Top Pick: Proclamation Duo | $379 | Proclamation Goods
If you went into your kitchen now and looked at your cookware, would you be pleased by what you saw? We spend a lot of time cooking, and it’s only natural that the tools we use eventually start to fall into disrepair. It’s a shame, but sometimes you need to accept it and get an upgrade.
However, it can be incredibly pricey to get one of the best cookware sets, and that’s not always something you can reasonably afford. Thankfully, we’ve gone ahead and brought together a collection of some of the best cookware sets around and put them in this article.
So, let’s get stuck in, shall we?
Best Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Proclamation Duo
After working on my wedding registry last year, this pan set followed me around the internet for a while, in cooking groups, and on Instagram (perhaps it’s my fault because I followed them) so I am thrilled to be writing about it. This three-piece set is truly beautiful and can easily replace most of your pots and pans if you don’t regularly cook for an army. Stainless steel is both beautiful and super functional. I love to take my cookware from stove to oven—especially when I make fish or steak—and the stainless makes the task simple without any rubber grips to melt off (ask me how I know this!).
So here’s what you’ll get for $379:
- 12" Skillet
- 7-qt. Pot
- Stainless steel lid that matches both pans
The pan and skillet fit together to create a fabulous dutch oven, making it the perfect vessel for cooking; ranging from searing to baking, stewing, and frying. For the quality of these pans, which will last you a lifetime, it’s a fair price.
Don’t just take it from me, Heloise Blause, a former professional chef turned blogger at Home Kitchen Land, loves it too.
“The Proclamation Duo is an ingenious product. It’s one of those things that’s so simple you’re amazed you didn’t think of it yourself. They really did a great job on this.” Anyone who’s never cooked with stainless steel ought to be careful. That being said, “if you know your way around a traditional skillet, you’ll enjoy cooking with this pan,” Blause told me.
Best Cookware Set Under $200: Cuisinart® Chef’s Classic Pro 11-Piece
There’s a reason that Cuisinart is beloved by professional chefs and amateur cooks alike. Their stainless steel-constructed pots and pans are top of the line but are available at a more affordable price point.
This 11-piece set has cool grip stick handles and is compatible with all stovetops. It’s freezer-safe and oven-safe up to 500° F. The items included are as follows.
- 1.5 qt. our saucepan with cover
- 2.5 qt. pour saucepan with cover
- 3 qt. sauté pan with cover
- 8 qt. stockpot with cover
- 8-Inch skillet
- 10-Inch skillet
- 17cm steamer insert
And as a bonus, you can load it up in your dishwasher for easy cleanup at the end of a long day in the kitchen.
Best Non-Stick Cookware Set: Cuisinart Aluminum 11-Pc. Set
If you’re building your cookware collection from scratch, then look no further than this beautiful 11-piece set from Cuisinart. It has all of the tools that you need to conquer the kitchen and it’s one of the best non-stick cookware sets around.
This set includes:
- 2-quart saucepan with cover
- 3-quart saute pan with cover
- 5-quart stockpot with cover
- 10" skillet
- Slotted turner
- Solid spoon
- Pasta server
- 9" nylon tongs
Note that this set provides superior heat circulation and features a premium nonstick interior. Plus, its covers have temper glass, and pots/pans have drip-free rims. Oh, and did we mention it’s dishwasher safe? Seriously, what’s not to love?
Best Copper Cookware Set: Gotham Steel Hammered Collection
Do you swear by copper cookware? Well, the Gotham Steel Hammered Copper Collection – 15 Piece Premium Cookware & Bakeware Set is the best copper cookware set, and will be a beautiful addition to your kitchen. It’s elegant, yet functional, even being dishwasher safe and scratch-resistant. These sets come with a non-toxic ceramic and titanium coating, so your food just slides off the pan. They are also oven safe up to 500° F with glass lids and bakeware that doesn’t warp.
At nearly $120 off, this purchase comes with:
- 8. 5" fry pan
- 10. 25" fry pan with lid
- 1. 5QT saucepan with lid
- 2. 5QT saucepan with lid
- 5QT stockpot with lid
- Stainless steel steamer
- Cookie sheet
- Round baking pan
- Square baking pan
- Loaf pan
- Muffin pan
Best Steamer: Costway 3-Tier Stainless Steel Steamer
Maybe you’ve already got all the pots and pans you could ever want. That’s cool and all, but do you have a good steamer? It’s somethign that often slips through the cracks when getting new bits for a kitchen, but a steamer is an incredible asset when trying to prepare healthy food.
This Costway model not only steams, not only serves as a stockpot, but can even be used as a double boiler. Better yet, it only costs $55 at the moment, and that’s a great price for what will rapidly become one of the best cookware pieces you own. It might not be a full set, but it’s still great. If you really don’t need the double boiler though, try the one from Circulon.
Best Induction Cookware Set: Rachael Ray Create Delicious 13-Pc.
The Rachael Ray Create Delicious 13-Pc. Aluminum Nonstick Cookware Set comes in six delicious colors, combining style with high performance. It’s a super convenient set for the cook of the house.
The base is induction suitable with a stainless steel plate for extra strength and durability. It also comes with double-riveted stainless steel and silicone handles. The set is oven safe to 400°F, and the glass lids are shatter-resistant.
The full set comes with:
- 1.5-Qt. Covered Saucepan
- 3-Qt. Covered Everything Pan
- 6-Qt. Covered Stockpot
- 8.5" Deep Skillet
- 10.25" Deep Skillet
- 3-Qt. Covered Sauté
- 9.625" Turner
- 9" x 13" Cookie Pan
Note that this product is PFOA-free and made with aluminum. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe though hand washing is recommended for the cookie sheet for the best results possible.
This story was published by Chaya M. Milchtein on 02/01/2021 and updated with new information by Jason Coles on 02/24/2022.