EmailBest Reviewed
Cookware
- Best stainless steel cookware All-Clad Stainless *Est. $570
- Budget stainless steel cookware Cuisinart Chefs Classic Stainless *Est. $150
- 12-inch nonstick skillet WearEver Premium Hard-Anodized Skillet *Est. $30
- Traditional cast-iron skillet Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned 12-Inch Skillet *Est. $20
- Budget enameled Dutch oven Lodge 6-Quart Color Enamel Dutch Oven *Est. $50
Get info about new reports and updates
Budget stainless steel cookware
- Encapsulated aluminum disk in base
- Oven-safe to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
- Riveted stay-cool handles
- Difficult to clean
- No aluminum core on sides
- Some saucepans have high sides
Cook's Illustrated magazine includes the Cuisinart Chef's Classic line in its exacting cookware tests. To gauge how this cookware holds up over time, we read dozens of owner-written reviews at Amazon.com. A hands-on review at About.com is also helpful.
Overall, reviewers say All-Clad Stainless (*est. $570 for a nine-piece set) is easily the best stainless steel cookware. However, for a lot less, experts agree that Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless is an excellent budget choice. Unlike the All-Clad cookware, which has an aluminum core that extends up the sides of each pot, the Chef's Classic line has a fully encapsulated aluminum disk built into the base of each pan, but it doesn't extend up the sides. Because of this, these pans heat fairly slowly, but once heated, they tend to run a little hot, requiring you to keep a close watch on your food as it cooks. This cookware is oven-safe to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, which is very high for budget cookware.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  7762 store reviews | In Stock. *Circle of excellence award winner* Enjoy secure online shopping, great prices, fast shipping & award wining customer service when you shop at buydig.com. | $109.95 | See It |
 | 168 store reviews | In Stock. Ships in 24 hrs | $148.95 | See It |
 | 1029 store reviews | In Stock. Save $25 now with coupon code C77209! | $149.99 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe
In this test of 3- and 4-quart saucepans, the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 4-quart saucepan is one of the models included. Saucepans are rated for ease of use, pan shape and cooking performance with a variety of foods.
Review: Large Saucepans -- Updated, Editors of Cook's Illustrated, June 2007
2. Amazon.com
The Cuisinart Chef's Classic Line earns 4.5 out of five stars in more than 200 reviews. Most owners are very happy with these pans, but a few say that food sticks to the pan bottom, and some say they feel flimsy and cheap.
Review: Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10-Piece Cookware Set, Contributors to Amazon.com
3. About.com
In this short but insightful review, About.com housewares guide Mariette Mifflin reports on her own informal testing of the Cuisinart Chef's Classic cookware set. Mifflin says the cookware looks great and is balanced. Her only complaints are that the skillets are sometimes hard to clean and that some foods can discolor the interiors. She is one of the few reviewers who note the helpful self-draining lids. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Cuisinart Chef's Classic 10 pc Cookware Set, Mariette Mifflin
4. Cooking.com
More than two dozen owners have reviewed their Cuisinart Chef's Classic cookware. Every owner would buy this cookware again, and all give it rave reviews. There are one or two comments about it being difficult to clean.
Review: Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Contributors to Cooking.com
Cookware Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
