Lagostina Cookware Reviews

Stainless steel pot and pans on tabletop

Lagostina is a stylish Italian cookware brand known for manufacturing attractive looking mid-priced pots and pans. Read on to find out how they perform in the kitchen.

About Lagostina

The Lagostina brand was founded in 1901, when an entrepreneur named Carlo Lagostina began manufacturing tinplate cookware alongside his son, Emilio. In 1934, the brand debuted the "Casa Mia" collection, their first stainless steel cookware set. Over the past eight-plus decades, Lagostina has built up a fine reputation for crafting innovative and elegant pieces.

Lagostina Cookware Sets Reviewed

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#1

1. Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Set

- Base material: aluminum
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric

Our Rating

9.3

#2

2. Lagostina 3-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Set

- Base material: solid aluminum
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric, induction

Our Rating

9.3

#3

3. Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece Set

- Base material: stainless steel and aluminum
- Interior: nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric

Our Rating

9.3

#4

4. Lagostina Smart Set of Saucepans 9-Piece

- Base material: stainless steel
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric, induction

Our Rating

9.3

#1

1. Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Set

- Base material: aluminum
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric

Our Rating

9.3

#2

2. Lagostina 3-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Set

- Base material: solid aluminum
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric, induction

Our Rating

9.3

#3

3. Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece Set

- Base material: stainless steel and aluminum
- Interior: nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric

Our Rating

9.3

#4

4. Lagostina Smart Set of Saucepans 9-Piece

- Base material: stainless steel
- Interior: stainless steel
- Cooktops: gas, ceramic, glass, electric, induction

Our Rating

9.3

Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Set

Design:

The saucepans, saute pan, and stock pot in this lovely set feature a copper finish on the exterior, making them easy to spot in a crowded cabinet. The skillets, meanwhile, are silver all over, with long riveted handles.

Both saucepans and the saute pot are outfitted with raised handles that make the pieces easier to maneuver on the stovetop. Like the stock pot, they come with stainless steel lids equipped with square handles for quick removal.

Materials:

All of these pieces are crafted from two layers of stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core. This triple-ply construction gives them extra durability in addition to excellent heat retention.

The lids and handles are made of high-quality stainless steel as well, so the pieces are completely oven safe. While we usually prefer glass lids, these do an admirable job at sealing in the heat.

Usability:

The raised handles are a great feature, allowing users to get a firm grip on the saucepan while stirring. The pots and pans are also equipped with flared edges, so ingredients will pour out easily with minimal dripping. This aspect also helps with cleanup (see our separate section below).

As we mentioned, the pieces are oven and broiler safe, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This means they can be used to prepare a broad variety of dishes, from jambalayas to souffles to deep-dish pizza. Stainless steel can be used on many different cooking surfaces, but the copper finish means that it may not work properly on induction stovetops.

The triple-ply construction allows for rapid heating and even distribution throughout. The sauce pans and stock pots even come with built-in measuring marks. In addition to being convenient, this feature will cut down on the supply of dirty dishes in the long run.

Cleaning:

These pieces should always be washed by hand to ensure preservation of the copper finish. The stainless steel skillets and lids can be put in the dishwasher, but we would still recommend hand-washing whenever possible.

With copper cookware, some discoloration is to be expected. However, to restore the finish, try applying a small amount of copper cleaning solution to the exterior after washing. The process can be repeated as many times as necessary.

The set contains:

  • 6-quart Stock Pot with Lid
  • 3-quart Deep Saute Pan with Lid
  • 3-quart Saucepan with Lid
  • 2-quart Saucepan with Lid
  • 8-inch Skillet
  • 10-inch Skillet

Pros

  • Easy-grip handles
  • Entire set is oven and broiler safe
  • Attractive copper finish
  • Great heat retention and distribution

Cons

  • High price point
  • Copper finish requires a bit of extra care

Lagostina 3-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Set

Design:

With the exception of the glass lids, this set is silver in color. Every pot and pan, save for the two skillets, features straight sides with high edges. The lids have raised rectangular handles that sit far enough from the glass to prevent accidental burns.

The saucepans and skillets, meanwhile, have riveted handles that are thicker on the ends, allowing users to grip them tightly during cooking. The dual handles on the stock pot and steamer insert are also wider than some of the competition, making the set exceptionally user-friendly.

Materials:

Like the Martellata Hammered Copper pieces, this set is composed of 18/10 stainless steel with a solid aluminum core. The materials are all top-notch, as evidenced by the lifetime warranty that Lagostina offers for these pieces. The riveted handles are designed to stay cool during stovetop use, which is particularly important for stainless steel cookware.

Usability:

The 18/10 stainless steel is compatible with all cooking ranges, including induction stovetops. This versatility is impressive, considering the set's relatively low price tag.

Each glass lid is tight-fitting, keeping the steam and flavors right where they're supposed to be. The flared edges help keep drips to a minimum when pouring, another nice touch.

The stainless steel pieces are oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a convenient feature that allows for easy stovetop-to-oven transfer. Be aware that the glass lids are only oven safe to 350 degrees.

It's also worth noting that these pans can be used with metal utensils, which comes in handy when searing meats. Speaking of which, the superior heat retention makes these skillets a great choice for seared steaks, chicken breasts and pork chops.

Cleaning:

The 3-Ply Stainless Steel 12-Piece Set is dishwasher safe. This includes all of the pieces, including the glass lids. Unlike some of Lagostina's products, these won't suffer any ill effects from the dishwasher.

Buyers who don't have a dishwasher needn't worry. The stainless steel is remarkably simple to clean, even when it's being washed by hand. Nevertheless, we would advise washing the pans as soon as possible after cooking in order to prevent the food from sticking.

The set contains:

  • 8-quart Stock Pot with LId
  • Steamer Insert
  • 3.5-quart Deep Saute Pan with Lid
  • 3-quart Saucepan with Lid
  • 2-quart Saucepan with Lid
  • 8.5-inch Skillet with Lid
  • 10-inch Skillet with Lid

Pros

  • Quality materials used in construction
  • Reasonable price point
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Ergonomic handles on saucepans and skillets

Cons

  • Material doesn't recover well from burned-on ingredients
  • Surfaces are not nonstick

Lagostina Ingenio Mineralis 10-Piece Set

Design:

In a radical departure from most cookware designs, Lagostina has outfitted the pots and pans in this set with removable handles. This means that the pieces can be easily stacked and stored in the cupboard when they're not in use. When it's time to start cooking, users can simply affix one of the two easy-grip handles to whichever pan they choose.

The pieces in the set have an attractive dark gray marbled finish, which also has nonstick properties. Flared edges make for easy pouring, and the lids are outfitted with clever butterfly-shaped handles.

Materials:

The classic stainless steel and aluminum triple-ply construction is matched with Lagostino's "Meteorite" coating. This nonstick surface makes the pots and pans suitable for custards and other egg dishes in addition to sauces and stir-fries. Lids are made of glass, with durable plastic handles. There's also one plastic lid that fits the saucepan.

The pans have a stamp in the middle that changes color when the material reaches 180 degrees Celsius (about 356 degrees Fahrenheit). This indicates that the pan is hot enough for cooking.

Usability:

The nonstick coating on these pans gives them versatility as far as food preparation is concerned, but it's limiting in some areas. For example, nonstick surfaces can't be used to make pan sauces. It's also difficult to get a good sear on proteins when using these pans.

That said, the pans are great when it comes to heating up sauces for pasta or making custard fillings. The flared edges make it easy to pour liquids into separate containers without making a mess, and the material releases the ingredients with ease.

The removable handles are a nice space-saving touch. In practice, users will need to take care to ensure that the handle is securely attached before cooking.

Cleaning:

Thanks to the marbled nonstick surface, the pots and pans in this set clean up in a snap. They're also dishwasher safe, but we would recommend cleaning them by hand whenever possible. If they're put in the dishwasher too often, some pitting may occur on the surface.

The set contains:

  • 7-inch Saucepan
  • 10-inch Frying Pan
  • 11-inch Frying Pan
  • 11-inch Wok
  • 2 Plastic Handles
  • 7-inch Glass Lid
  • 7-inch Plastic Lid
  • 10-inch Glass Lid
  • 11-inch Glass Lid

Pros

  • Packs away easily
  • Includes a wok for stir-frying
  • Versatile nonstick surfaces
  • Cleans up quickly

Cons

  • Handles need to be securely fastened by hand
  • Limited number of pieces in set
  • Not great for searing

Lagostina Smart Set of Saucepans 9-Piece

Design:

This is a classic and elegant set of silver cookware with a glass lid to fit each piece. Larger saucepans are outfitted with curved lips for easy pouring, along with curved handles on each side to give users a decent grip.

The smallest saucepan has a long, tapered handle that grows wider at the end, giving it an ergonomic quality. The glass lids feature knob-style handles.

Materials:

Lagostina uses 18/10 stainless steel in the construction of the Smart Set. As always, they're equipped with an aluminum core for rapid, even heating.

As for the glass lids, they have a steel band around the bottom that allows them to form a tight seal just inside the lip of the pan. The quality materials and thoughtful construction contribute to the high performance of the set.

Usability:

While most of Lagostina's pieces feature flared edges for pouring, this set takes it a step further with actual pour spouts on the larger saucepans and casserole dish. For users who like to make large batches of soup or stew, this is an appealing feature. The lids are also equipped with perforations for draining pasta.

The triple-ply metal is suitable for all cooking ranges, including induction. The finish won't be damaged if it's used over an open flame.

However, the manufacturers don't mention whether it's oven safe, which could be a roadblock. As a rule, stainless steel can be used in the oven, but we're not sure about the maximum temperature for these pieces. We would recommend keeping the oven temperature at 350 or below when transferring them to the oven, especially if the lids are involved.

Cleaning:

Because the pieces are made from high-end stainless steel, cleanup is relatively simple. It's a good idea to wash them as soon as possible after use, but the job should go smoothly either way. Finally, note that all of the pots and pans in the Smart Set are dishwasher safe.

The set contains:

  • 14-centimeter Long-Handled Casserole with Lid
  • 18-centimeter Deep Casserole with Lid
  • 22-centimeter Deep Casserole with Lid
  • 24-centimeter Low Saucepan with Lid
  • 22-centimeter Pot

Pros

  • Shiny, appealing finish
  • Pots come with curved lips for easy pouring
  • Durable construction
  • Excellent heat retention

Cons

  • Material may become spotted and stained with frequent use
  • Not many pieces included in the set

FAQ

Is Lagostina cookware made in China?

Yes. Although the Lagostina brand was founded in Italy and the pieces continue to be Italian-inspired, the products are currently manufactured in China.

What is Lagostina cookware made of?

cooking food on gas stove

Lagostina's cookware products are made of dual layers of high-quality stainless steel wrapped around an aluminum core. Some pieces, like the ones in the Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Set, also feature a copper finish on the exterior.

How do you care for Lagostina cookware?

It depends on the material. Most of Lagostina's pieces are dishwasher safe. However, if the cookware has a copper finish or wooden or ceramic components, some additional care is required.

For copper pieces, clean the products well, then apply a small amount of copper cleaner to the designated area. Rub it all over the surface, rinse well, and repeat as needed.

Wooden and ceramic Lagostina products should never be put in the dishwasher. Wash these products by hand using plenty of hot water. Using soap is not recommended.

Tammy Kennedy
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