Every kitchen needs a few basic tools. A good chef knife, measuring spoons, perhaps a blender of some sort, and of course, a good set of cookware. Recently I’ve been cooking with the T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Non-stick 17 Piece Cookware Set. Although this set has been serviceable, I felt that any decent T-fal pans review should include some worthy alternative cookware sets from some other respectable manufacturers.
If you’re the type to peak at the end of mystery novels, I’ll reveal that If I could only recommend one cookware set, it’d be the Ninja C59500 10-Piece Cookware Set. Read on for all the details.
Related: Our Cookware Buying Guide. How To Find Your Perfect Set.
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Non-stick 17 Piece Cookware Set
If you’re in the market for a great starter set, this T-fal cookware is perfect. With 17 pieces, there’s a solution for just about any cooking job. Of course, smaller kitchens may be short on storage space since this collection doesn’t stack as efficiently as other offerings.
The Thermo-Spot heat indicator, which turns red when the pan is fully preheated and ready to use, is a unique characteristic of T-fal products. This eliminates the need for endless trial and error to find the ideal temperature.
The riveted, silicone-covered handles are ergonomically engineered to provide optimal comfort and safety, but restrict oven use to 400°F. The vented, tempered glass lids also minimize the need to constantly lift the covers to check on how your dish is doing. You can get optimum visibility while maintaining heat and moisture.
This set works well on most ranges but is not compatible with induction cooktops. They’re also free of any PFOA, cadmium, or lead.
Moreover, pans aren’t just functional; many of us like to display them when not in use. One common complaint I’ve been hearing is the pans quickly become discolored and, well, generally ugly looking. And we’re only talking after a few uses. This can also lead to pigmentation and scratches on electric stovetops.
Set includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10.25-inch fry pan
- 11.5-inch fry pan with lid
- 10.25-inch square griddle
- 1-quart saucepan with lid
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3.5 quart sauté pan with lid
- 5-quart dutch oven with lid
- 1 egg wonder fry pan
- Steamer insert with side handles
Pros:
- Large assortment of pieces
- Thermo-Spot heat indicator
- PFOA, cadmium, and lead-free
Cons:
- Not induction cooktop compatible
- Exterior scratches and discolors easily
- Limited to 400°F oven use
Alternatives List
Cooking for myself and recently transitioning to a vegan lifestyle have encouraged me to upgrade my cookware. It’s been a journey. And you can’t always trust that a non-stick pan will be exactly that. But I’m here to guide you in your quest to make cooking safer and more gratifying.
There are many top-tier, reputable kitchen brands that aren’t just safe to use in the kitchen but will also spark joy. So you can feel more confident with your recipes.
Explore some of my top picks and why I recommend these reliable cookware brands.
Calphalon Signature Hard-Anodized 10 Piece Set
Calphalon pans, as the brand’s official website so confidently assure you, provide everything you need for all types of meals. They currently offer six cookware collections with a range of stainless steel, cast iron, and anodized aluminum. This Signature Hard-Anodized 10 Piece is one of their top-of-the-line sets.
The Signature line features a triple-layer non-stick coating. In fact, this coating is 1.5 times more reliable and durable than a typical coating. And that extra layer means you can stir food around with metal utensils without any fear of scratching the surface. That’s so great for quick stirs and to keep your kitchen space clutter-free. Although more expensive than some other options, the durability and a well-respected brand name do not come cheap.
The entire set is constructed of heavy-gauge 3.6 mm thick aluminum, which ensures long-term durability and even heat distribution. The brushed stainless steel handles are designed to stay cool while cooking on the stove. Calphalon has chosen not to use silicone to coat the handles, thus they are oven safe up to 500°F. The tempered glass covers can be used in the oven up to 450°F.
According to the manufacturer, the PFOA-free, three-layer non-stick surface is dishwasher safe and can tolerate the usage of metal utensils. However, my recommendation with all non-stick cookware is to use only silicone or wood utensils, and handwash with soapy water, if you want to maximize the life of the cookware.
Set includes:
- 10-inch omelet pan
- 12-inch omelet pan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3 quart sauté pan with lid
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
Pros
- Triple-layer non-stick surface
- Oven rated to 500°F (lids to 450°F)
- Shatter-safe, tempered glass lids
- PFOA free
- Stainless steel handles keep cool on stovetop
- Even heat base
Cons:
- Not induction compatible
- Expensive
Lagostina Nera Hard-Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set
Splurge out on your cookware with Lagostina Nera Hard-Anodized Non-Stick 12-Piece Cookware Set. They pack a punch in the kitchen and add warmth and style to your dining table. Before I get into my favorite qualities of this brand, let’s appreciate how its story began. Still going strong after 80 years, the brand was founded by a father and son (who doesn’t love a business with a family background?).
Totally worth the investment, this 12-piece set includes a great selection of pots and pans. Crafted with two layers of stainless steel and an aluminum core, you receive a triple-ply construction that gives each piece a feel of quality while providing durability that with proper maintenance, should last for years.
Like many of the other brands, Lagostina claims its dual-layer non-stick coating can withstand metal utensils and is dishwasher safe. Don’t count on it.
The lids and handles are stainless steel. It might take some adjusting to use steel lids instead of glass. But, this material achieves an excellent job at retaining heat. Also, the stunning hammered lids really set them apart from the competition. The cast riveted handles stay relatively cool on the stove despite being uncoated. Another great feature is the entire set is oven rated to 500°F. Perfect for when you want to sear that swordfish steak or brown that cheese topping.
If you’re anything like me in the kitchen, you’re prone to spillages when transferring soup to a bowl. While a large soup spoon will prevent this from happening, I just don’t have the patience for single-spoon servings for the rest of my life. Fortunately, Lagostina’s pans boast flared edges to cut dripping.
Overall, a nice, relatively inexpensive set with a bit more style thanks to the hammered lids.
Set includes:
- 8.5-inch skillet
- 10-inch skillet
- 1-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3.5 quart sauté pan with lid
- 12 inch everyday pan with 2 handles
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
- 8-quart pasta insert
Pros
- Stylish hammered lids
- Quality feel
- Triple-ply construction
- Oven safe to 500°F
- Flared edges to reduce dripping
- PFOA free
Cons
- Not induction compatible
- Doesn’t include a 2-quart saucepan
All-Clad Essentials Non-Stick Hard-Anodized 10-Piece Cookware Set
I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t share my love for All-Clad cookware. Before I dive in and share some of my favorite features, it’s worth noting that you can’t expect premium quality without a premium price tag. However, Amazon has many of the best deals for these pans.
One of the biggest standout qualities of All-Clad pans is their stainless steel cookware and how they’re made. With proper care, they can last a lifetime. The same cannot be said for any nonstick cookware. While their Essentials line is designed and built with quality, no non-stick coating is going to last forever so I’m not sure if it makes sense to pay top dollar.
A triple layer of PFOA-free non-stick coating on top of a hard-anodized aluminum construction provides a really satisfying cooking experience. Each piece is oven safe up to 500°F (lids to 350°F) with even heat distribution and is compatible with gas, electric, and ceramic stovetops. Since these pots and pans don’t have magnetic bases, they can’t be used with an induction stove.
Unlike many other cookware companies that are evidently only in the game for the money, All-Clad cares about its consumers. And that’s clear by some of the nice little details they’ve added. For starters, All-Clad has redesigned the handles from a straight form to a more contoured shape. This might seem like a simple change, but if you’re cooking every day, these little adjustments can make a huge difference. All-Clad also introduced interchangeable lids, which is an absolute no-brainer. Another nice feature is the set is designed to be nested saving valuable storage space.
Set includes:
- 8.5-inch fry pan
- 10.5-inch fry pan
- 4 quart sauté pan with lid
- 2.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 7-quart stockpot with lid
- Multi-purpose stockpot insert
- 13-inch square pan
- 2 silicone trivets
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Oven safe up to 500°F (lids to 350°F)
- Comfortable, contoured handles
- Interchangeable lids
- Nesting design saves space
- PFOA, PFOS, cadmium and lead-free
Cons
- Not induction compatible
- Metal handles can get hot
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Hard-Anodized 17 Piece Set
If you’re equipping your kitchen for the first time or want to start fresh the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Hard-Anodized 17 Piece Set is the perfect solution. With 17 pieces, it can handle just about anything you can throw at it, and it’s an incredible value.
Each piece is constructed with hard-anodized aluminum which is harder than stainless steel for durability and provides even heating to eliminate any hot spots. Their exclusive Quantanium® non-stick coating is reinforced with titanium. However, it doesn’t seem to be any more long-lasting than other brands.
On the plus side, each piece has stainless steel handles that stay relatively cool on the stovetop, drip-free rims, and the pots all have measurement markings inside.
One drawback is, this set is strictly handwash only. Not only will the dishwasher affect the performance of the non-stick coating, but it will also discolor the exterior finish as well.
Since the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Set comes with 17 pieces and doesn’t stack like some of the other offerings, it takes up a lot of cabinet space. Fortunately, it’s available in 14, 11, and 7-piece sets as well.
Set includes:
- 1-quart saucepan with lid
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3.5 quart sauté pan with helper handle and lid
- 4-quart dutch oven with lid
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
- 8-inch skillet
- 10-inch skillet
- 12-inch skillet with lid
- 20 cm steamer insert with lid
Pros
- Incredibly versatile
- Great value
- Oven safe to 500°F (covers to 350°F)
- Handy measurement marking on all pots (not skillets)
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Not induction compatible
- Takes up storage space
Best Alternative: Ninja C59500 Foodi NeverStick Premium 10-Piece Set
There can only be one winner for this T-fal pans review. My favorite cookware set is the Ninja C59500 Foodi NeverStick Premium 10-Piece Cookware Set. It offers some unique features that really separate them from the rest.
For starters, the clever anti-scratch nesting design protects the pots and pans during storage by suspending each cooking surface so they never come into contact. When stacked, this design takes up 55% less cabinet space.
Ninja boasts that their exclusive NeverStick coating will not stick, chip, or flake, and back it up with a 10-year guarantee. This cookware is made at a maximum temperature of 30,000°F. Because traditional cookware is made at a maximum temperature of 900°F, it can quickly lose non-stick properties. I can’t personally attest to the long-term durability of their coating but after scouring the web I found surprisingly few negative comments regarding the non-stick performance.
Completely non-toxic and free of PFOA, cadmium, and lead.
When frying foods or transferring ingredients to a dish, it’s essential that you have a comfortable grip. Fortunately, each piece in this collection comes equipped with stainless steel, and ergonomic handles, and is double-riveted for strength. And the longer handles remain cooler for longer on the stovetop.
To finish cooking meats, brown toppings, or bake, simply transfer from the stovetop to the oven. Both the handles and the NeverStick coating are oven safe up to 500°F. The lids are oven safe up to 400°F.
Most importantly, a pan set must cook evenly. That’s why this Ninja collection utilizes a forged aluminum design with a 4.5 mm base (30% thicker than many brands) that enables quick and even heat distribution. That means less time stirring and flipping over and more thoroughly cooked food.
And finally, the Ninja set is the only cookware in this review that will work with an induction stovetop, along with gas, electric, and ceramic.
Set includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10.25-inch fry pan
- 1.5-quart saucepan with glass lid
- 2.5-quart saucepan with glass lid
- 3 quart sauté pan with glass lid
- 6.5-quart stockpot with glass lid
Pros
- Stackable design for easy storage
- Takes up 55% less cabinet space
- Quality design and feel
- Oven-safe pans up to 500°F (lids to 400°F)
- Provides quick and even heat distribution
- Stainless steel handles for durability and comfort
- Highly rated non-stick performance
Cons
- Strainer insert not included
- No vent holes on lids
Related: The 8 Best Ceramic Cookware Sets For Every Kitchen
Conclusion
While the T-fal pan set, as well as the other cookware reviewed, were solid choices, my favorite is the Ninja C59500. Ninja always seems to think outside the box with their designs and it really shows here.
The Ninja C59500 10-Piece Cookware Set, in particular, seems to check all the boxes for a great home kitchen cookware set. High-quality construction, unique features, and top-notch performance and durability. All at a very reasonable price. I’m tempted to grab a set myself.
Check them out here.
