Last Updated on April 15, 2025 by Dawn Head
Given our commitment to covering green home issues, I wanted to write about a surprising and scary issue in the home: nonstick pans. This post is about the best stainless steel cookware.
I used to be a fan of nonstick cookware. I love making eggs for breakfast because they are so easy. Using nonstick-coated cookware made my kitchen pans incredibly easy to clean.
The Problem with Non-Stick Pans
However, those incredibly easy-to-clean, nonstick coatings can be harmful to our health and the environment. How bad? So bad that the fumes released from overheating these pans can be lethal to birds.
In one year, a Chicago veterinarian recorded 296 bird deaths across 105 cases linked to non-stick cookware.
The issue is often polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Teflon® is the most recognizable brand name. When these coatings like PTFE are heated to high temperatures (usually above 500°F / 260°C), they can release toxic fumes [Reference: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Tetrafluoroethylene. 1998.
These fumes have been shown to cause “polymer fume fever” in humans, a temporary flu-like illness [Reference: Seebode, J. J., & Beckett, W. S. (1999). Polymer fume fever. Clinical Toxicology, 37(5), 701-705.]
When I first learned about the potential issues with using nonstick pans, I was skeptical. So many people use them! They make cleanup so easy! Why would a company make something that people cooked with that could be harmful? That’s a “brand name” company!
But I couldn’t use my pans anymore. When I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I learned. So I looked online for a more sustainable set of pans.
I learned that chefs often use copper and stainless steel cookware. I started asking friends and family what they used. A few who used stainless steel cookware didn’t seem to really love them. The biggest complaint was that the food didn’t cook evenly and oftentimes the food would burn. They also said cleaning stuck-on food was difficult.
Stainless Steel Cookware Set Comparison
I looked at several sets and factored in the important features that separate the okay and good from the exceptional.
- Basic Stainless Steel Cookware Set (e.g., Excelsteel)
- Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- KitchenAid Stainless Steel Cookware Set
- Celphalon stainless steel cookware set
- All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set
What to Look For
Stainless steel pans are not all the same. There are several things that differentiate them.
Overall Construction & Durability
How well-built are they? Will they withstand years of use? Investing in durable cookware reduces waste in the long run.
Number of Layers & Metal Type
Many high-quality stainless steel pans are multi-layered (clad) with a core of aluminum or copper sandwiched between layers of stainless steel. This helps with even heat distribution, preventing hot spots and ensuring food cooks uniformly. Generally speaking, three layers are ideal.
Type of Lid
Stainless steel lids are very durable and won’t shatter if dropped. Glass lids allow you to monitor cooking progress without lifting the lid and losing heat, but are more fragile.
Made in USA
For me, where something is made is important. When given the choice, I will choose products made in the United States, especially when it comes to anything to do with cooking, food I eat, and things that go on my skin. The material quality is often better.
Induction Compatibility
If you have an induction cooktop, ensure the cookware you choose is magnetic and specifically designed for induction cooking.
Price vs Quality
As with many things, you get what you pay for. Higher-priced pans often have much better construction, materials, and performance. They tend to last longer too.
How the Stainless Steel Cookware Stacks Up
Budget-friendly
Excelsteel 7 piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
This set with glass lids is a budget-friendly option, good for college students in their first apartments and those just starting out. While it might lack some of the advanced features, this set provides a basic set of functional cookware.
Middle-price
KitchenAid 10-piece Set: This generally gets good reviews. Some models include silicone grips, which aren’t entirely stainless steel.
Cuisinart Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set (10-piece): With a lot of positive reviews, this set offers a good balance of price and features, including stainless steel lids and useful sizes for most things someone would want to cook.
Top of the Line: Built to Last (and Be More Sustainable)
These premium sets are typically tri-layered or multi-clad, ensuring exceptional durability and even heating. Choose a set like this can be a more sustainable choice in the long run due to their longevity.
All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware: This is what I’m using. After two years of almost-daily use, my All-Clad set is still going strong.
While some of my pans are discolored (I’ve learned this is common with all stainless steel pans), it doesn’t affect the performance.
The fact that my aunt and uncle have had their same set for 30 years to me speaks volumes about its durability. I like that this will last and when cared for properly, won’t need to be replaced. This makes it a more sustainable choice.
All-Clad’s pots and pans are primarily made in the USA using US-supplied metal, with final bonding in their Pennsylvania facility. While some lids and appliances may be manufactured in China, their core cookware remains in USA.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 7 piece set: This set has gotten positive reviews and is often compared favorably to Calphalon. However, some users who have also owned All-Clad have mixed opinions, with a few noting a lighter feel.
A big difference is that the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro is made in China. If price is a major factor and you’re okay with international manufacturing, this could be a good option.
Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware: This gets good reviews, and it’s a known brand. You have to watch the handles because they can get hot. The sets are made in China. Also, Calphalon sets usually have glass lids.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Cookware
You may miss the days of cleaning nonstick pans. However, cleaning stainless steel pots isn’t always hard.
When I have something that’s hard to remove, I use Bar Keeper’s Friend. While not a certified “green” product, it is phosphate-free. I use it maybe once a month on the pans I use the most.
How to Make Stainless Steel Cookware Not Stick: The Secret is Heat!
It is possible to cook using stainless steel and not having your food stick to the pan. The key is to heat the pan and then add the oil.
Place the pan over medium to medium-low heat and allow it to heat thoroughly. This might take a few minutes. Then dd the cooking oil or butter.
Let the oil heat until it shimmers and flows easily across the pan’s surface (almost smoking, but not quite).
Then add the food.
This technique creates a barrier that prevents food from directly contacting the stainless steel and sticking.
What About “Green” Nonstick Cookware?
While there are nonstick options marketed as “green” and free from traditional PTFE and PFOA, I remain cautious. Given the history and concerns surrounding nonstick coatings, I personally prefer stainless steel.
Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets: Our Verdict
I would repurchase our All-Clad Stainless Steel Cookware set. I like that it’s made in the USA and has a generations’-long reputation. The pans are durable and cook evenly. But the price is higher than other sets.
Another good option is Cuisinart’s MultiClad Pro.
What features are most important to you when choosing cookware? And are you still using nonstick pans? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Next up: Keep up a green lifestyle with a safe and reusable alternative to plastic by using stainless steel water bottles.