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Choosing the right cookware set is one of the hardest decisions to make when choosing cookware and kitchen equipment in general. A cookware set does take up a considerable amount of space in the kitchen, and you don’t want to end up with something you won’t really use.
On the other hand, a good cookware set is a real treasure to have around! Once you find a cookware set that really suits you, you’d be amazed how easy it is to get used to it and before you know, you won’t want to cook with anything else. When you have a favorite set of cookware, everything else just feels uncomfortable.
The cookware set we are going to talk about today, the Cuisinart MCP-12N Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set is one of those special sets that you can enjoy using for years to come.
The pots and pans in this set are quite universal – they are the perfect balance between classic and modern design, reasonably priced yet amazingly well-constructed and durable. We’ll get into all the details in a minute, but first, it might be useful to say a few words about Cuisinart.
- 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
Cuisinart Cookware
The cookware set we are focusing on today was made by Cuisinart, a company known for making functional solutions for various tasks in the kitchen – ranging from appliances to cookware.
Cuisinart actually made a name for themselves by making food processors. Back in 1971, they became famous by bringing these appliances to the US market.
Today, they still make top-notch food processors and blenders along with coffee makers, juicers, slow cookers, microwaves, and various other kitchen appliances. If there is anything an appliance can do in your kitchen, most likely you’ll find the solution with Cuisinart.
However, in recent years, they have also expanded their range of products to cookware and bakeware, and we dare say they have done so quite successfully. Cuisinart cookware is quite reasonably priced, while still being highly functional and providing consistently good performance.
They make cookware using various materials, including hard anodized aluminum and even copper, but the Multiclad Pro line made of stainless steel and aluminum really stands out among the rest. You can read more about the construction of the Multiclad Pro pots and pans below.
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 12-Piece Cookware Set: What’s Included?
This 12-piece set includes all the necessary kitchen essentials. With two skillets, two saucepans, a saute pan, and a stockpot, you can easily prepare any meal without needing any extra cookware.
On the other hand, all of the pieces are quite versatile so we believe you’ll definitely use each and every one of them. There are no unnecessary pieces that will end up forgotten in the back of your kitchen cabinet.
So what exactly does the set contain? Here is a complete list:
A small saucepan with a capacity of 1.5 quarts, lid included
A large saucepan with a capacity of 3 quarts, lid included
An 8-inch skillet
A 10-inch skillet
A saute pan with a capacity of 3.5 quarts, lid included
A large stockpot with a capacity of 8 quarts, lid included
A steamer insert that fits on the 3-quart saucepans
Features
Multilayered Construction
As we have already mentioned, the Multiclad Pro line is made using a combination of stainless steel and aluminum.
The “clad” part in the word Multiclad refers to cladding, a process where layers of two or more different metals are bonded together in order to combine their benefits. In the case of Cuisinart Multiclad Pro, the metals in question are stainless steel and aluminum. Namely, while the exterior and interior layers are made of stainless steel, the core layer is made of pure aluminum.
But why is this necessary, you may wonder? Well, while stainless steel cookware looks amazing and lasts virtually forever, it’s actually not really good at conducting heat. If a pot of pan was made of stainless steel only, you’d have a pan that heats frustratingly slowly, and when it heats up, it does so unevenly so you end up with hot spots that might burn your food.
These drawback of stainless steel are overcome here by adding the aluminum layer between the two layers of stainless steel. Aluminum is much less durable than stainless steel, but it’s a much better heat conductor. Placing in between layers of stainless steel is probably the best achievement of modern cookware industry.
In this way, the aluminum is protected from corrosion and rust, while it provides even heating to the stainless steel pan.
When it comes to multi-layered cookware, there is one more thing you need to be aware of. Some pots and pans are marketed as “clad”, “but only contain an encapsulated disk of aluminum or copper in the bottom of the pan (there is no inner layer on the sides).
With this type of pan, you might get uneven heating, and they also produce noise when placed on induction cooktops. Luckily, this is not the case with the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 12-Piece Cookware Set.
The aluminum layer goes all the way up the sides of the pan, which is a true sign of quality multi-layered cookware. More importantly, it provides even heat distribution throughout the inside of the pots and pans. This is something you can’t really see, but it really makes a big difference when cooking.
The Design
When it comes to the design of these pots and pans, it’s really hard to find something wrong with it. It’s a simple, classic design, that is equally functional and elegant. Everything is made of stainless steel, including the handles and the lids, which not only makes these pots and pans oven-safe but also gives them a uniform look that fits in with all kinds of kitchen decor.
The stainless steel exterior features a brushed, fine-grained finish. This gives the pots and pans a matte look. The inside of the pots and pans, on the other hand, features a polished stainless steel cooking surface.
This is really important because the finely polished surface comes as close to non-stick cooking surfaces as is humanly possible. Polished stainless steel is a great surface for searing and browning meats and veggies (also for caramelizing onions).
Finally, these pots and pans really show that the guys at Cuisinart really pay attention to the finest details. The rims on these pots and pans are slightly curved which makes it much harder to make a mess when pouring liquids.
The Handles
It might seem like the handles are an insignificant detail on a pot or pan, but they can actually make a huge difference. If the handles are not comfortable it really makes the whole experience of cooking uncomfortable.
Moreover, if the handles are not tightly attached and they start loosening, the whole pot or pan in question becomes useless. Luckily, the handles on the pots and pans in this set are tightly riveted on which means it is very hard to remove them, even if you try.
The skillets, the saucepans, and the saute pan have long stick handles made of stainless steel. The long stainless steel handles have an interesting thin profile that provides a comfortable grip. There is also a hole at the end of the handle which is a nice addition if you like to hang your cookware.
The stockpot and the steamer insert have standard looped handles, attached securely with two rivets on each side. The saute pan also has a helper handle which is always quite nice.
The Lids
The lids in this set are made of stainless steel, just like everything else. We love the stainless steel lids because it’s literally impossible to break them, as opposed to glass lid which can easily shatter.
Moreover, they are completely oven safe. The lids also have a nice loop handle at the top. It is quite large, so you can actually grab the handle and lift the lid. We believe this kind of design is much better than knobs on lids which are hard to grab and loosen easily.
Finally, these are low-profile lids that kind of drop into the pan a little. They have a ridge at the rim that rises up which makes them fit extra securely to the pot or pan in question, thus locking in the moisture effectively.
- 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
Final Thoughts
One of the things we love about this set is the stainless steel exterior which makes these pots and pans dishwasher-safe too, which is always a plus. For those who are wondering – the set also works with induction cooktops.
What we especially liked is the fact that you can make almost any meal with this set. The two skillets are perfect for breakfast foods, but also for stir-fries and similar dishes. The two saucepans work for anything from bechamel sauce to small batches of soup to reheating food.
What also love the addition of the steamer insert. The insert goes onto the 3-quart saucepans and allows you to make steamed veggies (or anything else in style.
Overall, this is a great, functional set containing everything you need to get a kitchen set up.
See also:
Cusinart MCP-7N MultiClad Pro Stainles-Steel Cookware Set Review here.
