Buying a genuinely non-stick cookware set is a real headache – as numerous companies falsely advertise their products for being non-sticky.
I know the struggle as I’ve been using & testing several non-stick cookware sets for ten years. Recently I stumbled upon cookware set from Rachael Ray – a company with an excellent reputation among professional & home chefs.
This set consists of 12 pieces of sturdy and nicely polished components.
As I’ve been using this Rachael Ray Cucina 12-pc Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set for the last three months – I think I have enough information to share with you.
This comprehensive review and simplified Pros & Cons (at the ending), will help you make your decision – whether you should buy or not.
Before the review, I would love to share a short buyer’s guide regarding non-stick cookware for beginners – feel free to skip if you don’t need it.
Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider While Buying a Nonstick Cookware Set
Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to judge cookware set by its outer appearance – looks & color. Touching & feeling the cookware is the easiest way to tell whether you’re getting the genuine non-stick cookware or not.
If you’re shopping online, don’t worry. You can spot the right non-stick cookware by checking the product description briefly.
Stay tuned as I’ll be discussing some of the core factors you should look at before buying your beloved non-stick cookware set.
Material
Sturdy build quality is a must for non-stick cookware – for many reasons. You’ll be cooking a wide variety of food that will require a stove, electric stove & oven.
That’s why the material for your cookware is a crucial factor for a long-lasting and enjoyable cooking experience with the same set.
Pro Tips: Always try to get cookware made of heavy aluminum.
Coating
Non-stick coated aluminum is a must for a durable non-stick set. The layer will help you in many ways.
For example, PFOA free coating helps to release & to spread food faster. Flipping foods will be more enjoyable with the right kinds of layers.
Grippy Handle
For the best cooking experience – try to get a non-stick cookware set that comes with a rubbery coating for a better grip.
However, low-budget cookware sets may come with elastic grip but they won’t last long due to less temperature tolerance.
Try to balance your budget for the best possible outcome from a cookware set.
Temperature Tolerance
As I have mentioned above, temperature tolerance is indeed a crucial factor for a non-stick cookware set.
As you’ll be using cookware in a high temperature (stove & oven), you’ll notice coating peeling off if made of low-quality material.
Try finding a cookware set that’s capable of handling 350F to 400F.
Rachael Ray Cucina 12-pc Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set Review – (A Set of Genuine Nonstick Cookware)
At the starting of this article, I stated I’ve been using this cookware set for the past three months and would love to share my experiences.
So in the following sections, I’ll be stating the highlights of this cookware set and my personal experience.
Let’s get started with my review based on three months of usage.
Sturdy Build & Pleasant Look
This cookware set consists of 12 pieces of components – saucepan with lid, stockpot with lid, skillet, saute pan with lid, spatula & spoon.
The aesthetic look of this cookware set is eye pleasuring. The double-riveted handles and shatter-resistant glass lid gives an extra boost to the overall appearance.
From the price perspective to build quality – this cookware set surpassed my expectations. It’s made of hard-anodized steel – it’s a non-stick coated aluminum. This cookware set comes in three lucrative colors – Agave Blue, Pumpkin Orange & Red.
With this wide variety of colors, you can easily find the best suitable fit for your kitchen. Besides the build quality, the coating enhanced my overall cooking experience.
Reliable & PFOA Free Option
When it comes to durability and non-stickiness – coating plays the lead role.
The most common problem with the non-stick cookware set is coating peeling off after several cooking periods. Even after three months of testing & using, the coating remained intact, and it was astonishing for me.
This non-stick PFOA free coating helped me flipping foods like egg, pancake-like a charm.
Food released smoothly, just spraying a little oil on the surface area. Though the non-stick coating highly benefited me, the coating was safeguarded by its high-temperature tolerance.
Quick Heat Distribution & Tolerance
The most crucial aspect of the cookware set is the duration of heat spreading & heat tolerance.
I was amazed by this set as I noticed eggs got sizzled within a minute, and water started boiling just after five minutes. It is swift when it comes to heat distribution in every corner.
The heat tolerance of this cookware set is impressive. You can safely put your cookware inside the oven at 400F.
However, if you exceed this number – you may see coating peeling off faster than usual.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Cleaning this cookware set was relatively easy. This whole non-stick cookware set is dishwasher safe. Though you can use a dishwasher as an easy cleaning option, I recommend hand washing. Using the dishwasher regularly can result in discoloration faster than usual.
Most of the time, I wipe the surface after sizzling eggs and other relatively dry foods. I prepared pesto sauce as well, and it wasn’t a great deal cleaning out the saucepan after the cooking period.
In summary, I can say it was easier to clean and maintain this cookware set compared to other non-stick cookware sets I used earlier.
Pros
- Non-sticky nature remains even after multiple usages in a row
- Available in three mindful colors – Agave blue, Pumpkin orange and Red
- Shatter-resistant glass lids help to view the food situation quickly.
- Dishwasher & Oven safe up to 400F
- Though it’s featuring quick heat spreading, the handle remains cool during the cooking period.
Cons
- Scratches start appearing after several months of usage
- Tricky handles for cleaning
Besides, Do you know how to clean cast iron cookware?
Final Verdict
That was all about Rachael Ray Cucina 12-pc Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set Review – a comprehensive overview after three months of usage.
Ignoring the scratching issue, I can confidently say it’s one of the best budget non-stick cookware available in the current market.
If you’re on a budget and want a durable cookware option, don’t hesitate to pick this set as it comes with lifetime limited warranty.
Overall, this cookware served nicely, and I’m fully satisfied with the experience.