noils2 asked:
All the sets I’m looking at are mirror finish stainless with an aluminum core in the base for even heat distribution. All have heat resistant handles. The KithchenAid are rubber coated.
Cuisinart – $110
KitchenAid – Rubber handles limit oven temps to 400 degrees. – $120
Emerilware(made by All-Clad) – Glass lids. Stylish copper clad base. – $170
I’d like to know what direction you cooks who are familiar with multi-ply stainless cookware think I should go.

Go with the Cuisinart.
Stylish copper base ( got one) looks crappy after you use it, it needs to be polished ( don’t have the time) the Kitchen Aid with the Rubber Handles you have to watch in the oven ( don’t have time for that either). Buy a good heavy set that doesn’t cost the world like Cuisinart.
Happy Cooking!
i would not buy a set unless you are cooking for a family often, if it is just you or a mate, or you do not cook advanced or complicated dishes you should buy what you need as you need it.
i find myself needing 2-3 cast iron skillets,1 nonstick skillet, two large stock pots, two sauce pans with lids and a roasting pan with a lid. if you buy a set you wind up with not enough of what you need and too much extra stuff
if you are a single person and you make sandwiches heat up leftover take out and canned soup all you need is a non stick skillet and a sauce pan.
if you really want a set go with cuisinart. good stuf and a great value
I like the stainless steel with coppercore base. Love the glass lids, so you don’t have to lift them and lose heat to see if something is boiling.
You can tell if it’s a good pot by the weight. The good ones have a really thick base to distribute the heat evenly.