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When it comes to buying new cookware, today you have more options than ever before. It seems that new materials are being introduced everyday, while the traditional types of cookware still remain in the game. With all of these choices, it can be hard to figure out what you are doing.
Well, one type of cookware has been outperforming all the others for years: it’s multi-layered stainless steel cookware. The Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is one of such sets, and one that comes at quite an affordable price too. But is it any good? Today, we take a detailed look to find out if this set is worth buying.
Cooks Standard: About the Company
Cooks Standard has been on the market in the USA since 2012. This brand of cookware is a registered brand operated in the US by the Neway International international. Neway International is based in California, but they import many of their products from other countries, particularly China. Cooks Standard is one of those brands.
However, it is important to remember that something being made in China is not necessarily a bad thing. China has a big cookware production industry, and the products that are made there range from low quality to top quality, just like anywhere else.
Cooks Standard, in particular, has gained the trust of consumers in US over the last 8 years and gained considerable popularity. This is because they offer quality cookware at reasonable prices. The brand itself has been around even longer in China – since 2003 – where it has made great success.
The pots and pans in this set come with all the features one would expect from a quality multi-layered stainless steel set. Every piece is practical, well-designed, and durable. Thanks to the stainless steel exterior, you can use these pots and pans with all kinds of stovetops, in the oven, and wash them in the dishwasher too.
A stainless steel cooking surface, like the one featured on all of these pots and pans, is also a good option for any beginner chef. If you burn your food on stainless steel, you can simply soak your pot or pan for a day or two, and then scrub it as hard as you need.
Thanks to the aluminum core, these pots and pans are also greatly responsive to heat, which gives you great flexibility when cooking. You can use these pieces for all kinds of cooking methods, including boiling, frying, searing, braising, and roasting in the oven: it’s completely your choice.
- Includes: 1. 5 and 3 qt saucepans, 8 qt stockpot, 8 and 10 in. fry pans, 10.5 in. /4 qt saute pan, and a steamer insert...
- Multi-ply construction has 2 layers of stainless steel between an aluminum core along base and walls
- Cooking surfaces and lids are made of polished 18/10 stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning
- Riveted handles with a V-shaped design stay cool/comfortable; Solid lids keeps in moisture/flavor
- Works on induction, gas, electric, glass, ceramic, halogen, etc. ; Oven safe to 500F; Dishwasher safe
Last update on 2023-03-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Elegant shiny exterior
- Aluminum core ensure superior heat conductivity
- Heats up quickly
- Good value for money
- Works on all kinds of stovetops
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher-safe
- Oven-safe
- The long handles can be annoying when storing your pans
- Lids are not air-tight
- It can be hard to balance the larger pans when they are full
The Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set – Buyers Guide
Cooks Standard offers a variety of different cookware sets, but we chose this 12-piece option to review because we think it represents the best of what this brand has to offer. In this 12-piece sets, you’ll find a total of 6 different-sized pots and pans with lids. But can they bring your cooking to a new level? Let’s see.
Is This Cookware Set Worth The Price?
If you want the short answer immediately: yes, the Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is definitely worth the price. In fact, the price is quite affordable, which makes some consumers wonder – is this cookware actually any good? Well, we tested it, and we found it’s definitely good quality cookware.
With 12 pieces included, you really have a lot to work with, which makes this set perfect for furnishing a new kitchen – whether it’s your own kitchen or you want to give this sets as present to a pair or newlywed, or as a housewarming gift to a good friend, for example. And if you want a smaller set, you can find smaller sets made by Cooks Standard too.
All of the pots and pans in this set feature a stainless steel exterior. And if there is one simple truth when buying cookware it’s – you can’t go wrong with stainless steel. Moreover, thanks to the multi-ply construction, these pots and pans also offer optimal performance. It’s really a universal set that anyone would find useful.
What’s the Build Quality Like?
As we already mentioned, the stainless steel exterior is one of the main advantages of the Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set. Stainless steel is resistant to rust and corrosion, and really durable, so it’s hard to argue against it.
Another advantage of stainless steel is that it’s almost impossible to scratch it. And even if you manage to do so (which would take some real abuse), all you’ll get is a scratch – no scary chemicals leaching into your food like with some non-stick coatings.
Besides stainless steel, these pots and pans also feature an aluminum core, but it’s completely enclosed in the stainless exterior, making this cookware extremely durable. The handles are also securely attached with rivets, so there is nothing to worry about.
What’s Included in the Cooks Standard 12-Piece Set?
We found that the composition of this set is really practical and convenient. One thing to keep in mind that lids also count as cookware pieces, so this set is not as huge as one could imagine at first. However, it really does have everything you could need, no matter if you are cooking a simple breakfast for 2 or a 3-course dinner.
Here is what’s included:
- A small sauce pan with a capacity of 1.5 quarts, lid included
- A large sauce pan with a capacity of 3 quarts, lid included
- A large stockpot with a capacity of 8 quarts, lid included
- A deep sauté pan, lid included
- A smaller fry pan with an 8-inch diameter
- A larger fry pan with a 10-inch diameter
- A universal steamer insert, lid included
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of multi-clad cookware?
While stainless steel is a great material (and immensely popular in cookware manufacturing), it has one downside: it doesn’t conduct heat all that well. If a pot or pan would be made only of stainless steel, it would heat up very slowly and unevenly. Luckily, there is a solution for that: multi-layered cookware, like this set made by Cooks Standard. When an aluminum core or middle layer is added, the stainless steel cookware becomes much more responsive to heat, and spreads the heat evenly across the cooking surface.
Can I use metal utensils with cookware from this Cooks Standard set?
Yes. The cooking surface on all the pots and pans from this set is stainless steel – nonstick coatings are not used. Due to this, you can use any kind of utensils you want with your cookware and you don’t need to worry about getting it scratched.
Is this set from Cooks Standard compatible with induction stovetops?
Yes. Stainless steel is magnetic, and this is what the base of the Cooks Standard pots and pans is made of. Because of this, you can use all of these pots and pans on induction stovetops. They will also work on an electric stove, a gas stove, or any other kind of cooking device.
How should I clean and maintain these pots and pans?
All of the pots and pans from the Cooks Standard stainless 12-piece set can be washed in the dishwasher. However, washing them often in the dishwasher will create a patina on the surface of these pots and pans. It’s nothing bad, and your pots will still be completely usable – it’s just the nature of stainless steel. If you want to keep your pots and pans shiny as new for a long time, then consider washing them by hand.
Is Cooks Standard Cookware oven-safe?
Yes, all the pieces in this set are oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Final Verdict
So, in the end, is the Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set worth buying? Yes, we think it is. Whether it will be the perfect set for you depends on what you are looking for. If you are low on storage space and want a set that can pack super small, this might not be right for you, for example.
However, in most other cases. we think you will love this cookware set. Stainless steel cookware simply works in every situation – on any kind of cooktop, and lets you cook any kind of meal. For this reason, the Cooks Standard Multi-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set also makes a great gift for any cooking-enthusiast.
