Cuisinart 77-17 Chef's Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought these to replace some 6 year-old nonstick pots and pans which warped like....well, to make a long story short; this time, I am going Stainless-Steel! Although I would love to have an All-Clad set, but where else can you get a quality 17-Piece like this for more or less around $200 - and ships for FREE from amazon?
I have read many reviews (many negative ones) and this is my conclusion:
1.) Yes, 'Stainless-Steel' sticks! Not to mock this, but that's why 'Nonstick' cookware was invented - perhaps for the folks that do not know how to cook in stainless-steel. Easy remedy: return your set for a Nonstick set...if not, a little oil and lower your heat will do the trick. But, in addition to my stainless set, I will always have one nonstick skillet handy for my eggs (it's just much quicker and easier). But for searing and browning; there's no comparison to stainless-steel!
2.) Some complaint that the sides don't heat up compared to other brands: Yes they do, if you want to spend a little more $$ for the 'Multi-Clad' line. Also, unless you plan on cooking your food "on the sides", otherwise the encapsulated base heats evenly and works flawlessly for me.
3.) Stains, Marks and Colorful Swirls - If you use it to cook food, then expect the usual marks and normal wear - maybe even some tear. My solution for all of the above: 'BKF', OR unless you plan on displaying it for good.
The set:
There are TWO different 17-Piece sets available from the Chef's Classic line; the other one comes with a 2 qt. open 'Saucier' (and odd sizes for the rest) but I opted for this one because it is more versatile beginning with a 1.5 qt. Saucepan, then 2 and 3, a 12" Covered Skillet and for the Pasta Insert, etc, etc..
Again, for the money, they are as good as you can get. The product has a very solid feel to it and an even-weight distribution - light, yet heavy enough to do the task. Although I did find some minor flaws; like a few minor buffed-out scratches by the bottom edge between the encapsulated base on my 1.5 qt. The 'lips' on some of the larger pans (closer to the handles) seem to have bent down a bit; this produces a very small gap when the lid is covered, particularly on the 12" skillet where you can see an 'arch' effect with its lid on (the large lid is uneven on this one) and pressing it down once tends to reduce the effect. Though nothing significant, but it just appears to break that 'vacuum seal' and not so perfect tight-fit lid that was claimed by the mfg.
I have put all of them to a rigorous test for the '08 Christmas - '09 New Year's feast and they have performed very well. It cooks evenly on my old electric 'coil' stove top burner, although it could've been much better if I've had a gas range, this way I have more control of the cooking temperatures (very essential for heavy-bottomed cookwares).
Pros:
*Design - lip for spill-proof easy pouring.
*Good heat distribution (not great).
*Oven safe up to 450 degrees, that's high for a set priced like this.
*Handles: well balanced and stays cool no matter how long it's been on the burner.
*Most lids are interchangeable, especially for the 8" & 10" open skillets and they also fit other non Cuisinart that I have laying around.
*Nicely polished stainless-steel exterior and lids.
*Sturdy and well weighted/balanced.
*Well priced.
Cons:
*Workmanship and Quality Control (minor, this reduces one star).
*Slow to heat (especially the 9 qt Stockpot for cooking pasta compared to my other pot with the same amount of water).
*Pasta insert bottom sits a bit high (if sat lower, can prevent the use of more water so heat up time can be faster and to avoid boil-over spills).


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17 Piece Chef's Classic Stainless Set includes: 1.5-quart, 2-quart, and 3-quart saucepans with covers; 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch covered skillet with helper; 4-quart saute with helper and cover; 9-quart stockpot with cover; 20-cm steamer insert with cover; 24-cm pasta steamer

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