The 29 best stainless steel cooking set brands
NuWave, GreenPan and Cuisinart lead our ranking of 29 stainless steel cooking set brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Stainless Steel Cooking Set brands, ranked
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1
NuWave
NuWave LLC has been a proud manufacturer and distributor of quality housewares since 1997. It is driven by its priorities of safety, accessibility, and environment. Its products are designed to give you peace of mind and security, consuming up to 75% less energy than traditional cooking methods and having built-in safety features that eliminate the risk of fire and injury. It aims to market innovative, well-researched, long-lasting, sustainable, and chemical-free kitchenware that is convenient and economical for working families, building a foundation of trust and dependability.
Website: nuwavenow.com |Brands like NuWave
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
GreenPan
Ceramic nonstick coating on a tri-ply stainless base, so you get easy release without the usual PTFE layer.
Top products: Valencia Pro Tri-Ply
Website: greenpan.us |Brands like GreenPan
Popularity 9.9/10
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3
Cuisinart
Classic brushed stainless sets with riveted handles and clad bases, a sturdy everyday choice with a dependable warranty.
Top products: Radiant Pro
Website: cuisinart.com |Brands like Cuisinart
Popularity 9.3/10
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4
Tramontina
Brazilian-made tri-ply stainless with encapsulated bases, sold at prices well under most European clad brands.
Website: tramontina.com |Brands like Tramontina
Popularity 8.1/10
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5
Carote
Budget-friendly multi-piece sets, many with nonstick interiors, suited to shoppers who want a full kitchen set cheaply.
Website: mycarote.com |Brands like Carote
Popularity 7.7/10
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6
Calphalon
Straight-sided hard-anodized pans with flat bases, often chosen for searing and oven finishing on induction hobs.
Website: calphalon.com |Brands like Calphalon
Popularity 7.6/10
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7
Tefal
Mostly nonstick pans and pots with a strong focus on everyday cooking, plus lids and easy-clean finishes.
Website: tefal.co.uk |Brands like Tefal
Popularity 6.3/10
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8
ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS
Forged clad cookware made in Germany, with polished interiors and a Japanese-styled Miyabi line.
Website: zwilling.com |Brands like ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS
Popularity 6.3/10
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9
Cook N Home
Riveted stainless handles on a 10-piece set, with pans and lids sized for a first kitchen and a simple hand wash routine.
Top products: 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set· Basics Stainless Steel
Website: cooknhome.com |Brands like Cook N Home
Popularity 5.9/10
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10
Gotham Steel
Ceramic-titanium nonstick pans and sets, marketed on scratch resistance and oil-free cooking, usually at a lower price.
Popularity 5.4/10
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11
Viking
Commercial-style stainless sets with thick bodies and cast handles for cooks wanting restaurant-grade heat.
Top products: 13-Piece Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Popularity 5.3/10
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12
Royal Prestige
Sold largely through direct sales, with multi-ply cookware systems and matched sets built for home cooks.
Top products: Advanced Cooking System
Website: royalprestige.com |Brands like Royal Prestige
Popularity 4.8/10
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13
KitchenAid
Matching cookware sets that tie in with the brand's mixers and small appliances, often in bright colours.
Website: producthelp.kitchenaid.com |Brands like KitchenAid
Popularity 4.5/10
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14
Circulon
Raised concentric grooves in the nonstick base cut contact with food, a signature design for lower-fat cooking.
Top products: Symmetry Hard-Anodized Nonstick
Website: circulon.com |Brands like Circulon
Popularity 4.4/10
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15
Saladmaster
Heavy-gauge American-made cookware sold through direct demonstration, priced toward the premium end.
Website: saladmaster.com |Brands like Saladmaster
Popularity 4.1/10
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16
Magma
Magma London creates home fragrance products that use volcanic lava stone from Tanzania. The stone absorbs fragrance oil and releases it slowly over weeks. Reed diffuser refill oils and oil diffusers are sold for home scenting.
Website: magmaproducts.com |Brands like Magma
Popularity 3.7/10
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17
Ninja
Ninja makes high-speed kitchen blenders, and its line includes professional blenders, cup blenders and food blenders. The brand is part of SharkNinja, which produces vacuum cleaners and other home appliances. Ninja blenders can crush ice, blend smoothies or prepare food...
Website: ninjakitchen.com |Brands like Ninja
Popularity 3.5/10
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18
Gibson
Gibson makes electric guitars with flame maple tops and bound bodies. Its Les Paul line includes Standard, Studio and Custom models, alongside SG and ES guitars. Gibson-branded puzzles and other items are sold alongside its instruments.
Popularity 3.4/10
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19
IKEA
Ingvar Kamprad was a Swedish countryside boy who decided to help his poverty-stricken family by selling matches, which were considered essential. When selling matches started falling short, he decided to switch gears. Nonetheless, Kamprad did not give up. His efforts...
Website: ikea.com |Brands like IKEA
Popularity 3.2/10
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20
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade is a training session provided by renowned experts to help individuals know the trading details. This session is curated especially for people who want to flourish in the trading industry. It includes various aspects of trading...
Website: thetoolsofthetrade.com |Brands like Tools of the Trade
Popularity 3.2/10
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21
Anolon
Dual-layer nonstick over hard-anodized aluminium, with stay-cool handles and a moderate price for everyday frying.
Website: anolon.com |Brands like Anolon
Popularity 3.1/10
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22
SCANPAN
Danish stainless and nonstick cookware with a PFOA- and PTFE-free coating, popular with induction users.
Website: scanpan.com |Brands like SCANPAN
Popularity 2.9/10
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23
Fissler
Fissler's pressure cookers are the signature line, with stainless pans and lids built around them.
Website: fissler.com |Brands like Fissler
Popularity 2.8/10
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24
Mainstays
Mainstays Mainstays Direct. It's the stylish, affordable solution to everyday decorating, appliances, furniture, Kitchen Dining everything home needs mainstays, mainstayswalmart, mainstaysdirect, walmart, appliances, mainstays kitchen, walmart, furniture, kitchen appliances, mainstays bookshelf, mainstays furniture, mainstays decor, tableware, cookware, mainstays.com, mainstaysdirect.com, mainstays...
Popularity 2.7/10
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25
Princess House
Princess House makes home goods for the kitchen and table, including serving bowls, pans, mug sets and decorative accents. The brand built its name in the home party tradition. Its catalogs feature cookware, blenders, dinnerware and recipes that pair with...
Website: princesshouse.com |Brands like Princess House
Popularity 2.7/10
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26
CRISTEL
French stainless cookware with detachable handles, a space-saving option for compact kitchens.
Website: cristelusa.com |Brands like CRISTEL
Popularity 2.7/10
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27
Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray's program is about more than simply food. Its website has interesting and engaging parts based on cuisine, crafts, travel ideas, and more. They have delectable meals that can be readily prepared at home using simple supplies and directions....
Website: rachaelrayshow.com |Brands like Rachael Ray
Popularity 2.5/10
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28
Oster
Oster makes kitchen appliances for everyday cooking and baking. Its line includes blenders, food processors, bread makers, toasters and waffle makers. The brand is long established in the kitchen market, and its products are built for daily use in homes,...
Website: oster.com |Brands like Oster
Popularity 2.5/10
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29
Copper Chef
Copper Chef makes cookware with a nonstick coating over a copper core, including frying pans, pots and pans, and matching sets. The copper base is meant to spread heat evenly, and reinforced metal rivets hold the handles firmly. The line...
Website: copperchef.com |Brands like Copper Chef
Popularity 2.4/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NuWave | nuwavenow.com | /NuWaveNow | – | @NuWaveNow | nuwaveovens |
| GreenPan | greenpan.us | /GreenPanUS | theoriginalgreenpan | – | – |
| Cuisinart | cuisinart.com | /cuisinart | cuisinart | @Cuisinart | – |
| Tramontina | tramontina.com | /tramontinausainc | tramontinausa | – | Tramontina USA, Inc. |
| Carote | mycarote.com | /carote.us | carote.us | – | Carote Official |
| Calphalon | calphalon.com | /Calphalon | calphalon | – | calphalon |
| Tefal | tefal.co.uk | /TefalUK | tefal.uk | @TefalUK | UKTefal |
| ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS | zwilling.com | /ZWILLINGUSA | zwilling_usa | – | ZWILLINGJAHENCKELS |
| Cook N Home | cooknhome.com | – | – | – | – |
Stainless Steel Cooking Set Buying Guide
Stainless steel cooking sets are a staple in any kitchen. They are durable, versatile, and non-reactive, making them an excellent choice for cooking a variety of dishes. However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right set for your needs. In this buying guide, we will discuss the key factors to consider when purchasing a stainless steel cooking set.
Types of Stainless Steel
The first factor to consider when buying a stainless steel cooking set is the type of stainless steel used in construction. Stainless steel is an alloy that contains chromium, which gives it its corrosion-resistant properties. However, there are different grades of stainless steel that vary in their composition and properties.
The most common grades of stainless steel used in cooking sets are 304 and 316. 304 stainless steel is also known as "18/8" stainless steel because it contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It is the most common type of stainless steel used in cookware and is suitable for most cooking tasks. 316 stainless steel, also known as "marine grade" stainless steel, contains additional molybdenum, which improves its corrosion resistance. It is an excellent choice for cooking in coastal areas or areas with high humidity.
While both 304 and 316 stainless steel are suitable for cooking, 316 stainless steel is more expensive. Therefore, the choice between the two will largely depend on your budget and where you plan to cook.
Construction
The construction of a stainless steel cooking set will also determine its durability and performance. Stainless steel cooking sets can be made using different construction methods, including:
Clad Construction
Clad construction involves sandwiching a layer of aluminum or copper between two layers of stainless steel. This construction method provides excellent heat distribution and retention, making it ideal for cooking tasks that require precise temperature control. Clad construction is also sturdy, ensuring the longevity of the cookware.
Tri-Ply Construction
Tri-ply construction involves sandwiching a layer of aluminum or copper between two layers of stainless steel. However, unlike clad construction, the aluminum or copper layer only extends along the base of the cookware, not up the sides. This construction method provides good heat distribution and retention, but not as precise as clad construction.
Solid Stainless Steel Construction
Solid stainless steel construction involves using a single layer of stainless steel throughout the cookware. This construction method is the most basic and is usually the most affordable option. While it doesn't provide as good heat distribution and retention as clad or tri-ply construction, it is still a good option for cooking basic dishes.
Handles and Lids
The handles and lids of a stainless steel cooking set are also essential factors to consider. The handles should be ergonomic, providing a comfortable grip when cooking. They should also be securely attached to the pots and pans, ensuring that they don't come loose during use. Some cooking sets come with removable handles, making them more versatile for use in the oven or for storage.
The lids of the cookware should fit securely, ensuring that moisture and heat are trapped inside during cooking. Some lids come with steam vents, which allow excess moisture to escape. Lids should also be made from the same material as the cookware, ensuring that they don't react with the food or alter its taste.
Cookware Pieces
The number and type of pieces included in a stainless steel cooking set will vary depending on the brand and price point. However, there are some essential cookware pieces that should be included in any cooking set, including:
Saucepan
A saucepan is a versatile cookware piece that is used for cooking sauces, soups, and stews. It typically has a capacity of 1-2 quarts and comes with a lid.
Sauté Pan
A sauté pan is similar to a frying pan but has higher sides, making it ideal for cooking dishes that require more liquid, such as rice or risotto. It typically has a capacity of 3-4 quarts and comes with a lid.
Frying Pan
A frying pan is a must-have in any kitchen. It is used for cooking dishes that require dry heat, such as pancakes, eggs, and steak. It typically comes in various sizes, ranging from 8 to 14 inches in diameter.
Stockpot
A stockpot is a large pot used for making stock, soups, and stews. It typically has a capacity of 8-10 quarts and comes with a lid.
Steamer Basket
A steamer basket is a useful accessory that can be used with the saucepan or sauté pan to steam vegetables, seafood, and other dishes. It typically comes in various sizes to fit different-sized pans.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The cleaning and maintenance of a stainless steel cooking set are also essential factors to consider. Stainless steel is relatively easy to clean, but it can develop stains and discoloration over time if not properly cared for. Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your stainless steel cookware:
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner to clean the cookware. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface of the stainless steel.
- Don't use a dishwasher to clean your stainless steel cookware. The high heat and harsh detergents can damage the finish.
- Don't use bleach or chlorine-based cleaners to clean your cookware. These chemicals can damage the steel and cause discoloration.
- Store your cookware in a dry place to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Use a stainless steel cleaner to remove stains and discoloration.
Price
The price of a stainless steel cooking set can vary considerably depending on the brand, type of stainless steel, and construction. Generally, solid stainless steel construction is the most affordable, followed by tri-ply construction, and then clad construction. However, clad construction provides the best performance and durability, making it worth investing in if your budget allows.
The number of pieces included in the cooking set will also impact the price. While it may be tempting to purchase a large set with many pieces, consider what pieces you will actually use frequently. A smaller set with high-quality pieces that you use often is a better investment than a larger set with lower quality pieces that you rarely use.
Conclusion
A stainless steel cooking set is an essential investment in any kitchen. When buying a stainless steel cooking set, consider the type of stainless steel used in construction, the construction method, the handles and lids, the pieces included, and the price. With careful consideration and proper care, a stainless steel cooking set can provide many years of reliable use in the kitchen.
