All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set All-Clad is known for making top-quality cookware, and our Lab testing has proven that it's among the best. My team and I have tested about 10 different cookware lines from All-Clad and this D3 line is the one we recommend for most people.
But stainless steel cookware is the most prized and frequently sought-after by professional chefs and serious home cooks alike. Known for its durability and high heat retention, it can achieve an excellent sear or perfect sauté. And it can last a lifetime.
Based on this list, it is best to avoid Teflon and other nonstick pans, especially those made with either PTFE or PFOA, as well as aluminum pots and pans.
Look For Cookware Sets with Tri-Ply Stainless Steel
Some stainless steel pans are made with a disk on the bottom that conducts heat, while others are fully clad. We recommend the latter, as this type has all the durability and longevity of stainless steel combined with a reactive and even core.
Cookware Backed by Chef Gordon Ramsay
“HexClad stands up to my demands at home and in the studio. Not only are they beautiful pans, but their hybrid technology cooks to absolute, utter perfection.”
For our recommendations, we stick to stainless steel, cast iron, and enamel or ceramic coatings. If you're making the switch from traditional nonstick cookware, you should look into ceramic or enameled cookware. These coatings tend to hold up for years, especially if you cook over medium to low heat.
When heated to very high temperatures (melting or during welding operations), fumes may be produced. In contact with strong acids, stainless steels may release gaseous acid decomposition products (e.g. hydrogen and oxides of nitrogen) and chromium may be released in the form of chromium III.
From his restaurants to his Emmys, Bobby Flay has an illustrious cooking career. While he's released pots and pans in the past, over the last few years, Flay has given his seal of approval to cookware from one of our favorite brands, GreenPan.
It's just not practical or cost-effective from a business perspective to buy non-stick pans when that means frequently replacing them as they get damaged. Those working choices often translate to home use for professional chefs too, although they might prefer a nicer metal brand than the standard restaurant supply.
“Glass, like Pyrex cookware, is a safe option,” Perko said. “Cast iron is a safe option if NOT frying or using high-temperature cooking. If you have or can use or purchase stainless steel pots and pans, they are healthier choices for long-term/lifetime use.”
Cooking sprays can leave a residue that is difficult to remove and may build up over time, affecting the pan's performance and taste of your food. Instead, use a small amount of butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Fat is your friend
Using oil when cooking with stainless steel is crucial for preventing food from sticking. Begin by preheating your pan over medium heat for a few minutes. After about 2-3 minutes of preheating your pan, add a fat source such as butter or oil.
Our products are safe, and compliant with with all applicable federal and state safety regulations. We are proud to be able to offer our customers a variety of cookware materials to choose from, including stainless steel and nonstick ceramic.
ceramic is among the safest material for pans
From dishes, to glasses, bakeware and cookware, ceramic bakeware is our pick for the best cookware material for health thanks to its non-reactive nature and resistance to high temperatures and acidic foods. Plus it's so pretty!
Then, we removed GreenPan entirely from our list of non-toxic cookware. There were two primary reasons: Competing brands began providing independent laboratory testing to prove their products are non-toxic. We became aware of lawsuits against GreenPan that cast doubt on the company's marketing claims.
Let's get cooking with Bobby Flay. 🔥 Here, he tells us all about his favorite new GreenPan Premiere Hard Anodized Cookware.
HexClad Cookware advertises its nonstick pans as free from harmful chemicals. But, according to recent reports, HexClad may be using a chemical compound called PTFE as a non-stick coating on its pans. PTFE is a type of PFA, or “forever” chemical, that can build up in the human body and does not break down over time.
Guy Fieri's Flavortown Laser Titanium 12-Piece Set
Fieri's favorite piece from the line, the 5-quart sauté pan, has enough capacity to cook for the whole family. “I use it probably more than I should,” he admits. The titanium surface can endure high temperatures to sear and char foods without releasing chemicals.
Signs That Reveal It's Time to Get Rid of Old Cookware
With extended use, there may come a time where replacing old pots and pans is the best option. Here are some important old cookware details to look for: Nonstick cookware is scratched or pitted. Pan bottom is warped and doesn't sit flush on the cooktop.