12 best stainless steel pans

*A review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Stainless steel pans are durable, practical and functional, but only if chosen correctly. We’ll tell you what to look for when looking for the perfect steel cookware and look at the most popular stainless steel pots.

Selection Guide

What does the buyer look for when looking for a pan? In appearance, volume and equipment. However, we recommend that you also pay attention to the technical characteristics of the product described on the label or on the packaging.

bottom thickness

Stainless steel has one big drawback — poor thermal conductivity, due to which pans made of it heat up unevenly along the bottom and walls, food can burn. However, the material is quite practical, so the manufacturers have found a solution to the problem. They make the bottom of the pan multi-layered — 3, 5 and 7-layer. Between the thinnest sheets of steel is a heat-distributing disc made of aluminum or steel.

Selection rule: the thicker the bottom, the more evenly it warms up, the easier it is to cook in a saucepan.

In a heavy-bottomed pot, food cooks better and stays warm longer.

You definitely shouldn’t take pans with a single bottom — they are the cheapest, but cooking in them is as inconvenient as possible, they serve for a very short time, they are deformed. You can distinguish a product of this type by weight — it is light. A three-layer pan is noticeably heavier. The number of steel layers in the bottom or its total thickness can be found in the technical specifications of the product.

Wall thickness

The walls of the pan can be thinner than the bottom, but not less than 0.5 mm. This is enough to keep the heat inside the container and keep the geometry of the dishes.

Stainless steel pans are produced in two ways:

1. Stamping is usually a thin product, economy and middle class.
2. Casting is the molding of pans from a straightened alloy in molds. Such dishes are more practical, the walls are thicker — up to 0.8 mm.

Selection rule: the thicker the walls of the pan, the stronger the dishes, the better it will retain heat inside the container.

Look for a marking of at least 18/8 — this is the most reliable steel.

Ideal Geometry

Pots and stewpans made of stainless steel must be perfectly sanded and polished, inside the walls and bottom — perfectly smooth, without dents, scratches. The presence of defects is a sign of violations of the rules for transporting dishes. They will lead to the formation of soot, but this is not the most dangerous. Any crease or scratch is a damage to the lining layer, through which heavy metals from the inner layers of the pan will be produced into food.

Selection rule: the walls and bottom of the pan should have a perfectly flat surface inside and out.

Lid and pot handles

Most pans are equipped with a heat-resistant glass lid. She may be:

1. with or without a steam outlet;
2. with a metal rim around the perimeter at the junction in the pan;
3. with grips for easy draining of the broth.

The decoction drain hole is a useful feature that allows you to maintain pressure and temperature inside the pot without opening the lid. Other options are at the discretion of the buyer.

The steel handles heat up to handle when the pot is on the stove, potholders are needed. Preference should be given to wide hollow arms, rather than thin ones — the latter heat up more.

Rule of choice: choose a pot with a thermo glass lid with a large steam hole and wide, hollow handles.

Compatibility with the type of plate

Gas, electric stoves are not demanding on the dishes in which you plan to cook, and for induction you need an appropriate pan. When choosing, pay attention to the approval of the product for use on a particular stove.

Quality stainless steel pans are mostly versatile, but compatibility with stovetops needs to be checked.

Rating of the best stainless steel pots

These pans are bought and recommended by buyers on marketplaces and online stores.

Best Versatile Stainless Steel Pans

Taller Shelborne, 3.2 L

Rating: 5.0

Casserole of the classical form Taller Shelborne with a volume of 3.2 liters is universal, encapsulated. It has an aluminum insert, which contributes to uniform heating and heat retention. The pan is suitable for any type of hob. And the dishes are unsuitable for the oven — it has two handles with silicone and overlays, for which prolonged intense heating is unacceptable. The advantage of these pads is that they prevent slipping in the hand when gripping the pan, in addition, they heat up less.

The Taller Shelbourne pot has a heat-resistant glass lid with a steel rim and a small steam outlet. You can wash dishes by hand and in the dishwasher. To help the cook, a volume scale is applied on the inside.

The product weighs 1.48 kg, the wall thickness is 0.5 mm, the bottom is 2.8 m — these are excellent indicators for long and reliable operation.

The Taller Shelbourne pot is available in silver or black. This is a high quality product made in China.

Rondell Turquoise 2.8

Rating: 4.9

Slightly smaller than the review leader is the 2.8-liter Rondell Turquoise pan. It is made of 18/10 steel — an improved alloy with a high nickel content, which gives the metal a special strength.

The Rondell Turquoise pot is capsule-shaped, it is made of stainless steel, coated on the outside with a shock-resistant color coating. The dishes have a good bottom thickness — 5.5 mm. This is a lot, the heat is evenly distributed over such a bottom, cooking in a saucepan is a pleasure — nothing burns. The walls are of good thickness — 0.6 mm.

The saucepan has a glass lid with a steam hole. The handles on the lid and pot are steel, easy to grip, without additional inserts. However, the pot cannot be used in the oven. And you can wash it in the dishwasher.

REGENT inox Luna vitro, 4.5 l

Rating: 4.8

Saucepan REGENT inox Luna vitro classic round shape with a polished surface on both sides. The bottom is triple, 3 mm thick, it is enough for uniform heating and distribution of heat without overheating. The walls are standard — 0.6 mm.

The REGENT inox Luna vitro saucepan is beautiful, with three rims on the bottom, ideal for home and restaurant use. The volume of 4.5 liters is impressive, suitable for a large family and cooking for a company, a banquet, for cooking soups and compotes in large quantities.

The saucepan has a glass lid with a steel rim and a handle; on the dish itself, the handles are large hollow. The dishes can be used for cooking in the oven, washed in the dishwasher.

Best Stainless Steel Pans for Induction Cooker

The pans shown are suitable for induction cooktops.

Rondell Flamme, 2.3 l

Rating: 5.0

Rondell cookware is practical and attractive, including the 2.3 liter pot from the Flamme collection. It will become a decoration for the kitchen. It has a capsule shape, large handles with silicone thermal pads on the sides and on the lid, which is included in the kit.

The manufacturer used high-strength steel 18/10 for the manufacture of the pan. The depressed triple bottom of 5 mm is almost monolithic, although it is multi-layered, it quickly gains temperature and distributes heat over its entire area. The peculiarity of the pot from the Flamme series is the presence of a spout for draining, no hassle with capturing the lid.

The dishes have an aesthetic finish — the outside is mirror polished and with a satin effect. The product must not be placed in the oven, but can be washed in the dishwasher.

The pan can be purchased as a gift — it is packed in a gift box with a handle, inside there is a mini-book with interesting recipes from the chef.

Taller Brownie, 3.6 L

Rating: 4.9

The Taller Brownie pan has a 5 mm thick bottom, which means that it can also be used for stewing and frying without adding oil. Because of him, in particular, the product weighs all 1.67 kg. The walls are thin — 0.5 mm, the standard for such dishes.

The pan is compatible with all types of cookers, including induction — for which the product is often bought. Taller Brownie shows excellent performance properties: it is quite strong, the food in it does not burn due to the even distribution of heat along the bottom. The pot has steel large handles with a wide grip, complete with a lid with a steam outlet and a steel rim.

Satin-effect pot body with chip-resistant brown enamel and printed logo. You can put dishes in the dishwasher, but it is forbidden to put them in the oven.

BergHOFF Eclipse, 3.7 l

Rating: 4.8

Another popular BergHOFF Eclipse induction cooker with a capacity of 3.7 liters. It has a traditional cylindrical shape and three color options for the outer walls — gray, dark gray and light green.

The pan is chosen, first of all, for operational properties: it has a reinforced multi-layered bottom, which evenly distributes heat, so that food does not burn. This is even facilitated by the Ferno Green non-stick coating, which allows you to effortlessly clean the dishes from the inside. The polymer handles of the pan and on the lid almost do not heat up. The lid has an air valve.

The pan weighs 2 kg — a lot for dishes of this volume.

Best Stainless Steel Pot Sets

This category contains sets with a different number of items.

Nadoba Maruska 726617

Rating: 5.0

The Nadoba Maruska set includes 2 pans with a volume of 2.6 and 5.5 liters. They come with two lids of the appropriate diameters with holes through which steam escapes during cooking, and liquid can also be drained through them.

The pots have an interesting design — matte outer walls with a glossy stripe under the top edge. The lids are also unusual — they are made of three-layer tempered glass with a wide metal rim, in which universal drain holes are located.

The bottom of the pans is 4 mm thick — a good indicator for comfortable cooking. The walls are standard 0.6 mm. The pot is designed for use on all types of stoves and in the oven. The pot handles fold down for a convenient storage option, but care must be taken when lifting the pot with contents.

BergHOFF Downdraft 2307435

Rating: 4.9

The BergHOFF Downdraft set contains three pots with lids, all of them of impressive volume: the smallest is 4.2 liters, then 5.7 and 8.8 liters. They are equipped with large thermally insulated handles, as is the lid with a large polymer rim that allows you to tightly close the dishes by turning 180 degrees.

The lid has a hole for steam, a separate grate for draining. The pan has a three-layer bottom, which allows you to cook without burning food, this is noted in customer reviews.

BergHOFF Downdraft pans are designed for use on all types of stoves and are dishwasher safe. They are not suitable for the oven.

Webber BE-336/6

Rating: 4.8

Three round Webber BE-336/6 pans are made of polished steel. Their volumes are 6.2 l, 2.8 l, 4.8 l. The lids for the pans are made of tempered glass with a metal rim and a valve for steam release. The handles are thin steel, but comfortable to grip.

Pans from the Webber BE-336/6 set have good heat dissipation — the bottom and walls heat up evenly and keep the food temperature after cooking for a longer time. You can’t cook in pots in the oven, but they are combined with all types of hobs and stoves, the manufacturer allows you to wash dishes in a dishwasher.

The best thick bottomed stainless steel pans

Pots with a thicker bottom have the best heat transfer rates, they heat up evenly, but also weigh more than others.

Zwilling JA Henckels Prime 64063-240

Rating: 5.0

The Zwilling pan is made using high-strength steel casting technology. Measuring scale inside, satin finish polished outside. The five-millimeter bottom of the pan is multi-layered, inside it is an aluminum disk, which contributes to rapid heating and even distribution of heat, and then its preservation to maintain the temperature inside the pan. Food does not burn on it, this is noted in numerous user reviews. The internal rounded conjugation of the walls and bottom ensures easy maintenance and quick cleaning of dishes.

In a saucepan, you can cook first and second courses, stew and blanch on any stove, including induction. It is allowed to put the dishes in the oven, but at a temperature not higher than 260 degrees.

The saucepan is equipped with a glass lid with a steel rim and a large handle. A steam outlet is provided.

Fissler Original Pro Collection

Rating: 4.9

The popular Fissler Original Pro Collection pot is part of a series of premium professional cookware that customers have chosen for use at home. The line has different volumes from 1.4 to 14 liters.

Pans are known for impeccable workmanship. For their production, steel 18/10 was used. The cookware has a 7 mm thick bottom, made using Cookstar® technology for fast heating and energy saving, 0.6 mm walls. The inner surface is perfectly polished, it is not scratched by knives and forks, food does not stick to it, the dishes are easy to clean, and a scale with liters is applied inside the pot. The interface between the wall and the bottom is rounded — it is convenient to stir the food, such seams contribute to the accumulation of heat and maintain the temperature after cooking. Handles do not get hot when cooking. The lid is heavy, tight-fitting, but it does not have a valve to let the steam out.

The pan is universal, suitable for any type of hob and oven.

Tramontina Solar Silicone 1.85 l 62124/163-TR

Rating: 4.8

In the Solar Silicone series, the most popular pan is 1.85 liters. It turns out to boil and fry, blanch in it — the products do not burn due to the thickened bottom of 8.4 mm — the thickest in the review.

The pan is made by pressing from high-strength steel 18/10, it is resistant to scratches and deformation. The lid of the pan is glass, it has a refractory silicone rim, which provides an ideal tight fit to the walls, so an airtight circuit is created inside. The lid has a valve to let the steam out.

Ramontina Solar Silicone is suitable for all types of stoves, it cannot be used in the oven.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.