Review of KitchenAid Gourmet Reserved 12-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set, Black

Have you ever noticed, that when you move a lot, you tend to somehow 'mislay' articles from the kitchen?It's amazing.When you pack up to move, you have a whole set of stainless steel insulated cookware, but when you unpack, you don't.That is what led me to purchase new cookware.The one thing that I never really liked about stainless steel was that things stick.My granddad recently got some hard andonized pots and pans and seems to like them fine, so I figured why not?

I've had my set for several months now, and while I am not completely dissatisfied, I am not as satisfied with this set as I would've liked.The non-stick surface is really good.I've never had a problem with anything sticking.But, if you're like me and work 12 hour shifts, you become really good friends with your dishwasher.Unfortunately, these are not dish-washer approved.I was unaware of that at the time of purchase, and that would've affected the sale.

Also, I know the previous reviewer mentioned the heat conductivity of aluminum being second to copper.I don't believe it, and neither should you. I fight a chronic battle with hot spots every time I cook.Inevitably, the center of the skillet (especially with the 12") get's very hot, while the edges are still, at best, warm.Dishes that I could turn on and ignore in my old cookware must be constantly monitored in these.

On the positive side, however, aluminum is *much* lighter than stainless steel.I have problems with my wrists, and lifting my 12" steel pan was something of a problem one-handed.Not so with these.

So, there are positives, and there are negatives.I guess it depends on how particular you are about what you cook in.I am a very particular cook.I can be very exacting and something of a kitchen tyrant, and I expect no less from my pots and pans.Someone who is more of a casual cook and isn't dead-set on perfection might thoroughly enjoy this set with no reservations.

Product Description
This cookware set is an exceptional value, including all of the pans needed to equip your kitchen with the most used cooking pieces. As the set contains only basic pieces, you'll really use each and every pan. It includes saucepans for whisking a homemade sauce or cooking your morning oatmeal, a big stockpot for soups, stews or boiling pasta, and skillets (probably the most used pan in any kitchen) that will help you turn out perfect omelets or a simple grilled cheese sandwich. The set also includes a covered sauté pan, a wide, straight-sided pan that can perform many of the functions of a skillet but features deep sides for extra capacity, perfect for one dish meals. Start your dish in this pan by sautéing onions and browning meat, then add your liquid and other ingredients into the same pan to finish on the stovetop or in the oven.

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