Do you love to cook mouth-watering dishes on a day-to-day basis? If you’re a home chef who loves trying out new recipes or cooking old ones, stainless steel cookware is a must in your kitchen. They are durable and, unlike non-stick pots and pans, can withstand high heat. If you want to pop something in the oven for a quick, easy bake, most stainless steel pots and pans are also perfectly oven proof.
The first question most people have on their minds when they are considering buying stainless steel, is whether it is safe or not.
We have great experience using stainless steel cookware at home, and it is perfectly safe for multiple reasons:
- You can use any type of utensils without worrying if you scratch the surface.
- You can use any type of scrub sponges to clean it properly in no time.
- It can withstand very high temperatures without cracking and breaking.
What’s even better, is you don’t have to season it to keep it from rusting, and it’s actually dishwasher safe as well.
So if you’re in the market for cookware that’ll last a lifetime with no maintenance needed (besides regular cleaning) stainless steel is your best bet.
Related: How to Check if Your Cookware Is Induction Ready
Here are some stainless steel cookware sets you can opt to choose from if you’re thinking of getting one:
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro
- 12-piece cookware set has everything you need
- Easy drip-free pouring
- All stainless steel lids
Elegance meets contemporary in this Multiclad Pro line of stainless steel cookware from Cuisinart. With its brush finish, this 12-piece set is a deluxe cookware that’s great for the professional home chef. It’s got grip handles secured with stainless steel rivets and self-basting, tight-fitting lids, and triple-ply construction that ensures maximum heat retention and even heat distribution. This cookware can also be used on an induction stove.
This cookware set comes with two covered saucepans that can hold up to 1 1/2 and 3 quarts. There are also 8- and 10-inch open skillets, a 3 1/2-quart covered saute pan, an 8-quart covered stockpot, and a steamer insert that comes with a lid.
With its polished cooking surface, this stainless steel cooking set does not discolor or react with food or alter flavors. If you plan to bake something in the oven (such as a special pot pie or a baked casserole) this cookware is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The rims are tapered for drip-free pouring to minimize making a mess when you transfer your food from the pot or pan to a serving dish.
From making grilled cheese sandwiches to frying hamburgers and making crepes, the open skillets will serve your kitchen needs very well. With the saute pans, you can braise meat and cook fish fillet, and with the stockpot, you can create family-favorite stews and soups. The tight-fitting stainless steel covers seal in the food’s natural juices and nutrients so it produces healthier, more flavorful results from your cooking.
When it comes to cleaning, you won’t have any difficulty either, as this Cuisinart cookware is dishwasher safe, with no coatings to flake off or plastic to melt. If kept in good condition and treated with much care, this can even be passed down to the next generation, as Cuisinart also covers this Multiclad Pro set with a lifetime limited warranty against defects.
Cook N Home 12-Piece Cookware Set
- Great value
- All lids made of glass
- Nice and easy to handle
Are you looking for cookware that works with just about anything–whether gas, electric, glass, ceramic, halogen, or even for induction stoves? If yes, then this might just be what you’re looking for. This Cook N Home Stainless Steel cookware set includes a 1.5-quart saucepan, 1.5-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepot casseroles, a 5.5-quart stockpot, and a 10-inch saute fry pan. All the pots and pans come with tempered glass lids.
The Cook N Home Cookware Set is made of mirror-polished 18/10 stainless steel with a capsuled aluminum disc in the bottom which allows for heat distribution. This cookware’s riveted handles stay cool even while you are cooking and are durable and comfortable to hold because of their wide, deep grip.
With their tempered glass lids and steam vent, you can easily view your food to check the cooking process. You don’t have to worry either about the pots tipping over while you cook. The cookware will sit comfortably and evenly on stovetops. The pots and pans are also oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while their glass lids can withstand heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Its reflective finish on both the inside and out give this a polished appearance while making it easy to clean. All pieces are dishwasher-safe as well and they are easy to keep up as their flat base makes them stackable and easy to store.
Calphalon Classic Pots and Pans Set
- Useful 10-piece set
- Also available in a 14-piece version
- All lids are made of glass
Save time when cooking with the Calphalon Classic Pots and Pans Set. This 10-piece cookware set comes with an 8- and a 10-inch frying pan, a 1.5- and 2.5-quart saucepan with a cover each, a 3-quart saute pan with cover, and a 6-quart stockpot with cover. Fill lines in the pots make measuring easy which saves up on time as well. The covers have straining holes that line up with the pour spouts so you can easily drain the liquid without having to use a separate colander.
Even if your pots and pans are hot, the long ergonomic handles provide a secure grip while staying cool. They are double-riveted by hand and make carrying the full, heavy pans easier. Everything about the Calphalon Classic Pots and Pans Set has been designed for consistent and dependable results, from measuring to cooking and preparing your food.
The Calphalon cookware set is made of brushed stainless steel with impact-bonded aluminum bases for fast and even heating. They are durable and can be relied on for a great, everyday performance. They are versatile and can be used to sear, simmer, boil, fry, and more.
These pots and pans are oven and broiler safe as well and can be used on gas, electric, halogen, or induction stovetops. You can even use metal utensils to stir when cooking your food. When it comes to cleaning, you can pop them into the dishwasher for a quick and easy clean.
T-fal C836SD Ultimate
- Works with all cooktops
- 13 pieces included for great versatility
- Can be used in an oven too
If you’re looking for ingenious, high-performing, and user-friendly cookware, then T-fal might just be the one for you, with their experience of over 60 years in delivering quality products that always produce the desired results.
The T-fal stainless steel cookware 13-piece cookware set comes with 8- and, 10-inch frying pans, a 12-inch frying pan with lid, 1-, 2-, and 3-quart saucepans with corresponding lids, a 5-quart Duch oven with lid, and a stainless steel steamer.
This cookware features multi-layer strength in the form of the heavy gauge base with multiple layers of copper, stainless steel, and aluminum for faster, more even heating. The visible copper at the bottom of the pots and pans helps channel the heat from the center outward so all your food will cook evenly.
The interior of this cookware set is also made of stainless steel that won’t react to acidic foods. The best way to use these pans in such a way to prevent food from sticking is to simply preheat the pan and then add a thin coat of cooking oil.
Sturdy, riveted stainless steel handles aid in your cooking by allowing you to lift your pots and pans comfortably, even if they are full. The tempered glass lids trap in heat and moisture to keep the flavors in, while the vented hole in the lid lets a little steam escape to maintain visibility and prevents what you’re cooking from boiling over. Interior marks also help you measure your food for easy filling.
The T-fal stainless steel cookware set is suitable for all cooktops, including induction stoves. They are oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also dishwasher safe, making cleaning easy and quick to do.
How to Make Your Stainless Steel Cookware Non-Stick
When it comes to cooking with stainless steel, one of our biggest concerns is how to keep food from burning at the bottom. Unlike non-stick cookware that has a special material to keep your food from sticking to the bottom of your pots and pans, stainless steel cookware requires a little bit more effort when it comes to cooking. After all, you don’t want to end up worrying about burning your food or having to scrub your pots and pans clean every time you cook.
Here’s what you need to do to prevent your food from sticking to your stainless steel cookware while you are cooking:
- Place your pan on an empty burner over medium heat and allow the pan to heat 2-3 minutes at this temperature.
- Test if your pan is hot enough by dropping a single drop of water. If your pan is ready, you should hear a sizzling sound from the water. Only then will the pan be hot enough for you to add oil.
- Make sure your food is “dry” when you cook it as water brings down the temperature of the oil. If you’re cooking vegetables, meat, or other food that has been washed, it would be good to pat them down with a paper towel first to remove the excess water.
- Don’t cook cold food as they also bring down the heat. Make sure the food that you have taken from the refrigerator is properly thawed and at least at room temperature before cooking on stainless steel.
- When you’re done cooking (while the pan is still warm), wipe out residual oil and food excess with a paper towel. Use a pair of tongs to keep your hands in a safe distance from the hot surface.
- Once done, add 1-2 cups of water and let it simmer for a while to loosen up any foods or oils that are stuck to the surface.
- Use a wooden spoon to scrape away any excess bits that still remain on the surface.
- Discard the water then wipe your pan again with a paper towel.
- Clean your pan in hot soapy water before drying thoroughly with a clean towel.
When you’re cleaning and keeping your stainless steel pots and pans, remember that they do not work like cast iron cookware, so they do not need seasoning when you are keeping them away. Seasoning your stainless steel pans will only leave you with a badly-stained and sticky pan.
If you’re able to take care of your pan very well, whether cooking with it or cleaning and storing it, your stainless steel pots and pans should last for a long time and help you as you cook and serve many dishes.