There are people who still prefer the clean look of pure stainless steel, no matter how many other kinds of beautiful cookware that comes out in the market. For those who want the best in stainless steel cookware when it comes to looks and quality, they should try using this 10-Piece set from the Gourmet Essential collection of KitchenAid.

The set is made up of the best stainless steel (a perfect combination of nickel and chromium) in the world, which makes each piece very durable, with magnificent luster. The high quality of the stainless steel gives each piece a very professional look, perfect for those who want to have handsome-looking cookware hanging from their shelves. The common kitchen owner will feel like a chef when he gets his hands on this beautiful KitchenAid set.

Each set contains the following:

• 1-quart covered saucepan
• 2-quart covered saucepan
• 3-quart covered saucepan
• 8-quart covered stockpot
• 8-inch skillet
• 10-inch skillet

Functionality
First thing we noticed when testing the pots and pans is their weight. Each piece is a bit heavier compared to the usual stainless steel cookware. Though a little on the heavy side, we can still lift each piece easily, which should be a good thing for those with delicate wrists.

Each piece has cool grip handles that has inserts made of silicone rubber. The handles are oven safe up to 400°F. We had no problem holding the handles given the weight of the pots and pans. The weight is actually a good thing because it provides a nice balance when you place the pots and pans on the stove.

Uneven cooking is not a problem with this cookware set. The base of each piece has an aluminum disk fully encapsulated by stainless steel. This ensures that heat is distributed evenly around the pot or pan, with no hot spots that can ruin a portion of the food. The even distribution of heat of these KitchenAid pots and pans are definitely comparable to most non-stick pans, even better some brands, we daresay.

Cleanup
Cleaning each piece in this set is as easy as most non-stick cookware. No need to scour and use abrasive material to scrape off food from the surface; regular dishwashing liquid is enough for the job.

Looks
Honestly, the 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware from KitchenAid looks a little plain compared to other cookware types in the market, but those who prefer the classic stainless steel look shouldn’t have a problem with this set aesthetic-wise. The high polish of the stainless steel gives the set a classic, long-lasting beauty, which is probably a given since each piece is built to last.

Price
You can get the whole set at Amazon for around $125 (originally $245), which is definitely worth it given the sturdiness of each piece. We say this is an affordable cookware set for those who are looking for pots and pans that can stand constant use. If you want to get a durable set without paying the steep price tag of luxury cookware brands, then the KitchenAid Gourmet Essential 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware is one of your best bets.

Glass cookware should be handled carefully since the transparency of glass makes it easier to see stains and scratches on the inside and outside of the pots and pans. Proper cleaning should be maintained to make sure that your glass cookware remains stain-free and scratch-free. You should know the right cleaning product to use, which will depend on the cleaning problem that you have. If taken care of properly, your glass cookware can last for a very long time.

Cleaning problem: Coffee and tea stains

Solution: Don’t even think of using abrasive materials to scrub the stain off the glass. Set aside that steel cloth; you should not use it. Using rough material for cleansing will bring damage to the glass, which can cause breakage later on when the glass is exposed to very high temperatures.

For very stubborn stains, you can use dishwashing detergent or bleach for cleaning. Try using the dishwashing detergent first. Start with two tablespoons of the solution and let it stay inside the pot for 30 minutes. If this does not work, mix bleach with water and let it stay until you can easily scrub the stain off.

Cleaning problem: Burn stains

For nasty burns on glass, try to remove them first by soaking the piece in hot/warm sudsy water. If the stain remains intact, pour liquid soap in the pot, fill with water then bring to a boil. Keep the boiling on for four to six minutes and check if the stain is coming off.

If the stain still won’t come off, substitute baking soda for liquid soap, add water and bring to a boil. The most stubborn stains should be removed by using this method. Just make sure to remove all traces of baking soda residue after boiling the water.

If your glass cookware has burned grease, remove the offending stain with ammonia. For tougher stains, mix water and baking soda then bring to a boil, which should soften the stain. Apply ammonia after thoroughly rinsing the pot. If there are stain marks left on the glass, scour it gently using nylon scrubber, which is gentle enough and will not damage the glass.

Cleaning problem: Mineral deposits

For removing mineral deposits from your glass cookware, only full strength vinegar is good enough as cleaning agent. Boil the vinegar for eight to ten minutes for total cleanup. Put the vinegar to good use after cleaning cookware by pouring the liquid down the bathroom sink and kitchen sink. This will clear up your drains.

1. Find out the correct way to use the piece by looking for the manufacturer’s mark. This is probably a must since chances are, you don’t have the original box and instructions that went along with it. Call the manufacturer and ask for specific instructions in using and taking care of the product that you have.
2. In case you can’t locate the manufacturer’s mark, you should at least find out what the piece is made of. Knowing the type of material used in creating that pot or pan you have is essential in the proper care and maintenance of vintage cookware. There are some vintage cookware pieces that you can’t use in the microwave since they were created during the time when there is still no microwave. Make sure your cookware is oven-safe.
3. The dishwasher is the not the place for your vintage cookware. Heat and water pressure can destroy the pieces. You should not use bleach and abrasive materials for cleaning the pieces. Wash them by hand and dry using a soft towel. Decorated enamelware should be washed in sudsy water.
4. Do not subject vintage cookware to extreme temperature changes. This means you should not put your vintage pan inside the refrigerator soon after you remove it from the oven. You should let the pan to cool down first before placing it inside the refrigerator. The freezer is entirely out of the question. Extreme temperature changes can cause your vintage cookware to break or crack.
5. To remove rust, dissolve 1 tablespoon oxalic acid crystals in ½ cup warm water and apply to stains. Rinse after a few minutes.

Description and Features
The set includes the following pieces:

• 1.5-qt. Covered Sauce Pan
• 2-qt. Covered Sauce Pan
• 3-qt. Covered Sauce Pan
• 4.5-qt. Covered Sauce Pot
• 6-qt. Covered Stockpot
• 4.5-qt. Covered Sauté Pan
• 8-in. Skillet
• 10-in. Skillet

The set contains pieces that have Hard-Anodized Construction which makes them durable and able to produce even heating. You will never have problems getting the food out of the pan because of the nonstick interior. Each piece has grippy silicone handles that you can hold comfortably and can withstand up to 400°F of oven heat. You can easily take a look at the food inside the pans through the glass lids.
The Look
Like we said, the cookware set looks so cute it’s tempting to buy it just for the appearance alone. The aluminum pieces come in handsome charcoal gray while the handles come in bright orange or blue, which are Rachael Ray’s signature colors. The glass lids give the set a sleek, clean look.
Usability and Durability
Everyday cooking is totally easy with this cookware set. We can take the pots and pans from the stove top to the oven with no trouble at all. Because of the quality of the aluminum, the food gets cooked evenly, so there is less or minimal chances of burning your dinner. Cooking time is relatively shorter with this set, so that’s another plus. No need to set the stove to high temperature to speed up cooking. Cooking quality is comparable to more expensive copper and steel cookware pieces.
The skillets are a bit smaller than the standard ones though, which can be a disadvantage for those who want to fry food in bigger quantities.  As for the pot sizes, they are big enough for cooking for average households. We noticed that the pots are a little bit heavier compared to the average cookware in the nonstick category, which is alright with us; the pieces will sit well on the stove and will not budge from their places easily.
Perhaps the only disadvantage that we experienced in testing the pots and pans is that the outsides can stain rather easily. We had no problems cleaning the insides of the pots and pans because of the nonstick feature, but it does not hold true for the exterior. Some of the pieces developed some splotches after cooking several times on a flat top stove.

Care and Maintenance
Because of the nonstick material of the insides of the pots and pans, cleanup is very easy. We didn’t have to scrub like mad to get the food bits off the pan. We only needed a soft sponge and a gentle to moderate strength cleanser to clean the pieces.
The Price
The set is a great deal for USD 299.95. We encountered practically no problems with cooking and cleanup is definitely no trouble at all. The price is more than fair for the set’s usability and the fact the pieces look great displayed on the kitchen is a huge plus as well. The Rachael Ray 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set can hold its own against pricier cookware sets.

Except for those who take cooking really seriously, most people have not used or are not considering purchasing titanium cookware. Aside from the higher price tag, another reason for this is that they don’t really care much about the type of cookware that they have in their homes. Sure, each cookware material has its own unique features that can spell the difference between a totally blah meal and a truly mouthwatering, gourmet fare, but most of us do not know the pros and cons that each cookware type brings. Usually, most people think of aluminum and stainless steel pots and pans when they go shopping for cookware.

Thanks to the immense popularity of cooking shows and celebrity chefs, more and more people are becoming aware of the benefits of using titanium cookware. Titanium is a great material for cookware because of its remarkable durability and strength, the reason why it is used in building aeronautical equipment.

It is true that titanium cookware costs more than the other types such as copper and aluminum, but you will definitely get your money’s worth when you purchase those sleek and durable titanium pots and pans. Here are some reasons why:

· Healthy cooking is more possible with titanium cookware

Because of the non-stick feature of titanium, you don’t need to use lots of water or oil when cooking. For health-conscious individuals who shudder at the very idea of fats clinging to their meals, this is certainly a blessing. The less oil or butter you use in cooking, the fewer calories you will consume.

· Titanium cookware is low maintenance

It is every cook’s nightmare to have to scrub stubborn grease off his beloved pots and pans. For common cookware materials, you will need a wide range of cleaning agents to remove dirt and grease off the cookware. This is not the case with titanium pots and pans, because of its consistent non-stick quality. You just need to rinse and let dry. It’s easy as that.

· Its durability means you don’t have to buy another set of cookware anytime soon

So what if you have to plunk down more cash than usual for a set of titanium cookware? This set will definitely last longer than other types of cookware, which makes the extra dollars so worth it. This metal has high resistance to scratches and dents that usually make pots and pans look older and heavily used. Think of titanium cookware as an investment.

· Shorter cooking time

Cooking in titanium pots and pans is faster compared to other cookware types because of the metal’s fast-heating quality. You don’t have to slave for long hours on the stove when you use titanium cookware.

· It is actually less hazardous to your health

A lot of people are not aware that some metal types are dangerous when mixed with food. Some consumer groups advise against using aluminum and stainless steel cookware because of the health hazards they present once the metals get inside the body. Titanium is considered as non-toxic material and is definitely safe for cooking.