The Five Best Cookware Sets

In order to make great food at home, you need great cookware. You won’t be able to get a nice sear on meats, or evenly cook your food without a good set of high quality, stainless steel pots and pans. I put together a list of some of my favorites. You’ll find some great sets below, as well as advice on the five basic pans every kitchen needs!

Five Essential Pans For Every Kitchen

1. Skillet or Frying Pan: A skillet is a versatile pan used for frying, sautéing, and browning. It typically has sloped sides and comes in various sizes. A 10- to 12-inch skillet with a non-stick or stainless steel surface is a good choice. See my choices for Non-Stick pans here.
2. Saucepan: A saucepan is a must-have for making sauces, soups, and boiling water for pasta or vegetables. A 2 to 4-quart saucepan with a lid is a handy size for most cooking needs.
3. Stockpot: A stockpot is a large, deep pot with a lid, perfect for making stocks, soups, and boiling pasta. An 8 to 12-quart stockpot should cover most cooking needs.
4. Saute Pan: A sauté pan has straight sides and a larger surface area than a skillet. It’s great for searing, braising, and simmering. A 3 to 4-quart sauté pan with a lid is a valuable addition to your kitchen.
5. Dutch Oven: A Dutch oven is a heavy, lidded pot that’s excellent for slow-cooking, braising, roasting, and baking. It can be used on the stovetop and in the oven. A 5 to 7-quart Dutch oven is a versatile choice. I’ll add my favorite Dutch Ovens in a separate post.

The Best Cookware Sets

1.  All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Cookware Set:  All-Clad is known for its high-quality stainless steel cookware. The D3 series offers a three-ply construction for even heating and durability. This is the set I use at home!
2. Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel Cookware Set: This set is often praised for its performance and affordability. It features a triple-ply construction and an aluminum core for excellent heat distribution.
3. Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Calphalon is a well-known brand, and its stainless steel cookware set is popular for its durable construction and stay-cool handles.
4. Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Tramontina offers a budget-friendly option with a tri-ply clad construction for efficient heat distribution.
5. Made In Cookware Stainless Steel Cookware Set:Made In is a direct-to-consumer brand that has gained popularity for its high-quality cookware. Their stainless steel set is known for its performance and durability.