Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware Review: Which Line Is Best?

If you're shopping for affordable clad stainless steel cookware, Cuisinart should be on your radar. There are several lines, and they're not all great, but a few of the Cuisinart stainless is excellent quality and worth consideration.

This in-depth review will help you understand the differences between Cuisinart's clad stainless steel cookware lines. We discuss heating, safety, design, durability, buying options, value, and also include basic info about what to look for in clad stainless cookware. 

Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware at a Glance

Here's a quick look at Cuisinart's clad stainless steel cookware lines. An asterisk indicates lines we recommend.

All lines of Cuisinart stainless steel cookware are made in China except the French Classic, which is made in France.

Be sure to check both sites for prices because they can vary quite a bit; some are higher on Amazon and some are higher at Walmart, and this can change.

Prices are approximate and subject to change. 

NOTE: Table may not be visible in mobile view.

NOTE: We are leaving the Hammered and Copper Tri-Ply in the table, but we are removing the detailed reviews because they've been discontinued.

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About Cuisinart

Cuisinart began as the maker of the first-ever food processor in the early 1970s. The food processor was an instant success, and the Cuisinart company was born.

Cuisinart was sold to Conair--the blow dryer company--in 1989, after which they expanded into small kitchen appliances and cookware. Conair still owns Cuisinart today, and cookware is now a large segment of their business. They have dozens cookware lines, including different lines of clad stainless, nonstick, enameled cast iron, and more. 

Conair generates about $2 billion in yearly revenue and has more than 3,500 employees. Their headquarters are in Stamford, Connecticut. Most of their products are manufactured in China, including all cookware, except the French Classic cookware (reviewed below), which is made in France. 

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Fully Clad Stainless Steel Cookware: What It Is and What Makes It Great 

Fully clad stainless steel cookware is made by fusing ("cladding") two or more different metals together. This takes advantage of the best attributes of each metal: durable stainless steel on the outside, heat-spreading aluminum (or copper) on the inside. 

In a fully clad configuration, the aluminum heating core extends throughout the pan. 

The most common fully clad cookware has 3 layers, called tri-ply, with exterior layers of stainless that sandwich heat-spreading aluminum, as shown here:

Today you can also find multi-ply cookware, with 4, 5, or even 7 layers of cladding. Cuisinart offers a 5-ply line called Custom Clad 5 Ply, reviewed below.

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Disc-Clad Cookware (What to Know Before You Buy)

Some stainless steel cookware is disc-clad, also called bottom-clad or impact-bonded. Disc-clad cookware has sides that are a single layer of steel with a steel-encapsulated aluminum disc welded to the bottom.

Because heat comes only from the bottom, a good disc design has to have a much thicker layer than full cladding: a 4-6mm thick disc is common on good quality brands. A good disc-clad design also covers the entire pan bottom and extends slightly up the sides of the pan, as shown in this diagram from Demeyere (makers of top quality disc-clad cookware):

A bad disc-clad design has a too-small and too-thin disc, as shown here:

In general, most disc clad cookware is cheaper than fully clad cookware and does not have a disc thick enough to provide even heating. So if you're looking at a line of cookware and wondering why it's so much cheaper than another brand, chances are it's disc clad. 

Most of Cuisinart's stainless cookware is disc clad, with varying degrees of quality. Chef's Classic has a small, thin disc with mediocre heating performance. However, their Professional Series has a thicker, wraparound configuration that actually provides decent heating. 

Should you buy disc-clad cookware? It's fine for pots you use for liquids, like stock pots and sauce pans. It's not a good choice for skillets, which perform best with full cladding.

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Is Cuisinart Stainless Steel 18/10?

At one time, Cuisinart advertised their Multiclad Pro as 18/10 steel. They've stopped using this term on their website for any of their clad stainless lines, though it is still described as 18/10 on some retail sites. Today Cuisinart doesn't specify what steel they use. This could mean they've stopped using 18/10 steel, but we don't know for sure. We've done quite a bit of research, including asking Cuisinart, but still don't have a definite answer. 

This likely means that Cuisinart is no longer using 18/10 steel. It's possible that they're using 18/0 throughout rather than just on the bottom for induction compatibility, or a lower grade of stainless like 18/4. But through years of use, our Multiclad Pro skillet has remained looking great, as much so as our All-Clad pans. Both 18/4 and 18/0 are less corrosion resistant than 18/10, but they are still quite corrosion resistant. So whether or not it's 18/10 doesn't matter all that much, especially at this affordable price point.

How to Choose Cookware (The 6 Important Attributes) 

When we research cookware, we look at six attributes: heating, durability, stability/safety, ease of care, design/usabiity, and value. 

It's a simple system that will help you choose the right cookware.

Heating Properties

Assuming safety, good heating is the most important attribute because cookware is used to heat (cook) food. In general, the better the heating, the more expensive the cookware.

The two important aspects of heating in cookware are thermal conductivity and heat retention.

Thermal conductivity measures how even cookware heats. Every cookware material has a specific thermal conductivity rating. Copper is the highest thermal, aluminum is second, cast iron is a distant third. Because copper is so expensive, most cookware is aluminum (or has an aluminum heating core). 

Good thermal conductivity also means a pan is responsive to temperature changes, meaning that it will heat and cool quickly. This is most important for delicate foods like fish, egg-based sauces, and candies.

Heat retention measures how well cookware retains heat. It's especially important for tasks like pan searing and deep frying, where the ability to hold heat produces better results.

Every cookware material has a heat retention rating. Cast iron is the highest, then carbon steel, then stainless steel. Copper and aluminum have poor heat retention (because they have high thermal conductivity). 

However, heat retention depends on both material and mass: a thick pan (or disc) has better heat retention than a thin one, whatever the material. So a thick copper or aluminum pan will have both attributes: good thermal conductivity and good heat retention.

All cookware is a compromise between thermal conductivity and heat retention. Copper and aluminum are on the responsive end of the spectrum; cast iron and carbon steel are on the opposite end because they hold onto heat. Clad stainless steel is in the middle: the aluminum heating core provides good thermal conductivity, and the stainless steel provides heat retention. 

Good quality clad stainless steel is the best choice for overall versatility; it has good conductivity and decent heat retention, as well as being durable and safe. 

There's more to it, but this is a good overview. With this basic understanding of heating properties and which materials do what, you can look for cookware that best suits your needs.

Rating system: Heating varies greatly among brands, even of the same type of cookware. Only a few select brands get 5 stars from us for heating, and they are the most expensive, and usually heaviest, brands on the market. 

Durability

Durability refers to how much use and abuse cookware can take. Most people want cookware that can stand up to hard use (which is why nonstick cookware ads are constantly talking about durability; people want to believe there's such a thing as tough nonstick cookware--but there really isn't, especially when compared to clad stainless, cast iron, and carbon steel.)

Good quality clad stainless steel cookware is extremely durable. It stands up to high heat, metal utensils, abrasive cleaners, and more, and it will last for decades and stay looking shiny new.

Rating system: Nearly all brands of clad stainless get a 5 star rating for durability. Exceptions are extremely cheap brands that use inferior grades of steel that are more prone to corrosion and rusting.

Stability/Safety

Stability is about how reactive cookware is, with food, water, and the environment. 

The more stable (non-reactive) a pan's cooking surface is, the safer it is to use because it won't break down or leach toxins into your food.

Clad stainless steel cookware wins this category: it is extremely stable, non-reactive cookware, which also makes it very safe.

To read more about safe cookware, see our article Safe Cookware: The Definitive Guide to Healthy, Nontoxic Cookware.

Rating system: Nearly all brands of clad stainless get a 5 star rating for stability/safety. Exceptions are cheap brands that use inferior grades of steel.

Ease of Care

Here we look at routine maintenance. Does the cookware wash up easily (like nonstick)? Does it require polishing to stay beautiful (like copper)? Can you toss it in the dishwasher? Do you have to use special utensils or avoid high heat? Does it have a list of finicky care requirements? 

Clad stainless steel cookware can be sticky when not used properly (see our section on use below), but overall, it's easy to care for when you do know how to use it.

When you do get a sticky, messy pan, you can soak it in hot soapy water and scrub with abrasive cleansers or pads to get it clean. 

Contrary to popular belief (and reviews from people who don't know how to use it properly), stainless cookware isn't hard to care for.

Rating system: Only nonstick cookware gets 5 stars for ease of care. Clad stainless tends to be right in the middle at 3 stars.

Design/Usability

Design and usability are about how cookware looks and how easy it is to use. 

First, aesthetics: They matter. Beautiful cookware is a joy to use, and ugly cookware is not. You not only eat with your eyes first, you prepare food with your eyes first. The beauty of your cookware set can affect how much you enjoy your time in the kitchen. 

Second, and equally important, is usability: Is the cookware light and maneuverable--or heavy and well-performing, depending on your personal preference? Are the handles comfortable and do they help you stabilize full pans? Are the pan shapes functional (especially the skillets)? Do the lids fit well (and are preferably stainless over glass)? 

Pastel cookware is fashionable now, but stainless steel (or copper) cookware will be fashionable forever, and go with any decor. You really can't go wrong with the aesthetics of stainless steel cookware.

Design is subjective, but be sure any cookware you buy works for you (e.g., right weight, comfortable handles, good pan shapes, and has whatever other features you want).

Rating system: Ratings can vary widely for design and usability, with no standard because each line needs to be considered and tested individually.

Value

We measure value by cost-per-year-of-use, so you're not just looking at initial cost, but how much the cookware costs over its life span. For example, aluminum nonstick cookware is inexpensive (or should be), but has an average life span of 1-5 years. 

A good quality set of clad stainless steel cookware is a bigger initial investment, but it will last for decades. This makes the cost-per-year-of-use low; in most cases, lower than the inexpensive nonstick cookware that you have to replace every couple of years.

You can figure in the warranty, too. Cookware should come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, meaning the maker will replace any pan that breaks due to faulty workmanship. A lot of people think this applies to a nonstick coating, but it almost never does because nonstick coatings are expected to wear out in a few years, plus it's almost impossible to prove that the coating wore out due to a manufacturer defect rather than normal wear and tear.

Cuisinart stainless has a lifetime warranty. This cookware holds up well, but if a piece does warp, rust, or break, Cuisinart will replace it free of charge. 

The upshot here is that if you invest in good quality cookware, you will spend less in the long run, even if you spend more initially. Also, you want to buy a known brand with a good warranty to protect yourself in case something does go wrong. No-name brands are always a risk for honoring the warranty.

Rating system: We don't just look at price, we look at cost-per-year-of-use. So a $40 dollar pan isn't always a better deal than a $400 pan. When deciding on a budget for cookware, longevity and durability should be major factors.

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Sets Vs. Individual Pieces: Which Is Best?

Sets can a good choice, depending on your situation. If you're just starting out, you may need everything, and a set is the best way to get the most pieces at the best price. If you already own cookware, you may want to focus on adding to your collection with a new piece or two.

We recommend small sets over large sets. Large sets can have filler pieces--that is, smallish pieces that you won't get a lot of use from. 

For example, if a set comes with two sauce pans, they should be a 1.5 quart and a 3 quart, not a 1.5 quart and a 2 quart, which are too close in size to provide the versatility you want from a set. A 3 quart sauce pan should be a given in any set as it's the most versatile size: large enough to boil half a pound of pasta, but small enough that you can heat up a can of soup. Anything smaller isn't versatile enough for a single sauce pan.

Another thing to think about is that when you buy a set, you're not going to get every piece you need, no matter how big the set is. So a small set with the basics--say, a 10-12" skillet, a 3 quart sauce pan, and a stock pot--is a good option. You can add to the set with the pieces you want without feeling bad about having a bunch of pieces you don't use. 

Individual pieces cost more, but you'll get exactly what you want and nothing you don't want. Here's a list of the great pieces you can get if you go with individual pieces over sets:

• A good quality clad stainless skillet (one of the best places to invest your cookware dollar)
• A cast iron skillet
• An enameled cast iron Dutch oven (one of the most versatile pieces of cookware)
• A stock pot in the size you want
• A roasting pan or baking pan
• A few baking sheets, which serve myriad purposes (e.g., one pan meals, baking cookies, catching drips, roasting fish and chicken, and much more).

Tips for Buying Cookware Sets

• Always check pot sizes (they are often smaller than you think)
• Make sure you'll use all the pieces in the set--if you won't, buy a smaller set, or individual pieces 
• Check different sellers to make sure you're getting the best deal. Prices change all the time! So check a few places to make sure you're getting a fair deal. You can often get a discount by signing up for a credit card or website notifications.
• Work the cost of extra pieces into your budget, because no set has everything. 
• Avoid sets that have everything but the kitchen sink; utensils, mixing bowls, and knives tend to be mediocre quality when included in a cookware set. 
• Remember that you don't have to spend a fortune to get good quality, though you should read reviews and educate yourself so you can get what you want without overspending.

See also our Stainless Steel Cookware Set Buying Guide.

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Using and Caring For Clad Stainless Steel Cookware

There's a technique to cooking on clad stainless, and once you have it figured out, you'll find that it's not as difficult to maintain as you may think. 

To cook with stainless steel:

• Turn on the heat and let the pan get hot before adding oil. 
• When the pan is hot, add oil, butter, or cooking spray. You only need enough to coat the bottom. Let it heat for several seconds or until oil is shimmering.
• When the oil is shimmering, add food (if it's smoking, it's too hot and you should start over because the oil has burned). The hot oil forms a barrier so your food won't stick as much and also helps create that wonderful fond that adds so much flavor (see Maillard reaction for more info on this).
• Let the food cook undisturbed until it forms a crust. It will release from the pan naturally, without sticking. Flip the food and again leave it alone until it releases naturally. 
• After cooking, you can de-glaze the pan with water, stock, or wine to remove the fond from the pan and make a delicious pan sauce. This not only improves your meal, but also removes most of the goop from the pan, making it easier to wash. 

For those rare times you have a sticky mess, let your pan soak in hot soapy water, then use a scrubby pad and/or some Barkeeper's Friend to remove the mess.

Other methods: Some people swear by seasoning stainless steel, but we haven't found that it matters all that much. You can also learn how to use the Leidenfrost Effect, which is about the heat setting: if you get it right, you can cook any food in stainless without sticking, and without any oil or butter. The drawback is that the temperature is pretty high, about 380F (different sources have different temps), so it's easy to burn food, especially eggs. 

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*Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Cookware Review

See Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Cookware on Amazon (several buying options)

See Cuisinart Multiclad Pro cookware at WalMart (several buying options)

12 piece set about $220

Multiclad Pro is Cuisinart's flagship clad cookware line. It's a straight-up knockoff of All-Clad D3, so quite close in construction and performance. The main difference is the price: it will set you back a fraction of the All-Clad: a 12 piece set of Multiclad Pro is about $220, while a 10 piece set of All-Clad D3 is about $700.

Multiclad Pro is available in two set sizes--7 piece and 12 piece--and also as individual pieces (open stock). You will find the best variety of pieces on Amazon, or possibly on the Cuisinart site, although prices can be higher there.

Sets include:

Several individual pieces are available, as well.

Features

Features of Multiclad Pro:

• 3 ply stainless-aluminum-stainless
• 2.6mm thick w/1.7mm aluminum heating core
• Brushed magnetic stainless exterior for induction compatibility
• Almost identical construction to All-Clad tri-ply
• Stainless lids (some pieces may now have glass lids)
• Drip-free lips
• Cool grip handles
• Oven safe to 550F (including lids)
• Dishwasher safe (though we recommend hand washing all cookware)
• Induction compatible
• Helper handles on large pieces
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Made in China.

Heating

At 2.6mm, Cuisinart Multiclad Pro cookware has the same thickness as All-Clad tri-ply. This means you can expect similar performance, which means even heating and decent heat retention. Most cooks won't notice a difference between Multiclad Pro and All-Clad D3. This isn't as good as some other brands of stainless cookware, such as Demeyere, so 4 stars is our standard rating for All-Clad and its knockoffs.

Durability

The pans resist corrosion, rusting, and pitting.

The one thing some users complain about is warping: if you change temperature abruptly--say, by running water into a hot pan--your pan could warp. We tried to make this happen several times, and couldn't get any of the MultiClad Pro pans we tested to warp. 

If your pans do rust, corrode, or warp, you can get them replaced for free due to the lifetime warranty (which Cuisinart has a reputation for honoring).

Stability/Safety

Like most clad stainless pans, Multiclad Pro has a very safe, stable cooking surface.

Ease of Care

We give stainless cookware an average rating for ease of care, and add or subtract for specific features (such as if a set contains a nonstick pan, which will increase our rating). So Multiclad Pro is average for ease of use and cleaning: not as easy as nonstick, but not difficult to clean if you know how to use stainless cookware.

Design (Usability and Aesthetics)

Multiclad Pro cookware has really nice design, especially for an affordable brand. A lot of people actually prefer it to All-Clad.

All the pieces have lips for drip-free pouring. 

The handles are flat, with rounded edges and a slight groove for easy grip:

They're also split where they attach to the pan, allowing for air flow, which keeps handles cool.

Larger pieces like the 12-inch frying pan have a helper handle for easier handling. 

The shape of the skillets is great too, with a lot of flat cooking surface.

The stainless steel lids are great, and rarely seen on cookware at this price.

Overall, Multiclad Pro is a very pretty, very functional cookware set.

Set pieces: Set pieces are average, with standard sized skillets and sauce pans. The 8 quart stock pot is a large piece that's pretty useful; although larger stock pots are nice if you make a lot of stock or bone broth, but 8 quarts is typically the largest size you'll get in a set, with 6 quarts being much more common.

Value

Cuisinart Multiclad Pro is one of the best deals you're going to find on good quality clad stainless steel cookware. Remember, this line is comparable to All-Clad D3, which is not true of most stainless cookware at this price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent price
• Very good quality
• Limited lifetime warranty.

Cons 

• Some reviewers reported issues with warping, though we had no problems in testing.

How Does Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Compare to All-Clad D3?

All-Clad's tri-ply patent expired in 2004, so makers began to copy their D3 line in hopes of breaking into the clad stainless steel cookware market. Today, there are hundreds of clad cookware brands on the market competing with All-Clad D3. Most of them aren't as good, a few are better, and just a handful are about the same.

Cuisinart's D3 knock-off is Multiclad Pro, and it's one of the few brands similar in construction and performance to All-Clad D3. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to All-Clad D3 and don't mind cookware made in China, Cuisinart Multiclad Pro one of the best options available.

Many people prefer the handles of MultiClad-Pro over D3 handles, and the skillet shape is also good, with more flat cooking surface than the D3 skillet.

The main negative we've seen in product reviews is that the skillets can warp, so be careful to avoid abrupt temperature changes.

Recommendation

If you're looking for a set nearly identical to All-Clad D3, Multiclad Pro is one of your best options, and at a fraction of the price.

Highly recommended.

buy cuisinart multiclad pro cookware:

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*Cuisinart French Classic Cookware Review

See Cuisinart French Classic Cookware on Amazon (several buying options)

See Cuisinart French Classic Cookware at Wal-Mart

10 piece set about $300

13 piece set about $400

French Classic is a fancier version of Multiclad Pro that's made in France. This is reflected in the price, as it is Cuisinart's most expensive tri-ply clad cookware line. Even so, it is still affordable.

French Classic has a different aesthetic than Multiclad Pro, with swoopier handles and French skillets instead of regular frying pans: French skillets are a bit taller with slightly straighter sides than a regular skillet; think of them as a cross between a skillet and a sauté pan.

If you prefer the design to Multiclad Pro, or want cookware that's not made in China, Cuisinart French Classic offers identical performance.

Unfortunately, the sauce pans in the sets are on the small side at 2 quarts in the 10 piece set and 1.5 quarts/2.5 quarts in the 13 piece set. A 3 quart sauce pan should be included in both sets. 

The sets include:

You can also buy French Classic as individual pieces. We especially like the 12-inch skillet.

Features

• 3 ply stainless-aluminum-stainless
• 2.6mm thick.
• Closest to All Clad D3 (like Multiclad Pro)
• Stainless lids
• Cool grip handles
• Oven safe to 500F (including lids)
• High polish finish (makes for easier cleaning)
• Dishwasher safe (though we recommend hand washing all cookware)
• Induction compatible 
• Helper handles on large pieces
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Made in France.

Heating

French Classic is basically Multiclad Pro with a different design, so the heating properties are some of the best to be found among affordable clad stainless cookware. It's not as good as Demeyere, which is thicker and heavier, but it's among the best you can buy.

Durability

The durability is excellent.

We let pans sit for several hours with water in them, used generous amounts of salt and acids in cooking, and had no issues at all with the cookware. It cleaned up well and looked like new.

The vast majority of product reviews (on Amazon and elsewhere) support our testing. However, a small percentage of buyers reported warping, rusting, discoloration, and a few other quality issues. 

If your pans do rust, corrode, or warp, these are manufacturing issues, so you can get them replaced for free under the lifetime warranty. 

Stability/Safety

French Classic pans are stable and non-reactive, like all good quality stainless cooware, so they're a safe surface to cook on. Salts and acidic foods can cause some discoloration, but the cookware itself is stable and won't leach unhealthy particles into your food. 

Ease of Care

Stainless steel is not the easiest surface to clean; that honor goes to nonstick cookware. However, the French Classic cookware cleaned up as well as any stainless steel cookware we've tested. The reason for this is the high polish finish which creates a smooth surface. Right now brushed exteriors are popular because they hide wear and imperfections, but for ease of cleaning, the more polished the finish, the better. 

Remember that if you use the right cooking techniques, cleanup can be easy (see above). 

Design (Usability and Aesthetics)

French Classic is generally considered Cuisinart's prettiest line of clad stainless steel cookware. The high polish and the long swoopy handles give these pans a fancy, expensive feel.

Some drawbacks: Cuisinart French Classic does not have grooved lips for drip-free pouring, and they do drip a bit. 

You can buy a French Classic skillet or nonstick French Classic skillet, which have lips. But none of the other pieces in this line, including the sauce pans, have lips. 

The handles are squarish and have an indentation to help with grip:

Like all Cuisinart cookware, handles are split at the pan for air flow to help keep the handle relatively cool to the touch. They are quite tall, which helps to keep them cool, but some users hate this because they find them harder to handle. It's something you should be aware of as you first use the pans so if it turns out you hate the tall handles, you can return the cookware.

Helper handles on the larger pieces are great features. The stainless steel lids are also excellent.

The French Classic skillets have more sloped than the skillets in the Multiclad Pro set, providing less flat cooking surface--also a drawback, but the difference is slight, so if you like the set, it probably isn't a deal breaker.

Set Piece Sizes: The 8 qt stock pot is nice, but the 2 qt sauce pan and 4.5 qt Dutch oven are on the small side. The 8-in./10-in. skillets are standard, but we prefer a 12-inch, which you'll have to buy separately. This is standard for Cuisinart cookware sets, though, so we don't deduct points for it. If you go with the 13 piece set, the steamer is a nice addition.

Value

For a beautiful set of tri-ply cookware that's made in France, the price of French Classic is quite reasonable. The set should last for decades, so your cost-per-year-of-use is low.

Cuisinart French Classic Cookware Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful
• Good quality
• Made in France (not China)
• Limited lifetime warranty.

Cons 

• More expensive than nearly identical Multiclad Pro
• Set pieces are on the small side
• No lips for drip-free pouring.

Recommendation

If you want a fancier version of Cuisinart Multiclad Pro or a set not made in China, the French Classic is the way to go.

Highly recommended. 

BUY CUISINART french classic cookware:

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*Cuisinart Professional Series Cookware Review

See Cuisinart Professional Series Cookware on Amazon (several buying options)

See Cuisinart Professional Series at Wal-Mart

11 piece set about $160

Cuisinart Professional Series costs a little more than the super-economical Chef's Classic line (reviewed below), but less than a fully clad line like Multiclad Pro. Professional's disc cladding is "wraparound," meaning the disc reaches up the side of the pan slightly, which is what you want is disc clad cookware (see above for more on disc cladding). 

The thick aluminum base with the wraparound design makes for great, even heating cookware. 

The 8-inch skillet in both sets is nonstick, which we consider a drawback. Both sets include a steamer insert, a really useful piece.

We wish there was a smaller set option available, and a set without a nonstick skillet. Plus, sets this large should have a 12 inch skillet included. But overall the pieces in both sets are functional and will probably all get use by most cooks. 

Features

Features of Cuisinart Professional Series cookware:

• "Wraparound" disc cladding with thick aluminum base (minimizes heating discontinuity)
• Glass lids
• Cool grip handles
• Oven safe to 500F (glass lids oven safe to 350F)
• High polish finish (makes for easier cleaning)
• Dishwasher safe (though we recommend hand washing all cookware)
• Induction compatible
• Helper handles on large pieces
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Made in China.

Heating

The Cuisinart Professional Series has a wraparound disc bottom. This design is similar to high-end disc-clad cookware like Demeyere Atlantis, but with an all aluminum encapsulated base. 

The thick, wraparound design minimizes the heat discontinuity found in most disc-clad cookware with a smaller, thinner disc (like Chef's Classic, below). 

The Cuisinart Professional Series is a strong competitor to the higher-end (and much more expensive) disc clad cookware. We deducted half a point for the disc cladding, but if you don't think this will bother you, you can consider this to have 4-star heating properties.

Durability

The stainless walls of the Professional line are thinner than many disc-clad cookware lines (0.6mm vs the standard 0.8mm). This doesn't affect heating performance, but makes the pans less durable. We had no issues with this in our testing, but are concerned about long term durability. On the plus side, these pans are lighter than other brands, yet still have great heating properties. 

We deducted some points for the thin walls and glass lids, but overall this is well made, durable cookware.

Stability/Safety

Being stainless steel, Professional Series pans are stable and non-reactive. Salts and acidic foods may cause some discoloration, but the cookware won't leach any unhealthy particles into your food. 

Overall, this is safe, stable cookware.

Ease of Care

We give stainless cookware an average rating for ease of care. The Professional Series cookware is as easy to wash as other clad stainless cookware, largely because of the high polish finish. 

Design (Usability and Aesthetics)

Professional Series has a utilitarian vibe, which might be why they call it "Professional."

Every piece has a grooved lip for drip-free pouring, which is great.

The handles are round and hollow:

They flatten out towards the pot, which allows for a safe, solid grip. While nothing fancy, everyone who tested these pots liked the handles. 

The strainer lid, found on the large sauce pan in the 11-piece set and on the Dutch oven in the 13-piece set, are nice touches.

We take off a point for the glass lids, as stainless lids are lighter and more durable. If you don't mind glass lids though (a lot of people like them), you can add half a point or so.

They're also on the thin side, so long term durability could be an issue. We had no problems during testing, but we're not sure how well these will hold up over time.

Set Piece Sizes: The 8 qt stock pot is nice, and we like that the sets come with a 3 qt sauce pan. The 8-in./10-in. skillets are standard, but a 12-inch skillet would be nice, especially in sets this large. In the smaller set you get a 3 qt sauté pan, while in the bigger set you get a 4qt sauté pan; we much prefer the 4 qt sauté pan.

The 5 qt. Dutch oven with the strainer lid in the larger set is great, and the steamer insert is an excellent piece.

Value

When you compare Cuisinart Professional Series to high-end disc-clad cookware like Demeyere Atlantis--which it was probably designed to compete with--the price makes it a no-brainer. 

We could have deducted half a point for the thin side walls, but we think at this price, these sets are really an excellent deal, even if they don't last quite as long as some other stainless lines. And if you have any issues, Cuisinart's lifetime warranty has you covered.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Wraparound disc cladding offers excellent heating
• Great price 
• Some great set pieces, especially in the larger set
• Open stock pieces available (Cuisinart has the most options).

Cons 

• Disc cladding won't provide the same performance as full cladding, esp. in skillets
• Glass lids.

Recommendation

If you want or can only afford disc-clad cookware, Cuisinart Professional Series is one of the best deals you'll find. Most inexpensive disc cookware has a small, thin disc that doesn't heat well (like Chef's Classic, reviewed below). This is not the case with Professional Series. The heating can compete with much more expensive disc clad brands, like Demeyere Atlantis.

If you want full cladding, go with the Multiclad Pro or French Classic.

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Cuisinart Chef's Classic Cookware Review

See Cuisinart Chef's Classic Cookware on Amazon

See Cuisinart Chef's Classic at Wal-Mart

11 piece set about $140

Chef's Classic is Cuisinart's sort of catch-all line, as it not only includes stainless cookware but also aluminum, anodized aluminum, nonstick, and enameled cast iron pieces.

We are only reviewing the stainless steel Chef's Classic, which is disc-clad and not one of our favorites. It is one of Cuisinart's most affordable and most inclusive lines of cookware, as you can find double boilers, roasting pans, woks, pasta pots, and other open stock pieces not available in Cuisinart's other cookware lines. 

Many retailers carry Chef's Classic, but Amazon and Wal-Mart have the best selection and the best prices. The sets and available pieces vary from site to site, so be sure to check both sites to make sure you're getting what you want.

These are the most popular sets:

You can also find a 14-piece set at Wal-Mart (about $220) and a 17-piece set on Amazon (about $180) that has a 12-inch skillet with a lid (great piece!). We don't normally recommend buying such large sets because you're bound to end up with filler pieces (i.e., small pieces that round out a set), but the 12-inch skillet w/lid is a nice piece--just make sure you'll use all the other pieces, or you're better off buying a large skillet separately.

Features

• Disc-clad aluminum base (the stainless steel line is induction compatible, but other lines may not be)
• Glass lids (though 11-piece set on Amazon has stainless lids in photo)
• Cool grip handles
• Oven safe to 500F (including lids)
• High polish finish (makes for easier cleaning)
• Induction compatible
• Dishwasher safe (though we recommend hand washing all cookware)
• Many open stock pieces available, as well as several colors
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Made in China.

Heating Properties

Chef's Classic has the typical too-small disc cladding found on inexpensive clad stainless cookware. Here's a diagram of Cuisinart Chef's Classic disc cladding:

As you can see, the cladding doesn't wrap around the bottom of the pan, as on the Professional Series (reviewed above). It is also a much thinner disc. These two factors add up to mediocre heating properties.

Our testing proved this to be true. The thermal discontinuity around the edges of the pans was frustrating, to say the least. Sure, you can alter your techniques to compensate for this (lots of stirring!), and it's mostly a factor with frying and sautéing and not such an issue with steaming and boiling, but it's still a pain.

If you want disc clad cookware, we recommend you go with the Professional Series.

Durability