12 masterful cookware sets for the discerning home chef

A contemporary and colourful addition to the arsenal of already hanging pots and pots in your kitchen, this Crumble non-stick cookware set comes in nine sleek colourways. Featuring Swiss non-toxic coating and an ergonomic handle design, this set means culinary business.

• Ergonomic handle design
• Non-stick Swiss ceramic
• Works on all cooktops
• Easy to clean
• Clear-view glass lid with steam release vent

Le Creuset’s three-ply stainless steel saucepans look professional and make for easy serving. Featuring an all-round pouring rim that allows you to pour from any angle without a drip, capacity markings etched into the pans’ walls and concave bases for peak performance on induction cooktops, you’ll be sure to impress your guests with mess-free entertaining.

Key features:

• Tight-fitting stainless steel lid
• Dishwasher-safe
• Suitable for induction cooktop

This set from Cooks Collective is made from premium cast aluminium which allows for even and consistent cooking. It also features bearing-shot technology that increases the durability and hardness. Non-stick, dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 180°C, this 10-piece cookware set means serious entertaining business.

Key features:

• Phenolic heat-resistant long handles with durable cast side handles
• Clear-view glass lid with steam release vent
• Suitable on all cooktops

Not only does this peach-coloured kit come with a toxin-free, non-stick ceramic coating, it is also designed with sturdy aluminium for fast and even heat distribution. Each of the pots and pans have also been designed to be multifunctional, so you can make optimal use of your time in the kitchen.

Key features:

• Comes in six colours
• Compatible with all cooktops
• 100-day trial
• Free shipping and returns
• Not dishwasher-safe

Designed for everyday use, this sturdy Chatham collection features GreenPan’s signature healthy ceramic non-stick coating and is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium. It’s also reinforced with diamonds for extra resilience, so you can simmer and sear with ease.

Key features:

• Scratch-resistant
• Durable glass lids
• Oven-safe up to 220°C
• Dishwasher-safe
• All stovetops, excluding induction

A classic choice of cookware, Tefal delivers on pro-grade, non-stick designs for optimal performance and convenience. With reinforced hard titanium non-stick that lasts up to three times longer than standard Tefal coating, ergonomic stainless steel handles, vented glass lids and its signature thermo-spot heat indicator, this French-made Tefal set is one for budding and established cooks alike.

Key features:

• 24-month warranty
• Non-stick coating
• Start cooking indicator
• Glass lid
• Compatible with all hobs

A marrying of non-stick, cast iron and stainless steel all in one, this 13-piece Hybrid cookware set from HexClad covers all bases over the stove. Backed by a lifetime warranty – and Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsey – each piece boasts excellent temperature control and is made to last.

Key features:

• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
• Oven-safe up to 260°C
• Induction-ready
• Can use metal utensils
• Stay-cool handles

Australian-owned and Australian-made from Australian iron, this 2-piece set is a showcase of high quality, locally produced cookware. The Versatile Workhorse Duo is compatible with all heat sources, from induction cooktops to the campfire and has a multi-century warranty to back it up.

Key features:

• No synthetic coating
• Made in Sydney
• Pre-seasoned with natural ingredients
• Multi-century warranty

This 10-piece collection has been designed for performance on all stovetops, including induction. Each piece has been made with patented technology to feature thick bases, thin walls, tough rims and a sapphire-reinforced, triple-layer nonstick coating. In fact, it’s even been designed so you can use metal utensils without damaging the non-stick coating. It’s also is dishwasher and oven-safe up to 260°C.

Key features:

• Triple layer non-stick
• Dishwasher-safe
• Cast stainless steel handles
• Oven-safe up to 260°C

While not technically a cookware set, the design and features of this skillet mean it can bring new life to your cooking on its own. The Legacy 28cm skillet is handmade from recycled iron, with a finish inspired by antique cast iron and a Three Generation Guarantee™ cast into the base. But only a few of these get made each month, and they sell out quickly (a testament to their versatility). Ironclad also has a few cookware sets available if you’re in the market for a complete set.

Key features:

• Works on all cooking surfaces (including induction)
• Lifetime subscription to the Recipe Vault®
• Personalisable base with hand engraving
• 100-year warranty

Awarded the Prestige International RedDot Design & IF Design Award in 2020, this Scandinavian-style set complements the minimalist’s kitchen. The ceramic-based coated aluminium pans also feature glass silicon rim lids and advanced Neoflam induction technology – marrying functionality with design.

Key features:

• Made in Korea
• Lightweight body
• Scratch-resistant

12

TEFAL Jamie Oliver by Tefal non-stick induction twinpack frypan

$169.99 (usually $389.99) at Amazon

Designed with British chef Jamie Oliver, this frying pan set will serve you well in the kitchen for years to come. Made from durable, hard anodised material and coming in two sizes, these frying pans are super convenient for anything from a quick meal-for-one to larger dishes for the whole family.

Key features:

• Superior non-stick coating
• Thermo-signal technology
• Oven safe

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4 tips to choose the best cookware set for your kitchen

1. Think about what pieces you already have. Are they in good condition or do they need updating?
2. Consider the materials of new cookware sets. Stainless steel, ceramics, coated aluminium and cast iron are some of the most common materials, all with different qualities.
3. Check the sizes of each piece in a set. This helps you choose one with pots and pans that fit all your go-to meals.
4. Find out if there is a warranty. Some of the best cookware offer warranties that can range from 24 months to 100 years or more, which can help make sure you get value for a guaranteed period of time.

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