Best saucepan sets
From the Saturday dinner party to end of the month fridge finish-ups, investing in a really good set of saucepans is essential for any homecook. There's nothing worse than toiling away over a hot stove, only for half of your dinner to get stuck to the pan.
Not only will a fabulous well-made set of saucepans not do that, but a fabulous well-made set of saucepans will also look fabulous too - a way to enhance your kitchen interiors without even thinking about it.
From non-stick to stainless, we've stirred and boiled our way through the very best saucepan sets on the market. To find out what they are, see below...
Cuisine pro iConix
The Cuisine pro iConix is the Rolls Royce of pan sets — with a price tag to match. The saucepan has some reassuring weight to it; the anodised body is twice as hard as stainless steel, yet manages to look slick and stylish too.
The pans heat up in the blink of an eye, is non-stick and cooks all food evenly. The exterior of the pans are also non-stick which makes cleaning and switching between cooking jobs simple.
The handles stay cool and their shape makes them easy to grip when full. Yes, this set is expensive, but it feels like it is built to last forever, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee (just in case it doesn’t).
£800 (introductory offer £299.99) | Houseuk | Buy it now
Tefal Ingenio Saucepan Set
These saucepans had us at ‘nesting’; with 'space' (or lack of) the number one kitchen issue for most of us, these are fantastically practical. The handle completely detaches which means the three sturdy aluminum pans can slot easily inside each other - no protruding handles in sight.
One handle does all three and clips on and off easily so it can be transferred from one to the other when cooking with multiple pans. And despite being detachable, it is perfectly sturdy when clipped on, avoiding any wobbles or spills. The handle is easy to wash properly too, and fits neatly inside a kitchen draw.
£109.99 | Lakeland | Buy it now
Prestige three-piece non-stick saucepan set
Now it’s not all about looks, but these pans are something to see. They come in silver, copper and purple — more of a lovely red wine hue actually — and in sets of three, are a really a good way to add colour to your kitchen. On the hob they heat up relatively quickly for their price tag, and they wash really well too.
£65.99 | Wayfair | Buy it now
Saucepan set, stainless steel
For those on a budget, this set of five pans really is extraordinary value. They don’t have much weight to them, but they look simple and stylish in a classic silver and actually heat up faster than expected.
With three sizes of saucepan, a milk pan and a frying pan to boot, you can set-up your kitchen for just over twenty quid. Perfect if your culinary repertoire only extends to beans on toast... All in all, an absolute bargain.
£22.99 | Wilko | Buy it now
5-piece saucepan set
It’s a bit more expensive than the Tefal, but you get a milk pan and a frying pan thrown in to make this a set of five pieces. Classic silver with grey grips on the handles give these pans a timeless, traditional finish.
On the hobs they don’t disappoint: the aluminum base allows for good heat distribution and avoids pesky hot spots. On the whole this a great all-rounder pan set that will last you years.
£144.99 | Lakeland | Buy it now
Elite 6-piece set
Cranking it up a notch, the ProCook Elite cookware set is heading into more serious cooking territory. The large saucepan heats up with the flick of a switch and the litre marks on the inside are really handy mid-recipe.
If you are a serious cook (or like to try out more complex recipes), these pans will make your heart sing. They clean brilliantly, feel sturdy and solid, and the cool touch handles mean that you are not scrabbling around for oven mitts at the crucial moment.
With a 25-year guarantee, it’s an investment worth making.
£329 | Procook | Buy it now
Gourmet 6-piece set
On first handling, the Gourmet ProCook range is not the Elite, but then it’s not as expensive either. While it lacks the professional look and feel of its big sister range, it is half the price without losing too much of the quality.
The black design is smart, although it does make it look cheaper than it is. On the hob it is fast-heating and the strain and pour design was really handy for multi-pot dishes. It’s close to the Lakeland in price and quality, but you do get an extra piece with this one. A good alternative for keen cooks that don’t want to fork out for the Elite range.
£149 | Procook | Buy it now
Cuisinepro Capri
This pan set might look shiny with its stainless steel mirrored finish, but make no mistake: these pans are built for some serious cooking action. They actually feel slightly lighter than the ProCook Elite, which makes them easy to handle (although pan weight is really a matter of personal preference).
The handles are silicone which makes them oven and dishwasher safe so they are practical for cooking multiple dishes at once. They heat up as fast and evenly as you would expect in this price bracket and the steamer insert is a handy addition. All in all you won’t go far wrong with this set if you are happy to fork out for it.
£600 | Houseuk | Buy it now
Verdict:
The Tefal Ingenio set is hard to beat for saving space and cool-gadget factor, but for the serious chef the Cuisine pro iConix is well-worth saving for. If you just can’t justify the cash, then the Procook Elite is all the quality most of us will need, at half the price.
