Review of Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless-Steel 14-Piece Cookware Set

I want to add a dose of realism to the many positive reviews here. We've had this cookware set for about 5 months. It comes packaged very nicely, seems well made and looks very good. And there's the rub. Unlike a lot of stainless cookware, these are very shiny. If you like that, you'll be satisfied, but you should bear in mind that the finish is fragile. It's easy to scratch and easy to discolor. We use the steamer every day and on one occasion I accidentally boiled it dry. I took the pot off the heat very quickly, but the result was a faint gold tint on the outside that cannot be removed. I don't really mind the color change, but it worries me.

I've used the frying pan a couple of times to make eggs and here again the shine isn't necessarily a good thing. Butter actually beads up on the surface as it melts and you have to use an awful lot if you want it to cover the bottom of the pan.

The instructions warn you many times not to use steel wool for cleaning. So far, we've been okay with a plastic scrubber pad, and, especially after a soaking, things clean up easily. But the fact that I've been warned not to use the most obvious cleaning method is worrisome.

Pot handles do indeed stay cool. The lids, however, can get very hot. Also, the edges of the lids face up and out. This is common now, but my older pans had lids that that were turned into the pan. The outward-facing design guarantees that condensation will form on the underside of the lids, and will drip pretty badly when you first remove them from a boiling pot. One good feature of the lid handles is that you can hang them on a pot rack.

Finally, the steamer has several extra ridges around the bottom and vegetables inevitably stick to those areas. Again, a soaking is necessary to get them clean.

All in all, a useful, sturdy set, well made, and a good value -- but with the caveat that the shine might not be what you want.

Product Description
14 Piece Chef's Classic Stainless Set includes: 1.5, 3.0 saucepans with covers, 8" and 10" covered skillet, 4.0 quart saute with helper and cover, 9.0 quart stockpot with cover, 20 cm steamer insert with cover, 24 cm pasta steamer insert with cover

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