From KitchenAid's Gourmet Essentials line comes this cookware set made of hard-anodized aluminum. Durable, handsomely finished in matte charcoal gray, and known for its exceptional heat distribution and retention properties, hard-anodized cookware is a very popular choice for the home chef. KitchenAid embellishes these pots with stainless-steel handles, riveted for strength and wrapped with cushy, stay-cool silicone grips. The lids, made of break-resistant glass for optimum viewing, also feature silicone-wrapped handles, highly arched to enable easy grasping with a potholder or oven mitt. Both the pans and lids are oven-safe up to 400 degrees F. An excellent value, this 12-piece set consists of the most frequently used kitchen pots and pans and makes a great gift set. The two skillets, measuring 8 and 10 inches in diameter, handle everyday frying and sautéing needs, from eggs-over-easy to grilled cheese sandwiches to fish filets, then crepes for dessert. Three saucepans holding 1, 2, and 3 quarts let you boil a single egg, heat soup, and slow-cook a creamy risotto with wild mushrooms. The large 8-quart stockpot with two loop handles works admirably for family-sized batches of pasta, chili, soup, and corn-on-the-cob. Finally, the 12-inch covered sauté pan with its helper handle tackles generous quantities of fried chicken, braised meats, stir-fries, and poached salmon. The nonstick finish releases food quickly and makes clean up by hand a snap. It's best to keep the nonstick cookware out of the dishwasher. KitchenAid covers the set with a one-year, hassle-free replacement warranty. --Ann Bieri
What's in the Box
12-piece cookware set. The set consists of: 1-quart covered saucepan; 2-quart covered saucepan; 3-quart covered saucepan; 8-quart covered stockpot; 8-inch skillet; 10-inch skillet; 12-inch covered sauté with helper handle. 12 pieces total.
