Stackable or space-saving cookware design lets you maximize limited cabinet space in your kitchen. These handy pots and pans are getting more popular and with that, the number of choices is growing too. We have done the research for you to help picking the best nesting cookware on the market today.
Stackable Cookware Sets Reviewed
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1. Gotham Steel Stackmaster 15-Piece - Base material: stainless steel | Our Rating 9.3
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2. Calphalon Premier Stainless 10-Piece - Base material: stainless steel w aluminum core | Our Rating 9.3
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3. GreenPan Levels 11-Piece - Base material: ceramic | Our Rating 9.3
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4. Granitstone Stackmaster 10-Piece - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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5. Calphalon Premier Nonstick 10-Piece - Base material: hard anodized aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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6. T-Fal Ingenio 9-Piece - Base material: aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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7. Abizoe Nonstick 12-Piece - Base material: hard anodized aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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8. Bialetti Smart Fit 10-Piece - Base material: heavy-gauge aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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9. Magma Nesting 10-Piece - Base material: 18/10 stainless steel w aluminum core | Our Rating 9.3
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10. Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece - Base material: stainless steel and aluminum | Our Rating 9.3
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1. Gotham Steel Stackmaster 15-Piece - Base material: stainless steel |
Our Rating 9.3
|
2. Calphalon Premier Stainless 10-Piece - Base material: stainless steel w aluminum core |
Our Rating 9.3
|
3. GreenPan Levels 11-Piece - Base material: ceramic |
Our Rating 9.3
|
4. Granitstone Stackmaster 10-Piece - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
5. Calphalon Premier Nonstick 10-Piece - Base material: hard anodized aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
6. T-Fal Ingenio 9-Piece - Base material: aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
7. Abizoe Nonstick 12-Piece - Base material: hard anodized aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
8. Bialetti Smart Fit 10-Piece - Base material: heavy-gauge aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
9. Magma Nesting 10-Piece - Base material: 18/10 stainless steel w aluminum core |
Our Rating 9.3
|
10. Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece - Base material: stainless steel and aluminum |
Our Rating 9.3
|
Gotham Steel Stackmaster 15-Piece
Design:
The pieces in this well-appointed set have a rounded appearance, with a coppery finish on the exterior and a nonstick finish on the inside. The handles on the frying and grill pans are long and silver, and affixed to the business end with a sizable silver plaque that bears the company's logo. On the larger saucepans and stock pots, these plaques serve as the handles themselves.
Materials:
As the name suggests, these are steel pots and pans with a nonstick coating applied to the cooking surface. The stainless steel handles stay cool to the touch, and the glass lids allow users to keep an eye on their progress as the food cooks.
Usability:
Because the pieces are oven safe to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be used for everything from scrambled eggs to casseroles. The larger frying pans make exceptional deep-dish pizza, and very little oil is required, thanks to the nonstick surface.
The set is compatible with all stovetops, including electric, gas, and induction. Unlike some nonstick coatings, this one is durable enough to withstand punishment from metal utensils. It also cleans up easily, even if it was used for exceptionally sticky dishes like sweet and sour chicken.
All of the pieces in this set are dishwasher safe, including the glass lids. While the pots and pans were designed for stacking, we would take extra care when replacing the lids in the cabinet.
Pros
Cons
Calphalon Premier Stainless 10-Piece
Design:
When the pieces are all stacked together, this set looks particularly impressive. The pots and pans are silver in color, with long raised handles on the smaller saucepans and frying pans.
Larger pots are outfitted with dual handles that curve gracefully away from the surface so they remain cool to the touch. One other neat feature: the lids for the saucepans come with long handles and a concave design for easy stacking.
Materials:
Calphalon uses triple-ply construction for this set, with two stainless steel walls surrounding an aluminum core. The combination is durable and efficient, providing excellent heat retention.
The lids are made mostly of glass, but they're equipped with steel bands to help lock in the heat. All of the riveted handles feature a steel construction as well.
Usability:
Because the pans are uniformly constructed of triple-ply stainless steel, they're oven safe to 450 degrees. This makes it easier to engage in stovetop-to-oven cooking applications. All of the pieces, including the lids, are also dishwasher safe.
While some users might prefer a nonstick surface, these frying pans are actually better for certain cooking methods, including searing. The material is also ideal when it comes to deglazing the pans to make sauces and gravies.
The lids are made of tempered glass, so they're designed to be as durable as the rest of the pieces. Thanks to their concave shape, they can also be stacked along with the pots and pans.
Pros
Cons
GreenPan Levels 11-Piece
Design:
This beautiful set offers pieces that are nearly uniformly black in color, from the matte exteriors to the nonstick cooking surfaces to the handles. The glass lids are equipped with knob handles on the top, with a small insert beneath to prevent them from getting too hot.
Materials:
The GreenPan Levels 11-Piece set features a ceramic nonstick interior coating for its pots and pans. The coating is infused with diamonds, which boosts its durability as well as its heating properties. The anodized exteriors are scratch-resistant and built to endure decades of frequent use.
Usability:
The ceramic nonstick surfaces give the pieces in this set an impressive versatility. The pots and pans themselves are oven safe to 400 degrees, but note that the lids can only be heated to temperatures up to 350 degrees.
That's not likely to be an issue for most casseroles, but it's something to be aware of when following recipes.
Thanks to the diamond-infused coating, it's possible to use metal utensils when cooking with this set. The materials used are free of PFAs, PFOAs, lead, and cadmium, so there's no need to worry about toxic fumes from accidental overheating. The pieces are all dishwasher safe, but they also clean up easily by hand.
Pros
Cons
Granitstone Stackmaster 10-Piece
Design:
Granitestone's "Diamond" Stackmaster 10-Piece set is distinguished by a marbled black finish inside and out. All of the pans, including the larger stock pot, have slightly rounded edges to make it easier to scrape out every last drop of sauce. The glass lids have low rectangular handles and steel bands around the edges.
Materials:
Granitestone uses an aluminum base for the Stackmaster set. Like the pieces in the GreenPan Levels set, these have been treated with a nonstick coating that includes diamonds in the makeup. The steel handles remain cool as the pans do their work, and the steel bands on the glass lids do a great job at trapping heat and moisture.
Usability:
These pans are especially tough and versatile, capable of withstanding oven temps up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
They can also be used with metal utensils, which comes in handy when searing and sauteing. The materials are completely non-toxic as well, even when the nonstick coating is heated to high temperatures.
The larger pots are outfitted with side handles that make it simple to transfer them from stovetop to oven, but we think the lid handles sit a bit too close to the glass for comfort, especially if there are pot holders involved. These pots and pans can be used on any type of cooking range, including induction. The pieces are also dishwasher safe.
Pros
Cons
Calphalon Premier Nonstick 10-Piece
Design:
This second offering from Calphalon has the same gently curved handles and rounded edges as the stainless steel set, but the nonstick finish is black in color. All of the handles are made of stainless steel, and the tempered glass lids have a bowed design to allow for simpler stacking.
Materials:
This set is constructed of hard anodized aluminum with a nonstick coating. The surfaces won't be damaged by metal utensils, and the steel handles are designed to prevent overheating. The material for each piece measures 3.6 millimeters thick, so it offers superb heat retention.
Usability:
As we just pointed out, these pieces do an admirable job at conducting and retaining their heat.
The nonstick coating makes them versatile enough to be used for a range of cooking applications, and the materials are sturdy enough to withstand oven temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The set is also completely dishwasher safe, although the material also comes clean easily when washed by hand.
The pots and pans are similar enough in size to be stacked in several different combinations. When they're "nested" properly, they can save up to 30 percent of cabinet space (versus similar utensils that can't be stacked neatly).
Pros
Cons
T-Fal Ingenio 9-Piece
Design:
The T-Fal Ingenio set is instantly recognizable, as the pieces are coated in a blue enameled finish. The edges are silver in color and offer a flared design for easy pouring. The set also comes with a detachable handle, which can be used on any one of the five pots and pans that are included. One of the lids is equipped with an easy-to-grip handle that resembles a butterfly.
Materials:
The primary material for these pots and pans is aluminum, although the finish contains a phenolic resin. The lids are made of glass, with silicone handles and bands around the edges. Like many of the other sets listed here, this one offers a nonstick finish.
Usability:
The detachable handle on this set is a nice space-saving touch, but it can be limiting for users, as they'll have to decide in advance which pan they want to use.
The handle is also a bit too short for our taste, especially when making omelets and other dishes that require quick flipping.
On the plus side, the nonstick surfaces are some of the most efficient we've seen. They release the ingredients quickly, clean up well, and offer impressive heat distribution. The pieces are also very lightweight, so they're easy to maneuver. We also like the butterfly-style handles on the lids, which provide a comfortable and reliable grip.
Pros
Cons
Abizoe Nonstick 12-Piece
Design:
Abizoe's Nonstick 12-Piece set shares the removable-handle concept with T-Fal's offering. This one also comes with a set of five utensils, including a ladle, a slotted spoon, a solid spoon, a pasta ladle, and a slotted spatula. The pieces are black all over except for the lids, which are silver in color with knob-style center handles.
Materials:
The pots and pans in this set are crafted of hard anodized aluminum with a nonstick coating. The combination allows the pieces to heat quickly and prepare a wide range of ingredients, although they're not suitable for pan sauces. These materials are free of PTFE and PFOAs, so they're safe to use at high temperatures.
Usability:
The Abizoe set is oven-safe to 430 degrees Fahrenheit, which is on the lower end of the spectrum. However, thanks to the compact nature of the pans, they're ideal for RV living. The detachable handle is another nice touch, but the lever mechanism can be prone to sticking, especially if it's used frequently.
The pans clean up beautifully under hot running water, and every piece in the set is dishwasher safe. They're also compatible with induction stovetops.
We love the fact that the set comes with its own lineup of utensils. The pasta ladle is especially convenient.
Aside from the finicky handle, the main drawback to the Abizoe set is the quality of the lids. The pans themselves are sturdy enough, but the lids are on the flimsy side.
Pros
Cons
Bialetti Smart Fit 10-Piece
Design:
This 10-piece set stacks neatly, but the tower grows rather high when all the pieces are included. Bialetti has given the cookware a black finish, with attractive loop handles on the saute pan and larger saucepans. All of the handles are coated in black silicone for heat protection.
This set also comes with teal "Halo Rings" that help the cookware to stack neatly. They also protect the nonstick coating on the interior of the pans.
Materials:
Beneath the nonstick surface, the Bialetti pieces are composed of heavy-gauge aluminum. The coating is reinforced with titanium, but we would still recommend steering clear of metal utensils when cooking with this set. The tempered glass lids are equipped with center knobs that are flat enough to allow for easy stacking.
Usability:
Because of the silicone coating on the handles, we were surprised to learn that this set is actually oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
The saute pan is a remarkably versatile piece of equipment, with sloped edges that allow the utensils to reach into every corner. We think the 5-quart Dutch oven could be larger, but this won't be an issue for people who are working with limited cabinet space.
The Halo Rings help to preserve the nonstick surfaces, so if the set is properly stored, it can last for many years. Each piece in the set is dishwasher safe, including the glass lids. Note that the lids are only oven safe to temperatures up to 350 degrees.
Pros
Cons
Magma Nesting 10-Piece
Design:
The Magma Nesting 10-Piece set features pots and pans that are silver in color, with black knob handles on the lids. Two detachable handles are included. These handles are short and black, with red accents that denote the trigger mechanisms. The stock pot is also equipped with a set of loop handles.
Materials:
The company uses marine-grade 18/10 stainless steel for the pieces in this set. The bottoms have a triple-ply construction, with a core of aluminum encapsulated by two steel layers. The bottom layer is magnetic, but the set is not induction compatible.
Usability:
Aside from the handles, which can be removed before the transfer, these pieces are oven safe to temperatures up to 500 degrees. The solid triple-ply base allows the pans to reach the desired temperature quickly, with no hot or cold spots.
The handles are a little bit too short for our taste, especially when they're used on the larger frying pan. Fortunately, the configuration is still convenient enough to allow for a decent grip.
The pans do an admirable job at searing and browning meat for stews and braised dishes. While they can't be used on induction stovetops, they work well on gas, electric, and ceramic ranges. The pots and pans themselves are dishwasher safe, but the removable handles will need to be washed by hand.
Pros
Cons
Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece
Design:
This set from Lagostina contains four saucepans in different sizes, each with a sophisticated speckled-gray finish. Two removable handles are included, along with three glass lids and one plastic lid. The largest glass lid offers a butterfly-shaped handle that snaps down for easy storage when it's not in use.
Materials:
This set uses Lagostina's "Meteorite" mineral finish for its nonstick surfaces, making the pieces both durable and user-friendly. The finish isn't as robust as some of the competition, so we would recommend sticking with wooden and silicone utensils for these pans.
There's a Thermo-Signal stamp in the center of each pan that alerts the chef when the pan is hot enough to start cooking (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit). The glass lids feature silicone bands around the edges, while the plastic one forms a tight seal for the smallest saucepan.
Usability:
This set's claim to fame is the removable handle feature, which allows for easy transfer from the stovetop to the oven.
The Thermo-Signal stamp is a handy touch, as it prevents the ingredients from absorbing too much oil when the pan isn't ready yet. The Meteorite finish holds up well to repeated use and cleans up easily afterward.
While the pans certainly pack well, we still think the handles are too short for pans of this size. With detachable handles, there's always a possibility that the mechanism will fail, which would render the frying pans unusable. Aside from these flaws, the pans offer a solid performance, with great heat retention and distribution.
Pros
Cons
What Are the Benefits of Stackable Pots and Pans?
Stackable cookware is invaluable for a simple reason: It frees up valuable cabinet space. For home chefs who enjoy collecting many culinary gadgets, this is an excellent benefit. It also comes in handy for buyers who are setting up their first kitchen and have a limited amount of space with which to work.
What to Look for When Choosing Space Saving Cookware?
When shopping for space saving cookware, there's a specific set of criteria to follow. Here are the most important points:
FAQ
What Are Nesting Pots?
Nesting pots are designed to allow smaller pots to stack inside larger versions of themselves in order to save space. The effect creates a virtual "nest" of cookware, hence the colorful term.
Do You Need Pan Protectors for Stackable Pots?
It depends on the materials. If the stackable pots have a nonstick coating, then it's a good idea to invest in pan protectors. Even extra-durable sets like the GreenPan Levels 11-Piece offering could use the extra padding. Pieces that are made of uniform stainless steel, on the other hand, won't get as much benefit from the pan protectors.
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