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Having the right cookware can make a world of difference when it comes to the overall experience of cooking a meal. If you are just getting into cooking at home, you might not realize it yet, but sooner or later the need for high quality, reliable cookware arises. Today we present you five amazing cookware sets that any home chef would enjoy using.
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In a hurry? This is our winner!
- Set includes: 8 & 10-inch fry pan, 1.5 & 3-quart sauce pan w/ lid, 3-quart sauté pan, and 8qt stock pot
- 5-ply bonded construction with alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum for warp-free durability and supremely even heating that eliminates hotspots
- For an added touch of refinement, it features a beautiful and easy to maintain brushed finish and fitted, stainless-steel lids
- Compatible with all cooktops and optimized performance for induction tops - also oven/broiler-safe up to 600°F
- Heat-resistant stainless-steel handles, designed a comfortable grip and permanently secured with stainless-steel rivets, and flared rims for drip-free pouring
Best Cookware Set For a Home Chef – Runner Up
- SET INCLUDES: 1.5 Quart saucepan with cover, 3 Quart saucepan with cover, 3.5 Quart sauté pan with helper handle and cover, 8 Quart stockpot with cover, 8" skillet, 10" skillet, 20cm steamer insert with cover
- DURABLE DESIGN: Elegant and contemporary, the professional Triple Ply Construction features a core of pure aluminum and a handsome brushed stainless finish. Heat Surround Technology allows for even heat distribution along the bottom and sidewalls of the cookware. Cookware also features Cool Grip handles secured with stainless steel rivets, self-basting and tight-fitting lids
- COOKING AND CLEANING: Polished cooking surface does not discolor, react with food or alter flavors. Tight-fitting stainless steel covers seal in food's natural juices and nutrients for healthier, more flavorful results. Cookware and covers are dishwasher safe
- OVEN SAFE: Oven safe up to 550 degrees F with rims tapered for a drip-free pouring experience. Suitable for use with induction cook tops as well
- COMMITMENT TO QUALITY: Inspired by the great French kitchens, Cuisinart began making professional cookware almost 30 years ago. Constructed of the finest materials available to perfectly perform all the classic cooking techniques, Cuisinart cookware continues a long tradition of excellence. Our commitment to quality and innovation continues with our MultiClad Pro Stainless cookware, designed to meet the demands of gourmet chefs everywhere
Best Cookware Set For a Home Chef – Comparison Table
Best Cookware Set For a Home Chef – Reviews
The All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set is the perfect choice for any cooking enthusiast practicing at home. This cookware set features a no-frills minimalistic but elegant design that makes these pots and pans look just like those professional chefs use in restaurants.
Although the brushed finish on the stainless steel exterior of these pots and pans looks amazing, it’s not all just about the looks. The cookware from the D5 Stainless collection also offers amazing performance. You’ll immediately notice the even heat distribution and great heat responsiveness. This is thanks to the 5-layers construction that combines aluminum with stainless steel to harness the benefits of both.
The set includes 2 frying pans, one measuring 8 inches in diameter and the other one two inches wider. There are also three saucepans in different sizes with stainless steel lids included. To top it all off, the set also includes a large stockpot with a lid.
The cookware from the All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set will work with any kind of heat source including induction. Since all parts are made of metal, including the handles and lids, you can also place all of the pieces from the set in the oven.
- Durable stainless steel exterior
- Oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
- Made in USA
- Handles can get hot on the stove and in the oven
The Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is another great choice for all culinary enthusiasts. Thanks to the stainless steel exterior, these pots and pans can withstand quite a bit of abuse. All of the pots and pans in this set also have an aluminum core, which ensures perfect heat distribution and responsiveness. Having this in mind, it’s totally safe to say that you can cook anything with the 12 pieces included in this set. These are high-quality pots and pans, so even advanced cooking techniques are not an issue!
The set includes 2 skillets, 2 saucepans with lids, a deep saute pan with a lid, and a large stockpot with a lid. As a nice bonus, the set also includes a stainless steel steamer insert with a cover. Just like the pots and pans, the lids are made of stainless steel too and so are the large handles. Stainless steel is a great choice for any home chef because it’s durable, scratch-resistant, and doesn’t react with food. It can also withstand high temperatures and go into the dishwasher – what more could you ask for?
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- Functional and versatile
- Tough stainless steel exterior
- Oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
- Handles get hot in the oven
- Pans tend to warp if used on high heat
The Calphalon Premier Space-Saving Stainless Steel Set offers amazing performance that will satisfy beginners and seasoned chefs alike. That is not the only feature that makes this cookware set stand out. though. What we actually love the most about this set is the fact that it is securely stackable, allowing you to save tons of space!
All of the pieces of cookware in this set stack neatly in two stacks of different sizes. The 8-inch stack includes a frying pan, two saucepans, and two lids that can go on any one of these pieces. The saucepans are still in different sizes which is nice as it makes them more versatile. The 10-inch stack also includes a frying pan, a stockpot, and a saute pan, again completed with two 10-inch lids.
Calphalon cookware is certainly not the cheapest on the market, but it’s definitely worth the investment. These pots and pans can really last a lifetime. Calphalon actually backs this statement by offering a lifetime warranty on this cookware set.
- Scratch-resistant even when metal utensils are used
- Space-saving stackable design
- Optimized for induction
- Oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
- The flat lids can be a little uncomfortable to use
The T-fal E765SH Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set truly includes everything a home chef could need.
Let’s start with the frying pans. There are 3 of them, each in a different size which is great as you can always have just the right size for any dish you are making. The largest pan also includes a tight-fitting lid. However, that’s not all. This set also includes a square griddle and T-fal’s signature One Egg Wonder pan. With all of these in your arsenal, you’ll be able to make a perfect breakfast or brunch even for a party of people.
The set also contains 3 saucepans in different sizes, a deep saute pan, and a large dutch oven, all of which come with matching lids. To top it all off, this set also includes a steamer insert. With all of these pots and pans, there is really no limit to what you can make using the T-fal E765SH Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set!
The pots and pans themselves are made of hard anodized aluminum. This choice of material makes them very durable, scratch-resistant, and non-reactive. The lids are made of shatter-resistant tempered glass. Handles on both the lids and the pots and pans are comfortable and securely riveted.
- Includes all the pots and pans a home chef might need
- Non-stick cooking surface free of harmful chemicals
- Vented tempered glass lids
- Oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
- Not as durable as some other options
The Duxtop SSIB-17 Professional Stainless Steel Induction Cookware Set is a good choice for any home cook looking to equip their kitchen with a single cookware set.
In this 17-piece set, you really do get all of the basics you need in the kitchen. There are two quality skillets, two saucepans, an extra-large stockpot, a casserole, and a saute pan. Every piece of cookware, except the skillets, comes with a tight-fitting stainless steel lid.
Besides these essentials, this cookware set also includes some nice extras. First of all, it includes both a pasta insert and a steamer inset. Additionally, you also get 3 durable stainless steel kitchen utensils. These utensils are made of metal, but you’ll be able to put them to use since the cooking surface on these pots and pans is totally scratch-resistant.
Last but not least, these sturdy pots and pans have ergonomically shaped handles that feel really good and stable in your hand. The handles are made of stainless steel too, but they have a satin finish that makes them less slippery.
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Compatible with all kinds of stove tops, including induction
- Oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit
- Dishwasher safe
- Great value for money
- Encapsulated aluminum base might cause the pots to vibrate on induction cooktops
Best Cookware For Home Chefs – Buyers Guide
As an aspiring home chef, you probably know you want quality cookware. However, that still leaves you with many options to choose from. The thing is, the best cookware set for you is the one that best corresponds to your individual needs. You are the only one who can make the final decision, but these are some aspects you should think about before choosing your new cookware set:
Material
The first thing to consider when choosing a cookware set is what material you want the cookware to be made of. Stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum are both solid choices with their distinct advantages.
Let’s start with stainless steel. This material is basically an evergreen in the cookware industry, and there are good reasons for that. It is a durable material that doesn’t react with food. It’s also usually dishwasher safe and doesn’t rust in contact with water. However, stainless steel is not the best heat conductor, which is why quality stainless steel pots and pans usually have a layer of aluminum or copper inside.
Hard anodized aluminum is one of the top alternatives to stainless steel cookware. Cookware made from this material is much lighter than stainless steel cookware and also conducts heat amazingly well.
Design
The material used for pots and pans is worth nothing if they are not-well made. If you are going to use your new cookware on a daily basis, you want something that is both functional and nice to look at.
All of the picks on our list have tapered rims, which is definitely a must for all ports. This way, you can pour liquids out easily. Pay special attention to the handles too. If they are not large and comfortable, it can put a lot of strain to your wrists.
Functionality And Space
Another thing to consider before choosing a cookware set is how many pieces you actually need. If you want a set that contains all the basics, but doesn’t overload your storage space with too many pieces of cookware, look into something like the All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set. If you are really low on space but don’t want to compromise with the quality of your cookware, you might also want to consider the Calphalon Premier Space-Saving Stainless Steel 10-piece Cookware Set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pots and pans do chefs use?
The answer to this question might vary from chef to chef, but most professional kitchens use simple and sturdy stainless steel or aluminum cookware. Non-stick frying pans are used for eggs specifically, or other foods that are prone to sticking. Cast iron cookware is also sometimes used by chefs.
How many pieces of cookware do I need?
This highly depends on your individual needs. For how many people do you usually cook? How complicated are the recipes that you plan to work with? How much space do you actually have? The essentials any kitchen should have include a good frying pan, a deep saute pan, a saucepan, and a large stockpot. With these 4, you can make basically anything. Anything you add to that will just make your life easier.
What is the safest cookware for your health?
The short answer: stainless steel. With stainless steel, you simply can’t go wrong. It doesn’t react with food, there is no way to damage it, and it doesn’t release harmful chemicals into your food. Cast iron, aluminum, and ceramic cookware are also all perfectly safe if used appropriately.
Is hard anodized or stainless steel cookware better?
Both types of cookware have their advantages and disadvantages. Stainless steel is a classic in cookware, easy to maintain and virtually indestructible. Hard anodized aluminum cookware is a great alternative to stainless steel. Aluminum conducts heat really well, it’s lightweight, and through the anodization process it becomes scratch resistant and non-reactive.
Final Thoughts
A good cookware set is essential in any kitchen and it acts as a base for anything else. For this guide, we tried to find the best cookware sets on the market for home cooking enthusiasts. All of our picks are good workhorses in the kitchen and their performance will satisfy even the most advanced chefs.
The final choice is up to you, though. Whether you choose a stainless steel classic like the All-Clad Brushed D5 Stainless Cookware Set or something more hi-tech like the T-fal E765SH Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17-Piece Cookware Set, we hope this guide has helped!
