Enjoy the culinary benefits of copper without breaking the bank with the
T-fal Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom 13-Piece Cookware Set.
You get more for your money with the T-fal Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom 13-Piece Cookware Set. Inexpensive, practical, and versatile, it's convenient for everyday cooking with an 8-inch frying pan, a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 12-inch covered frying pan with lid, three saucepans (1-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch) with matching lids, a 5-quart stew pot with lid, and a stainless-steel steamer basket.
The body of each piece (except the steam basket) is made of a thick-gauge aluminum core sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel; on the bottom is a copper disc (a solid copper circle in the center) with five copper lines radiating out like points of a star. This combination of metals is efficient and effective: the aluminum and copper layers conduct heat well and warm up quickly and evenly while the stainless steel layer provides stability and durability. A few Amazon reviewers reported using lower stove fires/burner levels for this set than for other cookware without sacrificing performance — saving energy and money.
With all of these savings come some compromise. As The Cookware Advisor noted, "the copper is ONLY present as a thin disc on the bottom of the pans and not up the sides. This is what allows this set to be affordable while still imparting some of the heat conducting properties of copper." Also, for some owners, the copper discolored or came off after being washed or having the manufacturer's stickers removed from the bottom, leading them to question the copper's quality and thickness.
Speaking of washing, dishwashers are not recommended for the PFOA-free T-fal Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom 13-Piece Cookware Set. Nonetheless, some reviewers have used the dishwasher, but the majority hand-washed it — most finding it easy to clean with a minority complaining of sticky interiors as well as spotting and discolored stainless steel and copper. However, it's unknown whether these were the same people who put the set in the dishwasher and/or didn't dry it off.
Luckily, the T-fal Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom 13-Piece Cookware Set owners complimented the lids for two reasons: 1) they're made out of glass, so you can check on ingredients without opening them and losing heat, and 2) they each have a vent hole to let steam escape and keep liquids from boiling over. The riveted stainless steel handles are sturdy but get hot quickly, so be careful. Unlike other copper cookware, this oven-safe set is compatible with all stoves, even induction stoves.
According to On the Gas, the T-fal Ultimate Stainless Steel Copper Bottom 13-Piece Cookware Set is "reasonably priced, made by a reputable brand, and while it's made with copper in all the right places, it's still easy to cook with and clean." Diligent Chef named it "Best Copper Bottom Cookware." Aat Amazon, this set has a 4.3-star rating overall from 4,382 reviews.
Pros: Good price, rapid and even heating, vented glass lids
Cons: No lids for frying pans, copper discolors or comes off easily, surfaces stain but can be cleaned