Whether you’re looking at fully stocking an empty kitchen or planning a cookware overhaul, shopping for all-new cookware can be daunting. And while many cooks prefer to grow their cookware collection piece by piece, for some it can be much easier—not to mention, cheaper—to buy an all-in-one set.
Today, we’re talking specifically about stainless steel: this durable, responsive, high heat-resistant metal is extremely versatile, and one of our top choices for buying as a set.
What Makes Stainless Steel Cookware Stand Out?
If you’re unfamiliar, stainless steel is beloved by home and professional chefs alike. Here are just a few reasons why it’s widely regarded as a kitchen staple.
Durability and Longevity
Stainless steel is known for its durable, rust- and scratch-resistant finish that can be put through the wringer without compromising quality. With proper use and care, these pieces can last a literal lifetime.
Even Heat Distribution
While stainless steel on its own isn’t an efficient conductor of heat, stainless steel that’s been cladded—aka layered with other, more conductive metals like copper or aluminum—does a stellar job of distributing heat and minimizing hot and cold spots.
Non-Reactive Surface
Reactive metals like cast iron undergo a chemical change when they come into contact with acidic ingredients, which can alter the flavor of a dish and strip the seasoning. Thankfully, stainless steel is non-reactive, so you can use acids like wine, tomatoes, and lemon juice with abandon.
Compatibility with All Cooktops
In addition to being compatible with both gas and electric stoves, most stainless steel cookware is also highly ferromagnetic, which means that it works on induction cooktops. This is true even if your pan is cladded with non-ferromagnetic materials like aluminum and copper. Note, however, that stainless steel with a high nickel content may block your induction stove’s magnetic field, so make sure to test your pan for induction compatibility.
Essential Pieces in a Stainless Steel Cookware Set
It’s time to start building your collection. Here’s what to look for when shopping for a stainless cookware set.
Frying Pan (8-12 inches)
A frying pan is the first item of cookware we recommend to new home cooks, and is an essential part of all sets. The size included in sets is up to the brand, but frying pans typically range from 8 to 12”. Featuring sloping sides and a wide, flat bottom, a frying pan is essential for dishes that involve searing, sautéing, and pan frying (i.e., most of the dishes we cook on a regular basis).
Saucepan (1-2 quarts)
If you’re not trying to whip out an entire 6QT stock pot to cook a single batch of rice and pasta, reheat some leftover soup, or boil a couple of eggs, you’re going to need a saucepan. Ranging in size from 1-2 quarts, a saucepan can help round out your cookware set, and is especially handy for single cooks or small families.
Sauté Pan (3-4 quarts)
First off, a sauté pan is not the same thing as a frying pan. While these two similar-looking pieces of cookware have a number of overlapping uses, the sauté pan’s straight sides protect against sloshing, making it better-suited to shallow-frying, simmering, and other liquid-based preparations. A sauté pan also tends to have more surface area than a frying pan with the same diameter, since it has straight sides rather than flared.
Stock Pot (6-8 quarts)
Ranging from roughly 6-8 quarts, these capacious pots allow you to blanch, simmer, boil, and steam large batches of food in one go, from pasta and grains to whole lobsters. We recommend a stockpot for most cooks, but especially ones who do a lot of meal prep or host a lot of dinner parties. Stockpots also often come with helpful add-on accessories, like a steamer basket or pasta insert.
Less Essential (But Still Good to Have) Pieces
The following pieces aren’t typically included in sets, but are worth looking out for if you’re serious about stocking your kitchen.
Saucier
A saucier is basically a cross between a sauté pan and a rondeau, with a cornerless bottom and curved walls for easy whisking and stirring. If you make lots of risottos, curries, or traditional French sauces like velouté and bechamel, you’ll get a lot of use out of this one.
Butter Warmer
Whether you use it for warming milk, reheating tea or coffee, making chili crisp, or actually melting butter, a butter warmer is a super handy little chef’s tool. While you could use a small saucepan, a butter warmer allows you to make even smaller portions of your favorite condiment (pro tip: it also makes for a great mallet for
Additional Considerations When Shopping for Stainless Sets
It’s never fun to find out the big-ticket item you just purchased is actually low-quality—including a new cookware set. Here’s how to ensure that you’re buying an investment-worthy set.
Cladding and Ply Construction
Terms like “ply” and “clad” aren’t just marketing lingo: they’re crucial to consider when researching stainless steel cookware. While 5-Ply stainless steel will cost you more, it’ll respond quicker to temperature change, heat more evenly, and last longer than 3-Ply stainless steel.
Handles and Ergonomics
While stainless steel cookware is famously light and easy to wield, a poorly-made handle can ruin the whole experience. A light, ergonomic handle will keep your hands from cramping while you sauté, while a hollow build (like our proprietary Stay Cool Handle) can help prevent accidental burns.
Oven Safety
Stainless steel is generally a great, oven-safe option—which is great news if you like to finish your steaks or chops in the oven (or you’re a big fan of skillet cookies). Just make sure to look for pans made from higher grades of stainless steel like 18/10, 304, and 430; however lower-quality stainless won’t stand up to the high heat of the oven. The handle should also be made of an oven-safe material—i.e., not plastic or wood.
How to Choose the Right Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Other than shape, size, and construction, these are some of the most important factors to consider when investing in a cookware set.
Budget
Trying to stick to a budget? Instead of buying a large set of cheap pans, spend that money on a smaller set of essentials—such as a frying pan, saucepan, and stockpot— from a reputable brand. They’ll last longer and perform better, and you can always add on additional pieces later on.
Size & Quantity
The size of your cookware set really depends on budget, storage capacity, and your home cooking needs. Again, we highly recommend investing in quality over quantity: while a 10-piece set can seem enticing, it can also be a waste of money and space if you only use 5 of the pieces.
Brand Reputation
This probably goes without saying, but if you’re going to be splurging on a whole set of cookware, it’s especially important to do your research. Read customer reviews; look up to see how (and where) the products are manufactured; and, if you can, try to see each set in person if you can.
Ready to Shop?
If you’re curating your home cookware collection from the ground up, buying a set can help save you a bit of cash—not to mention, a whole lot of time and energy. As with any large(ish) purchase, of course, make sure you’re buying a high-quality set you’ll actually use, rather than one that’ll end up collecting dust in a closet.
To make it easy for you, each one of our cookware sets features a curated collection of our Stainless Clad cookware. Whether you go big with our 10-Piece Set or start small with a just-the-basics 3-Piece Set, our award-winning 5-ply Stainless Clad provides the ideal foundation for your growing cookware collection.
