Cuisinart Elite Collection nesting cookware set review

There are a few important things to consider when choosing a new cookware set. The first is how well it works, of course. You want something non-stick and effective, with sizes and options to accommodate everything from boiling water for noodles or making a big batch of pasta sauce to sauteing vegetables, cooking steak, or making a gorgeous omelette for breakfast in the morning. Another important consideration is space: it all needs to fit nicely in the cabinet space you have. This can be a challenge, which is where options like the Cuisinart Stainless Steel nesting cookware set comes in, which is designed with space-savings in mind.

What is the Cuisinart 11-piece nesting cookware set?

The Cuisinart 11-piece nesting cookware is made of stainless steel with a ceramic coating. Included in the set is a 1.5-quart saucepan with cover and nesting tabs, 3-quart saucepan with cover and nesting tabs, 3.5-quart saute pan with helper handle, cover, and nesting tabs, 6-quart stockpot with cover, 8-inch open skillet, 10-inch open skillet, and lid storage rack. The lids are made of tempered glass and are designed to seal in moisture and nutrients while cooking.

What sets the cookware apart from others is the neat nesting tabs that make it easy to rest them on top of one another, sort of Russian doll-style. They fit in two neat stacks while the lids sit nicely on the storage rack positioned behind, in front of, or beside them, depending on the layout of your cupboards and your preference.

Suitable for use on gas, electric, and induction stovetops, each has a riveted stainless steel handle so you can easily grab the one you need, and easily slide an omelette out of the pan or pour sauce into a plate.

There’s a pot or pan to accommodate any type of cook, from saute and skilleting to frying, searing, boiling, steaming, and simmering.

Tips before using the Cuisinart 11-piece nesting cookware set

Before getting started, I washed all the pots, pans, and lids with warm water and mild detergent. I flipped through the included pamphlet for any useful information, especially since I have a gas stove. It is advised to only cook over low-to-medium heat, especially with items that can easily overheat and burn, like sliced onions. This is due to the high thermoconductivity of the pans. It’s suggested to place a flamer tamer between the burner and the pot. Since I didn’t have one of those, I decided to try cooking on lower heat for longer.

If you have a glass stovetop, make sure not to slide the cookware around to avoid scratches. For induction stovetops, keep the pan centred on the heat. Speaking of, it’s also advisable for owners of gas cooktops to make sure the flame only covers the bottom of the pan and doesn’t come up over the sides to prevent permanent discolouration.

Regardless of the cooktop type, always use wooden or plastic utensils when mixing, flipping, or stirring to prevent scratching the bottom of the pan. While using metal won’t impact the performance of the pans, they won’t end up looking as pristine as the day you got them over time if you use metal. For the same reason, avoid using abrasive cleaning products, steel wool or metal pads to avoid scratches. The pans are dishwasher safe, or, for caked on stains, soak them and remove food residue with a soft cloth.

The handy pamphlet is worth reading through for more tips on how to keep the pots and pans in amazing condition for the duration of your time with them.

Note, also, that you can transfer dishes from stovetop to oven up to 500°F, and lids up to 350°F. The lids are designed to offer a vacuum seal, fitting tightly over top the pot or pan to help with the evaporation of liquids

Using the Cuisinart 11-piece nesting cookware set

I used a few of the cookware pieces, including the 6-quart stockpot to boil potatoes, broccoli, and radishes and the 8-inch skillet for pork slices and chops. Since I have a gas stove, I kept heat lowered, and indeed, I did find that this cookware, particularly the skillet, heats much more thoroughly and hotter than my usual cookware. The pot took the same time to boil water as my regular pot (also a Cuisinart!) Both work beautifully. I loved that the skillet’s handle stayed cool to the touch while cooking.

One thing I did notice is that the cookware shines ultra-bright, such that it’s reflective on the cooktop, especially once I turned on the stove light, which I always do while cooking. There is also a sticker on the 6-quart pot which I did not remove since this was a review sample. However, I can see how it would be irritating to pull off and clean the residue for a new owner.

I love the addition of measuring marks on the stockpot and two smaller saucepans, which is great for adding ingredients right into them without having to dirty a measuring cup first. When making things like sauces, soups, and broth, this can be a huge timesaver and result in less clean-up once you’re done.

Cleaning the pots was simple though even after a good scrub and even letting the skillet soak in dish soap and hot water, it still did not return to looking brand-new. I refrained from using a wool scrubber, opting for rubber instead. Nonetheless, even with proper maintenance, the set will show some wear after a few uses. But the sheen and high-end look remains. The sign of a good chef, anyway, is cookware that looks like it has actually been used!

How much space do you need for the Cuisinart 11-piece nesting cookware set?

Once cooking is over and the pots and pans have been thoroughly washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher (they are indeed dishwasher-safe), it’s time to put them away. The key to this set is the compact way you can pack it all up and store it in your cupboards. The two saucepans stack on top of the stockpot while the two skillets and saute pan fit on top of one another to form two neat stacks. The four lids, meanwhile, sit nicely on the included lid storage rack. But how well do they fit in a standard-sized cupboard?

To determine this, I tried to fit the set in one of my cupboards, which has a top shelf that typically makes it difficult for stacking items high up without losing all the back space behind the bottom shelf.

I cleared out the half of one of my kitchen cupboards, which are small and oddly built given that I live in an old home. The cupboard space I used measures 20.5 inches deep by 19 inches wide and 11.5 inches high before touching the troublesome half-shelf above it. I placed the set inside several different ways and it fit beautifully each time. Even with the highest piece – the lid storage rack – at the back under the 11.5-inch depth of the top shelf, it fit, though just barely. The added clearance was afforded by the fact that the lids sit on a slight tilt, which beautifully allows it to fit in tighter spots.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a new cookware set that looks and feels like it’s right out of a professional kitchen, this set is great. It’s really shiny, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you love the look in your kitchen, it will look as good while cooking as it performs.

The lid rack and nesting tabs make putting it away a breeze, even in tight cupboards. But it makes a big difference versus trying to stack cookware and lids in a neat fashion without such a tidy system.

The Cuisinart 11-piece stainless steel nesting cookware set is perfect as an upgrade from your old set, especially if you’re looking to re-organize your kitchen cupboards, and a great option for a new home or first-time buyer who wants to invest in something good quality that will last.

Check out the Cuisinart 11-piece stainless steel nesting cookware set at Best Buy Online.