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.

BUY CUISINART Professional series COOKWARE:

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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

In our testing we did not see any noticeable corrosion, rusting, or pitting, but we deducted some points for customer complaints about staining and denting.

We also deducted for the glass lids (a telltale mark of cheap clad stainless cookware).

Stability/Safety

Chef's Classic stainless steel cookware is going to hold up and not be reactive with food. It is a safe choice for cookware.

Ease of Care

Chef's Classic gets average ratings for ease of care. Being stainless, it can be sticky, but it's also not terrible when used properly. Like all stainless cookware, we give it an average rating.

Design (Usability and Aesthetics)

We don't like the thin disc or the glass lids (they're not as durable as stainless), but the cookware gets good reviews on Amazon, so these aren't issues for a lot of users.

The mediocre disc cladding is kind of a deal breaker for us--but everything else about this cookware is adequate, so we gave it an average rating for design.

Set Pieces: Every set comes with a small (1.5 qt) sauce pan, which is really small. The rest of the pieces are good. The 8 qt stock pot is nice, and the steamer insert is a great piece. You may have to supplement with a larger skillet, but other than that, you get a lot of useful pieces in the Chef's Classic sets. 

Value

Being on the bottom end of the clad stainless market, Chef's Classic may deserve a 5-star rating for value. However, because of its mediocre heating properties, we just don't like this cookware very much. We prefer the Professional Series line because for about the same price, it has much better heating. Cheapest isn't always the best value.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• A lot of buying options, including several open stock pieces not found in other Cuisinart cookware lines.

Cons 

• Mediocre heating properties (too-small disc cladding)
• Not induction compatible 
• Not as durable as many other clad stainless brands
• Made in China.

Recommendation

Even if you're on a tight budget, you can do better than Chef's Classic. For higher quality and better heating, spend a little more and get the Professional Series, or a little more yet and get the fully-clad Multiclad Pro (both reviewed above).

On the other hand, if you don't care about matching cookware and want to save on pieces that don't need to have good heating properties--stock pots and roasting pans, for example--Chef's Classic pieces are a decent option. The mediocre heating isn't much of a drawback for these pieces, and you can save a lot by going with a less expensive line--then invest that money in durable skillets, sauce pans, and sauté pans.

BUY CUISINART chef's CLASSIC COOKWARE:

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Custom Clad 5 Ply

See all buying options on Amazon

See all buying options at Walmart

About $430 for a 10 piece set

This is one of Cuisinart's most expensive line and probably has replaced Multiclad Pro as their flagship line. Having 5 layers of cladding would make you think it's thicker and heavier than Multiclad Pro. However, much like All-Clad D3 and D5, the 5-ply pans are about the same thickness and weight at their tri-ply lines. So you're not really getting a lot more performance, yet you're paying a lot more than for Cuisinart's tri-ply lines.

We like this cookware. It performs well, it's durable, it has some great pieces, such as an 11" skillet, a 4.5 quart sauté pan, and an 8 quart stock pot, and it's really a great looking set. There are a few open stock pieces available too, like a 12-inch skillet (about $80) and an 8-inch skillet without nonstick coating (about $40). But it's a lot more expensive without offering much improvement in performance over the Multiclad Pro (if any). Furthermore, the small skillet is nonstick, which is a bad piece in a stainless set because the nonstick coating wears out long before the pan body (like, decades before). 

10 Piece set includes:

• 8-inch nonstick skillet
• 11-inch stainless skillet
• 2 qt sauce pan w/lid
• 4 qt sauce pan w/lid
• 4.5 qt sauté pan w/lid
• 8 qt stock pot w/lid.

Features

• Fully clad 5 ply stainless
• 3 internal layers of aluminum
• Stainless lids
• Straight sides
• Flat, stay cool handles
• Induction compatible
• Some open stock buying options
• Made in China.

Heating

Heating is even and heat retention is pretty good--as good as All-Clad D3. But you can get the same heating from Multiclad Pro for a lot less. If you love the looks of this set and can afford it, you won't be disappointed, but you're not getting a lot more for a considerably higher price.

Durability

Stainless steel is some of the most durable cookware you can buy, so Custom Clad 5 Ply gets 5 stars, as does all good quality stainless cookware.

Stability/Safety

Stainless steel is extremely stable and safe to cook on, so Custom Clad 5 Ply gets 5 stars here.

Ease of Care

Stainless cookware gets an average rating for ease of care because it's not as easy as nonstick, but not as hard as copper cookware or seasoning cast iron. We sometimes add or deduct points based on certain aspects of the cookware, and because of the small nonstick skillet in this set, we added half a star for ease of care--but nonstick is a bad idea on stainless cookware because it doesn't last, so the half star increase here is not an indication that we like this cookware.

Design 

The Custom Clad 5 Ply is beautiful cookware. The set pieces are large (an 11" skillet! 4.5 quart sauté pan! 4 quart sauce pan! 8 quart stock pot!), which is great. The handles are flat, comfortable to hold, and provide excellent grip. The straight sides are great, and the skillets have a lot of flat cooking surface.

We hate the nonstick coating on the small skillet, though, so we could only give this a slightly above average rating. 

Set Pieces: As we said, the set pieces are excellent, other than the nonstick pan. And you can add to your set with open stock pieces like a 12 inch skillet and a non-nonstick 8 inch skillet. Being able to do this is always a good thing.

Value

The Custom Clad costs quite a bit more than Multiclad Pro and more than the French Classic, as well, but the performance is about the same. This is good quality cookware, but probably not worth the added cost unless you fall in love with the design and have the budget for it.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Full cladding/even heating and good heat retention
• Piece sizes are large (11" skillet, 8 qt stock pot)
• Safe and durable
• Great looks and durability
• Open stock pieces available.

Cons 

• Small skillet is nonstick
• More expensive than tri-ply lines without adding much to the performance.

Recommendation

Custom Clad 5 Ply is great looking cookware, but it doesn't offer much Multiclad Pro. If you have the budget, we prefer the French Classic over this cookware (and French Classic is less).

However, if you fall in love with the looks (the handles are great, the design overall is great) of Custom Clad and can afford it, it's not a terrible choice. It will provide decades of solid performance. 

BUY CUISINART 5 pLY COOKWARE:

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Contour

See the Contour 13 piece set on Amazon

See the Contour 13 piece set at Walmart

About $210 for the 13 piece set

The Contour set is named for swoopy (contoured) sides on the pots, with the base being slightly wider than the rims. The skillets and sauté pan look much like Multiclad Pro pans, but with a disc clad bottom rather than full cladding. The handles are also similar to MC Pro design (a good thing).

Contoured sides are pretty, but we prefer straight sides because they're easier to use, clean, and stack. However, the contours on this set are subtle, so they won't have a huge effect on any of these things.

The disc clad bottom is much like the Chef's Classic: too small and too thin to provide good heating. 

The 13 piece set includes:

• 8 inch Skillet
• 10 inch Skillet
• 1.5 qt sauce pan w/lid
• 2.5 qt sauce pan w/lid
• 3 qt sauté pan w/lid
• 4 qt Dutch oven w/lid
• 8 qt stock pot w/lid
• Steamer insert (fits 8 stock pot)

Features

• Disc clad stainless
• Contoured pot bodies
• Oven safe to 500F/Lids oven safe to 350F
• Flat tempered glass lids
• Induction compatible
• 13 pc set only buying option
• Made in China.

Heating

The disc bottom is too small and too thin. Heating can be uneven and they retain heat poorly. Cuisinart makes lines with thicker discs, so there's no reason for this thin disc, especially at this price. Any other disc clad line from Cuisinart, except Chef's Classic, is a better choice (with Professional being the best). 

Durability 

Stainless cookware gets 5 stars for durability but we deducted a point for the glass lids and thin disc bottoms.

Stability/Safety

Stainless cookware is the safest, most stable cookware you can buy, so regardless of its flaws, the Contour line gets 5 stars for safety and stability.

Ease of Care

We give stainless cookware an average rating for ease of care, and the Contour line gives us no reason to deviate from this. The grooved pot sides may not be quite as easy to use and clean, but the grooves are so subtle that they don't really detract anything.

Design

We like the looks of this cookware, and the handles are great. But the mediocre heating prevents us from giving Contour more than an average rating.

Set pieces: Eh. The 1.5-qt/2.5-qt sauce pans, 3-qt. sauté pan, and 4 quart Dutch oven are small, The 8"/10" skillets are standard, and the 8 quart stock pot with steamer insert are great. So many of the set pieces are on the small side.

Value

The price, about $210 for a 13 piece set, is not unreasonable--until you compare it with some of Cuisinart's Professional line, which cost less yet has a thicker disc bottom for much better heating. Other sets have larger pieces, too.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Pretty
• Steamer insert is a great piece
• 8 quart stock pot is a good piece.

Cons 

• Mediocre heating (too-small disc cladding)
• Some of the set pieces are small
• Not as durable as many other clad stainless brands.

Recommendation

Cuisinart Contour is another mediocre disc clad line from Cuisinart. It has mediocre heating properties because of its too small disc base. If you want disc clad cookware, we recommend the Professional line (reviewed above). If you can afford to spend more, then Multiclad Pro or French Classic are even better choices.

Heritage Collection

See the Heritage 11 piece set on Amazon

About $130 for the 11 piece set

The Heritage set has a decently thick disc bottom, so it heats well for disc clad cookware--pretty close to the Professional line reviewed above. But the plastic handles aren't durable, and restrict the oven temperature to only 350F. We kind of like the looks of the handles, and they're comfortable, but they are not practical for any high heat uses.

11 piece set includes:

• 1.5 qt saucepan w/lid
• 3 qt sauce pan w/lid
• 3.5 qt sauté pan w/lid and helper handle
• 6 qt stock pot w/lid
• 8-inch skillet
• 10-inch skillet
• Steamer insert.

Features

• Disc clad stainless
• Triple rivet plastic handles
• Glass lids
• Oven safe to 350F
• Induction compatible
• 11 pc set only buying option
• Made in China.

Heating

Most cheap disc clad cookware--which this is--can't compete with fully clad cookware. The disc on the Heritage line is thick enough to heat fairly evenly, though, and hold heat pretty well. We thought the performance was about average for stainless steel cookware. 

It's not terrible, and if you're on a budget, this set might work for you. But if you go with disc clad cookware, we much prefer the Professional line reviewed above.

Durability

Being all stainless steel makes this tough cookware. Unfortunately, it loses points for the plastic handles, glass lids, and oven safe temp of only 350F. While the cookware itself will probably last for decades, the lids and handles won't--so 3.0 is a generous rating.

Stability/Safety 

In our testing, the stainless held up well, with no pitting or corroding over several uses. 

The stainless steel cooking surface is stable and non-reactive, making it a safe choice.

Ease of Care

Being stainless steel cookware, we gave this 3 stars, the average rating. The glass lids and plastic handles won't affect the ease of care one way or the other.

Design (Usability and Aesthetics)

We had to give the design a below average rating for the plastic handles and low oven safe temp. These design choices make what should be incredibly durable cookware fragile and much shorter lived than it would otherwise be.

It's pretty, but it's just not a great choice if you're looking for durable clad stainless cookware.

Set Pieces: The skillets, sauté pan, and sauce pans are standard, and the 6 quart stock pot is on the small side, though a good size for many things. The steamer insert is a great piece, but not enough to make us recommend this line.

Value

This is very affordable cookware, but because of the design flaws, we can only give it a slightly above average rating for value. While other cheap disc clad cookware could last for decades, this line won't because of the plastic handles.

Pros and Cons 

Pros

• Affordable
• Pretty
• Steamer insert is a great piece

Cons

• Plastic handles and glass lids limit the durability
• Only oven safe to 350F
• Available in one set only.

Recommendation

If affordability is your primary concern, then Heritage isn't the worst choice you could make: it's pretty, and the heating is almost as good as the Professional line. But the plastic handles limit durability and oven safe temps. If you want disc clad cookware, the Professional set is a better choice for not a lot more. And if you can afford it, Multiclad Pro or French Classic are even better choices.

BUY CUISINART Heritage 11 piece set:

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Radiant Pro

See 11 piece set on Amazon (about $150)

See 8 piece set on Amazon (about $110)

This is a fairly standard inexpensive, disc-clad stainless cookware. The titanium handles--meaning they're gray, not that they're actual titanium--add a stylish element, but other than that, this is really average cookware.

Radiant Pro is available in two set sizes, 8 piece and 11 piece, with no open stock pieces available. The larger set has larger sauce pans and a larger stock pot (see set pieces, below, for comparison). The 8-inch skillet (large set only) is nonstick, which is a bad choice for stainless cookware because the cooking surface will wear out decades before the rest of the pan (although the price is one of the lowest you'll find for a stainless nonstick pan). Other than that drawback, the 11 piece set is the better deal.

Sets include:

Features

• Disc clad stainless
• Brushed "titanium" handles
• Glass lids
• Drip free pouring
• Induction compatible
• 8pc or 11pc set available
• Made in China.

Heating

With the disc cladding, only the bottom heats. The disc is reasonably thick and heats the pans pretty well. But the disc isn't as thick as on the Professional line, so if your budget is small, we recommend the Professional line over this one.

Durability

Most stainless cookware gets 5 stars for durability, but because of the nonstick skillet and glass lids, we deducted some points.

Safety/Stability

Normally, stainless steel cookware gets 5 stars for safety and stability, but because of the nonstick skillet we deducted a point. Other than the nonstick pan, this is very safe and stable cookware.

Ease of Care

Being stainless steel cookware but having one nonstick pan, we gave this a slightly higher than average rating of 3.5 stars. 

Design

We gave Radiant Pro an average rating for design. It's pretty cookware, and the titanium handle looks good, but the nonstick skillet is a bad choice because it won't last nearly as long as the steel pan itself.

Glass lids aren't a great choice either. They're more fragile than stainless lids, although glass lids are the norm for inexpensive cookware like this, so we didn't deduct much for this.

We do like the pan shape, with rounded bottoms that make it easy for a whisk or spatula to reach every inch of the pans.

Set Pieces: The skillets and sauce pans are standard sizes. The 6 quart stock pot in the large set is a better option than the 5 quart stock pot in the small set, but both are on the small side.

Value

The Radiant Pro line is quite affordable and the quality isn't too bad. Other than the nonstick pan, the value is good. Heating is good but not great, and this set should last for decades. Getting a clad stainless nonstick pan is a bad idea, but the price is so good that it doesn't really matter, unless you hate throwing away an otherwise perfectly good pan when the nonstick wears out.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable
• Durable (except for the nonstick skillet)
• Rounded bottoms make it easy to reach entire pot surface with spoons and whisks
• Steamer insert in large set is a great piece
• 11 piece set has bigger pieces.

Cons:

• Glass lids not durable
• Nonstick skillet in large set will wear out sooner than the stainless body
• Available only as an 8 piece or an 11 piece set.  

Recommendation

If you really want inexpensive disc clad cookware, the Professional line (reviewed above) is our recommendation. Radiant Pro isn't terrible, but there are better choices for about the same or just slightly more. Unfortunately, the large set has larger pieces but also has the nonstick skillet; the small set has smaller pieces, but no nonstick skillet. The steamer insert in the large set is a great piece, but is inexpensive to buy separately (about $40). 

buy cuisinart radiant pro cookware:

Other Cuisinart Stainless Cookware to Consider

Here are some other cookware lines from Cuisinart. They aren't as well known or popular as the sets above, but one of them might fit your needs.

Cuisinart Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 10 Piece Cookware Set

See Cuisinart Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 10 pc cookware set on Amazon

About $200 for 10 piece set

If you go to the the Multiclad Pro page on Amazon, you might see a 10-piece fully clad set offered that is not Multiclad Pro. It has glass lids and it has a different name: Cuisinart Classic, or simply Tri-Ply Stainless, or TPS. It's no longer on the Cuisinart site so it's probably discontinued.

It's a good price for fully clad cookware, and the set pieces are good for the price, but we haven't tested it so we can't officially recommend it. We prefer the stainless lids and the handle shape on Multiclad Pro.

Cuisinart Smartnest

See Cuisinart Smartnest Cookware on Amazon

See Cuisinart Smartnest Cookware at Cuisinart.com

About $150 for 11 piece set

Cuisinart Smartnest cookware is disc-clad cookware with a fairly thick disc that provides even heating comparable to the Professional line. The set comes with a rack for the glass lids, and you can see from the photo how compact and space-saving this 11 piece set is, even with a 6 quart stock pot.

There are no open stock pieces available.

In general, we don't like nested cookware if you're buying it just to save space. Why not just get the 2-3 pieces you need, like a skillet, sauce pan, and Dutch oven (or small stock pot)? Do you really need an 11 piece set for your RV or boat? This is decent quality cookware, but it's disc clad, has glass lids, and the pot rack is bulky, so the amount of space you save is questionable.

Matte Black/Matte White Sets

See Black Elegance 11 piece set at Cuisinart (about $200)

See Matte Black 11 piece set at Cuisinart (about $200)

See Matte White 11 piece set at Cuisinart (about $230)

Cuisinart makes disc clad stainless in black, white, and matte black finishes. They come only in an 11 piece set and have glass lids. The disc is fairly thick, so the heating is even and heat retention is good for disc clad pans. If you have a tight budget and like the looks of one of these, it's not a terrible choice, but fully clad with stainless lids is going to provide better quality.

Mica-Shine Stainless Steel (MSS)

See Cuisinart Mica-Shine Stainless Steel cookware at Sur la Table

See Cuisinart Mica-Shine on Amazon

Discontinued but still available: About $200 for 8 piece set

Cuisinart Mica-Shine is a disc-clad tri-ply stainless with a high shine black finish. It's pretty, and we like the stainless lids, but the skillet and (single) sauce pan are average/smallish (when a set includes only one sauce pan, it should be a 3 qt; this one is borderline at 2.5 qt.). The straight-sided pieces have a nice wraparound base design (like the Professional Series reviewed above), but we think it's overpriced for a disc-clad set. 

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Cuisinart Clad Stainless Steel Cookware FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about Cusinart clad stainless cookware.

Is Cuisinart Stainless Steel Cookware Good Quality?

Cuisinart clad stainless cookware is basically good quality. The Multiclad Pro and French Classic lines are fully clad, and the rest are disc clad. They are induction compatible, and have an aluminum heating core thick enough to heat evenly and resist warping. We prefer the fully clad lines, but the Professional, Radiant Pro, and Smart Nest are all decent choices for disc clad cookware. 

What Is the Best Line of Cuisinart Clad Stainless Cookware?

Cuisinart Multiclad Pro is closest to All-Clad D3 and is considered the best line of Cuisinart clad stainless steel cookware. The Cuisinart French Classic is equal in quality to the Multiclad Pro and beautiful cookware, but is more expensive because it's made in France (not China). 

Is Cuisinart Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Safe?

Yes. Stainless steel is a stable, non-reactive cooking surface. It's non-toxic and one of the best choices for safe cookware.

Where is Cuisinart Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Made?

Most Cuisinart cookware is made in China. The French Classic line is made in France.

Can You Put Cusininart Stainless Cookware in the Oven?

Yes, most stainless Cuisinart cookware is oven safe to 500F.

Is Cuisinart Stainless Cookware Dishwasher Safe?

Yes, as long as it doesn't have a nonstick cooking surface, you can put Cuisinart stainless cookware in the dishwasher. However, washing by hand will keep the cookware in better shape because dishwasher detergents can dull the polished exterior finish.

What Is the Warranty on Cuisinart Clad Stainless Cookware?

All Cuisinart cookware has a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

Is Cuisinart Stainless Cookware Induction Compatible?

Yes: all the Cuisinart stainless lines are induction compatible.

Can You Use Metal Utensils on Cuisinart Stainless Cookware?

Yes, you can use metal utensils with Cuisinart stainless cookware. They may scratch the cooking surface, but the scratches won't affect the cookware's performance. If you want to avoid scratches, use plastic, silicone, or bamboo utensils.

How Can You Stop Food from Sticking to Stainless Steel Cookware?

First, heat the pan. Then add cooking oil or butter. When the oil is shimmering hot, add food. Let the food cook undisturbed until it forms a crust, which allows it to release easily from the pan. If you get any stuck-on food, let it soak in hot soapy water before washing.

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Final Thoughts

Cuisinart offers a variety of stainless steel cookware, and their offerings are frequently updated and out of stock (so we apologize if not all the links work). Our overall favorite is the Multiclad Pro. It's a solid line of clad stainless steel cookware and closest to All-Clad D3 of all the Cuisinart lines. 

Another option is the Cuisinart French Classic, an upgraded version of Multiclad Pro, very pretty and made in France: also recommended. It's more expensive than Multiclad Pro, but still less than All-Clad.

We also like the Cuisinart Professional Series for an inexpensive, disc-clad option.

Thanks for reading!

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