It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally rounding up the ultimate pot guide. There’s a lot of information to cover, but over the next few posts we’ll get to it all.
Looking for a new set of pots? Getting married and don’t know what to choose? “Which pots do you recommend?” has been a question that we’ve received again and again over the years. We knew it was an important one, but that it would also be a job to collect all the information in one place so that you’re really guided when it comes to choosing the right pots. Now that Yom Tov is coming up, it just may be the perfect time.
Since each of us only have experience related to the pots we’ve used and loved (or didn’t love!), we turned to the teams at The Peppermill and The Kitchen Clique to help us sort through all the information. All of the information included on this post and the following ones is based on their expertise and our collective experience.
When looking for a new set of pots, you might have read different reviews online for various sets. The truth is, though, you can’t compare the use that your pots will get compared to the average American household. We cook A LOT and we cook for large families and for guests, for Shabbos, for Yomim Tovim, day in and day out.
What Type of Pots Should I Focus On?
That being said, the only type of pots which are recommended for Jewish families, especially for fleishigs, are stainless steel. They’re the only type which will stand up to the daily cooking, and they don’t have any coatings which will scratch off. Stainless is the easiest to clean for the same reason–nothing else but the dirt will come off. If a stainless steel pan is used properly and is heated before cooking, the food won’t stick either (if food is added to a pot that’s not hot, it will stick to any pan, even nonstick).
- Better stainless steel pots are made so there are no hotspots, so food cooks evenly and perfectly.
- We greatly prefer stainless steel pots that also have stainless steel handles and lids. There are cheaper sets of stainless steel pots which have plastic or rubber handles. Those handles or lids will break eventually (but they’re great for let’s say, Pesach).
- Entry level stainless steel sets are popular among kallahs, but know that you will be replacing them eventually down the line if they get heavy use. Sometimes you’ll see pretty sets of pots with different finishes and coatings and they might be tempting. But–don’t go there. At least not for your meat set (if you don’t cook a lot of dairy and want a nonstick set, we’ll get there). When you invest in pots they definitely pay you back over time (not in cash, but in use). Cheap pots will need to be replaced often. Expensive pots last a lifetime and will be just as perfect in 20 years as the day you bought them.
There are different options within stainless steel, at varying levels of quality and price.
Stainless Steel with Encapsulated Base
The least expensive type of stainless steel cookware has aluminum only in the base, encapsulated by the stainless steel. Stainless steel doesn’t conduct heat, it’s just very strong. It’s the aluminum inside the pot which conducts the heat. But since aluminum is a soft metal, it needs to be encapsulated by the steel. In this range of stainless steel cookware, the aluminum is only encapsulated on the bottom of the pot, so the heat only travels to the food through the bottom. These pots are lighter in weight and less expensive, but still decent quality for the budget-minded consumer.
Best One-Ply Picks: $165-170
- Cuisinart Chef is probably the best value on the market
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 10-Piece Cookware Set from Kitchen Clique (also available in 7 and 17 piece sets) - Rachael Ray is popular among kallahs at this price point, especially since they’re available in different colors for easy differentiation for meat and dairy.
Rachel Ray 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set from The Peppermill
Tri-Ply Stainless Steel
In Tri-Ply Stainless Steel, the aluminum is encapsulated throughout the entire pot, even up to the top edges. Even within Tri-Ply, there are different grades and levels of quality.
Best Middle Tier: $200-$350
- A basic Tri-Ply Cookware Set would be those made by Cuisinart. It has a nice, thick gauge of stainless steel. It’s made in China, so it’s more affordable than some of the other brands that are made in Europe. The handles are built in a way where the heat does not travel to them, so they will stay cool for quite a while.
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 7-Piece Cookware Set from Kitchen Clique
Cuisinart MultiClad Pro 12-Piece Cookware Set from Kitchen Clique
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 9-Piece Cookware Set from The Peppermill - Tramontina is another well-priced brand at a middle price point that is getting good reviews (one BCP member has the Tramontina pots and has been very happy).
- Tramontina 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique
Tramontina 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set from Kitchen Clique
Tramontina 8-Piece Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set from Peppermill
Best High End: $700-$800
- The best high end stainless steel cookware sets are those made by All-Clad, Heston, and Le Creuset. These pots are all finished beautifully and will last a lifetime! In this post-Covid era, All-Clad has been in the shortest supply because it’s most well-known. All three brands, though, are comparative in quality and price.
All-Clad D5 10-Piece Cookware Set from Bloomingdales
All-Clad D5 10-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon
All-Clad D3 10-Piece Cookware Set from Bloomingdales
All-Clad D3 10-Piece Cookware Set from Amazon - Heston is one brand that is becoming an all-star in this category. The pots are easy to handle, and have special features like extra grips that give you added stability. The brushed exterior is pretty, prevents fingerprints, and the handle doesn’t get hot.
Heston ProBond 10-Piece Cookware Set from The Peppermill
Heston ProBond 10-Piece Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique - If you’ve owned Le Creuset before, but didn’t think the heavy enamel pots were practical for you, you can enjoy Le Creuset quality in a stainless steel set (I have this set for dairy, which I cook as often as meat, and I love them. They’re pretty too. The stainless steel frying pan really doesn’t stick even though it’s not nonstick).
Le Creuset Tri-Ply 6-Piece Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique
Le Creuset Tri-Ply 10-Piece Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique
Le Creuset Tri-Ply 12-Piece Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique
Super High End:
- If you’re the type that would prefer amazing pots over jewelry when it’s time for a big present, there’s the highest of the high end: Heston’s Nanobond. Because they’re made of Titanium, the finish has a black sheen, and they’re superior in performance, conducting more heat and withstanding higher temperatures than any other cookware. There’s also the easiest to clean. But yes, they’re very expensive.
Heston NanoBond (Titanium) 10-Piece Cookware Set from The Kitchen Clique
We have 2 more complete guides for you to check out, non stick and open stock.
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Rivka says
Hi! Thanks for all the info! Can you also include how to best wash them and to take care of them so that they last long? Or is it do whatever you want and if they are good quality they will last you long regardless of what you do it?
Thanks!
Victoria Dwek says
Yup, when they’re good quality, it doesn’t matter what you do!
Dinah says
My sil has all clad Potsdam’s said they don’t wash nicely…
Dinah says
All clad pots and said…
F says
For a good shine and to wash off the grease without needing to scrub wash with barkeepers friend. I tried loads of products this worked amazing
CS says
Curious what your take is on Farberware. Mine have been in use for 24 years, my moms have been in use for at least 40 years, all my siblings use them. They may not be gorgeous, but they’ve been chugging along doing a mighty good job whipping up dinners and yamim tovim for huge crowds with perfect results. (At a cheaper price point than comparable brands mentioned)
EF says
Same here with farberware…. Why isn’t it mentioned as an option?
Victoria Dwek says
In my personal experiene, Farberware did not last long at all…handles falling off and all that. That’s probably because the older pots were made better than they are today. Farberware didn’t come up as a recommended pick when I interviewed both Peppermill and Kitchen Clique, and with my negative experience, they didn’t make the list. HOWEVER, I think it’s a good economical pick for Pesach because they’re only getting one week use.
CS says
Wow. I am truly astonished. In all my years I have never once had a handle fall off. And I use (abuse?!) my pots A LOT. They’re in perfect condition.
Dinah says
Farberware that your mother had was great. They cooked well and washed amazing. Their quality has gone down a lot over the years…
Anonymous says
Any suggestions for an amazing pareve soup pot? Something that will last but won’t break the bank ????
Bb says
I’ve had farberware for 25 years, and bought them for my daughter when she got married. The handles do occasionally fall off (very rare, but it can happen) but they’re easily screwed back on. At most, you need a screwdriver and 20 seconds.
I do huge amounts of cooking-we have large numbers of guests frequently, and host simchos for many people several times a year. They are my go- to pots; they cook really well, wash beautifully and are very economical. You get really good value for your money. I fully agree that you get what you pay for with pots, and it doesn’t pay to buy really cheap ones. But even with the amount and volume of cooking that our lifestyle entails, most people will never in need the higher end products you’re describing. No need to raise the bar when there are very solid economical options that work well. Sometimes, tried and true wins the day.
Anonymous says
Agree!
Chana Herskovits says
I have the farberware pots for Fleishige and milchige! Love them! They cook food the best. It’s true that the newer ones come off the handles much quicker. But let me tell you what I discovered. There is a glue called Gorilla glue that works magic for these. You make a tiny wet the handle and add a little glue then hold on to it for two minutes. And never will it fall off again. No heat or water will get it off! For me it’s worth gluing it once and having this great quality pots!
Chana says
I have the farberware pots for Fleishige and milchige! Love them! They cook food the best. It’s true that the newer ones come off the handles much quicker. But let me tell you what I discovered. There is a glue called Gorilla glue that works magic for these. You make a tiny wet the handle and add a little glue then hold on to it for two minutes. And never will it fall off again. No heat or water will get it off! For me it’s worth gluing it once and having this great quality pots!
Shev says
Curious what your thoughts are on Zwilling Henckels. I have a great set, but the bottom 1/3 of the outside of the pots are totally black. Any tips on how to clean?
GF says
Do any of these pots work with an induction cooktop? What do you suggest for that?
betweencarpools says
Yes, many do. When clicking a link you would see this in the description of the item.
Chana says
I have the farberware pots for Fleishige and milchige! Love them! They cook food the best. It’s true that the newer ones come off the handles much quicker. But let me tell you what I discovered. There is a glue called Gorilla glue that works magic for these. You make a tiny wet the handle and add a little glue then hold on to it for two minutes. And never will it fall off again. No heat or water will get it off! For me it’s worth gluing it once and having this great quality pots!
Hudis says
Do they still sell kitchenaid pots? It’s been 18 years and they are truly amazing!! Haven’t had to look into a pot since. Had to replace the milchig set as the nonstick coating was ruined but the stainless steel is perfect. So curious if they still sell that. Would buy again for sure.
judy says
What about calphalon pots? I have one pot from them and I love it. With my cuisinart pots, everything sticks to the bottom
EF says
for all faberware lovers, they have a lifetime warranty for all their pots. Just received 2 new pots!
rivky ros says
dont count on a warranty! my handles are off, and they just denied my warranty.
Raizy Frankel says
I’m trying to decide between the le cruiser tri ply or hestan probond, which do u suggest I go with? Which set is aesthetically nicer?
E. R. says
Anyone ever tried kirkland stainless steel pot set?