One of the secrets to unlocking your inner chef is the appliances you have at your disposal. A poor tradesman always blames his tools, but you don’t have to be a poor cook when your choice of cookware is almost limitless. Equipped with the best saucepan set, you are on your way to creating serious mischief in your kitchen.
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Best Saucepan Sets At A Glance
- Best Overall – Le Creuset 3-Piece Set
- Best Budget Saucepan Set – Tefal 5-Piece Set
- Best For Induction Hobs – Circulon 3-Piece Set
- Best For Gas Hobs – Le Creuset
- Best For Ceramic Hobs – Tower Cerastone 3-Piece Set
- Best For The Aga – Le Creuset
- Best For A Caravan – Salter 3-Piece Set
Best Saucepan Sets: Our Top 7
1. Le Creuset 3 Non-Stick Saucepan Set
- We think the Le Creuset toughened non-stick saucepans are pretty darn great.
- The set has 3 saucepans measuring 16cm, 18cm and 20cm, respectively.
- Despite the pans being solid and weighty, they don’t feel excessively heavy.
- The pans have a three-layer reinforced non-stick coating, which is four times stronger.
- Although you have to part with a goodly sum of money when buying the pan, you are getting excellent value for your money.
- Le Creuset also offers a lifetime warranty on their saucepans.
- Looks premium
- Durable
- Metallic helper handles
- Lifetime guarantee
- Pricey
- The metallic lid handle gets hot when cooking
< Click Here For A More In-Depth Le Creuset 3 Non-Stick Saucepan Set Review >
Features And Benefits
- Helper handles
All three saucepans have robust stainless-steel handles to assist in operation when cooking. The handles are uniquely fabricated so as not to heat excessively when the pan is placed over a cooking hob. The metallic helper handles also look great and make the plastic ones look cheap and nasty.
Furthermore, each pan has a glass lid, which is very handy for you to check on your cooking without removing the lid.
- PFOA-free non-stick coating
The saucepans are made of durable stainless steel, making them suitable for all hobs and finished with a PFOA-free, non-stick coating. The pans are also dishwasher safe, but as always, we recommend gentle hand washing to extend the life of the non-stick coating
2. Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK 3 Piece Set
- Ninja Foodi ZEROSTICK saucepan set includes one 16cm saucepan, one 18cm saucepan and one 20cm saucepan.
- All the pans have lids with holes, which we love because when cooking with liquids, the steam is released without having to prop the lid on the side.
- The saucepans are dishwasher safe and, best of all, oven safe up to 260⁰C. Interestingly, the saucepans are metal utensil-safe. Therefore, you can wash them with other metallic utensils without damaging them.
- Again, we prefer to gently had-wash our favourite pans separately to maintain the integrity of the non-stick coating and extend the product's life.
- Truly a non-stick solution!
- Plasma ceramic non-stick coating
- Scratch resistant
- Heavy
- Lids are quite shallow and can easily slip off
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<Click Here For A More In-Depth Ninja Foodi Zerostick Review>
Features And Benefits
- Quality non-stick coating
ZEROSTICK utilises a combination of a non-stick coating and plasma ceramic. The durable coating ensures the saucepans remain scratch-free and do not peel off. The manufacturer gives a 10-year replacement guarantee. Also, non-stick coating ensures you cook with little to no oil.
- Durable construction material
It’s built to last, thanks to the tough anodized aluminium used during construction. The material used guarantees quality. You get a 10-year replacement guarantee. Furthermore, you benefit from using the uniform heat distribution and, at the same time, a lightweight design.
3. Tefal 5 Piece Set: Best Cheapie
- The Black Tefal 5-piece saucepan (and frying pan) is made from aluminium for even heat distribution, and can be used on all hobs except induction hobs.
- They are also oven-proof up to 175⁰C for an hour so you can start a meal on the hob and finish in the oven.
- The 5 pieces include 16, 18 and 20 cm saucepans with transparent lids, plus 20 cm and 24 cm frying pans.
- Teflon is a great non-stick feature to have
- Different sized pans for different uses
- Affordable
- Easy to clean
- Heat indicator on frying pans
- Takes a while to heat up
- Not necessary to have 5 non-stick Teflon pans
< Click Here For A More In-Depth Tefal 5 Piece Set Review >
Features And Benefits
- Thermo spot technology
Each saucepan has a unique Thermospot heat indicator. The indicator changes to red to show that your pan has reached the perfect cooking temperatures. You, therefore, add ingredients at the right time, which is essential in making a delicious meal.
- Powerglide non-stick coating
The Powerglide non-stick scratch-resistant coating is durable, so you’ll have these pans in your kitchen for a very long time. They are easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
- Ergonomic handles
The handles are very comfortable to hold and just the right length (not too long or too short)
4. Circulon 3 Piece Set
- The Circulon 78054 saucepan set is robust and guarantees reliability.
- The saucepans have glass lids that let you observe your food as you cook.
- The set consists of one 16 cm, one 18cm and one 20cm pan.
- All have tempered glass lids.
- Durability
- Flexibility
- Easy to clean
- Oven-safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Lids don't fit perfectly
< Click Here For A More In-Depth Circulon Saucepan Set Review >
Features And Benefits
- Stainless steel
The saucepans are fabricated using high-quality momentum stainless steel. It ensures even heat distribution, zero warping and rapid heating. The saucepans are suitable for all hobs, including induction hobs.
- Total non-stick
The saucepans feature a long-lasting total non-stick coating, which means cooking with minimal to no oil. Also, cleaning the pans is very easy.
- Flexibility
The saucepan set is dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 180⁰C.
5. Tower Cerastone 3 Piece Set
- The Tower Cerastone 3-piece non-stick saucepan set (with lids) comes in 18, 20 and 22 cm versions.
- They are made of durable forged aluminium and come with a 5-year warranty.
- They are oven-safe up to 280°C.
- Easy to wash
- Even heat distribution
- 5-year warranty
- Lightweight
- Unreliable on induction hobs
- Handles get flimsy over time
Features And Benefits
- Cerastone coating
The saucepans have a durable ceramic coating. Coupled with the forged aluminium, they ensure even heat distribution for rapid cooking. The coating makes cleaning the pans effortless. Also, pouring food from the pans is easy.
- Wide compatibility
The pans are compatible with all hobs, including induction hobs.
- Cool handles
The saucepans have soft-touch, stay-cool silicone handles, which makes handling safe and easy.
- Steel base
The base is bonded with steel for even heat distribution.
6. Salter 3 Piece Set
- The Salter 3-piece ceramic saucepan set is designed with non-stick copper exteriors that give the set a rich visual appeal.
- Like most 3-piece saucepan sets, the Salter 3-piece set includes one 16 cm, one 18 cm, and one 20 cm saucepan.
- They all have top-notch tempered glass lids.
- The lids have steam vents, thus making them ideal for cooking with soups and broths.
- Looks attractive
- Transparent lids with steam holes
- Easy to clean
- Induction compatible
- Problematic when used on old induction hobs
Features And Benefits
- Safe
The saucepans are 100% PFOA/PTFE free and need minimal oil.
- Durable
The pans are made of strong aluminium bodies and coated with high-grade titanium, making them long-lasting and scratch-resistant.
- Induction bases
The pans are compatible with induction hobs and all other hobs. They also have stainless steel handles suitable for use in the oven up to 260⁰C.
7. Greenpan Venice Pro 3 Piece Set
- The Greenpan Venice Pro saucepan set is made from upcycled stainless steel and aluminium.
- The pans are then furnished with a ceramic non-stick coating.
- The ceramic coating is toxin-free and makes cleaning the pans super easy. The pans have even heat distribution and thus cook food perfectly.
- The set includes 16, 18 and 20 cm saucepans with lids.
- The exterior surface features a non-stick thermolon – a special ceramic coating.
- The pans also have metallic handles, making them easy to operate when hot.
- Even though the pans have nice-looking lids, they often spill froth when boiling rice or pasta.
- It would be best to fit them with lids with steam holes. You can, however, improvise to prevent the spillage. Place a wooden stick between the pan and the lid.
- The set is available in only one colour– light grey interior and dark grey exterior. The dark grey exterior matches most kitchen appliances, thus improving the overall appearance.
- PFOA-free material
- Even heat distribution
- Durable
- Induction compatible
- Oven safe
- The lid lacks steam holes
- May get chips from a dishwasher
Features And Benefits
- Durability
The Greenspan Venice Pro pans are made of stainless steel and aluminium, ensuring they are durable yet lightweight. The durable construction design makes the pans compatible with most kitchen hobs. They are also oven safe; pans up to 260⁰C and lids up to 220⁰C.
- Safe
All three pans have PFOA-free, non-stick ceramic coating. The thermolon ceramic coatings are safe from harmful PFOA because they do not produce any harmful fumes when heated.
- Dishwasher safe
Easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher (if you insist!), but keep them separate from metallic utensils.
Considerations When Buying A Saucepan Set
1. Material
When buying a saucepan, the material is a very important factor. It influences many other factors, such as durability, quality and pricing.
Aluminium Pans – ideal pans for beginners. They are good heat conductors, lightweight and inexpensive. They are, however, less durable and may require replacing more often. You should not use these pans for cooking acidic foods.
On the other hand, hard-anodised aluminium pans are electrochemically treated to increase durability. They heat up quickly, are lightweight and can cook acidic foods.
Stainless Steel – of the materials used to make saucepans, stainless steel is the most expensive but worth the money because the pans are incredibly durable, non-reactive and dishwasher safe.
Copper is incorporated in making pans due to its excellent heat conductivity. Although good copper pans are expensive, they are very durable. Copper pans are usually coated with stainless steel so they do not react with various foods. You should also clean copper pans with dedicated copper polish to maintain their looks.
Cast Iron takes time to heat but retains heat excellently, thus best suited for slow, even cooking. They are scratch-resistant, durable and . quite heavy. Lightweight cast iron pans like this one are becoming increasingly popular now.
2. Non-Stick
Most people like non-stick saucepans. Besides food cooking well, they are easy to wash. They are infused with a chemical compound coating, making food slide off the pan easily.
3. Budget
Budget is probably the most critical of all factors. Despite all the other factors, purchasing boils down to affordability. Good-quality pans are more pricey but durable as compared to lower-quality pans. They may require replacing after a few years, so does this make the cheaper expense today a good decision? I believe quality should be the deciding factor because, in the long run, a quality product is cheaper than that cheapie you can afford now.
4. Stackability
Kitchen space differs from one person to the other. If your kitchen is small, you should always use a stackable set to save space.
5. Lid Types
Glass or other transparent lids are great for cooking. You can see at a glance how things are progressing. Make sure the lids fit securely.
6. Handles
Pans with solid handles (riveted or moulded) give you great control when cooking. Don’t opt for handles with screws, or you’ll forever be tightening them to maintain that solid feel you need.
7. Cooking Hob
Every time you want to purchase cookware, make sure it will be compatible with the appliances in your kitchen. For instance, you cannot use some saucepans on induction hobs. Stainless steel is the best material that is compatible with all hobs.
9. Extras
Some saucepan sets come with additional features which may be beneficial. For instance, some have pour sprouts on both sides – left-handers like them a lot. Other sets are calibrated, making measuring ingredients easy.
<<Our Testing and Review Methodology>>
Best Saucepan FAQ
What Saucepan To Buy For My Hob?
Ceramic – Buy a saucepan set made from any material apart from copper and stainless steel with a copper base. Saucepans with a flat base have the smooth and full support of the hob surface.
Induction – In the description, the manufacturer indicates whether or not a saucepan is induction-compatible. You should purchase induction-friendly saucepans if you have an induction hob at home. They include cast iron and stainless steel.
Gas – All saucepans work with gas hobs. You should, therefore, prioritise fast and even heat distribution when buying a saucepan to be used with a gas hob. Stainless steel is one good material that distributes heat quickly and evenly.
What Is The Best Pan Material?
The best material depends on your preference. If you want durability and even heat distribution, stainless steel is the best. If you want a fast and lightweight pan, aluminium is the best. Anodized aluminium is the best if you want a lightweight yet durable pan. Also, cast iron is the best material for slow cooking because it retains heat excellently.
How To Clean And Maintain Your Saucepans?
The first step in cleaning and maintaining your saucepans is reading the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pan is not dishwasher safe, do not put it in a dishwasher. Also, the manufacturer always gives instructions on cleaning and maintaining your saucepans.
First, drain excess oil with a paper towel or a spatula to clean your saucepan. Add hot water to the pan. If food particles are stuck on the surface, use a dish brush. You can also use a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Once clean, wipe it with a towel and season it with oil.
Best Saucepan Set: Summing Up
Choosing a saucepan set can be challenging due to the excellent features of each set. The best saucepan set depends on your needs and preferences. We really rate the Le Creuset 3 non-stick saucepan set very highly, and it will give you good service for a very long time.