The Top 3 Sets Available Today and What Makes Them So Popular
If you’re looking for a set of Cuisinart pots and pans for your home kitchen, what follows can help you make the best possible choice for you and your family. We spent almost 21 hours in total checking out today’s top cookware – including complete sets of cookware from Cuisinart. And what we uncovered can save you days of research and hundreds of wasted dollars. You’ll also be spared any feeling of uncertainty as well as the frustration at having chosen a set that simply didn’t deliver as expected. Our top-pick is this complete set of Cuisinart Pots and Pans.
A Quality Brand
Chances are you’re already aware of the well-established Cuisinart brand. Maybe you’re replacing an older set that performed admirably over the past 10 – 20 years, or you’re thinking about getting your first ever bundle of Cuisinart cookware. Either way – we’ve got you covered.
Cuisinart has been around for decades and they produce some of the best home kitchen equipment around. And while they’re probably best known for their food processors – some people use the term “food processor” and “Cuisinart” interchangeably – they also produce several sets of cookware that good quality, well-designed and quite durable too.
From Singles To Complete Sets
You can buy individual pots or pans to suit a specific need. But you’ll most certainly pay more for any single piece you order. But by far the better value option is to snag one of the popular prepackaged kits – a complete set of carefully selected kitchen cookware from Cuisinart
To save time, we will focus on three of the best-selling combo packs of Cuisinart pots and pans.
Which one is best for you depends on your personal preferences, cooking needs and the type of stove you already have.
#1. Cuisinart Advantage Ceramica XT Non-Stick Cookware Set
[amazon box=”B076H4YDB3″ template=”horizontal” title=”Cuisinart Advantage Ceramica XT Cookware Set” description=”Beautiful ceramic non-stick set available in black, red, or black/copper. Tempered glass lids allow for easy viewing, and they fit tight to lock in the flavor. Not suitable for induction cooktops.”]
Available in Black, Red, or Black with Copper interior, this set has become a favorite in the marketplace. Previous buyers have rated it a 4.6 out of 5 possible stars online. That’s an impressive score for two reasons: 1) It comes from over 2600 actual buyers, which is a statistically significant number of respondents… and 2) People are generally more likely to give detailed feedback when they are dissatisfied.
With this pot and pan set, Cuisinart deploys titanium reinforced ceramic for its non-stick interior. It’s a safer, healthier option to Teflon and does anyone really know what’s in some of the other coatings found on cheap, knock-off products? All these Cuisinart branded pots and pans are PTFE, PFOA and PFOS-free.
Solid Design Features
Silicone-coated handles are mounted to the pots with strong rivets to ensure their strength over the long haul. Handles stay cool on the stovetop and are comfortably contoured to fit your hand and provide a firm and secure hold – even with a full pot of soup or chili inside. But those rivets can also pose a bit of a problem as some bits of food tend to collect around them, making clean-up little more involved.
The set also includes tempered glass pot covers that fit tightly onto each vessel to form a good seal. Glass tops allow you to see how your foods are progressing as you cook. And these tight-fitting lids help lock-in nutrients and flavor while often preventing the ingredients inside from getting too dry.
All of these pots also come with built-in rims to allow for drip-free pouring, making it easier, more convenient and less messy.
As with each set covered here – the Cuisinart Ceramica XT cookware set features a 3 ply construction. The interior is coated with titanium reinforced ceramic. The middle core is aluminum which provides plenty of strength, while keeping the pot relatively lightweight and easy to handle. The outside layer is the protective metallic finish that makes these black pots and pans look fantastic.
What’s In The Box?
Included in this set is a 3 quart sauté pan with cover, 8 inch skillet, 10 inch skillet, as well as an 18 cm steamer insert. Pots include: 6 quart stock pot, 2 ½ quart saucepan and cover, plus a 1 ½ quart saucepan – also with cover. Also included is a lifetime warranty.
These pots and pans are engineered for rapid and even heat distribution and they work well with gas, electric, glass top, ceramic top and halogen stove tops. This eliminates individual hotspots. And ensures that your foods cook evenly no matter where they are in the pot or pan.
Avoid Using Metal Utensils – and Other Tips
You never want to use metal utensils on any non-stick pan. Doing so will only damage the finish and shorten their lifespan. And be sure to never place these pots or pans in the dishwasher. Either action is a recipe for disaster.
It’s also important when cooking with any type of non-stick pan that you keep the temperature low. You can go up to about medium heat – but no higher. Most things can easily be cooked on medium or low. They take a little longer but you don’t have to worry about damaging the finish.
Do not stack these pots and pans when storing without having a protective pad in between.
Allow each pan to cool down before washing and then wash only by hand and with a soft cloth or sponge. You can sauté steam, boil, breeze, simmer, or fry. But do not deep-fry. It’s also best to avoid olive oil and cooking sprays in general, though vegetable oil and butter is okay.
Pros
– Beautiful appearance and design
– Affordable for many
– Quality well-made pots and pans that are good and sturdy
– Everything cooks evenly and doesn’t burn
– Different sizes are ideal for a variety of uses
– Clean up easily
– Heats up fast thanks to the even heat distribution
– Do not easily stain – even one cooking tomato sauce or chili
– Ceramic is a safe non-stick surface
– Handles are strong and comfortable
Cons
– A little too heavy for some
– It can stain making clean up a little more difficult
– There are some reports of the coating peeling from inside the pot
– Ceramic coating can wear out over time
– Handles on the lids can get hot especially when cooking something for a longer period
#2. Cuisinart TPS-10 Classic Triple-Ply Stainless Steel 10 Piece Set
[amazon box=”B07BRC15QF” template=”horizontal” title=”Cuisinart TPS-10 Classic Stainless Steel 10 pc Cookware Set” description=”These great looking polished stainless steel pots and pans would look good in any kitchen. These are all suitable for all stovetops, including induction cooktops, and they come with a lifetime warranty”]
Our second selection (and a personal favorite) is this polished stainless steel of pots and pans by Cuisinart. It’s probably the most durable and rugged among the sets reviewed since stainless steel tends to hold up exceptionally well over a greater number of years.
What’s In The Box?
Included is this particular set is a 6 quart stock pot with cover, 3 quart sauté pan with cover and helper handle, 2 ½ quart saucepan with cover, 1 ½ quart saucepan with cover – plus both an 8 inch and a 10 inch skillet. A limited lifetime warranty is also included.
Works With Any Stove
This set of pots and pans is suitable for electric, gas, glass, ceramic, halogen, and induction stoves too. Cuisinart has deployed their proprietary “heat surround” technology which delivers even heat distribution along the entire bottom and side walls of these pots.
Optimal heat conduction is possible due to the triple ply design. Here, the middle core material is made of aluminum, ensuring a lighter weight overall, while also eliminating hot spots. Both the inside and outside layer are made of food-grade stainless steel.
One advantage of cooking with stainless steel is that it does not react with food to alter flavors. Tempered glass covers help lock in all the nutrients and moisture for healthier, more authentic and flavorful dishes. These Cuisinart pots and pans are also oven safe up to 500°F – so you can use both stovetop and oven cooking as your recipe requires.
Rims are tapered to allow drip-free pouring with greater ease. Since there’s no fragile non-stick coating here – you could use the dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup. But it’s never a bad idea to get in the habit of washing your pots and pans by hand either. And you just might get more mileage from your kitchen cookware this way.
Avoid Sticking
To avoid having food stick to your stainless steel pots and pans, simply follow a few basic, chef-inspired guidelines. Always preheat your pan before adding anything. Once preheated, you can add a little oil if you like, or as an oil substitute (when cooking vegetables at least) you can use water or broth. At a lower temperature, it’s less likely that anything will stick. If you keep the temperature to medium or below – you should be fine. If food starts to stick, you can always add a little more oil, butter, water, or broth.
Pros
– Measurement markings (in Cups and Liters) are indicated on the inside of the pots making it quick and easy to fill without a measuring cup
– Well-made, sturdy pots and pans
– All bottoms are flat and smooth
– Heats quickly and evenly
– Gorgeous cookware that offers good value for the money
– Saves energy by using these pots at lower temperatures
– Comfortable weight and feel
– Set could last for years
– Food sticking does not seem to be a problem
– Pot and pan handles do not heat up on stovetop
Cons
– Lid handles can heat up when cooking for extended periods
– Pitting can sometimes occur (possibly from cooking with hard water)
– Large sauté pan maybe a little heavy for those of small stature or with tiny hands
– Handles are not ergonomically designed with a grip (so it can be a little tricky when working with a full pot)
– Get scratched through repeated use over time
#3. Cuisinart 14 Piece Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Hard Anodized Cookware
[amazon box=”B01IO776JS” template=”horizontal” title=”Cuisinart 14pc Chef’s Classic Non-stick Hard Anodized Cookware Set” description=”Cookware set comes with break resistant glass lids for easy viewing. The hard anodized pans are scratch resistant and with a quantum nonstick coating for healthier cooking and easier cleaning. These Cuisinart pans are not compatible with induction cooktops.”]
These pots and pans feature a hard anodized exterior that Cuisinart claims is harder than stainless steel. This could mean improved durability and less wear and tear on your cookware.
On this set the non-stick surface is reinforced with titanium. Since it’s a non-stick set, you can cook with no oil or butter for healthier, low-fat cooking and easier cleanup. Some folks do prefer to use a little oil and that’s fine too. The thing is… with the Chef’s Classic set, you’ll use way less – so either way – you win.
What’s In The Box?
This 14-piece set includes a 1 quart saucepan, 2 quart saucepan and 3 quart saucepan – all with lids, of course. You also get a 3 quart sauté pan with helper and an 8 quart stock pot with lid too. Also included is an 8 inch open skillet, 10 inch covered skillet and 18 cm multi steamer basket – perfect for steaming all kinds of garden-fresh vegetables.
As with the other Cuisinart sets, heat distribution is superb. Handles are cool to grip and there are drip free spouts built-in, making pouring cleaner and easier. But as with most stovetop cookery, the lid handles tend to heat up, particularly if you’ve been cooking something for awhile. Covers are made of tempered glass, so you can monitor things as you go – without having to lift those lids.
How To Get the Most Out Of Your Non-Stick Cookware
It’s important to never use metal or hard plastic utensils since this set of pots and pans has a non-stick coating. Avoid the temptation to place them in the dishwasher for an effortless cleaning. That’s a sure-fire way to ruin them. Wash by hand only using warm water, dish soap and a soft cloth or sponge and take care as you do so. And use only utensils that are compatible – such as silicone, nylon, bamboo or wooden spoons and spatulas. Oh and… never use these pots or pans for high-temperature searing. Use cast-iron pans instead.
You also need to be careful whenever you’re handling these. Do not drop them on a hard surface as they could easily lose their shape and finish. A warped pan won’t cook your food as evenly and once the inside coating is damaged – there’s no quick fix. As with any non-stick cooking appliance, you should “baby” these a little bit.
Take care of your non-stick pots and pans and you should get years of trouble-free service from your cookware set.
Pros
– Comfortable weight and handling
– Conducts heat well
– Lots of different sizes of pots and pans means you can easily find the right one for the job
– Stylish, nice-looking set of cookware
– Easy to use
– Allows for healthy cooking without oil or butter
– Comfortable ergonomic design feels good and provides a solid grip
– Measuring lines on the sides of the pans is helpful
– Included steamer insert works with several size pans
– Comes with a lid for virtually every pot and pan
– Cleans up quickly and easily
Cons
– Can scratch the inside surface even using non-metal utensils like plastic
– Non-stick coating is more delicate than durable (as long as you treat these pots and pans according, you’ll get good results)
– Lid handles can get hot
– Even though these are non-stick, some choose to use a little vegetable oil, butter, or coconut oil
The Verdict
It’s easy to go with a trusted brand name. And truth be told, you can’t really go wrong with Cuisinart. And when such a wide range of cookware has been filtered down to 3 of the most popular offerings – it gets even easier. Now you can make your choice with confidence.
For the ultimate in value, ease of use and longevity – we recommend the Stainless Steel Set from Cuisinart. Multiple buyers have enjoyed using these over many years.
If you prefer a non-stick selection, either the 14-piece Chef’s Hard Anodized Set or the Advantage Ceramica XT Cookware make excellent choices too. As long as you follow the basic guidelines above, any one of these should serve you well for years. All 3 sets of Cuisinart pots and pans offer a good variety of items and sizes. That would make them versatile and valuable in any kitchen – including yours.
