The Best Stainless Steel Cookware to Shop Now

When it comes to cookware, few materials are as reputable as stainless steel. As the name implies, this type of cookware doesn't stain or rust, so it stays in beautiful condition after each use. Plus the non-reactive metal won't discolor when it comes in contact with acidic foods, like citrus, tomatoes, or wine. Another great thing about stainless steel? It doesn't impart any flavor to the food, like old aluminum or carbon steel cookware might. All of these factors are reason enough to purchase stainless steel cookware—but there are some things you should think about before choosing a set.

To ensure you're buying the best stainless steel cookware, you'll want to consider weight, cladding, and a few other important factors.

• Weight: The weight and quality of stainless steel cookware typically goes hand-in-hand. "Heavy stainless steel cookware is generally higher quality than lightweight, as more plies will distribute heat more evenly and resist uneven cooking," says Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. "However, both aluminum and copper cores provide excellent heat conduction, but aluminum is much lighter."
• Cladding: Stainless steel on its own is not the best heat conductor, which is why it should have cladding (layering). "Clad cookware means that there is a copper or aluminum core for conducting heat sandwiched between two stainless sheets of metal," says Ronna Welsh of Purple Kale Kitchenworks. "The core conducts heat quickly and the outer layers are non-reactive and easy to maintain. The triple-ply makeup means the cookware is less likely to dent or warp over time and with use."
• Bottom disc: For the highest quality stainless steel cookware, it's best to choose options that don't have a disc on the bottom. "The disc often means that the cookware is reinforced only on the bottom, but not the sides of a pot or pan," says Welsh. "The best cookware is clad throughout, so the sides conduct and retain heat as evenly as the bottom."
• Pieces in a set: While the number of pieces in a set of cookware is personal preference, pay attention to which types of pots and pans the set includes. "I would say the most minimal set, for one to two people, should include a 2-quart pot, a 4-quart pot, and an 8-inch sauté pan. From there, you can add on a 10-quart rondeau, an 8-quart pot, and a 10-inch sauté pan," says Ziata.

With all of these factors in mind, we're sharing the best stainless steel cookware to shop now.