Stainless steel is the most popular metal for cookware, and it's easy to see why. Stainless steel pots and pans are suitable on all hobs including induction, as well as the oven. They are lightweight and easy to clean and maintain. The metal does not react to acidic ingredients the way pure copper or cast iron does. Best of all, they last a lifetime. (Note: Stainless steel pans with non-stick coatings have a limited lifespan of up to 10 years, as the non-stick coating is applied onto the metal.) Since stainless steel on its own is not a strong conductor of heat, stainless steel cookware is often layered with with aluminium or copper for heat-responsiveness. 

Stainless steel pans are often described as 'tri-ply', 'five-ply', or 'multi-ply'. This means the pan is layered with aluminium, copper, graphite, or another metal from base to edge, as opposed to just the base (like traditional sandwich-base pans). Tri-ply indicates that the pan has three layers of metal, while five-ply indicates five layers. 

We carry a wide range of multi-ply stainless steel pots and pans, from premium brands like Mauviel, All-Clad, and Hestan, as well as our best-of-value range from Silampos. Unless specified as dishwasher-safe, stainless steel pans should not be put in the dishwasher, as harsh detergents cause the edges of the pans to sharpen with time.

Mauviel

Mauviel is a heritage French cookware brand that has made pans in the same Normandy workshop since 1830. Famous for their copper pans, their stainless steel range is equally exceptional. While most Mauviel pans include stainless steel handles which stay cool on the hob, some have bronze handles. These bronze handles heat quicker than stainless steel. 

• M'Cook: Every stainless steel pan in this fantastic 5-ply range from Mauviel has two outer layers of induction-friendly stainless steel and three inner layers of heat-responsive aluminium. The middle layer of that aluminium is pure, meaning there is no adhesive agent in it that slightly weakens its power. Curved pouring rims provide drip-free pouring, and comfortable, stay-cool handles mould to your hand. High-quality stainless steel that’s polished on the outside but brushed on the inside (for stick-resistance) makes clean-up simple. Designed for European kitchens, Mauviel pans stack together neatly for efficient storage. Shop Mauviel M'Cook pans and sets here.
  
  
• M'Elite: Mauviel M'Elite pans have all the same features as their M'Cook pans, plus a hammered finish on the exterior that is purely aesthetic. Shop Mauviel M'Elite pans and sets here.
  
  
• M'Urban4: Mauviel M'Urban4 pans have three layers of metal, with a core of aluminium, and glass lids. The rims of these pans are sealed, making them safe to use in the dishwasher. Shop Mauviel M'Urban4 pans and sets here. 

All-Clad

All-Clad introduced the culinary world to the process of bonding layers of metal to create multi-ply pans, and as such, they are masters of the craft who offer a few different ranges of stainless steel cookware. 

• D3 / Tri-Ply: The pans in All-Clad's original tri-ply range feel light to lift but are sturdy, with comfortable handles that mould to an underhanded grip and stay cool on the hob. The stainless steel on the exterior is polished, while the interior has a brushed finish that makes it stick-resistant and easy to clean. Shop All-Clad D3 / Tri-Ply pans and sets here.
  
  
• D5: This 5-ply range was designed with the high heat of induction hobs in mind. It has 18/10 stainless steel exteriors with two heavy-gauge layers of heat-responsive aluminium in the middle, plus a core of stainless steel, which diffuses and spreads heat evenly and prevents warping. This also results in excellent heat retention, so your food stays warm long after you take it off the hob and to the table. Both the inner and outer parts of these pans are finished with brushed stainless steel. Shop All-Clad D5 pans and sets here.
  
  
• Copper Core: Copper is the best heat conductor out there. That's why All-Clad’s Copper Core range, which features a copper layer sandwiched between two layers of aluminium and stainless steel, is truly one-of-a-kind when it comes to heat responsiveness and even distribution. The shapes and finishes of these pans are similar to the D3/Tri-Ply range, but it has the added benefit of vented handles that stay even cooler as you cook. Shop All-Clad Copper Core pans and sets here.
  
  
• Graphite Core: This range has five layers of metal, but feels as light as a tri-ply pan. The secret to its success is a disc of graphite at the base of a pan, sandwiched within its core layer of aluminium, which provides even heating from base to edge. They have curved rims for drip-free pouring, and contoured handles for comfort. Shop All-Clad G5 Graphite Core pans and sets here. 

Hestan

Made in Italy, Hestan is an American brand driven by a culture of meticulous craftsmanship and continuous innovation. Trusted in demanding professional kitchens, Hestan produces multi-layered, highly engineered cookware that elevates everyday cooking through superior heat conductivity, durability, and striking design.   

• NanoBond: This flagship range features an innovative titanium cooking surface that is four times stronger than typical stainless steel. This makes the pans incredibly resistant to scratching and sticking. They are 100% non-toxic, heat up quickly, and safely handle temperatures up to 565°C. Sealed rims make these pans dishwasher-safe too. Shop Hestan Nanobond pans and sets here. 
  
  
• ProBond and ProBond Luxe: This tri-ply range of stainless steel pans is dishwasher-safe, due to sealed rims. The cooking surface is 20% larger than standard stainless steel pans. While the ProBond range has a brushed finish, the ProBond Luxe range has a polished finish that's great for kitchen-to-table cooking. Shop ProBond and ProBond Luxe pans and sets here. 
  
  
• OvenBond: Expanding Hestan’s clad-metal expertise to bakeware, the OvenBond range is built from triple-bonded stainless steel with an aluminium core, ensuring even heat distribution for roasting and baking. The pieces are engineered to be highly warp-resistant under extreme temperatures (oven and grill-safe up to 316°C) and feature wide, curved handles that provide a secure grip when pulling heavy trays out of the oven. Shop OvenBond pans here.

Silampos

Made in Portugal since 1951, Silampos stainless steel pans are clad, from base to rim, with three layers of metal: non-reactive and induction-compatible stainless steel on the outside with a core of heat-responsive aluminium. The stainless steel is polished on the outside for a mirror finish, but brushed on the inside for enhanced stick-resistance. The vented, recessed handle stays cool as you cook, and a curved rim prevents liquids from trailing along the side of the pan when pouring. Shop Silampos pans and sets here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean and maintain stainless steel cookware?

Stainless steel is loved not only for its durability and performance but also because it cleans up so easily. Even when your stainless steel pans have been sitting around for a while after a meal with stuck-on food, a good soak in hot water and some washing up liquid will clean away with the use of a scrubbing pad. If you like to display and show off your beautiful pots and pans to their best advantage, stainless steel cleaning paste, like Mauviel's Inobrill cleaner, will maintain a shiny surface.

How do you make stainless steel pans more stick-resistant?

Unlike non-stick or seasoned cast iron pans, stainless steel pans do not naturally resist sticking. However, with proper pre-heating, food will easily release from the surface of pans. First, the stainless steel pan should be heated empty for a minute or so. Then, oil should be added, followed by food. You can do the water droplet test to see when the pan is ready for oil – just add a few drops of water, and if the water collects into one bead (as opposed to fizzling), it's ready to go. For more information, read our guide to stick-free stainless steel cooking. 

What are the benefits of stainless steel cookware?

• Resistance to corrosion — it can cook acidic foods, like fruits, without wearing down, and will not rust. 
  
  
• Heat resistance — high chromium and nickel-alloyed cookware retain strength at high temperatures. 
  
  
• Easy to clean. 
  
  
• Aesthetic appearance — provides a modern and attractive appearance. 
  
  
• Lifetime durability – pans last a lifetime, and can be polished to look as good as new even after years of use. 

Why does stainless steel not rust?

Stainless steel is an alloy of a variety of different metals, including chromium. When chromium reacts with oxygen, an element in water (the cause of most rust), a thin but stable film develops that protects stainless steel from rust and corrosion. 

Can I use stainless steel pans in the oven?

Yes, which means you can start your dish on the hob on a stainless steel frying pan and then give it that last finish under the grill.

How can you tell the quality of stainless steel cookware?

The best stainless steel cookware in constructed by bonding layers of metal all the way to the edge, the way Mauviel M'Cook, All-Clad, and Silampos pans are with three to five layers of metal surrounding a metal that's more heat responsive, like aluminium or copper. We find these more effective than the traditional 'sandwich base', which only has heat-responsive metal on the bottom of the pans rather than all the way to the edges. This makes it slower and less efficient at distributing heat. 

When should stainless steel pots be replaced? 

With proper care, such as not placing stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher, they will last a lifetime. 

For more on stainless steel, including how to use it so that food rarely sticks, read our guide.