Best 18 Cookware Utensils in Calistoga, CA with Reviews Our testers paid particular attention to signs of sticking or scorching. We also noted markers of optimal heat distribution like even bubbles and patterns in the middle or around the perimeter. Our professional Allrecipes testers rated each set on versatility, heating ability, performance, and ease of cleaning on a scale of one to five. These metrics described things like the number of pieces, whether pans were induction safe, heat distribution and maintenance, and how much elbow grease is required to get things sparkling. When we tested this set, the nonstick coating was excellent, but we were even more impressed by their versatility. Not only are these pans induction safe, but they're also oven safe up to 600 degrees F; not many nonstick pans can say that. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know what set might best suit your needs. We enlisted the help of gear pro and kitchen equipment tester, Sharon Franke, a 30-year veteran of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute who specializes in cooking equipment. Here are the things to consider when shopping for a nonstick cookware set. For the sauté pan, I cooked 6-ounce thin, boneless and skinless chicken breasts for five to six minutes per side. With Induction cooktop compatibility, our cookware sets are designed to make your life easy. Our dishwasher-safe cookware sets are easy to clean and maintain so that you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen. There are many different choices when it comes to cookware material. Most sets include a variety of pots and pans in a single material, so it's important to do your research before purchasing a set. The most popular materials are stainless steel, non-stick, aluminum, hard-anodized, copper, and cast iron. For a set that can withstand anything you throw at it and still be in good enough condition to pass down to the grandkids, look no further than the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Set. In our boiling water test, we noticed that these pans heated up lightning quick, but the heat distribution was lacking. This was likely due to its wider size, so the heat didn't go all the way to the edges leading to a hot spot in the middle. In the stockpot, I made a large batch of marinara sauce with a base of onion, garlic and two 28-ounce cans of peeled tomatoes to test both capacity and flavor. And finally, in the smaller saucepan, I made four 12-minute hard-boiled eggs to test that the pan would heat and cool correctly to cook eggs with solid, bright yellow yolks. I also made long grain rice in a two-to-one water-to-rice ratio to ensure it didn’t stick to the pan and yielded fluffy, separated rice grains. I’m a professionally trained baker with 15 years of cooking experience. Every set will also include one or two saucepans and again, larger ones are more useful as you can warm a cup of soup in a 3-quart pot but might not be able to make enough rice for the whole family in a 1-quart. Lodge is one of the best names in cast iron cookware, and they've been at it for over 120 years, so it's safe to say they know what they're doing. This Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron 5 Piece Set is everything you need to deck out your kitchen in cast iron. There are no extra-large pots included, but the 6-quart stockpot is plenty adequate for soups and pasta water and can also serve as a Dutch oven. Every kitchen should have 8- and 10- inch skillets as well as a larger covered 12-inch skillet or straight-sided sauté pan. We give points to sets that include a 12-incher as it’s such a versatile pan for frying, stir-frying and one-pot dishes like paella or chicken with dumplings. And while you can always pick up a reasonably-priced small fry pan for eggs and crepes, filling in your set with a large pan, can set you back a bit. Most cookware material is safe to use if you are buying quality products. We seared, flipped and scrambled to find our favorite nonstick pans. Keep in mind that some of the items are lids and sometimes the manufacturer throws in a few plastic utensils and adds them to the piece count. This article has been reviewed since its original publish date for accuracy, pricing and availability. But, the price tag was just too high compared to everything else on this list. We just didn't find the value to match up with the cost for this set. Time and time again, testing shows that All-Clad browns perfectly evenly and keeps stews and sauces at a perfect simmer. What that means to you is that you won’t have to vigilantly rearrange, stir and adjust the heat during cooking. All gleaming stainless steel inside and out, it has a core of aluminum that’s responsible for its great results. We love the sloped shape of the skillets which make it easy to roll out an omelet. If you prefer bright, cheery kitchen tools this set comes in shimmery shades of red, burgundy, teal, light blue, and yes, gray if you must.