A skillet is an essential tool for sautéing. Its curved sides and relatively lightweight make it easy to stir and toss ingredients for rapid, even cooking—and it does a bang-up job roasting smaller portions of vegetables, fish, and meat—like steaks, chops, chicken breasts, and more.
Finding the best stainless steel cookware can be difficult.
You’ll want a quality set of pans not just for food safety purposes, but you don’t them to easily scratch or rust.
If you’re all about quality, you’ll find our list of stainless steel cookware relevant for you. I’ve listed only the top stainless steel cookware to date.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart 722-36H Chef’s Classic Stainless 14-Inch Open Skillet | This popular stainless steel skillet is made with a shiny 18/10 stainless steel finish. | ||
| All-Clad D5 Stainless Steel 5-Ply Fry Pan Skillet Cookware | Bring professional cook to your home with the All-Clad D5 stainless steel 5-ply 12-inch skillet pan. | ||
| All-Clad Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded Skillet Pan 12-Inches | The 12-inch All-Clad tri-ply skillet pan is the cookware king that could be the best stainless skillet you are looking for. | ||
| Cooks Standard 10.5-Inch/4 Quart Multi-Ply Skillet Pan with Lid | The pan is made of high-quality materials like the others but boasts a 4-quart capacity and comes with a lid. | ||
| Emeril Lagasse Stainless Steel Fry Pan, 8-inches | If you’re shopping for the best stainless skillet at an affordable price, you should check out Emeril Lagasse pan. | ||
| Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Skillet 3 Quart | Calphalon stainless steel cookware skillet comes with a 3-quart capacity and sturdy handles. | ||
| Tramontina Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Tri-Ply Skillet Pan | Tramontina features a stainless-steel tri-ply skillet pan is the best stainless skillet that is worthy of your investment. |
Detailed Reviews of the 7 Best Stainless Skillets
Cuisinart 722-36H Chef’s Classic Stainless 14-Inch Open Skillet
This popular stainless steel skillet is made with a shiny 18/10 stainless steel finish.
Product Highlights
The cast aluminum handles are welded for a sure grip and protection. They are built to remain cool while cooking at high temperatures. The aluminum coating distributes the heat, so you don’t have to worry about hot spots. You can place the pan in 550 degrees oven. You can also use it on the stove and even under the broiler.
The Good
With fewer drips and spills, the pan’s rim is built so that you can pour liquids from the pan easily. The helper handle makes moving the pan simpler. For quick cleaning, the pan is also dishwasher safe. It’s not going to stain, discolor, or trapped food, and you never need to stress about using or scraping the pan with metal utensils.
The Bad
Some users report this product tends to rust quickly, which shouldn’t be due to stainless steel quality.
PROs
- Even heat distribution
- Easy to clean
- Oven and broiler safe
- Dishwasher safe
CONs
- A bit difficult to store
- The product tends to rust
- Some say it has an uneven cooking surface.
All-Clad D5 Stainless Steel 5-Ply Fry Pan Skillet Cookware
Bring professional cook to your home with the All-Clad D5 stainless steel 5-ply 12-inch skillet pan.
Product Highlights
This D5 series pan features a five-layer coating, alternating 18/10 stainless steel covers with two heat-maintaining aluminum coats. The pan’s interior is a high-polish surface that also features a unique pattern. This stops food from sticking and makes washing easier. In addition to gas, electric, and halogen cooktops, the magnetic stainless steel exterior makes it suitable for induction stoves. You can also use this product inside the oven as it is safe for cooking up to 600 degrees, ideal for finishing dishes.
The Good
With a nylon scrubber and mild dish soap, you can clean this fry pan by handwashing or putting it in the dishwasher. All-restricted Clad’s offer a lifetime warranty to this product against workmanship defects or damages while in use. The 12-Inch pan is suitable for cooking from eggs to meats, stir-frying, and searing. The pan featured a flat bottom and flared sides that make it easy to toss foods and allow a spatula to be easily turned.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is it tends to discolor and scratch the surface.
PROs
- Features 5-layer construction
- 600 degrees oven safe
- Easy to clean
- Compatible with all cooktops
CONs
- A bit pricey
- The product is a bit heavy
- Food sticks on the pan
All-Clad Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded Skillet Pan 12-Inches
The 12-inch All-Clad tri-ply skillet pan is the cookware king that could be the best stainless skillet you are looking for.
Product Highlights
Perfect for searing steaks and pan sauces, this All-Clad skillet is supported by tri-ply USA-made construction. You can toss food easily makes the flared sides effortless. The 12-inch cooking surface allows the ingredients plenty of space to breathe and cook. This pan lets the user cook an entire ready-made chicken. This stainless steel cookware provides warp-resistant, strength, and dishwasher-safe, plus you can use it on an induction stove or any cooktops.
The Good
It quickly heats up and pleasantly retains the heat. With 20 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the hottest and coldest spots, this product is the strongest in the roundup. For cooking at higher heat with oils, the All-Clad frying pan is perfect for developing rich flavor foods, color, and crisp texture. The Stainless 3-ply cookware from All-Clad has a thick-gauge aluminum core that easily attracts heat.
The Bad
Some customers report this product has much weight compared to its rivals, making it difficult to transfer food and move the skillet.
PROs
- Heats evenly
- Comes with flared sides
- Features 3-ply cookware
- Dishwasher safe
CONs
- A bit pricey
- Durability is a concern
- The skillet is a bit difficult to transfer food.
Cooks Standard 10.5-Inch/4 Quart Multi-Ply Skillet Pan with Lid
The pan is made of high-quality materials like the others but boasts a 4-quart capacity and comes with a lid.
Product Highlights
This pan only comes with 2-ply iron, making the product solid on the pan’s bottom and walls. Plus, you can be sure it will be safe from any flaws or harm during use. The pan is also inexpensive than the other items, and with the capacity to cook up to 5 quarts, it’s also the largest size. It’s all safe in the dishwasher and safe in the oven with little to no issues.
The Good
This pan comes with the largest surface compared to others on the market. It has a metal lid, so you can securely put it in the oven. The pan is safe for dishwashing, but it is recommended that you hand wash it. The product features an even and rapid distribution of heat and avoids hot spots. The stainless steel lid preserves the taste of heat and moisture.
The Bad
One major drawback of this product is it doesn’t come with a warranty to protect the pan from damages while in use.
PROs
- Features drip-free tapered lip
- Induction compatible product
- Comes with riveted handle and helper handle
- Easy to clean
CONs
- The skillet is a bit heavy
- Some users complain the 2-ply iron is a bit thinner than others
- May not be durable enough
Emeril Lagasse Stainless Steel Fry Pan, 8″, Silver
If you’re shopping for the best stainless skillet at an affordable price, you should check out Emeril Lagasse pan.
Product Highlights
With the aluminum base bottom’s added advantage, the stainless steel layer ensures the cooking surface heats up quickly. You can place these pans directly to the oven from either traditional or induction stovetops. Also, they are dishwasher-safe for quick washing. Emeril Lagasse 8-inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan is suitable for searing steaks, making omelets, or sautéing vegetables.
The Good
One major feature of this product is it can retain and provide an even heating surface that rivals even the All-Clad skillet. The flat handle does a great job balancing the light and sturdy pan. Plus, the riveted stainless steel handle doesn’t get hot easily. You can place this stainless steel skillet from stovetop to oven, and can withstand 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Bad
Although this product consists of three layers of metal bonded surface, the rest of the pan is thin.
PROs
- Good heat retention
- Features stainless steel skillet
- Compatible with 550 degrees Fahrenheit
- Perfect for searing, frying, and sauteing
CONs
- The handle gets hot easily
- Durability is an issue
- The product stains quickly
Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Skillet 3 Quart
Calphalon stainless steel cookware skillet comes with a 3-quart capacity and sturdy handles.
Product Highlights
Made from brushed stainless steel for fast and even heating, this product features an impact-bonded aluminum coating. This pan has a flat bottom that holds direct heat and is perfect for sautéed meats, sauces, vegetables, and more. It has small sides that, while minimizing splatter, let the air circulate. Instead of stainless steel, the lid is made of tempered glass, which means it may be safe for dishwashing. This product is backed with a 10-year warranty ensuring to use this one for a long time. You can place this skillet inside the oven but do not put it at high temperatures.
The Good
When it comes to tossing food, its flared sides and handle style are helpful. Its heft works to its benefit even when it comes to heating. Even with heavy pans, long, ergonomic handles provide a safe grip, stay cool even when the pan is heated. The Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel 3-Quart Pan is safe to place inside the oven and broiler. It is also safe to put in the dishwasher for quick cleaning.
The Bad
One major drawback of the pan is made from 2-ply stainless steel making it less durable and less heat retention.
PROs
- The wide flat cooking surface
- Stainless steel construction
- Stay-cool handle
- Oven and broiler safe
CONs
- May not be suitable for the oven at high temperatures
- Durability is a concern
- The product tends to warp and rust
Tramontina Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Tri-Ply Skillet Pan
Tramontina features a stainless-steel tri-ply skillet pan is the best stainless skillet that is worthy of your investment.
Product Highlights
While the 18/10 stainless steel lids help lock in nutrients, the tri-ply clad structure provides heat from all sides. For stability and added support, the ergonomically built cast stainless steel handles are riveted. The Tri-Ply Clad cookware from Tramontina is compatible with all cookers, including an induction stove that bears up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is crafted in the most challenging kitchens to withstand regular use.
The Good
It comes with a metal lid, so you can securely place it inside the oven. The pan is safe for dishwashing, but it is recommended that you hand wash it. A lifetime warranty comes with the pan to protect it from any flaws or harm that can occur while in operation. Providing outstanding efficiency, the uniform spread of heat without hotspots, you have a worthy kitchen tool. From all sides and the rim, this cookware heats up consistently. This NSF-certified cookware is perfect for sautéing, stir-frying and searing meat.
The Bad
We don’t like this product because of its heaviness and difficulty moving the food to the plate.
PROs
- Retains heat
- Comfortable to hold
- Lifetime warranty
- Compatible with all cooktops
CONs
- Heats a bit slower than other products
- A bit heavy
- May not be durable enough
Conclusion
Most individuals have a durable skillet or two as their basic kitchen cooking tool. There’s almost nothing it can’t do, whether you’re searing, roasting, or stir-frying. The time comes to choose the best stainless skillet pan on our list, where building quality and affordability are considered. Here’s how to learn more about skillets.