Stainless steel pans used to have a deservedly poor reputation. Stainless is a terrible heat conductor, leaving hot spots in the pans and making heat control futile. But then came cladding, the process of making a stainless steel "sandwich" by layering stainless with a more conductive metal like copper, aluminum, or another alloy, followed by one more layer of stainless. Typically, the cladding is a minimum of three to five layers of stainless and other metals. Because of this process, the heat from the burner gets disbursed more evenly across the pan, alleviating hot spots, and the pans are more responsive to increases or decreases in temperature. While you can select the individual pieces you need for your kitchen, buying a cookware set readies you for a variety of tasks and typically saves money. The sets we chose to test have, at a minimum, ten pieces, including lids. They consist of a fairly standard selection of two skillets, a sauté pan, a saucepan, and a stock pot, with some variation. From there, they vary in size, capacity, handle length and design, and weight. Learn which sets rated highest, plus what to look for in stainless steel cookware.The Tramontina Gourmet set is ideal for cooks of all skill levels and is a good choice for all conventional heat sources, including induction. Some pieces like the sauté pan have a medium weight to them, while the stock pot felt somewhat heavy. As such, some people with mobility or strength issues may find some pieces easier to use than others. The handles stay cool or neutral to the touch, and the lids fit snuggly. Unlike the handles, the lids become hot, so exercise caution when handling them. 

To find the best frying pans on the market, we asked chefs, food writers, and cookware professionals for their thoughts, and then put the standout items to the test in The Telegraph kitchen.

The Art of Cooking with a Cast Iron Pan on a Glass StoveCooking with a cast iron pan has long been

The Marriage of Cast Iron Pans and Glass Top Stoves in Modern FactoriesIn the realm of culinary ap

Seasoned Cast Iron Pans A Guide to Top Stove ManufacturersCast iron pans have long been a staple i

Season Cast Iron Skillet on Stove by ManufacturerCast iron skillets have been a staple in many kit

The Versatile Cast Iron Griddle for Electric Coil StovesWhen it comes to cooking, choosing the rig

OEM Stove Top Griddle Cast Iron ManufacturersWhen it comes to finding the best stove top griddle f

The Perfect Match Cooking with an OEM Cast Iron Skillet on an Electric StoveIn the

The Versatility and Benefits of OEM Cast Iron Griddles for Electric Stove TopsIn rec

Exploring the Advantages of China Steel Wool Cast Iron Skillet SuppliersWhen it come

The Versatility and Benefits of Cast Iron Stove Top Grill PansCast iron cookware ha

Unleashing the Outdoors The Small Portable Stainless Steel Wood Burning Camp Stove

The Rise of Cast Iron Griddle Stove Tops An Exporter’s PerspectiveIn recent years,

The Charm of Enamel Milk Pots with LidsIn the world of kitchenware, few items can bo

The Versatility and Efficiency of Stainless Steel Camping Wood StovesWhen it comes

The Benefits of Cast Iron Griddle Stove Tops A Look at Reliable SuppliersIn the cul

The Versatility of the Cast Iron Griddle A Must-Have for Your China Stove TopWhen i

The Rise of China’s Stove Top Cast Iron Griddle ManufacturersIn recent years, the g

The Rise of Cast Iron Stove Top Griddles A Growing IndustryIn recent years, cast ir