You may or may not know, but there are actually 2 ranges of cookware called ‘Stackmaster’, one range is from Gotham Steel, the other from Granitestone. You may also notice their packaging and marketing is very similar, and this is because they are both owned by the same company Emson Corporation. Both Stackmaster Cookware ranges are imported from China, and both are non-stick.
Gotham Steel Stackmaster Pans and Pots
Gotham Steel’s stacking cookware set is hugely popular in the market place. No doubt one of the reasons is the widespread consumer marketing on television and online. And the infomercials we’ve seen I’ve been quite convincing overall – despite some of the questionable claims such as “dishwasher friendly” and “metal utensil friendly”.
We do not recommend either (dishwasher or metal utensils) be used with any nonstick cookware. Yes manufacturers typically suggest that you can safely do both in their advertising. But these same manufacturers (not just Gotham Steel) reverse those suggestions inside the owner’s manual.
The fact is – you may get away with it for a while without any noticeable damage to your nonstick pans. But you’re playing Russian roulette. Nonstick coatings are microscopically thin and cannot hold up to the repeated beating they can take from the hot water and harsh detergent of the dishwasher.
And they probably won’t last long with the repeated use of metal utensils making contact with the nonstick coating inside.
What’s Best for Nonstick
We strongly encourage the use of silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils and hand-washing your pots and pans only. That’s the best way to maximize the lifespan of your nonstick cookware. Of course, if you’re prepared to simply replace your nonstick pans as they incur damages, than feel free. But if you want to get the most for your money, it’s important to take the best care of your nonstick pots and pans.
Gotham Steel Stackmaster 15 Piece Set of Nonstick Cookware
What’s In The Box?
8 inch frying pan
10 inch skillet
2.75 quart sauce pan with lid
3.5 quart sauce pan with lid
3.75 quart sauce pan with lid
5 quart stock pot with lid
Five piece utensil set
Included in this set are six pots and pans, four lids + five utensils – 15 pieces in all.
This cookware set offers solid savings in terms of space (about 30%). And you can nest the entire set in one single stack – or separate the pans from the pots into a couple of lower stacks.
Gotham steel uses a nonstick surface that is applied in three separate layers. It’s a finish that is reinforced with titanium and features ceramic. It is PFOA, PFOS, lead and Cadmium-free. This makes it a safer and healthier option than other finishes while providing quick food release even without oil. We do recommend using a little bit of oil or butter for best results, although it is healthier if you can avoid cooking with any fats whatsoever.
The pots and pans themselves are quite durable and constructed of aluminum that is dense and wear-resistant. There’s no question that construction here is solid.
Another feature Gotham promotes is that the lids are interchangeable. That means you can use the tempered glass lids on various sizes of sauce pans, stock pots, fry pans and skillets. And since it’s made of tempered glass, it’s easy to monitor the food you’re cooking inside.
Gotham states that their StackMaster cookware is oven safe up to 550°F. You can also use this cookware with any type of stove including induction. This is a huge plus, although it may depend on your specific induction range as some have claimed that it does not work despite the magnetic base.
Handles are made to stay cool during any stovetop operation. But keep in mind that the handles on the lids can get quite hot since they are directly over the heat source – as is typical with most pots. Gotham offers a 10 year limited warranty on their Stackmaster pans.
Fact is – you just can’t beat a quality set of stackable pots and pans for helping to keep your kitchen tidy and organized. When your kitchen cabinets are a mess inside, it costs you time and frustration when you can’t find the right tool for the job. It also looks neat and tidy and organized too. There are some studies that suggest that a cluttered work area can I have a negative effect on the quality of the result.
When you can peek inside the cupboard and quickly determine the size of pan or pot you’re looking for – it can make a world of difference. Everything is arranged and orderly. You can clearly see what you have on hand and reach for the most appropriate piece without any delay.
You can prep your dishes right inside these Stackmaster pans. Mix any omelet and then place it on the stove element and you’re cooking quickly and efficiently. You can also use these to bake and serve food from directly.
Since the finish is nonstick, cleanup is mostly a hassle-free task that involves a simple wipe down with paper towel before washing by hand.
Granitestone Stackmaster 10 Piece Cookware Set
This set from Granitestone is also available in a five piece mini stackable set as well as a 15 piece stackable set – making it comparable with the Gotham Steel cookware set above.
What’s In The Box?
8 inch frying pan
10 inch skillet
2.75 quart saucepan with lid
3.5 quart saucepan with lid
3.75 Quartz South Sauté pan with lid
5.35 quart stock pot with lid
This package of pots and pans is very similar in appearance to Gotham Steel’s version. Even their marketing materials – specifically, the product descriptions – is virtually the same from one brand to the other.
This arrangement of pots and pans is virtually identical to the Gotham bundle we just reviewed. The only obvious difference is that Gotham package includes the utensils.
Granitestone’s 10-piece Stackmaster set is compatible with gas, electric and induction stoves. It offers cool-touch, comfort grip handles. Granitestone suggests that their stackable cookware is oven and dishwasher safe. But we recommend washing all nonstick cookware by hand for best results and maximum longevity.
When you can stack your pots and pans perfectly in a lot less space, it helps you stay organized without any unnecessary clutter in your cabinet space. Pots and pans and lids all stack in an orderly fashion so you could easily fit them under the kitchen sink, in the pull out drawer at the bottom of your electric stove, or in any cabinet. Having well-maintained cookware that’s also organized makes your cooking that much easier and less stressful.
Granitestone offers innovative quality and a premium finish on their nonstick stackable set. It’s designed to save you 30% more space when stacked. This brand of cookware uses premium non-toxic materials that are PFOA and PFOS free. For best results with nonstick cookware, wipe down, clean and rinse immediately after cooking, once that pan has cooled down sufficiently of course. You can wash it later more thoroughly by using a soft cloth, hot water and a little soap.
Having the ability to store a complete set of pots in pans in very little space can be extremely helpful. If you’re outfitting a small apartment or furnishing your RV’s kitchen area – a compact cookware set is absolutely crucial. It gives you the ability to cook whatever is on the menu without requiring much space for everything when it’s not being used. A set of Stackmaster cookware is a dream come true – especially if you’ve ever struggled with bulky kitchen tools in the past. This article will help steer you in the right direction.
Two Big Advantages
Stackmaster pots and pans have a couple of huge advantages over regular cookware not designed to be compactly and safely stacked. They are as follows:
Number One: Stackmaster sets of cookware save space – about 30%. Consider that for a moment. Imagine storing all your cookware in about 2/3 of the space it now requires. If you’ve been blessed with a massive kitchen and endless storage areas, this probably doesn’t mean much. But when space is at a premium, stackable pots, pans and lids are a total game changer.
Number Two: Stackmaster pans and pots help you organize your kitchen. If organizing your kitchen appliances (or things around the home in general) doesn’t appeal to you, this benefit will have little effect. But if you’re one who understands the value of being organized with a place for everything and everything in its place – than Stackmaster pots and pans are for you.
Smaller Area But Full Functionality
Being able to neatly store your cookware in a lot less space – while still maintaining an excellent range of sizes and functions – can be beneficial to any home cook. But it’s especially helpful to those of us with smaller kitchens. That includes anyone living in a condominium, small apartment, assisted living facility or tiny home. Kitchens in these dwellings tend to be of a lesser size and therefore require a more effective use of any available space.
Space saving cookware is also useful for students, seniors, and frequent travelers who may also have to contend with smaller living quarters. Anyone who enjoys a variety of home-cooked meals can appreciate owning a varied set of pots and pans. But whenever space is limited you don’t want to overload your space with cookware that does not stack neatly in a compact space.
Naturally Stackable?
Traditional cookware sets maybe somewhat stackable due simply to the material they’re made of. We’re referring specifically to stainless steel, aluminum and copper pots and pans. In these cases, you don’t have to worry about chipping or scraping the delicate nonstick coating because there isn’t one.
It’s only the metal on the inside of the pan that gets exposed to the other pots or pans you choose to nest inside. We did this for years with a set of stainless steel cookware and it worked well -apart from the additional scratches I’m sure happened as a result of stacking cookware that wasn’t designed to be stacked in the first place. But most stainless steel cookware is ruggedly built and able to withstand considerable abuse.
Engineered For Convenient Stacking
Clearly one of the biggest problems with most cookware sets is that they are not designed from the outset to be stackable. Therefore, any safe stacking practices that you manage to pull off are simply of your own doing. A smaller pot can easily sit inside a larger one – or so it seems. The problem is that those pots and pans lack the design and engineering to make them perfectly stackable. Yes you can stack random pots and pans this way and yes – you will save some space by doing so. But it’s nowhere near as effective as the neat and organized stacks you get with a set of Stackmaster pans.
Nonstick Cookware Has Taken Off
Nonstick pots and pans are hugely popular these days due to their ease of use, cooking with less oil and faster cleanup teams when the cooking is complete. This is where Stackmaster cookware makes the most sense. It’s engineered to protect the delicate nonstick coating on the interior of your pots and pans.
If you prefer cooking with nonstick cookware – Stackmaster pans is an excellent way to go. Let’s face it, nonstick coatings make it a whole lot easier to cook on the stove top without having your food stick to the pan. It sure beats facing that dreaded chore of cleaning up when you’re faced with a huge stuck-on mess.
Regular Nonstick Cookware Can Get Damaged Easily
Convenience and efficiency is why nonstick cookware was invented in the first place. The problem with most nonstick pots and pans is that the nonstick coating is so delicate that you have to be very careful when cooking with them. You also must exercise great care when storing your nonstick cookware to avoid scratches, dents and dings. All it takes is one little scratch to start the downward cycle where your cookware becomes so damaged that it’s no longer a “nonstick” pan at all.
Once the finish begins to get damaged, it only worsens over time. So the more you can protect your nonstick cookware from any sort of damage – the longer you’ll tend to get to use it while it remains effective.
Fills a Need In The marketplace
There are multiple ways that any nonstick coating on can be irreparably damaged. This can occur by using metal utensils, a dishwasher – or through improper storage of your cookware. It’s this last reason that stack master pans and pots were developed.
With these pots and pans, you don’t have to worry about getting the edges chipped, scraped, nicked, or scratched when moving your cookware to or from the cabinet and stove top. If you want to better protect your nonstick cookware having a set of Stackmaster pans can go a long way towards extending the life you get from pans. And they’ll stack nice and neatly for you in an organized manner.
The Verdict
If saving space with your cookware – without minimizing performance in any way – is important to you, you simply must pick up a set of Stackmaster cookware. Both versions are solid choices if you are on a budget. However, if you have a little more money and would like more longevity in a set of stacking pans, see our review of other stackable pots and pans here
