lids gave it a nice addition, and you don’t need to open them to see whether your food is ready.

These pans aren’t fully coated, which helps keep the price low, but also leaves the sides of these pans feeling a little thinner than other pans we sampled. Although we recorded quite positive results in all our cooking trials, we had to be really alert to arrive at that point: Nothing was lost in the nooks and crannies, yet there was a lot of spooning needed to avoid burning.

The quality and consistency of this set is in line with its price, meaning it performs satisfactorily where its higher price lines do well. However, we would recommend this as a good introduction to a stainless steel set before investing in a more expensive set.

Material: Stainless steel with impact-bonded aluminum base | Oven-safe temperature: 450°F | Number of pieces: 10 | Induction compatible: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, but hand-wash recommended

What to look for when buying stainless steel cookware sets

✔️ Material: All stainless steel cookware sets would have to be made of stainless steel, correct? Yes or No. Stainless steel is usually the main material in stainless steel cookware, but it’s not always the complete material used. Stainless steel isn’t the best conductor of heat, so it is usually combined with aluminum or copper, which causes it to heat very quickly and evenly. Stainless steel is heavier, hard, and long-lasting, therefore, stainless cookware lasts long.

✔️ Layers: Cookware made with stainless steel is frequently advertised as being five-ply, or three-ply; that number indicates the total number of metal layers. The more layers, the more durable it is believed to be, although usually more layers cause the pieces to be heavier.

✔️ Pots and pans: Cookware sets have the tendency of including items that you will never use but we love having matching pots and pans. We prefer sets with at least one 10 or 12 inch fry pan, but we love a set with more than one fry pan. We prefer at least one small saucepan 2-quart to boil eggs and another, larger one, to make sauces and sides. Fry pans are great for boiling a full box of pasta and a braiser or saute pan would also be helpful in completing your collection because then you would be able to prepare dishes with more sauce in them than your fry pan could handle.

✔️ Handles: Wide, long, and large handles are easy to use and can help prevent burns while cooking. Stainless steel handles make cookware look more cohesive and indicate higher quality cookware than plastic or other types of handles. They are usually able to withstand high oven temperatures, so you can transfer pots and pans to the oven without worry.

✔️ Lids: Lids are frequently made of matching stainless steel or tempered glass that enables one to view the inside. This is something to consider when shopping because you like to watch your cooking when you are in the kitchen.