Best Cookware Sets
The kitchen essential you need.
Cookware is a kitchen essential that helps you create family meals (and memories) day after day. Whether you are a beginner cook or an experienced chef, we'll help you find the best cookware set for your kitchen needs.
Best Cookware Sets
When choosing a cookware set, it’s important to think about how often you cook and what you plan to cook.
Pan Set: A pan set includes sauté pans and saucepans. If you are looking for a basic set to cook everyday foods or if you love stir-fried meals, this is the perfect set for you.
Pots & Pans Set: A pots and pans set can include anything from two to 14 pieces, but it typically includes a sauté pan, a saucepan, and a stockpot, giving you the option to cook up different things in the kitchen. This set is perfect for beginner cooks who want to cook a variety of foods. Opt for a larger pots and pans set if you find yourself needing extras to cook with.
Specialty Set: Get creative in the kitchen with a specialty cookware set. This set includes grill pans or griddles, woks, and other specialty pans along with your typical sauté pans, saucepans, and stockpots. If you find yourself wanting to create special dishes, this set will allow you the tools to cook different types of food.
Standard Set: Stock your kitchen with the basics or add to an existing collection with a standard set. A standard set includes a skillet, saucepan, sauté pan, stockpot, and lids.
Kitchen Essentials: If you are just starting out and need a little bit of everything, a kitchen essentials set will stock your kitchen with everything you need. A kitchen essentials set includes a standard set of pots and pans with utensils and must-have bakeware.
Premium Set: If you’re experienced in the kitchen or find yourself cooking for many, a premium set will give you the versatility you need. A premium set will include multiple sauté pans, saucepans, frying pans, and stockpots. The number of each piece will vary, depending on the cookware set that you choose.
From cast iron to stainless steel, there are different cookware materials to choose from. Each material has its differences, ranging from distributing heat evenly to being easy to clean.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a popular choice not only for it’s chic look, but because it provides even heating and is typically dishwasher-safe.
Tip!
Learn more about stainless steel cookware by reading our guide The Best Stainless Steel Cookware.
Copper: Copper cookware sets are great for experienced cooks because they heat up and cool down quickly. This allows you to have maximum control over temperature changes. Copper cookware can react to acidic food and cause discoloration, so be sure to keep up with maintenance.
Cast Iron: Cast-iron cookware heats slowly but evenly. The thick walls of cast-iron cookware help retain heat, making them great for keeping food warm after cooking. Cast iron is perfect for high-heat cooking such as searing, frying, or browning and can be used on the stove and in the oven.
Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is commonly used for woks or specialty pans. Carbon steel cookware heats up quickly, can handle high heat, and is durable. It is best if seasoned before use and oiled after cooking – this will help prevent it from rusting when your cookware is not in use.
Ceramic: Due to its thick material, ceramic cookware is great for high-heat cooking like searing. It is best used with wooden or silicone cooking utensils to ensure you do not scratch the surface.
Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight, inexpensive, and dishwasher-safe, making it a great option for someone who is looking for cookware that is easy to maintain. Opt for wood or plastic cooking utensils to help keep your cookware looking like new. Be sure to check specific manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations, as sometimes aluminum must be washed by hand.
Anodized Aluminum: Anodized-aluminum cookware has a nonstick coating on the interior to keep the aluminum from being exposed to the heat. This hardens the metal and helps protect it from stains or corrosion. Anodized aluminum must be hand-washed.
Hard-Anodized Aluminum: Hard-anodized aluminum heats up quickly, so it is a great option for cooking on medium to high heat. Hard-anodized-aluminum cookware distributes heat evenly.
Consider the type of stove you have before choosing a cookware set. Having the right cookware will ensure you are keeping your stove top and cookware looking its best.
Electric-Coil Cooktop: Electric-coil cooktops heat up slowly, so it’s best to use cookware that also heats slowly, like stainless steel, cast iron, or aluminum.
Electric Smooth Top: Electric smooth-top stoves are commonly made out of glass or ceramic. The best cookware set to use on electric smooth tops is stainless steel. Stainless steel is light enough that it won't damage the surface but heavy enough to remain stable and sturdy.
Gas: Gas stove tops heat up cookware faster than electric stove tops, so it’s important to get cookware that can handle a quick rise in temperature. Aluminum, copper, and stainless steel sets can withstand gas heat without worry. Cast iron will heat up evenly, but due to its thickness, it can be difficult and slow to heat.
Induction: Induction stove tops are popular but not compatible with all cookware materials. Cookware that has a magnetic base, like cast iron or steel, is best for induction stove tops. If you are using aluminum or copper on an induction stove top, make sure they are bonded with magnetic metal.
These cookware sets are full of features that will make your cooking life a little bit easier.
Nontoxic: Nontoxic cookware lets you cook your favorites without worry. It ensures that your cookware is not releasing any chemicals into the food.
PTFE-Free: Polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as PTFE) is a chemical that is used on nonstick surfaces and can release toxic fumes as the coating starts to break down. Opt for cookware that is PTFE-free to give you peace of mind when cooking.
PFOA-Free: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a chemical that is commonly used in the process when creating PTFE. While different, the two chemicals are commonly used together and can release fumes if the surface starts to break down. Opt for cookware that is PFOA-free to ensure you're cooking safely.
Dishwasher-Safe: Cook without worrying about the cleanup. Opt for a dishwasher-safe cookware set to make for a quick and easy cleanup.
Oven-Safe: Oven-safe cookware can handle the high heat of an oven. Opt for cookware that can go from the stove top to the oven to make cooking easier. Using one pan keeps the cleanup to a minimum.
Metal-Utensil-Safe: Keep your cookware looking like new by opting for a metal-utensil-safe set. Metal utensils can scratch cookware easily. Opt for this feature to keep your set looking like new all while using your favorite metal utensils.
Cool-Touch Handles: Protect your hands or little fingers from getting burned with cool-touch handles. These handles stay cool even when the pan is hot, letting you move, pick up, or grab cookware without having to worry.
Stackable: If you have a small kitchen or limited cabinet space, opt for a stackable cookware set to save space. This cookware stacks easily without scratching.
Waterless: Cook without having to add oil or water to the pan with a waterless cookware set. A waterless cookware set has many layers of metal, helping to cook food evenly. Waterless cookware typically comes with lids to help prevent moisture from escaping during the cooking process.
