Review by kimz:
Let me preface this review with the fact that I am Italian and raised 5 children on daily home-cooked meals. The kitchen is the center of my home. So when my daughter got her own apartment out west and asked for a set of pots for Christmas, I wanted to make sure I got her a quality set that would last her for years and years. I knew what I wanted for her, but didn’t know which brand to purchase. Non-stick was out (I have never liked it). The pots also had to be both dishwasher/oven safe, and I wanted the pot handles to be riveted into the pot. Off I went to the mall with my “specifications” in hand to look at the different brands and sets available. Boy was I amazed at how many there were! I took my time and examined each set. Not only did I look at the sets, but I also handled the sets. This is VERY important. Many of the quality sets were so heavy that I needed two hands to lift the larger pieces, and although I could lift the smaller saucepans, I had difficulty tilting them to the side to pour. Others had handles that were very uncomfortable to use. Then I came upon the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 10-piece cookware set. I was very impressed by the quality. They were heavy grade yet easy to handle. They also met my other specifications listed above AND they looked really nice as well. The price of 9 was quite unbelievable. I drove home and ran straight to my computer and ordered the set through Amazon. I got free shipping and had the set delivered directly to my daughter. I also used the holiday bonus coupon for off my order. I was so impressed with the set and the deal Amazon was offering, a few days later I purchased a second set through Amazon for myself. I LOVE them. They cook beautifully on my gas range and clean up well in the dishwasher. The handles DO NOT get hot while cooking, which totally surprised me. Do be careful with the lid handles though. They will get hot if cooking on higher heat. I haven’t had a problem with delicate foods burning due to the high thermoconductivity of the pans; however, my stove is a professional grade 6-burner unit. I don’t know if that makes any difference or not. All I can say is this set looks great, cooks great, handles great, and sells at a great price. What more can you ask for?

Review by Gerhard Bohn:
The day after Thanksgiving, “Black Friday” is the official kick off of the Holiday shopping season. I have never participated in this event, however those 20% coupons to shop between 6AM and 11AM enticed me. I needed a new cookware set, since my old pots and pans dated back to before I was born.

I am known as the “Research King” & “The Negotiator”, so yes I did my homework. I was going to purchase a non stick set for 0.00, however you have to “feel” the set before buying. Is the weight even, do the covers fit right – you know what I mean. NOTE: I cook every night and have for years. I am not a Chef, but can cook a great meal.

Right next to Anolon at Macy’s Dept. store, was the Cuisinart 10 Piece Classic Stainless cookware. It looked good, the weight was even, the lids fit great, but why so inexpensive? I researched Cuisinart and knew it was a good brand, so after playing around with the pots and pans for 20 minutes I bought the set! So this is what I got:

- 8″ & 10″ Skillet

- 1.5 QT & 3 QT Saucepan with covers

- 3.5 QT Saute with helper handle and cover

- 8 QT Stockpot with cover

FREE Gift with purchase: 2 QT Saucier

Extra Purchase: 5 1/2 QT All purpose pan with cover.

So, all in all, I got a 13 piece set for the grand total of: 0.75

Yes, I took advantage of a 20% coupon and then an additional 10% coupon. All 13 pieces are part of Cusinarts’s Cheft’s Classic line.

My Experience: (Rate by school grade A through F)

* Appearance: All the pieces looked great. The set looks as if it should be worth 0.00 (Grade A )

* Weight: The weight of each piece is solid and even. An important point because I flip my food and move the pans a lot while cooking. Note: These pieces do not feel cheap. Very good solid feel. (A-)

* Covers: The lids are a little light in weight, however they create a vacum seal when the heat is turned down. They do a better job then I expected. Normally with lighter lids you think they would wiggle and pop off, but these hold tight! (B )

* Handles: Solid Stainless steel, riveted handle. Solid feel and yes they stay cool. Also long enough to get a good grip. (A)

* Heat Distribution – Cuisinart recommends cooking on lower heat. Yes, this is true. The aluminum bottoms heat quickly and there are no hot spots. Trust me, use low heat. (A )

* Sticking – Well, these are not non stick. I used most of these pots and pans already to reheat our Thanksgiving dinner. Some things really stuck to the pots even when using PAM. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, stuck like glue. Next morning: Bacon stuck, but eggs did not. Go figure…. (B-)

* Clean Up: Water and soap in pan right after cooking. Yes this works well, but I have always done this. (B)

* Dishwasher: Yes, they are dishwasher safe, however after one cycle, the inside bottoms of a couple of pans had a purple tint to it. So, I have decided just to hand wash these for now. (Until I get lazy). (C-)

Final grade: B

Review by J. Gaspard:
Such value for money here, no need to spend 3-4x as much on All-Clad…these are just as heavy and put together just as well. I’m glad I could never get myself to drop the $$$ on the other companies product. I expected them to be nice from reading the Consumer Reports piece but I was blown away by this set.

This IS the set to buy, don’t get a nonstick set…from experience. Even the best coatings wear off over time, you can’t use metal whisks in them, and who really needs a nonstick stock pot?

You don’t need nonstick for most cooking, you will get better browning and pan sauces from a regular pan, yes you need nonstick for eggs and pancakes but you can always buy a matching nonstick skillet to go with these and still wind up spending much less.

Review by Jeff S:
I usually like to see and feel things before buying them online, but I took a gamble this time based on review here and elsewhere and it paid off. I could not find this set in any store locally. This set is MUCH better than I expected it to be. The pans are Heavy, (but thats a quality heavy not a too “heavy” to lift) and compared to a stainless Farberware set I’ve bought in the past, I think I will like this set even more. It seems to be built to last (my 0.00 Farberware set is 14 years old). I like the fact that you can put these (frying pans) in the oven without too much worry on “melting” the handles. I like the way the covers fit on the pots as well.

Review by S. Bates:
When we noticed our non-stick pans were losing their non-stick (into ours and our childrens food) we decided it was time to look at the alternative to teflon and non-stick coating. We waffled over whether to go cast iron or stainless. I was worried about cooking with stainless because of the sticking issue but decided to bite the bullet and went ahead and purchased these. I have to say, we LOVE them! My husband is able to make the most amazing omelettes without leaving half of it behind. I haven’t had much trouble with sticking at all. Scrambled eggs and hash browns seem to be the worst so far and with 15 mins of soaking the pans in water I am able to just scrub them clean with my nylon scrubby sponge. They are tough and durable and seem to put up with alot of use. We aren’t occasional cookers, as a family of five these pots and pans get used daily. The price is right but dont let it fool you! Can’t say enough.

Review by Jenny A. Turek:
I have wanted copper-lined pots and pans for years, but I could not bring myself to drop the big bucks! I found these on Amazon and thought I would give them a try…. I AM SO HAPPY I DID! I am not a super crazy cook, I cook a few times a week. These are just right for people like me! They clean up super easy, they are as shiny as the day I bought them, I even have used a metal fork to stir (I know, not good move!) but they are completely scratch free!!! And they heat up quickly and evenly throughout the whole pan ( not just in the middle like cheap ones do!). I say give them a try! Why drop 0 when you can get a great product for way less???

Review by R. P. Poletti:
This is the set you want. Why? Here are some reasons. Some are about Stainless steel cookware in general, but all apply specifically to this set.

o Stainless steel is sanitary. You can get them perfectly clean very easily. (Commercial food processors are often required to use stainless steel for nearly everything that comes in contact with food.)

o Stainless steel cleans up nearly as easily non-stick cookware. You do clean it differently, however.

o These pans have an aluminum core wrapped on both sides by stainless steel. Stainless steel does not transmit heat quickly but aluminum does. Aluminum is soft and dents easily, stainless steel is hard and strong. This means you get the toughness of stainless steel with the even heat distribution of aluminum.

o Even heat distribution and rapid heating allows you use lower heat setting thus saving energy and reducing the chance of burning food.

o Handles stay fairly cool, better than most cookware I have used.

o Dishwasher safe, unlike most non-stick pans.

o Oven-safe. Like to grill that steak then broil it to get it tender? Or you need to bake that stuffing then keep it warm? Use one pan!

o Pans are a little bottom heavy. They will not tip as easily as lighter weight pans, even empty or with a large spoon hanging off one side.

o Pans are well balanced and not too heavy. Want to flip those pancakes or toss those grilled onions, these pans give you fine control. They have been excellent for every use I have put them through.

o Lids are interchangeable and fit well! The lids even fit the skillets which is great if you are making grilled sandwiches. Note that lids may seem loose, especially when pans are cold. Remember that as pans get hot, their shape can change. Also, you do not want a perfect seal as you can make a bomb just by boiling water. Thus the lids need a little room to vent steam as well as accommodate changes in the shape of the pan.

If you have a gas range, consider using a flame deflector. This is good advice for ANY type of cookware.

Personally, I have owned the high quality non-stick stuff as well as stainless steel cookware. The non-stick stuff is quite over-rated, it does not clean up any more easily than the stainless pans. None of my non-stick Analon and Caliphon stuff has lasted more than six or eight years. The only stainless steel pot I ever had I got from my mother back in 1979. It is in great condition and looks like I bought it last month.

Unfortunately, some researches recently have linked some of the binding agents in non-stick cookware to cancer, so perhaps, to be safe, avoid the complex chemical treatments of the non-stick stuff and go for simple stainless steel.

Review by Happy as a steamed Clam!:
For those of you considering upgrading your cookware to professional grade stainless steel, look no further.

I’ve owned this 12 piece set for over a year, and can’t offer enough praise. It still looks brand new (use Barkeepers Friend to clean it). It heats evenly and quickly, retains heat for a long time, sears and browns well without burning, handles comfortably, cleans up easily and looks great! I’m fortunate enough to have several different types of cookware to compare. My cookware includes: All-Clad, JC Penny Elite (5 ply Copper Core), Chefmate tri-ply, Hard Anodized non-stick and Cuisinart Tri-Ply Copper.

In my opinion, the All-Clad Stainless Steel line is much overated. Its great cookware, but has no rolled edges for easy pouring without making a mess, and I prefer the handles on just about any other brand. All-Clad’s materials and construction are the same as the other premium lines, with the exception of the rolled edges. Incidentally, staunch supporters of All-Clad make inferences of inferiority when speaking of other brands such as Cuisinart, stating “its made in China”. I have two All-Clad pans hanging on the pot rack right now, one made in China, and the other made in Indonesia. Most of their line is made in the USA, but premium cookware made overseas (including some of their own lines)is not inferior!

The Chefmate Tri-Ply in direct comparison to the Cuisinart cooks and handles about the same with a slight edge in cleaning ease. The Chefmate has a true mirror finished interior, but overall isn’t as heavy duty. The Stainless Steel lids are also a lighter gauge. Its been discontinued.

The JC Penny Cooks Elite 5 ply Copper Core is fantastic cookware, and the equal of the All-Clad Copper Core in every way except the handle. The handle of the Elite is far superior to All-Clad’s. In comparison to the Cuisinart, its very comparable in performance, but quite a bit heavier. Its original price was about 2-3 times the cost of the Cuisinart. It too has been discontinued.

The Hard Anodized non-stick cookware is fine, convenient to use, even heating, and now relegated to camping. It doesn’t brown foods like Stainless Steel does. The non-stick fininsh WILL wear off, and render the cookware somewhat useless with daily use.

The Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply is fantastic and really the only competitor for the Multiclad. It looks fantastic, cooks fantastic and gives you an ever so tiny advantage in temperature control over the Multiclad. The pots and pans are the same configuration as the Multiclad, albeit with an outer layer of Copper instead of Stainless Steel. The handles are different as well, but both styles of handles are cool to the touch and comfortable to hold. I enjoy the Copper and don’t mind the few minutes it takes to polish, but if you don’t want Copper and the extra effort, the Stainless is perfect. I only use the Copper when preparing special dishes for company or when I need specialty pans such as Sauciers for Risoto or sauces. Otherwise, I rely on the Multiclad for daily use.

Incidentally, I have no afilliation with any of the above cookware brands. I am in the food service industry (restaurant design and build) and have the opportunity to speak with many chefs. You’d be very surprised by how many of them use Cuisinart Multiclad or Copper tri-ply at home. I’d say its a 50-50 split between All-Clad and Cuisinart for their home use.

With so many high end brands after your hard earned dollar, you can buy similar quality and performance, but there is no better value than Cuisinart Multiclad. It’s heirloom quality and will be your last cookware purchase.

Update:

I reviewed this cookware set some time ago, and thought it appropriate to write an update. I’ve been reading through all the reviews that have been written since my first review, and everyone seems to say “as good as All-Clad”.

I DISAGREE!

Cuisinart Multi Clad isn’t as good as All Clad; IT’S BETTER! I have both All Clad and Cuisinart as well as other brands of high end cookware including Tri Ply, Five Ply Copper Core, Copper etc. Here are my reasons for declaring Cuisinart the winner:

o Rolled edges on the Cuisinart eliminate dribbling down the side of the pan as experienced with the All Clad. All Clad top of the line Copper Core does have rolled edges as well, but their stainless line that directly competes with the Cuisinart does not. In daily use this makes a huge difference.

o The Cuisinart handles are far superior to the All Clad. The Cuisinart remain cool enough to touch without pot holders, and their ergonomic shape and angle are very comfortable when shaking, flipping, tossing and moving the pans. The All Clad handle is thrust up at a sharp angle which is somewhat awkward, and the handle itself is uncomfortable.

0 The Cuisinart can be used on induction ranges. The previous Multi Clad line wasn’t designed for induction ranges, but the Multi Clad Pro is and therefore no more advantage to All Clad in this respect.

0 The Cuisinart line cleans up easier than All Clad. I’ve cooked eggs in both All Clad and Cuisinart pans using the same prep and cooking mediums. In fact, I’ve cooked one egg per pan using the same burner without altering the gas flow. Eggs stuck slightly in the All Clad, and not at all in the Cuisinart. The Cuisinart’s interior is slightly more highly polished than All Clad, and I suspect this to be the reason. I was able to repeat the same results with skin-on chicken, fish and other troublesome foods. Deglazing and clean up is just easier with the Cuisinart.

o Some All Clad pieces don’t come with lids! You have to purchase a lid as an option. I have nearly every piece of Cuisinart, and each came with a lid (skillets are the exception).

o Cost. Cost isn’t the only factor here. However, if two products perform similarly and will last virtually forever, why pay way more for one based on brand prejudice? The product that performs the best should be the clear winner regardless of price. Therefore, Cuisinart wins outright, and the fact that the entire 12 piece set costs less than most All Clad single pieces makes it a remarkable value.

In conclusion, Cuisinart has better design and construction, both ergonomically and practically (rolled edges and handles), easier clean up and maintenance, and out performs All Clad.

Review by PeteM:
Although this Cuisinart Classic stainless set is a big improvement over discount store cookware, Amazon also sells Cuisinart’s higher quality, though confusingly similarly named, Chef’s Classic set for just a few dollars more. The Chef’s Classic set has more substantial construction, with professional handles and stainless steel lids. For the few extra dollars it’s probably the best value and performance in a stainless set, short of full tri-clad construction such as All-Clad or Cuisinart’s own Multi-clad.

BTW, the top ratings from online cooking sites are for the step-up Chef’s Classic set, rather than this item.

Review by Nancy B:
Very good value and quality. I needed new cookware for my new ceramic cooktop which requires flat bottom pans. They cook quickly and evenly.

Review by JeanE:
I purchased this set a year ago. I already had the 12 inch skillet, the 5 qt. saute pan and a 2 qt. saucepan, which I LOVE and use on a regular basis. I expected this set to be the same quality as these other Chef’s Classic pans that I had purchased individually, but the pans in this set just don’t measure up.

The first thing I noticed is that these pans are lighter weight. The 3 qt. saucepan from this set is much lighter than the 2 qt. saucepan I already had. This would be okay, except that food tends to stick more easily to the 3 qt. I think the botton of the pans in this set must be thinner than my other Chef’s Classic. Also, these pan do spot more- I use Barkeepers Friend for all my Cuisinart, but I find the pans in this set discolor every time I use them, which is annoying.

My biggest beef is with the pasta insert. I chose this particular set because it included the pasta insert, but the pan is not just useless – it is a menace. The holes are way to small, and the water drains out very slowly. The first time I used it, boiling water flooded over the top and splashed over the stove and onto the floor when I lifted the insert out of the pot. I’ve tried using less water, lifting the pasta insert slowly, etc. and it still splashes whenever I use it. Today I purchased a Faberware 8 qt. pasta insert- it has much larger holes and when I tried it tonight I couldn’t make it splash even when I practically jerked it out of the pot.

Compared to other cookware the quality of this set is decent, but my other Chef’s Classic is so much better quality that this set mostly sits in the cabinet. If you want to buy a set, go with the 10 or 12 piece set. You’ll save some money and you can use it to buy a pasta pot you can actually use.

Review by SplitEdit:
I want to add a dose of realism to the many positive reviews here. We’ve had this cookware set for about 5 months. It comes packaged very nicely, seems well made and looks very good. And there’s the rub. Unlike a lot of stainless cookware, these are very shiny. If you like that, you’ll be satisfied, but you should bear in mind that the finish is fragile. It’s easy to scratch and easy to discolor. We use the steamer every day and on one occasion I accidentally boiled it dry. I took the pot off the heat very quickly, but the result was a faint gold tint on the outside that cannot be removed. I don’t really mind the color change, but it worries me.

I’ve used the frying pan a couple of times to make eggs and here again the shine isn’t necessarily a good thing. Butter actually beads up on the surface as it melts and you have to use an awful lot if you want it to cover the bottom of the pan.

The instructions warn you many times not to use steel wool for cleaning. So far, we’ve been okay with a plastic scrubber pad, and, especially after a soaking, things clean up easily. But the fact that I’ve been warned not to use the most obvious cleaning method is worrisome.

Pot handles do indeed stay cool. The lids, however, can get very hot. Also, the edges of the lids face up and out. This is common now, but my older pans had lids that that were turned into the pan. The outward-facing design guarantees that condensation will form on the underside of the lids, and will drip pretty badly when you first remove them from a boiling pot. One good feature of the lid handles is that you can hang them on a pot rack.

Finally, the steamer has several extra ridges around the bottom and vegetables inevitably stick to those areas. Again, a soaking is necessary to get them clean.

All in all, a useful, sturdy set, well made, and a good value — but with the caveat that the shine might not be what you want.

Review by C. Harrington:
I had a Townecraft home demonstation and thought it was wonderful. The salesman was great and really made me excited. Then came the price. I’ve bought cars for less than that! I started looking around for that same brand on auction sites and found it 1/2 the price, but still very expensive. I went to the waterless cookware site and decided to give Maxam 9 a shot. It took 2 months to get, but the pans are good heavy quality, very easy to clean, and keep the food moist. Waterless cooking, however, takes patience to get right and you are likely to burn some meals if you stick to the time guidelines in the book. I’ve had them for about two monts now and finally got rid of all of the old teflon and rusty pans…they aren’t coming back. I’ve cooked with the Townecraft pans before and you aren’t going to see enough of a difference to warrant 6-8 times the price. Maxam 9 (World’s Finest) is almost as good and won’t kill your budget. As Zig Ziglar says “It’s easier to justify cost once, than apologize for quality forever” The price is more than what you are going to pay in WalMart, but the cost over a lifetime will be much, much lower because you won’t buy pans again.

Review by Dr. M. Dixon:
UPDATE: On exactly the 30th day of purchase, while cooking, the skillet lid valve fell out of the lid into my skillet. I am getting a replacement and hope it was just a fluke and not indicative of quality of every set.

2nd UPDATE: The replacement fell apart within 30 days in the same manner as my first set. The steam valve fell out of the lid into the pan. I am returning for refund. I do love the oil-less water-less cooking but will look for a set that will last at least a couple of years.

FROM BOX:

the 17 piece set includes:

7.5 qt roaster & cover

11 3/8″ skillet

5 egg cups & utility rack

high dome cover for skillet or roaster

3.2 qt saucepan & cover

2.5 qt saucepan & cover

1.7 qt saucepan & cover

double boiler unit

What is 304 surgical stainless steel? The 304 surgical stainless steel contains about 18% chromium and a higher percentage of nickel than “ordinary” stainless steel. The popularity of 304 surgical stainless steel is due to its gleaming appearance which lasts for the life of a product. Its excellent corrosion resistance is due to an invisible, passive oxide film that forms on the metal’s surface in air. Sometimes 304 surgical stainless is referred to as T304.

8 advantages of 304 surgical stainless steel

1. corrosion resistance

2 economy

3 temperature resistance

4 beauty

5 durability

6 design flexibility

7 easy to clean

8 flavor protection

The 9 element steam control system makes cooking as easy as. . .

1 start cooking on medium heat

2 listen for the whistle

3 close the valve, turn heat to low and simmer to finish cooking

YOU CAN STACK THEM

A picture I uploaded above illustrates how you might cook a roast or chicken with potatoes & carrots in the bottom, a vegetable in the middle pan and another vegetable in the top pan. When stack cooking, remember to always start cooking each individual pan on a burner until you hear the steam valve whistle, then close the valve and stack to finish cooking. Heat is transferred from the bottom pan to the top.

9 ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION 304 stainless steel inside and out surgical stainless encapsulates a thick aluminum disk. This capsule bottom has 9 elements.

1 chrome

2 nickel

3 manganese

4 silicon

5 aluminum

6 iron

7 copper

8 molybedenum

9 vanadium

Please see additional photos of box with additional information I uploaded above.

All pans (not lids) are oven safe to 350°F.

I found the pans easier to clean than my 18/10 stainless steel cookware and almost as easy to clean as my 316Titanium Saladmaster. I wonder if those having difficulties followed the written instructions for how to care and clean your cookware: “In case particles of food become burned in your pan, fill the pan with hot water in a hot pan, cold water in a cold pan, and let soak. The scorched particles should easily lift off. If a stubborn burn has been created, partly fill the pan with water and bring to a boil. use a wooden spoon to remove such burned particles. If a stain still remains, it can easily be removed with a good stainless steel cleaner.” I haven’t had much burn in my pan because i am not frying in them or using over high heat, I am following the directions for low-pressure waterless oil-less cooking.

Review by Kelly Rogers:
I just received this set for Christmas and I love it! I too was nervous about switching from non-stick, but it hasn’t been too bad. Just make sure you spray with non-stick before making hashbrowns!! LOL The set is beautiful and functional. LOVELOVELOVE the glass lids and grippy handles. The only thing it needs is a larger pan as the two provided are fairly small. I went ahead and bought Rachael Ray 5 Quart Hard Anodized Orange Oval Saute Pan with Helper Handle to complete the set.

Review by E. Bourgeois:
Nice set for the price. I’m switching over from “non-stick” so I was a little hesitant about sticking & clean-up. But, it hasn’t been bad at all. I did have to look up how to get the white spots out of the skillet (water & vinegar). I just wish there were larger pieces that matched this set!

Review by Practical Gourmet:
I purchased this set about six weeks ago am very pleased with it to date. I enjoy cooking and cook most meals “from scratch,” rarely relying on anything pre-packaged for a meal, so these pots and pans get a workout on a daily basis. Since purchasing them I’ve cooked dishes from oatmeal to pork tenderloin, squash soup to rice pilaf.The set is good looking, the lids fit perfectly, the pot handles are comfortable to grip even with a full pot (much better than my one Calphalon pan). In my kitchen, if it isn’t dishwasher safe, it is evicted, and these pots and pans do just fine in the dishwasher, unlike the aforementioned Calphalon. The pans are satisfyingly weighty, yet well balanced and the long pot handles stay cool to the touch (unless they are too close to another burner or the oven vent). The lid handles do get hot, but I always have a potholder handy.Cooking: I find the cookware is very responsive to my gas range; the pans conduct heat very efficiently and it is essential when using these pans to keep that in mind. I recommend starting with a lower temperature than you think you need and increasing the heat if necessary until you become accustomed to the way the pans respond to heat. The pans heat very evenly, I’ve successfully melted chocolate with no burning on the lowest heat setting, and rice cooks perfectly at a low simmer with the lid firmly in place. I prefer these over non-stick pans when sautéing, these pans allow good browning which leaves yummy bits behind for deglazing into a sauce; these pans perform well in that capacity. The rolled rims mean liquids pour driplessly from the pan, a feature I find extremely valuable. The entire set is oven safe and I find that also an excellent feature. You can quickly sear a pork tenderloin and then pop the skillet right in the oven to roast it to perfection. One less dish to clean, all the cooked-on bits in one pan to deglaze.Cleaning: I have not had any problems with cleaning the pans after use. Following the manufacturers recommendation, I add a little water to the warm pan and leave it to soak in the sink during dinner. Then the pan is loaded in the dishwasher with the rest of the dishes. Occasionally food may stick around the rivets, but the dishwasher usually takes care of that with ease. The manufacturer suggests avoiding citrus dishwashing products so I do. The mirror like finish is beautiful, but this is actually my least favorite feature of the set. Fingerprints and water spots show up readily. This in no way interferes with the cooking value of the set, but if you are concerned with the way the set looks, this is a flaw. If you must have it, a quick wipe with Barkeepers Friend or Cameo polish will restore the mirror finish.The set includes a 1-1/2- & 3-quart saucepan, 8-quart stockpot, and 10-inch skillet. Lids for the saucepans and stockpot are included. I received the bonus 2-quart sautee pan with my set which has proved very useful. I would have preferred a 12 inch skillet to the 10 inch but even so I find the set an excellent value. I saw no need of an 8 inch skillet which is why I chose this set instead of the 10 piece set. I hope Cuisinart will be adding to the open stock available in this line. I have the 16-quart stockpot with steamer basket and pasta insert, but would love to find a pasta insert and steamer for the 8 quart stock-pot.I think this set is an excellent value, and will satisfy me for years to come treated with a bit of care. I am replacing a set of Copper-bottomed Revere Ware my mother received as a wedding gift in 1950 (and used daily until she gave them to me 20 years ago), and I am hoping these will last as long, if not longer.

Review by Martin P. McCarthy:
Any shopper who is name conscious should stop for a moment and seriously consider this seven piece set. Cuisinart, a mainstay in the kitchen offers the cook in the household this wonderful 7 piece cookware set and Amazon.com offers it at an exceptional price.The set features 18-10 Stainless Steel construction that makes each piece feel substantial. The design also aids in convection and, thus, requires less heat from the stove top but that Heat is not transferred to the handle making the handle cool to the touch.Each piece features a high shine and bears the brand name on the side. Each piece is also rated up to 550 degrees which means it could double as bakeware.The only thing I would have liked would have been a 12 inch rather than a 10 inch skillet but with that said, the 10 inch skillet is a great piece.

Review by Susan:
This is a nice looking little cookware set. For the price, they are better quality than I expected. However, there is one little caution I would like to add: The lid handles are not well sealed and so not only does dish water get stuck in the gap, but steam also can escape through there, raising the temperature of the handle to scalding temps AND if you then turn the lid slightly the hot water/steam can run over your hands. Yes… I learned the hard way. Please be careful and wear gloves.

Review by Kulena:
I ordered these for a blind friend that was in need of better pans than scratched teflon..This was a great deal and he says they clean up nice.Very much worth the $$. Arrived in a few days..