Stainless steel pots and pans are a fantastic addition to your kitchen, whether you’re just starting to build out your kitchen, or upgrading to a gorgeous new set. In addition to having a gleaming finish, stainless steel cookware sets are highly durable and can last a long time with the right care. When you set out on a cookware set shopping expedition, it’s all but expected that you’ll be looking at higher price tags. That was certainly the case with most of the pan sets we tested in our larger review of stainless steel cookware. After all, finding an entire family of high-quality pots and pans without shelling out top dollar can be tricky indeed. That said, it’s not impossible—a fact we happily confirmed when we got our hands on Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Set.
After heating up one of the pans, testers cooked up several scallops and found they did not stick, had clean flipping, and were easy to remove from the pan. For the stockpot, I made marinara sauce with two 28-ounce cans of peeled tomatoes, onion and garlic to test both capacity and flavor. In the medium saucepan, I made long grain white rice to ensure it didn’t stick or clump, yielding separated cooked grains. To test the smaller saucepan’s ability to heat and cool, I reheated two portions of the marinara and made hard-boiled eggs to look for thoroughly cooked yellow yolks.
Our testing team, led by our Kitchen & Cooking editor (who is also a professional chef) assessed this cookware set by putting each piece through a variety of tests. Investing in a cookware set that’s going to (hopefully) last for years to come can feel like a daunting investment. And while chef-approved brands like HexClad and Hestan may be fantastic, they come at high costs that can be unrealistic for the average home cook. The Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Set earned our vote for the best value set in our tested analysis of the wider stainless steel cookware market. Ahead, learn more about the set’s features and why we’d quickly recommend it to anyone searching for budget-friendly cookware.
We guarantee a lifetime of healthy cooking with Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard Anodized Cookware. The food you cook in it will not be impacted by or react with the stainless steel surfaces. The triple-ply construction and Heat Surround technology are what really make this stand out as the best Cuisinart cookware set, though. ✓ The Heat Surround technology ensures even distribution and no hotspots in the pots and pans.
In terms of design, testers noted that the pan handles had a nice feel and found that the squared-off lid handles fit comfortably in their hands. The bigger pans and pots have a helper handle for ease of holding anything heavier or hot as well. Overall, they felt that the set had a substantial feel that helped justify the price point.
In terms of design, the set received a near-perfect score as testers liked the glass lids and the included steamer pot attachment. They also appreciated the traditional design on this set and noted that the pieces feel substantial. cuisinart pots and pans set This was to test for caramelization and browning on the outside crust, with the remainder being juicy but thoroughly cooked throughout. Each piece of cookware features a tapered rim for easy pouring of oils, sauces and marinades.