Cooking at home is a valuable way to save money and develop your cooking skills. Not only is preparing your own meals therapeutic, but it’s also a vital life skill which will add to your life enormously.
However, a cook is only as good as the equipment it has. No matter what your skill level is or how fresh your ingredients are, improving your equipment will be your biggest game-changer in the kitchen.
Despite the emergence of electric induction cookers, many people still prefer the more old-school way of cooking on a gas stove. Not only does gas give you more control over the heat, but it’s also far cheaper to use than electricity.
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What Makes a Good Pot or Pan for a Gas Stove?
Good cookware can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Whether your pans are copper, steel, or aluminum, it’s important that they possess the following attributes:
- Are able to conduct sufficient heat evenly (no cold spots)
- Have enough volume to fit large meals
- Sturdy enough to survive years of use (no cracking or splitting)
To help your cooking journey become that extra bit smoother, we’ve compiled some of the best pots and pans for your gas stove and listed the pros and cons of each one.
Keep in mind that all of these sets would galvanize your cooking life. Whilst there are differences in quality, design, and aesthetics, all seven sets featured in this list have plenty of positive attributes.
Let’s dive in!
Legend Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Made from sturdy metal and heat-friendly copper, this pan set may retail for a pricey $799.99, but its quality will serve you a lifetime. Think of this set as a long-term investment – you may pay a premium at the beginning, but the years of use you’ll get out of this set means that this cookware bundle will pay for itself eventually.
Pros
- Superb heat retention from the copper bottom allows for even heat distribution across the whole of the pan
- Superior build quality and attention to detail
- Versatile design and can be used on a gas stove, induction hob, or even on top of a fire
- Aesthetic, sturdy golden handles
- Can be used for every conceivable form of cooking from baking to flash-frying
Cons
- The gold handles, whilst great to look at, conduct heat very quickly and can burn your hands
- The base of the pans are not non-stick
Not only do these pots and pans look great, but they also work like a charm and possess some highly impressive heat-distributing technology. They may be pricey, but the Legend set’s versatility, function, and aesthetics speak for themselves – you will be hard-pressed to find a better set of pans for your gas stove!
Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware Pots and Pans Set
The stainless steel construction and copper base are both ideal for heat distribution. Not only do they work a treat, but they also look stylish and will spruce up your kitchen cupboard nicely. Be sure to clean this set immediately after purchase to rid of the protective layer on the base.
Pros
- Heavy construction and reliable build
- Sleek, savvy visual design
- Oven safe up to 500° F
- Sensitive to heat and easy to clean
Cons
- Despite the build quality and sleek design, the volume in the pans themselves leaves a bit to be desired and are relatively small compared to other sets
- Pans have to be cleaned immediately after cooking to prevent sticking
Overall, the Anolon Nouvelle cooking set would make a fantastic addition to your kitchen. They may not be the biggest pans in the world, but they certainly possess plenty of quality.
All-Clad D3 Stainless Cookware Set
This All-Clad set is made in the USA and features classic tri-ply construction and sturdy, riveted handles. The 10-piece set retails in at a formidable $624.99, but there are smaller, cheaper bundles that can be purchased, too. The 5-piece set, for example, retails in at a respectable $359.99, which is very affordable considering the quality of the equipment.
Pros
- Oven safe and suitable for both gas and induction stoves.
- High-quality, reliable construction
- Backed by All-Clad’s lifetime warranty
Cons
- Non-stick, so plenty of oil will be required for cooking
- Beware that this set is not dishwasher friendly, so you’ll have to scrub them the old fashioned way after use.
All-Clad’s set may be a little short on features, but it certainly isn’t short on quality.
Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set
The lovely agave color is one of this set’s most distinctive features and it is oven-compatible.
Pros
- Sturdy and non-stick, this set is capable of producing a wide array of dishes
- Stunning paintwork which will illuminate your drab kitchen cupboards
- Porcelain enamel conducts heat well and is highly responsive to temperature
- Dishwasher friendly
Cons
- Whilst the porcelain enamel conducts heat well, the material is susceptible to cracking if left in the oven for too long.
- The set, although large, is smaller than other similar products on the market.
Perhaps the best looking set on this list, the stunning agave color of this set is complimented by respectable, albeit not perfect, build quality. Porcelain is a brave choice of material as it is not as tailor-made for heat as steel, but as far as porcelain sets go, this may be the best one on the market.
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick 17 Piece Cookware Set, Black (Affordable Option)
Featuring thermo-spot technology, the pans indicate when it has sufficient heat, ensuring your food is never undercooked. This is particularly appreciated when preparing meats, as the pan temperature is a key factor in the end result.
Pros
- Well-built, aluminum construction
- Sturdy, yet light in weight
- Thermo-spot technology
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The pan lids, although nice to look at, do not all fit perfectly
- Doesn’t work on induction stoves
Sleek, affordable, and fitted with handy technology, this affordable cookware set is a great option for first-time buyers and kitchen novices. Their use may be limited to purely gas stoves, but 17-pieces of cookware for the low price of $260 isn’t anything to sniff at.
GOTHAM STEEL Ultimate 15 Piece All in One
The copper-colored pans are made from sturdy, yet light aluminum and are both dishwasher and microwave-safe. They’re even oven-proof up to 500°F.
Pros
- Includes pots, pans, a stockpot, and even a skillet for good measure
- Scratch-free and metal-utensil safe
- Sturdy, yet easy to maneuver due to the light weight
- Versatile and deep, these pans can be used for a variety of dishes
Cons
- A quick glance of the reviews indicates that the non-stick feature is not as good as advertised.
There isn’t a whole lot wrong with this Gotham Steel set. Considering it retails for only $116, it includes everything you need and is excellent value for money. We consider this the ultimate choice for spenders on a budget and those eagerly awaiting their kitchen debuts.
How Do I Decide Which Set is the Best?
That depends on two factors – your budget and your skill level. If you’re just starting your cooking journey, then consider buying one of the cheaper, more rudimentary cookware sets featured here.
Personal preference also goes a long way. No matter how fancy and opulent a cookware set is, feeling familiar and confident with it is the biggest factor in deciding whether or not to buy it. Cooking is all about confidence, so make sure your set is comfortable and familiar.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better beginner set than Gotham Steel. Not only does it have everything you could ever need, but its low retail price, coupled with its solid and reliable construction, make it our top candidate for an affordable cooking set.
Legend’s Stainless Steel Set takes the cake for best overall set. We had to think long and hard about this one, but the sheer quality of its design, its versatility of use, and its overall longevity gives it an edge over its competitors. The set is, however, expensive and a little too pricey for a large number of home cooks.
We’re lucky to live in an age where locating the best pots and pans for your gas stove is so easy and hassle-free. As cooking technology continues to develop the products on the home-cooking market will only improve.