What are the best stainless steel cookware sets?

If you're looking at stainless steel cookware sets, chances are its because you are looking for a cookware set that you want to last many years and don't have to use with the same care as nonstick cookware. We break down below the pros and cons of stainless steel cookware and how it compares to other alternatives so that you can make the best decision to choosing the right set for your kitchen and cooking style.

What are the pros and cons of stainless steel cookware?

The Pros:

• Stainless steel can handle high cooking temperatures and conducts heat efficiently and evenly. Most stainless steel cookware feature an aluminium core within the base to allow for even heat dispersion.
• Compared to non-stick, stainless steel pans can handle higher cooking temperatures making them better for searing and stir-frying
• It's a low-tox option that's free of chemicals and won't leach into foods no matter how high the cooking temperatures
• You can use them with metal cooking utensils so you don't have to worry about scratching delicate cooking surfaces like nonstick or enamel
• Dishwasher safe

The Cons:

• Cleaning can be a lot more laborious particularly for cooking sauces or eggs that will stick heavily and the dishwasher may not be able to release. We recommend a great stainless steel cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend that will remove discolouration and return them to looking like new.
• You will need to use more oil than nonstick pans to ensure foods don't stick

Stainless Steel vs Nonstick pans

When it comes to deciding whether you need a Nonstick pan over stainless steel, it really comes down to your style of cooking and preference. Nonstick pans do offer greater convenience especially when it comes to handling ingredients that tend to stick like eggs, fish, chicken or meat. Stainless steel pans do offer greater durability as nonstick pans' surfaces tend to wear over time, especially when used on higher heat. A great balance may be to invest in quality nonstick frypans for all your frying tasks and then stainless steel pots for cooking in liquids like pasta or soups. While there was a fear of Teflon pans that contained PFOA and other nasty chemicals in their make-up. Since 2013, Teflon which is the common material used for nonstick surfaces is now PFOA free and many other brands have strengthened their nonstick pans to ensure they don't leach or flake in foods even at high temperatures. Still it is best advised that you use medium heat with Needing help choosing the best nonstick pans that are guaranteed to last longer and have higher heat thresholds than regular nonstick pans? View our blog post on the best nonstick brands here

Stainless Steel vs Cast Iron

Cast Iron is a material used for centuries with cookware. It has incredible heat conductivity, is considered a low-tox cookware option and if used correctly can last multiple lifetimes! It can be easily broken down into two categories; enamelled cast iron and raw cast iron. Raw cast iron is the most traditional form of cookware and is commonly used on campfires and has become popular for being a fantastic low-tox form of cookware. The downside is that it's heavy and requires seasoning to maintain a natural non-stick and avoid rust. Pros of Raw Cast-Iron cookware:

• Can be used on high heat including direct flames like campfires
• Incredible heat conductivity and retention to cook evenly and stays hot long after cooking to keep food warm
• Low-tox and creates a natural non-stick patina that forms with the process of seasoning
• Durable, metal-utensil safe and doesn't wear with age

Cons of Raw Cast-iron cookware:

• It is heavier than stainless steel cookware
• Rusts unless seasoned regularly
• Reacts with acidic foods and will alter taste of food if left for extended periods in the pan

Enamelled cast iron is where the cast iron has multiple layers of enamel sprayed around it to create a non-reactive, non-porous and very glass-like surface. Not only does it look attractive but it also removes the need for seasoning. Where enamelled cast iron shines the best is in roasts in the oven particularly the French-made cast iron casseroles from brands like Staub, Chasseur or Le Creuset. The reduction of sauces and gravy when cooking also becomes a lot easier to clean in comparison to stainless steel. Pros of enamelled cast iron cookware:

• Fantastic heat retention and conductivity
• Enamelled surface is low-tox and easy to clean
• Doesn't react to acidic foods or require seasoning like raw cast-iron
• Highly durable provided it is used correctly

Cons of enamelled cast iron cookware:

• Can only be used on low to medium heat on stoves
• Enamelled cooking surface will get damaged by metal utensils
• Like raw cast-iron is also very heavy
• Should be hand-washed and not to cleaned in dishwashers to preserve enamel

Top-rated and tested stainless steel cookware sets

1. Essteele Per Vita Cookware Set of 6

Made in Italy, Essteele has long been a popular brand of cookware in Australia for close to sixty years. We love the Essteele Per Vita range as it is a quality 18/10 stainless steel set that's beautifully designed with mirror-finish exteriors, rounded handles and neat copper bases that add a touch of style and flair. Copper cookware has become increasingly popular over the last few years as the copper bases help to conduct heat efficiently and disperse it evenly for heat-spot free cooking. We also love the versatile 24cm French skillet that's deep enough for larger portions, the large 3.8L stock pot which is perfect for family-sized stews and soups as well as the universal steamer which is perfect for combining with the 3.8L saucepan. This set is compatible with all stovetops including induction. Set includes:

• Open Saucepan, 14cm (1.2L)
• Covered Saucepan, 16cm (1.9L)
• Universal Steamer, 18cm/20cm
• Covered Sauteuse, 26cm (3.73L)
• Open Skillet, 24cm
• Stockpot, 3.8L

2. Scanpan Impact Cookware Set 6 piece

The Scanpan Impact range is probably one of the most affordable from the Danish brand. A highly popular set, this range combines a similar combination of a 26cm frypan, 4.8L casserole and two saucepans, a 3.5 litre saucepan that's ideal for boiling pasta, eggs or smaller dishes as well as a 1.8 litre saucepan which is the perfect size for making sauces or small amounts of rice. It's definitely one of the more popular and competitively priced stainless steel sets on the market and comes with the added bonus of a fantastic sized roasting pan with rack, perfect for making roast meats with vegetables. Set includes:

4. Le Creuset 3ply Stainless Steel 4-piece Cookware Set

This option is definitely on the pricier side and also isn't purely stainless steel in makeup as it combines the best of both worlds a nonstick frypan alongside the saucepans and deep casserole dish. Le Creuset's 3-ply stainless steel range combines multiple layers of steel with aluminium cores in the bases for preventing heat spots and improving conductivity, capacity markers for convenience and tight-fitting lids to keep things warm. We also like how the handles have been thoughtfully designed to hold the lids conveniently when cooking. If this set is a bit too small for your needs, there's plenty more options to combine with available in Le Creuset's 3-ply stainless steel range. Set includes:

• 16cm saucepan with lid
• 18cm saucepan with lid
• 20cm deep casserole 2.5L
• 24cm Non-Stick Frying Pan

5. Tefal Virtuoso Induction Stainless Steel Cookware Set

We couldn't add just one stainless steel and nonstick combo without including the Virtuoso from Tefal which is also a lot more affordable. This pot and pan set features two frypans alongside an 18cm saucepan and 24cm stew pot. What makes this set unique is that it features Tefal's patented Thermospot marker which when heated will change colour to a glowing red to indicate when the pan is at the optimal temperature to start cooking. The nonstick also is reinforced with titanium, making it harder wearing and a more natural nonstick. The stewpot and saucepans also come with internal measurement markings that are great for making portions or following recipes. Set Includes:

• 20cm Frypan
• 26cm Frypan
• 18cm Saucepan with lid
• 24cm / 5.3L Stewpot with lid

Still unsure which cookware set to buy?

These cookware sets are some of our most popular and offer fantastic value for money when purchased as a set instead of individually. If the sets above are not quite the right set you are looking for, you can Browse our entire category of cookware sets