You’re probably sick and tired of hearing about the wonders of stainless-steel cookware, but hear me out for a second. Most new cookware sets are made from aluminum or cheap, tinny-colored stainless steel.
If you want your food to taste like itself without all that nasty metallic aftertaste, you should consider getting one of these best stainless-steel cookware sets. Additionally, we’ll help debunk some commonly asked questions about:
- What is the best grade of stainless steel for cookware?
- Do handles get hot on stainless steel cookware?
- What are cool-touch handles?
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Cuisinart MCP-12 N
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Induction-friendly cookware.
This oven-safe cookware set from Cuisinart is our top pick because of its quality, versatility, even heat distribution, and more. This 12-piece set is a complete package as it comes with all the essential items, including saucepans, stockpot, steamer, and more. If you’re looking for an all-around feature, this stainless-steel cookware set would be an excellent choice.
What we like
Durability: You can expect good durability with this cookware set made of quality material. The steel grade used for pots and pans exterior is 18/10, proving high resistance against rust or corrosion.
Toxin-free cookware: The cookware is free of any chemical materials, so you don’t have to worry about food safety.
Oven-safe: This cookware is oven safe, can resist heat up to 500F, and can be used as a broiler.
Pros
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Induction-friendly cookware.
Cons
- Clean after every use since the stain stuck for a long time may be hard to clean.
What is the best grade of stainless steel for cookware?
304 stainless steel grade is mainly used for cookware as it can stand corrosion and has high resistance to acidic food. Hence, you will see that most of the cookware uses this grade which is also called food-grade stainless steel.
Additionally, this stainless-steel grade is applicable for different uses:
- Food equipment
- Dyeing equipment
- Pharmaceutical equipment
- Various types of tubing
Another stainless-steel grade like 430 is also used for cooking applications, but it’s less resistant to corrosion. In terms of durability, 304, also referred to as 18/8 or 18/10, is longer when compared to 430. Here, 18% consist of chromium, and 10 % or 8% consist of nickel. Some stainless steel cookware has low nickel, but we often can’t differentiate it.
Do handles get hot on stainless steel cookware?
When compared to other handles, stainless steel cookware handles don’t get hot, and it does warm a bit but doesn’t burn your hand. It’s strong and can be safe for oven use. But you should also note that various stainless-steel handles may provide different results. For instance, tubular-shaped handles allow an airflow inside, which leads to slow building up of heat from your pan to handle.
Hollow-core handles take longer to heat up and can resist heat in the oven up to 500F. Furthermore, you should note that long stick handles have higher heat resistance than short stick handles. Additionally, the handle on a small skillet tends to heat up faster as it’s nearer to the heat source.
What are cool-touch handles?
Pots and pans that can resist heat are known as cool-touch handles. Various utensil handles are specifically designed to heat, providing a cool effect. It’s convenient and allows you to grab the handle without getting your hand burnt. Plus, it’s oven-safe, allowing an easy transition between stovetop and oven.
Do calphalon handles get hot?
Calphalon comes with different cookware sets offering different features and functionality. It would be best to know the plastic type before you get one. For instance, plastic materials like phenolic have high resistance against heat. So, if the handle is made of this material, it can resist heat. Regardless, it’s advisable to use a holder on the safe side.
Do Le Creuset stainless steel handles get hot?
Le Creuset stainless steel handles can resist heat to a specific temperature, especially with a phenolic knob. If it’s kept in the stovetop for a longer duration, it might heat up. So, to be on the safe side, it would be better to use a cloth holder.
What is the disadvantage of stainless steel?
Stainless steel has multiple benefits, but it also has several disadvantages. Some of the cons of stainless steel are as follows:
- Stainless steel cookware is expensive as compared to other cookware.
- It needs proper maintenance as stainless-steel pots and pans are hard to clean if they’re not cleaned immediately, especially burnt food.
- Stainless steel is excellent for kitchen applications, but it’s not compatible with glass items.
- Although it has high resistance against corrosion, it may get damaged if exposed to heat.
- It’s a non-recyclable material and takes a long time to manufacture.
- The exterior of pots and pans wears off due to constant exposure to heat.
- Some stainless-steel utensils get damaged if exposed to saltwater.
Will stainless steel cookware work on the induction cooktop?
Yes, most of the stainless-steel cookware works on induction cooktops if it has an aluminum core or has magnetic grade at best. Unlike ceramic cookware, stainless steel pots and pans are compatible with any stovetop, including electric, gas, glass, and induction.
Note that stainless steel is made of various metals, and a high quantity of nickel blocks the magnetic field. So, you will see stainless steel cookware has a lower nickel content. Furthermore, stainless steel has poor heat conductivity, so you will see a thin layer of aluminum and copper at the base. Hence you will notice stainless steel cookware bases with aluminum or copper as they are good conductors of heat.
Can you use metal utensils on stainless steel cookware?
You can use metal utensils on stainless-steel pots or pans. However, to avoid scratches on your pans, it would be better not to use them. Instead, there are other alternatives that you can opt for. Some of the utensils you can use in stainless-steel cookware are:
- Wood utensils: You can use wood utensils on stainless-steel cookware as they can resist high heat and don’t scratch your cookware. Plus, they are strong and can be used for a longer period.
- Hybrid utensils: It’s a mix of silicone technology and stainless steel. The features of stainless-steel utensils are coated with silicone making them easier to clean and avoiding scratches.
- Silicone utensils: Silicone utensils are flexible and are suitable for stirring. Additionally, it’s soft, preventing any scratches to your pans.
- Stainless steel utensils: You can also use stainless utensils for your stainless-steel cookware. It’s versatile and good-looking too.
Is it safe to use scratched stainless-steel cookware?
It is safe to use scratched stainless-steel cookware and consider various aspects. This cookware type has good durability and has good resistance to scratches. If it doesn’t have maximum scratches, it’s safe to use. But after a period, it will produce metal if it’s gouged or scratched.
Note that stainless steel is made of chromium and nickel. And when your cookware has scratches, it releases a small amount of this material which gets mixed in the food. So, if someone has an allergy to these metals, you may get sick after having this food.
This process is inevitable as stainless steel or any cookware will wear over time. However, you can prevent this by following this process:
- Clean your stainless-steel cookware with a soft sponge to avoid scratches. Make sure not to clean it with full force but diligently. Additionally, we recommend you hand wash your pots and pans for longer durability. Also, if it’s hard to get rid of burnt food, keep them soaking in water for some time to soften the gunk, and then you can hand wash it.
- Avoid using metal utensils in your stainless-steel cookware as it leaves scratches that will eventually lead to the release of metals. You can opt for multiple alternatives, including wooden, nylon, silicone, or hybrid utensils. We recommend wooden or bamboo-based utensils as they are sturdy and have high resistance to heat. Plus, they have a good durability factor.
The cookware set from Calphalon comes with different sizes of pots and pans suitable for various cooking styles. It is good-quality cookware set with durable construction.
What we like
Functionality: This product comes with significant functionality aspects as it’s induction friendly, plus you can put it in an oven. Furthermore, it has a great and long handle that doesn’t heat up while cooking.
Versatile: Whether frying, simmering, or sautéing, this 10-piece cookware set covers up all aspects.
Heat distribution: Expect even heat distribution while using this cookware set, allowing you to sear, sauté, or brown without burning.
Pros
- This cookware set works with most stovetops, including glass, electric, gas, and induction.
- The cookware set comes with a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- It’s non-stick, so cleaning can be challenging, especially removing burnt foods.
This stainless cookware set from Farberware offers durability along with good functional aspects. The base of the pots and pans is made of an aluminum core that allows even heat distribution. Additionally, it doesn’t contain nickel which is good for allergies to this metal.
What we like
Compatibility: We like this cookware set because it’s compatible with most stovetops as the base is an aluminum core. You can put it on an electric, gas, or induction stovetop.
Convenient lids: It has tempered glass lids that can stand high temperature, plus it’s tight-fitting, keeping the aroma and nutrients intact.
Handles: The pot and sauce handles are long, which prevents heat, and you can hold them without getting burnt.
Pros
- It’s available at an affordable price.
- The cookware set is sturdy and well-designed.
Cons
- The lifespan of the cookware may be short as it doesn’t contain nickel.
This all-around stainless-steel cookware from Legend is a highly durable product that can stand abrasion of any kind. It’s made of three-level components consisting of 304 stainless steel, aluminum core, and 430 stainless steel.
What we like
Versatility: It comes with a 12-piece set allowing you to cook any dish from sautéing to browning. You can also put them in the oven to resist heat up to 450 F.
Compatibility: This cookware is compatible with any stovetop, whether gas, electric, glass, or induction.
Quality: It’s a heavy-duty cookware set made of quality material offering durability, allowing you to use it for a longer duration.
Pros
- It’s a quality cookware set available at a reasonable price.
- The pots and utensils are easy to clean and maintain.
Cons
- The cookware set can be pretty heavy.
Enrich your kitchen with an ergonomic design Mueller stainless steel cookware set. It comes with an 11-piece set allowing you to cook a different dish. Additionally, it’s non-stick cookware with low nickel and devoid of chemical coatings.
What we like
Induction friendly: It’s induction-friendly cookware, plus it’s compatible with other stovetops, including gas, electric, and glass.
Ergonomic design: The pots and pans are well-designed and constructed. It comes with tapered rims to avoid dripping while pouring, thus avoiding extra work of cleaning up.
Affordable: This 11-piece stainless steel cookware set is available reasonably priced, making it accessible for any user.
Pros
- It’s a versatile cookware set available at an affordable price.
- The cookware set comes in different sizes.
Cons
- The stains are hard to remove if kept for a long time.
Conclusion
Stainless steel cookware is used widely because of its long-lasting use and free of toxic materials. So, it would be worth investing in a good quality cookware set.
Overall, we recommend the Cuisinart set because of its all-around features. It’s devoid of chemical material and is versatile. Plus, the 12-piece cookware set comes at an affordable price.