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Review by kimz:

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am Italian and raised 5 children on daily home-cooked meals. The kitchen is the center of my home. So when my daughter got her own apartment out west and asked for a set of pots for Christmas, I wanted to make sure I got her a quality set that would last her for years and years. I knew what I wanted for her, but didn't know which brand to purchase. Non-stick was out (I have never liked it). The pots also had to be both dishwasher/oven safe, and I wanted the pot handles to be riveted into the pot. Off I went to the mall with my "specifications" in hand to look at the different brands and sets available. Boy was I amazed at how many there were! I took my time and examined each set. Not only did I look at the sets, but I also handled the sets. This is VERY important. Many of the quality sets were so heavy that I needed two hands to lift the larger pieces, and although I could lift the smaller saucepans, I had difficulty tilting them to the side to pour. Others had handles that were very uncomfortable to use. Then I came upon the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 10-piece cookware set. I was very impressed by the quality. They were heavy grade yet easy to handle. They also met my other specifications listed above AND they looked really nice as well. The price of 9 was quite unbelievable. I drove home and ran straight to my computer and ordered the set through Amazon. I got free shipping and had the set delivered directly to my daughter. I also used the holiday bonus coupon for off my order. I was so impressed with the set and the deal Amazon was offering, a few days later I purchased a second set through Amazon for myself. I LOVE them. They cook beautifully on my gas range and clean up well in the dishwasher. The handles DO NOT get hot while cooking, which totally surprised me. Do be careful with the lid handles though. They will get hot if cooking on higher heat. I haven't had a problem with delicate foods burning due to the high thermoconductivity of the pans; however, my stove is a professional grade 6-burner unit. I don't know if that makes any difference or not. All I can say is this set looks great, cooks great, handles great, and sells at a great price. What more can you ask for?

Review by Gerhard Bohn:

The day after Thanksgiving, "Black Friday" is the official kick off of the Holiday shopping season. I have never participated in this event, however those 20% coupons to shop between 6AM and 11AM enticed me. I needed a new cookware set, since my old pots and pans dated back to before I was born.

I am known as the "Research King" & "The Negotiator", so yes I did my homework. I was going to purchase a non stick set for 0.00, however you have to "feel" the set before buying. Is the weight even, do the covers fit right - you know what I mean. NOTE: I cook every night and have for years. I am not a Chef, but can cook a great meal.

Right next to Anolon at Macy's Dept. store, was the Cuisinart 10 Piece Classic Stainless cookware. It looked good, the weight was even, the lids fit great, but why so inexpensive? I researched Cuisinart and knew it was a good brand, so after playing around with the pots and pans for 20 minutes I bought the set! So this is what I got:

- 8" & 10" Skillet

- 1.5 QT & 3 QT Saucepan with covers

- 3.5 QT Saute with helper handle and cover

- 8 QT Stockpot with cover

FREE Gift with purchase: 2 QT Saucier

Extra Purchase: 5 1/2 QT All purpose pan with cover.

So, all in all, I got a 13 piece set for the grand total of: 0.75

Yes, I took advantage of a 20% coupon and then an additional 10% coupon. All 13 pieces are part of Cusinarts's Cheft's Classic line.

My Experience: (Rate by school grade A through F)

* Appearance: All the pieces looked great. The set looks as if it should be worth 0.00 (Grade A )

* Weight: The weight of each piece is solid and even. An important point because I flip my food and move the pans a lot while cooking. Note: These pieces do not feel cheap. Very good solid feel. (A-)

* Covers: The lids are a little light in weight, however they create a vacum seal when the heat is turned down. They do a better job then I expected. Normally with lighter lids you think they would wiggle and pop off, but these hold tight! (B )

* Handles: Solid Stainless steel, riveted handle. Solid feel and yes they stay cool. Also long enough to get a good grip. (A)

* Heat Distribution - Cuisinart recommends cooking on lower heat. Yes, this is true. The aluminum bottoms heat quickly and there are no hot spots. Trust me, use low heat. (A )

* Sticking - Well, these are not non stick. I used most of these pots and pans already to reheat our Thanksgiving dinner. Some things really stuck to the pots even when using PAM. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, stuck like glue. Next morning: Bacon stuck, but eggs did not. Go figure.... (B-)

* Clean Up: Water and soap in pan right after cooking. Yes this works well, but I have always done this. (B)

* Dishwasher: Yes, they are dishwasher safe, however after one cycle, the inside bottoms of a couple of pans had a purple tint to it. So, I have decided just to hand wash these for now. (Until I get lazy). (C-)

Final grade: B

Review by CEG:

I've owned more expensive cookware sets, but this moderately priced set from KitchenAid ranks with the best of them. All of my previous cookware was stainless steel or low-end aluminum, so I was not sure what to expect in terms of durability. However, this set has exceeded my expectations. The pans are wonderful to cook with, the non-stick coating beats anything I've tried before, the lids fit tightly, and the insulated handles make oven mitts unnecessary. I love how light the pans are -- even full they are easy to lift and pour from. One note of caution: The domed lids and upright lid handles mean these pans require a bit more storage space than other sets I've used.

Review by Enrique Garza:

Being a consumer reports junkie I noticed this cookware was not rated under the nonstick column so I relied on Amazon reviews and decided to purchase this set. My hats off to the people who have reviewed this item because the comments are very accurate and honest. I really love this Kitchen aid set for the following reasons:

1. It looks just amazing to have them shown, we have visitors complimenting the looks of the pans and then they see Kitchen Aid and say "wow". It's a good feeling.

2. The cooking is very fast and the burn is very even....amazing. I whipp up two eggs in under 3 minutes. The other day I cooked and omelette and upon flipping it over the cook diagragm was very evenly spaced and consistent. Again Amazing !!!

3. Most reviewers say it is easy to clean....that is so true!!! One quick clean with either a dish sponge or a simple rag will do the job.

3. The handles do not get warm even when warming up the pan. You can leave the pot warming and grab the handle with full confidence and you will not worry about the handle being warm.

4. The top glass is very stylish and durable. We accidentally dropped one and not a scratch.

5. The price with the special offer from Amazon brings this pot down to a very affordable price.

6. These pots are enough to cover your every day cooking needs. I believe they will also last at least over 5 years so I highly recommend them.

Again thanks to Amazon for just being Amazon, but people out there taking the time to input reviews, I want to thank you for the comments and reviews that lead me to believe there are good people still out there watching out for one another.

Amazon is just awesome in most areas, I hardly ever shop at ebay because of Amazon.

Cheers,

Review by SoCalAvAZ:

I got these as part of our wedding registry here on Amazon and with about 2 months of use I am very happy with this set. More so than any other set of pots/pans that I own.

Here are some pro's:

1 - The non-stick is truly non-stick and so easy to use. The fact that the outside is non-stick also makes cleaning up easy.

2 - The handle really does stay cool, even near the edge on gas burners

3 - The size of all 9 pieces are very convenient

4 - Easy to wash due to non-stick and dishwasher safe

5 - Thermospots assists in cooking evenly

6 - Oven safe

Great price and value.

Review by :

This cookware is a great value. They are certainly non-stick, even egg and burned breadcrumbs come off easily. The non-stick surface is also durable and has not become scratched in the year and a half I've owned them.

Review by Kendra M. Tessman:

I am an avid home chef & treasure high-quality cookware. These are great! They are thinner (but harder) than many brands, which I truly love. Lower heat settings can be used for comparable results in other cookware, which saves energy, money, & severity of burns if the user is accident prone.

Some things to know:

1. These pans are designed to be hung on a rack. Hanging does save your cookware from a lot of those small injuries caused to them by stacking.

2. The Quantanium non-stick finish is like Teflon on steroids! I use about 1/4 the oil/butter I normally used in the older versions of Teflon. As mentioned above, a lower heat setting is also necessary. These are very easy to clean (except the stainless steel "buttons" where the handles are attached - everything sticks well there).

3. Although they say "Metal Utensil Safe", DON'T! Save the metal utensils for your cast iron & stoneware.

4. Non-stick cooking spray tends to eat finish on pans. Preserve them by washing well with soap & water as soon as they are cool. TIP: NEVER, EVER put a sizzling hot pan in water or dump cool water into it! This causes warping that basically ruins the pan. Move the pan to an unused burner & let it cool naturally before washing.

5. With the small steamer insert, never fill the pan over one inch above the bottom of the insert. With the stockpot insert, 2 inches. This can be pushed to nearly 3, but the mess from overfilling is big.

6. Enjoy & care for these pans! You won't ever have to buy replacements for them as long as you don't abuse them.

Review by T. DeWitt:

I never write reviews, but this one is worth it! Cleanup is a snap, even baked on cheese. Normally I dread cleaning pans and just toss them in the dishwasher. I did abide by the instructions and washed them by hand. Egg, grease, baked on cheese, you name it. A little hot water and soap under the faucet does the trick.

I'm tossing my other pans.

Review by Momma Murphy:

For the price of this product, the Farberware Classic line cannot be beat! The variety of pot and skillet sizes available, along with interchangeable lids, is a real plus in my kitchen. Clean up is easy and required storage space is minimal. The first set I owned for 23 years. This new set was a treat to myself since my oldest is moving out to set up his own household...with my old Farberware!

Review by Emily Rich:

I had put these on my wish list as a future splurge and was surprised and pleased when my hubbie bought them for me for my birthday last month! (LOVE that other folks can see my wish list!) I have owned Farberware before, but, only one or two pans...after twenty years or so, a handle had loosened, a pan lid was missing, etc. but they were still going strong! I don't think you can get a better quality of cookware at this price! (I had looked at other brands of aluminum clad stainless steel cookware and found they were HUNDREDS of dollars!) I have a ceramic cooktop and have found that many of the pots and pans I've tried have warped immediately and were instantly useless on the ceramic top (where things have to be perfectly flat to work). Not so with these pots and pans! They stay flat and heat up quickly. This set has a nice variety of sizes (my only complaint is that it doesn't contain a 6 quart stock pot). The lids fit well and the pots and pans have wonderful rings on the handles that allow hanging on any pot rack! The skillets are small, but, really good (the non-stick surface is thick and the pans heat up well and clean up easily). The set also came with three stainless bowls with plastic covers (perfect for chilling cookie dough), also with rings for hanging. I am pleasantly surprised as well by the baking pan. I usually use glass, but, my lemon bars baked up very nicely in this pan. The cookie sheet, though extremely small, is also impressive. It doesn't warp under high heat and I have used it for making garlic toast and as a pan under pies and breads with no problem. In fact, I plan to put Farberware cookie sheets on my wish list next! If you a looking to replace pots and pans, or, want to give someone you love a much appreciated gift that will last for years and years, I recommend this wonderful set!

Review by K. Madison:

I did quite a bit of research, trying to find a good but "reasonably" priced cookware set. When I read the reviews for this KitchenAid set, I thought I would give them a try. I LOVE THEM!!! I used them to cook Christmas dinner and couldn't have been more pleased with my purchase! Clean up is an absolute breeze!!!! It truly is non-stick without using oils or butter. The only downside is that food does get stuck in the rivets, which is the only time you have to use a little elbow grease to clean these pans.

Overall, I'm 100% happy with the price, the look, the weight and the performance of this set. I love the stay cool handles. I quickly tossed my old set (which had become far from non-stick) and am cooking up a storm. I have to admit, on my old set, I always used non-stick spray. When I read the KitchenAid directions, that came with these pans, it said NOT to use spray as it compromised the integrity of the non-stick surface. OOOPS! Lesson learned. Non-stick spray will never touch this set!!!

Review by M. Bomhoff:

When I initially was looking for a new cookware set, I had several choices/brands to consider. Due to past experience with Circulon, we opted to stay away from it. Circulon was pretty good stuff, BUT those little ridges in the bottom of the cookware seem to collect alot of "gunk" in them...and yes I did hand wash it after each use After a while, unable to remove it even with scrubbing.

So I compared this set with Emerilware and Avalon hard anodized sets.

All three sets were very similar in weight and sizes. I liked the handles on the Kitchen Aid , due to the silicone rubber on them. It really keeps the cool to touch even after "heavy duty "cooking.

Also,after a little research, I discovered that there is a reason Anolon, Circulon and Kitchen Aid all look real and feel real similar... they are ALL made by the MEYER /Kitchen Aid company !!! After seeing eaach set in person at numerous store, we discovered they were almost identical except for a few minor detail (handles, markings, etc.) Seems that even cookware , you pay for the name!!

Lastly, we have used this cookware to cook fish, chicken, ground beef, eggs, you name it. I con honestly tell you , as stated, you only need to use oil/butter for flavor. NOTHING sticks to this cookware. everything seems to just slide right off. I mean even water on these pans beads right up! It heats evenly and very fast. As directions state, cook on low to medium heat. Seems this cookware heats up faster and cooks better that way. On low/ medium heat, was able to cook just as fast as my previous pans did on high.

All in all...fantastic cookware set and fantastic price on Amazon.

I would highly recommend this set for those that need new cookware and those that love to cook. You don't need to spend tons of money on the other brands whem you can get the same this/ different name for a much cheaper price!!

Review by Susan:

This is a nice looking little cookware set. For the price, they are better quality than I expected. However, there is one little caution I would like to add: The lid handles are not well sealed and so not only does dish water get stuck in the gap, but steam also can escape through there, raising the temperature of the handle to scalding temps AND if you then turn the lid slightly the hot water/steam can run over your hands. Yes... I learned the hard way. Please be careful and wear gloves.

Review by Kulena:

I ordered these for a blind friend that was in need of better pans than scratched teflon..This was a great deal and he says they clean up nice.Very much worth the $$. Arrived in a few days..

Review by R. P. Poletti:

This is the set you want. Why? Here are some reasons. Some are about Stainless steel cookware in general, but all apply specifically to this set.

o Stainless steel is sanitary. You can get them perfectly clean very easily. (Commercial food processors are often required to use stainless steel for nearly everything that comes in contact with food.)

o Stainless steel cleans up nearly as easily non-stick cookware. You do clean it differently, however.

o These pans have an aluminum core wrapped on both sides by stainless steel. Stainless steel does not transmit heat quickly but aluminum does. Aluminum is soft and dents easily, stainless steel is hard and strong. This means you get the toughness of stainless steel with the even heat distribution of aluminum.

o Even heat distribution and rapid heating allows you use lower heat setting thus saving energy and reducing the chance of burning food.

o Handles stay fairly cool, better than most cookware I have used.

o Dishwasher safe, unlike most non-stick pans.

o Oven-safe. Like to grill that steak then broil it to get it tender? Or you need to bake that stuffing then keep it warm? Use one pan!

o Pans are a little bottom heavy. They will not tip as easily as lighter weight pans, even empty or with a large spoon hanging off one side.

o Pans are well balanced and not too heavy. Want to flip those pancakes or toss those grilled onions, these pans give you fine control. They have been excellent for every use I have put them through.

o Lids are interchangeable and fit well! The lids even fit the skillets which is great if you are making grilled sandwiches. Note that lids may seem loose, especially when pans are cold. Remember that as pans get hot, their shape can change. Also, you do not want a perfect seal as you can make a bomb just by boiling water. Thus the lids need a little room to vent steam as well as accommodate changes in the shape of the pan.

If you have a gas range, consider using a flame deflector. This is good advice for ANY type of cookware.

Personally, I have owned the high quality non-stick stuff as well as stainless steel cookware. The non-stick stuff is quite over-rated, it does not clean up any more easily than the stainless pans. None of my non-stick Analon and Caliphon stuff has lasted more than six or eight years. The only stainless steel pot I ever had I got from my mother back in 1979. It is in great condition and looks like I bought it last month.

Unfortunately, some researches recently have linked some of the binding agents in non-stick cookware to cancer, so perhaps, to be safe, avoid the complex chemical treatments of the non-stick stuff and go for simple stainless steel.

Review by Happy as a steamed Clam!:

For those of you considering upgrading your cookware to professional grade stainless steel, look no further.

I've owned this 12 piece set for over a year, and can't offer enough praise. It still looks brand new (use Barkeepers Friend to clean it). It heats evenly and quickly, retains heat for a long time, sears and browns well without burning, handles comfortably, cleans up easily and looks great! I'm fortunate enough to have several different types of cookware to compare. My cookware includes: All-Clad, JC Penny Elite (5 ply Copper Core), Chefmate tri-ply, Hard Anodized non-stick and Cuisinart Tri-Ply Copper.

In my opinion, the All-Clad Stainless Steel line is much overated. Its great cookware, but has no rolled edges for easy pouring without making a mess, and I prefer the handles on just about any other brand. All-Clad's materials and construction are the same as the other premium lines, with the exception of the rolled edges. Incidentally, staunch supporters of All-Clad make inferences of inferiority when speaking of other brands such as Cuisinart, stating "its made in China". I have two All-Clad pans hanging on the pot rack right now, one made in China, and the other made in Indonesia. Most of their line is made in the USA, but premium cookware made overseas (including some of their own lines)is not inferior!

The Chefmate Tri-Ply in direct comparison to the Cuisinart cooks and handles about the same with a slight edge in cleaning ease. The Chefmate has a true mirror finished interior, but overall isn't as heavy duty. The Stainless Steel lids are also a lighter gauge. Its been discontinued.

The JC Penny Cooks Elite 5 ply Copper Core is fantastic cookware, and the equal of the All-Clad Copper Core in every way except the handle. The handle of the Elite is far superior to All-Clad's. In comparison to the Cuisinart, its very comparable in performance, but quite a bit heavier. Its original price was about 2-3 times the cost of the Cuisinart. It too has been discontinued.

The Hard Anodized non-stick cookware is fine, convenient to use, even heating, and now relegated to camping. It doesn't brown foods like Stainless Steel does. The non-stick fininsh WILL wear off, and render the cookware somewhat useless with daily use.

The Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply is fantastic and really the only competitor for the Multiclad. It looks fantastic, cooks fantastic and gives you an ever so tiny advantage in temperature control over the Multiclad. The pots and pans are the same configuration as the Multiclad, albeit with an outer layer of Copper instead of Stainless Steel. The handles are different as well, but both styles of handles are cool to the touch and comfortable to hold. I enjoy the Copper and don't mind the few minutes it takes to polish, but if you don't want Copper and the extra effort, the Stainless is perfect. I only use the Copper when preparing special dishes for company or when I need specialty pans such as Sauciers for Risoto or sauces. Otherwise, I rely on the Multiclad for daily use.

Incidentally, I have no afilliation with any of the above cookware brands. I am in the food service industry (restaurant design and build) and have the opportunity to speak with many chefs. You'd be very surprised by how many of them use Cuisinart Multiclad or Copper tri-ply at home. I'd say its a 50-50 split between All-Clad and Cuisinart for their home use.

With so many high end brands after your hard earned dollar, you can buy similar quality and performance, but there is no better value than Cuisinart Multiclad. It's heirloom quality and will be your last cookware purchase.

Update:

I reviewed this cookware set some time ago, and thought it appropriate to write an update. I've been reading through all the reviews that have been written since my first review, and everyone seems to say "as good as All-Clad".

I DISAGREE!

Cuisinart Multi Clad isn't as good as All Clad; IT'S BETTER! I have both All Clad and Cuisinart as well as other brands of high end cookware including Tri Ply, Five Ply Copper Core, Copper etc. Here are my reasons for declaring Cuisinart the winner:

o Rolled edges on the Cuisinart eliminate dribbling down the side of the pan as experienced with the All Clad. All Clad top of the line Copper Core does have rolled edges as well, but their stainless line that directly competes with the Cuisinart does not. In daily use this makes a huge difference.

o The Cuisinart handles are far superior to the All Clad. The Cuisinart remain cool enough to touch without pot holders, and their ergonomic shape and angle are very comfortable when shaking, flipping, tossing and moving the pans. The All Clad handle is thrust up at a sharp angle which is somewhat awkward, and the handle itself is uncomfortable.

0 The Cuisinart can be used on induction ranges. The previous Multi Clad line wasn't designed for induction ranges, but the Multi Clad Pro is and therefore no more advantage to All Clad in this respect.

0 The Cuisinart line cleans up easier than All Clad. I've cooked eggs in both All Clad and Cuisinart pans using the same prep and cooking mediums. In fact, I've cooked one egg per pan using the same burner without altering the gas flow. Eggs stuck slightly in the All Clad, and not at all in the Cuisinart. The Cuisinart's interior is slightly more highly polished than All Clad, and I suspect this to be the reason. I was able to repeat the same results with skin-on chicken, fish and other troublesome foods. Deglazing and clean up is just easier with the Cuisinart.

o Some All Clad pieces don't come with lids! You have to purchase a lid as an option. I have nearly every piece of Cuisinart, and each came with a lid (skillets are the exception).

o Cost. Cost isn't the only factor here. However, if two products perform similarly and will last virtually forever, why pay way more for one based on brand prejudice? The product that performs the best should be the clear winner regardless of price. Therefore, Cuisinart wins outright, and the fact that the entire 12 piece set costs less than most All Clad single pieces makes it a remarkable value.

In conclusion, Cuisinart has better design and construction, both ergonomically and practically (rolled edges and handles), easier clean up and maintenance, and out performs All Clad.

Review by J. Novak:

I received this cookware December 06 and have been cooking with it everyday since then. It is truly an amazing cookware set. It goes from stove top to oven with no problem. It looks nice hanging on my pot rack in my kitchen even after all of the use it gets from me and my family. The pots cook evenly and the food does not stick making clean up spectacularly fast and easy. I was lucky enough to receive and add to my collection this past Christmas the larger, deep oval skillet for large family dinners. I highly recommend this set for anyone from beginning cooks to very experienced ones.

Review by M. Mitchell:

I bought the set about 4 months ago and absolutly love it. It is sooo easy to clean, and I don't normally like to handwash, and it cooks great. The orange handles are great especially if you have kids that like to help you cook. I have since bought the 8 qt. pasta to add to my original set. Can't say enough good things about this cookware.

Review by S. Bates:

When we noticed our non-stick pans were losing their non-stick (into ours and our childrens food) we decided it was time to look at the alternative to teflon and non-stick coating. We waffled over whether to go cast iron or stainless. I was worried about cooking with stainless because of the sticking issue but decided to bite the bullet and went ahead and purchased these. I have to say, we LOVE them! My husband is able to make the most amazing omelettes without leaving half of it behind. I haven't had much trouble with sticking at all. Scrambled eggs and hash browns seem to be the worst so far and with 15 mins of soaking the pans in water I am able to just scrub them clean with my nylon scrubby sponge. They are tough and durable and seem to put up with alot of use. We aren't occasional cookers, as a family of five these pots and pans get used daily. The price is right but dont let it fool you! Can't say enough.

Review by Jenny A. Turek:

I have wanted copper-lined pots and pans for years, but I could not bring myself to drop the big bucks! I found these on Amazon and thought I would give them a try.... I AM SO HAPPY I DID! I am not a super crazy cook, I cook a few times a week. These are just right for people like me! They clean up super easy, they are as shiny as the day I bought them, I even have used a metal fork to stir (I know, not good move!) but they are completely scratch free!!! And they heat up quickly and evenly throughout the whole pan ( not just in the middle like cheap ones do!). I say give them a try! Why drop 0 when you can get a great product for way less???