All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set

All Clad is probably the best known brand among the listed manufacturers. The 9 piece set is priced at about $570 and has been very well reviewed at Amazon, averaging 4.59 out of 5, based on 53 reviews.

Pros:

Durable
Very high build quality
Easy to clean once you know how

Cons:

Uncomfortable handles
hard to clean
expensive $570.00

Amazon Stats:

ave rating 4.57 out of 5 based on 52 reviews
#14,678 in Home & Garden

CIA Masters Collection 7-Ply Copper Clad Stainless Steel 10 Piece Cookware Set

The CIA-Masters 10 piece set sell for about $510, making it a less costly alternative to the All Clad. These pans are heavy and well-made. Although there are only 5 reviews at Amazon, all but one reviewer gave them a 5 out of 5 rating. One reviewer has used both the All Clad and the CIA-Masters and prefers the CIA, based one better low-heat performance and superior handle design.

Pros:

Durable
Heavy
Great low-heat performance
Larger pans have a second “helper handle” for easy manuvering

Cons:

Heavy

Amazon Stats:

4.57 out of 5 based on 7 reviews
#18,925 in Home & Garden

J.A. Henckels International Classic Clad 10-Piece Cookware Set

The Henckels set is the most affordable, priced at just under $250 for the 10 piece set. Owners cited excellent low heat performance heavy quality construction. The few negative comments were actually regarding their non-stick line, the “Twin Cast”. The Classic Clad line featured here is does not have a non-stick surface.

Pros:

aesthetically appealing
comfortable handles
good low-heat performance
price
capacity markings on the inside of the pans

Cons:

hard to clean
non-stick surface comes off in their “Twin Cast” line (not featured here)

Amazon Stats:

ave rating 4.2 out of 5 based on 5 reviews
#347,101 seller in home and garden

If your looking for an induction cookware set that is prices between the All-Clad and the KitchenAid, the CIA 5 piece set is a good place to start. At just over $200, it is actually priced much closer to the KitchenAid and according to one reviewer, the quality compares favorably to the All-Clad. This set includes 1.5 quart and 3.5 quart saucepans as well as a 10 inch saute pan. This appears to be a relatively new brand but based on early reviews the quality is first rate. In fact several reviewers actually chose the CIA Master Collection brand over the highly rated All-Clad. Also available is a 7 piece set that sells for $400 and a 10 piece for about $510. (more…)

If your looking for a more affordable alternative to All-Clad, the CIA Masters Collection of induction compatible stainless steel cookware sets are a good place to start. Several reviewers actually preferred the features and design of the CIA Masters Collection pans to the more expensive All-Clad. This set comes with a 10 inch saute pan, an 8 inch saute, a one quart saucepan as well as a 3 quart sauce pans and 8 quart stock pot. This set sells for just under $510. Also available are a 7 piece set selling for $400 and a 5 piece set at just over $200. This line was designed by master chefs at the renowned Culinary Institute, and all sells benefit their scholarship fund. (more…)

According to the manufacturers literature this is a commercial grade cooktop, which could explain the premium price of $170. However the one reviewer did rave about the performance and compared it to the $500 Viking induction cooktop.
A nice feature is the adjustable thermostat that is calibrated by temperature (you can set between 140 and 390 degrees) and the power level can also be set (settings between 1 and 10). There is also a timer that is adjustable from 5 to 120 minutes. (more…)

If your looking for a less expensive alternative to the All Clad Stainless cookware set, the KitchenAid is one of the few other stainless steel cookware sets that is induction compatible. Priced at about $150, its currently priced at 50% of retail. Although attractive and very substantial in weight, some buyers did report leaks where the handles were riveted to the pan body.

Our large set is the best way to invest in pans. This set is made for cooks who appreciate beauty and performance. With big pans like an 8 Qt. stockpot you’ll be ready to entertain. Made of stainless steel and an aluminum/copper core it heats evenly.

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Considered the key piece of the All Clad product line, the 12″ frying pan always proves to be one of the most used pans in most kitchens. The pan lists for $180, and usually sells at Amazon for $120 without the lid. It is currently on special at Amazon for $89.95 (lid included).

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It turns out that there are actually several types of stainless steel, and one variety is actually magnetic. The magnetic stainless is made without Nichol. This is known as 18/0 stainless, with the 0 indicating the lack of nickel in its composition. The stainless alloy with the nickel is typically 18/10. Adding to the confusion is that many cookware sets are made in a sandwich configuration, and in some cases both magnetic and non-magnetic stainless are used in the same piece. The best and easiest way to determine if your stainless cookware is induction ready is to simple take a common refrigerator magnet and see if it sticks to the bottom surface of the pan (the surface that is in contact with the cooking element, not the food). If it sticks, then the pan is induction ready. It’s really no more complicated than that. By the way the All Clad Stainless Cookware line is one product line that has been confirmed to be induction ready.

An inexpensive induction ready pan is the old cast iron fry pan. Being made of ferrous material, it qualifies as magnetic, and if you have on already, it provides you with an easy way to try out induction cooking. All that is needed is to purchase a portable induction cooktop, starting at around $75.

A quick boiled egg, a bowl of soup and sauces for seafood, poultry and meat all require the right pan such as this 1.5-qt. stainless sauce pan. The All-Clad stainless piece has three layers of metal bonded together. The aluminum core covers the sides and bottom so heat passes evenly throughout the pan. An extended handle slopes up and away from pan to remain cool to your touch. Safe for use on glass/ceramic stoves.

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Amazon.com
Even with a busy schedule, you can still enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals thanks to this easy-to-use oval-shaped slow cooker. Simply add ingredients to the unit’s black ceramic pot, insert the pot into the cooker, and set the 26-hour programmable timer. After a long day at work or a busy day of weekend errands, dinner will be ready and waiting. Perfect for soups, casseroles, pot roasts, curries, and more, its large 6-1/2-quart capacity works great for single-person meals (more…)