Choosing the Perfect Nonstick Cookware Set

I recently had to replace my nonstick cookware set because I had them for 10 years and I’m pretty sure they weren’t safe to cook on anymore, I just hadn’t gotten around to it. I decided to ask my Instagram followers if they had any recommendations, and boy did they come through! I got a ton of messages and so many of my followers were kind enough to take the time to share the pros and cons of the sets they had purchased.

I’m not going to mention all of the brands that people sent me because there’s a lot of them. But I will list the ones that were recommended most and explain why I ultimately decided on the cookware set that I did.

1. Stainless Steel

Quite a few people suggested that I avoid nonstick and go with stainless steel because it’s safer than nonstick. The reason I didn’t want to go with stainless steel is because I like things to be quick and easy when cooking. There’s a bit of a learning curve with stainless steel and food can get stuck if you don’t know how to use it properly. In the past, whenever I have tried to cook using stainless steel pots, I always got food stuck on the bottom and I just didn’t want to deal with that. I already have a cast iron skillet and cocotte that I can use as a “safer” cooking option, so I just wanted to get something that would be easy to use and clean.

2. Calphalon

These looked like a great option and I really wanted to purchase these ones. The only reason I didn’t was because the sets I was interested in could not be used on an induction cooktop. Currently we have an electric range, but we will be moving in a few years and I wanted to have a set that was suitable for induction incase that’s what I end up getting in the future.

3. All-Clad

These sets were beautiful and highly rated. The reason I didn’t choose these was because the ones that were suitable for an induction cooktop didn’t have clear lids and I like to see the food that’s in the pot without having to remove the lid. I did find an All-Clad set that did have glass lids, however it was not suitable for an induction cooktop, so that eliminated that option.

4. Caraway

The people that owned Caraway sets LOVED their sets! They had so many positive things to say about them. I opted not to go for these because they didn’t have clear lids and because one person sent me a video of their Caraway set and it had burn marks all over the bottom of the pot. They recommended I get a dark colour, but I didn’t like any of the darker options that were available. Other people that owned Caraway sets did not have any issues with discolouration of their pots and pans, so I’m not sure why one person did. It could be because she was using a gas stove, but I’m not sure.

5. Always Pan by Our Place

This is another highly rated pan that can be seen all over Instagram. I decided against this one because I wanted a full set. I often use multiple pots and pans when cooking and didn’t want to have just one.

6. GreenPan

Multiple people told me that they like this cookware, but it wasn’t as durable as they had hoped and they were having some quality related issues with their sets. I also read some reviews online stating the same thing. I haven’t tried these myself to know for sure, but I didn’t want to risk it.

7. Viking

This is the set I chose and I’m glad I did! Here’s why I picked this set:

•  PFOA free nonstick, so I’m hoping this means it’s safe
•  Durable and they can even be used with metal utensils
•  Easy to clean
•  Has glass lids, so I can see what’s cooking
•  The handles stay cool when used on the cooktop
•  Can be used on all cooktops including induction
•  Can be used in the oven or on the grill
•  Dishwasher safe
•  It’s a 10 piece set, so I can cook multiple things at once

I’ve been using these pots and pans for a few months now and haven’t experienced any issues. I highly recommend this set. At the same time, you might also want to consider one of the sets I mentioned above, since all of them came highly recommended by my Instagram followers.

I keep my pots and pans organized in a drawer by stacking them. In order to keep them from getting damaged, I’ve placed protectors in between them. If you’d like to know how I’ve organized my home and work on decluttering and organizing your entire home step-by-step, room-by-room, make sure to check out my Clear the Clutter membership. I’ll help you get your home fully organized and implement systems that make everything easy to maintain.

Another cookware piece that I’ve also been getting a lot of use out of is my cast iron skillet. We recently went on an RV trip and I took the skillet with me. I made so many delicious recipes in it! If you’d like to see what I made and learn a bit about what it’s like to take your family on an RV trip, check out this video: