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.
The porcelain enamel exterior (in gray, red, naval, or sage) is functional and stylish. The smooth surface stayed unscratched after a couple of weeks of use and travel, especially since I avoided sliding the pans over my gas cooktop’s grates. The Tramontina Nesting Cookware Set pulls together a full range of pots and pans that fit like Russian dolls, one inside the other. It immediately caught my eye with its sleek, colorful pans and innovative single-stack design.
However, after a new round of testing, we found the skillets warped over high heat. The bottom of the pans bowed so much that they wobbled on a flat surface. We tested multiple skillets to be sure this wasn’t a fluke, but all of them had the same results. Although the pans were still usable after warping, their damage voids the warranty. Since the Goldilocks set is relatively new, we don’t know how it will perform over time (as we do with the Tramontina and All-Clad sets we’ve been long-term testing for years). However, we’ll continue to test this set to see how it holds up against our other picks, and we will update this guide accordingly.
For difficult-to-remove items like burnt-on oil or lime deposits, a sponge and some Bar Keepers Friend usually do the trick. In the Wirecutter test kitchen, to remove burnt-on oil or discoloration we often use a slurry of baking soda and warm water, along with a sponge and a little elbow grease. For other cleaning options, refer to our blog post and video on the subject. All-Clad no longer recommends washing its cookware in the dishwasher.
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Tramontina has been making home cookware products since 1911 and is a well known Brazilian brand, but you might not have heard of them if you’ve been sticking with the usual from the department store. Fortunately, both pans meet all five of these quality standards. I’ve used my All-Clad intensely for around eight years, and my Tramontina set even more intensely for the last year. Performance-wise, the Tramontina pan performed fairly identically to the All-Clad in our head-to-head tests. However, if price isn’t a barrier, you’ll certainly be happy with an All-Clad stainless-steel skillet. Item prices do not include fees for pickup, shipping or delivery (if applicable) unless noted in the item description.
For the record, we’ve always recommended washing any stainless steel cookware by hand, regardless of the manufacturer’s claims. The harsh chemicals in some detergents plus the prolonged exposure to those cleaners over the course of a dishwashing cycle can cause damage to the pans (particularly the aluminum in the bonded cookware). All-Clad offers a wide range of cookware outside the main set, so you can grow your collection. In our cookware guides, we recommend several other All-Clad pieces, including the 12-inch skillet, the 8- and 10-inch nonstick skillets, the 2-quart saucier, and the flared roaster. In addition to your main set, you can always purchase other essential pieces, such as a Dutch oven, a cast-iron skillet, and a nonstick pan.
Their products are about the middle of the road when compared to similar cookware. You can find comfort in their warranties and long-standing reputation across tramontina cookware set the kitchen and cooking space. If you’re a fan of cast iron, this beautiful blue gradated cobalt skillet can be used for sauces, gravies, and even soup.