Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless-steel cookware is best overall

For most uses, experts suggest stainless-steel cookware over nonstick cookware. When stainless steel is wrapped around an aluminum core, it will heat evenly on gas or electric stovetops. Experts also say it does a superior job of browning food -- the resulting fond (the little brown bits that stick to the pan bottom) can be used to create delicious sauces. Still, stainless does have some drawbacks. Since these cookware sets are not nonstick, cooks have to use more fat or oil to prevent foods from clinging. Additionally, stainless-steel pans are prone to scratches or a discoloration known as rainbowing; users note that Barkeeper's Friend cleanser or lemon juice can help restore the pots' original shine.

All-Clad Stainless (*Est. $750 for a 10-piece set) gets the best reviews among any stainless-steel cookware brand, but its high price is a major drawback. Still, if price isn't a concern (or you're registering for gifts and have deep-pocketed friends), professional chefs and serious cooks say its cooking performance is unparalleled. All-Clad pans have tri-ply construction, with an aluminum core sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. Unlike some tri-ply cookware brands, All-Clad extends the aluminum core up the sides of the pan, providing even heating. This aluminum-sided construction is ideal for gas ranges, because they protect the pan from licking flames that can cause hot spots. All Clad pots and pans have a lifetime warranty, which, for some, may quell the price burden.

In one foodie magazine's tests, All-Clad Stainless cookware earns top marks for performance and design. Editors praise its generous cooking surfaces, excellent heat conduction and great browning. They also note that the pans are built to last, with thick, sturdy bottoms and details such as riveted stainless-steel handles. Although the cookware is heavy, reviewers note that it is well-balanced and easy to maneuver. However, Marian Burros of The New York Times does not care for All-Clad stainless-steel cookware, saying that food sometimes sticks to the pans and they are hard to clean. Chefs and food scientists she spoke to agreed, saying that's just the nature of stainless-steel cookware.

All-Clad Stainless also consistently receives high ratings from owners at Amazon.com and Cooking.com. While most professional reviewers and specialty retail kitchen stores focus on the 10-piece set, we found more feedback for the less expensive 9-piece set (*Est. $600 for a 9-piece set) , at sites like Amazon.com One user at Amazon.com says that the All-Clad pots and pans will "last a lifetime" and are well worth the price. Users say this cookware is durable and attractive and provides great, even heating. Most also find it easy enough to clean. The most common complaints about All-Clad Stainless focus on its weight and its price. We also read a few complaints about food burning or sticking to the pan, a common hazard with stainless-steel cookware in general. The 10-piece cookware set includes 8- and 10-inch skillets, a 2-quart saucier with lid, 3- and 4-quart covered saucepans and an 8-quart covered stockpot. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

A newer line from the same manufacturer is All-Clad Stainless with d5 Technology, sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma (*Est. $1,000 for a 10-piece set) . This cookware has five alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum rather than three. All-Clad says this construction provides superior heat distribution and prevents warping. The editors of Good Housekeeping agree, naming this "trophy line" the best available brand of traditional stainless-steel cookware. Williams-Sonoma features more than 20 reviews of the 10-piece set, which garners a near-perfect average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Users offer quite a few tips about how to best use these pans (as with all stainless-steel pans, there does seem to be a learning curve involved). Several say these pans turn out more flavorful, evenly browned food than less expensive models. Because we could find little comparison between All-Clad's previously discussed classic stainless-steel collection and this newer and fancier version, we'd still recommend the less expensive but equally praised model.

We also found very good support for Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Cookware (*Est. $400 for a 10-piece set) . Like All-Clad, this cookware has tri-ply construction, with handles of stainless steel attached by rivets. However, it is not as heavy as the All-Clad, which in the view of some reviewers, makes it less sturdy. In one foodie magazine's durability tests, a Calphalon Contemporary Stainless skillet dented and its handle became loose. The thinner material of these pans also makes it harder to control the pans' temperature. Editors note that they had to turn down the heat repeatedly with these pans, but at lower temperatures, they achieve excellent results. Another professional publication gives this cookware very good marks for heat distribution and handle comfort and sturdiness.

Users at Amazon.com agree, saying that these pans have a good weight -- not too heavy, not too light -- and provide even heat. Most users find the handles very comfortable, although a few say they are too long. We also saw several complaints about issues such as scratching, discoloration and food sticking to the pan -- a common complaint with all of the stainless-steel cookware sets we researched. The 10-piece Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Cookware set comes with roughly the same pieces as the All-Clad Stainless Cookware set, but the saucepans are smaller (1.5 and 3.5 quarts) and a 3-quart saute pan replaces the saucier. Also, the lids are of glass rather than stainless steel, which some reviewers prefer, because it allows them to monitor food as it cooks. The cookware is safe to put in the oven (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit), under the broiler and in the dishwasher.

As a rule, good stainless-steel cookware is expensive. However, we found one budget-priced brand that gets good reviews overall: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Cookware (*Est. $115 for a 10-piece set) . Like All-Clad Stainless, this cookware features an aluminum core encased in stainless steel, but the aluminum is confined to the base of the pan and doesn't travel up the sides -- a hallmark of less expensive cookware. This kind of construction provides less even heating, particularly when it's used over a gas stove where flames lick the sides, which reviewers say can often result in hotspots and uneven cooking. Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Cookware gets a very good score for even heating in one professional test, but another review notes that you may need to keep a close eye on the temperature during delicate cooking tasks. Professional reviewers say the Cuisinart cookware's riveted handles are comfortable and easy to grip, but they're not as sturdy as some other brands.

Professional tests find mixed results for different pieces in the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless line. One expert likes the tilt of the stockpot's handles, which makes it easy to pour. Another praises the Cuisinart 4-quart saucepan for its sturdy feel and slow saute speed. However, a 12-inch skillet gets poor ratings for both performance and durability; the reviewer reports that food scorched and the aluminum disk fell off the skillet's bottom during their rigorous tests. Nonetheless, Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless is a favorite with owners posting cookware reviews to Amazon.com, Macys.com and Cooking.com. We found more than 800 user reviews across all three sites, with average scores of roughly 4.5 stars out of 5. Owners praise the stainless-steel cookware as a great value, with good weight, even heating and stylish looks. On the other hand, we did see some reports of durability problems, ranging from scratches and stains to cracked, warped and split pans. Although this cookware comes with a limited lifetime warranty, owners complain that the user must pay the cost of shipping a damaged pot back to Cuisinart.

Celebrity chefs Rachael Ray and Emeril Lagasse also offer budget-friendly stainless-steel cookware sets. Rachael Ray Stainless cookware (*Est. $140 for a 10-piece set) gets mixed reviews overall from professionals and consumers. One foodie magazine says the Rachael Ray Stainless set has numerous design flaws: Food scorches, the sides of the fry pans are so high the food is more apt to steam than brown, and the silicone-coated handles become too hot. The silicone handles also restrict pans from being used in an oven that's hotter than 400 degrees Fahrenheit or washed in the dishwasher, which are some of the key benefits of other stainless-steel cookware sets. Although some users at Amazon.com consider this set a good value, others complain of leaking around the rivets and say that food sticks too easily. As one user puts it, "You can't even boil water without it sticking." Still, the line receives an average of 4 out of 5 stars from more than 70 reviewers.

Emerilware Stainless Steel with Copper (*Est. $280 for a 10-piece set) receives a generally positive review from Good Housekeeping, earning an A- grade with praise for smart design elements and even heating. This cookware includes copper and aluminum in its base. However, these materials don't extend up the sides of the pans. In one comparison review, Emerilware is the top-rated traditional cookware set, with very good marks for heat distribution. However, its handle sturdiness and ease of cleaning are rated only fair. With fewer than 30 user reviews, this cookware line has fewer reviews on Amazon.com than some of the other celebrity cookware brands. and has an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5.. Some users say these pans offer great browning and produce good results with less heat. However, others find them too thin and lightweight. Plus, like other brands in this price range, reviewers warn of warping issues and a lack of durability. We also saw more than one user report of the pan bottom coming loose -- either partially or completely separating from the rest of the pan.