The Best Value for Money Non-Stick Cookware Set

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Cookware Set
 

I think just about all of us have watched a cooking show or two on TV. I personally love them and watch as many as I can…and not just because I research and write about cookware for this website.

But when it comes to celebrity cookware it can be a bit of a hit or miss affair. Many TV chefs jump on the bandwagon and develop a range of cookware thinking that it will sell based simply on their celebrity status. Unfortunately in their haste to get the product on the market they often neglect some of the basics and what results is a shoddy range of cookware with a huge price tag.

This is why we were pleasantly surprised when we came across the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized range of cookware which is available in both the 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set and the 14-Piece Hard Anodized Cookware Set . This is not just some cookware set that has been put together simply to cash in on the Rachael Ray name. There has actually been a bit of thought gone into this one.

And you don’t need to be a fan of Rachael Ray to appreciate it. This is a quality set of cookware and the amazing thing is that it doesn’t come with the corresponding high price tag.

Let’s Take a Look in More Detail…

There’s one thing to clear up straight away. There has been some talk on cooking forums that this set isn’t safe for use on a glass or ceramic cook top because it may cause damage. This warning only applies to the orange or blue porcelain set which has a hard anodized interior and a porcelain exterior. This set we are reviewing here (dark grey with orange handles) is safe for use on both ceramic and glass cook tops. However, regardless of whether this set is considered safe on ceramic or glass cook tops, it is always most important that you read your cook top manual before using any new cookware.

What’s in the box:

The 10 Piece set includes:

- 8in skillet
- 10in skillet
- 1.5qt saucepan with lid
- 3qt saucepan with lid
- 3qt sauté pan with lid
- 6qt stockpot with lid.

The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 10-Piece Cookware Set pretty much has all the basics - the perfect set in my opinion. The only additions you might need are a few specialized pieces if you are a really keen cook.

For those of you who do lots of cooking and feel that you need a few more pieces of this beautiful cookware you may prefer the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 14-Piece Cookware Set.

What’s in the box:                 

The 14 Piece set includes:

- 8in skillet
- 10in skillet
- 1½qt saucepan with lid
- 2qt covered saucepan
- 3qt saucepan with lid
- 4½qt covered saute pan
- 4½qt covered sauce pot
- 6qt stockpot with lid

So as you can see you have a range of sizes in each of these sets that will serve to cook your morning oatmeal, gravies, stir fry's, pasta, soup, pancakes etc. In fact a piece of cookware for almost every purpose.

What is it made of?

This set has the strength and long-lasting qualities of hard anodized aluminum. This also means it is great for quick heating and even cooking with no hotspots.

It also has the bonus of a non-stick surface so you get the best of both worlds. The Rachael Ray website indicates that it is suitable to place this set in the dishwasher, however we personally prefer to hand wash any cookware that has a non-stick interior. The beauty of non-stick cookware is that if you treat it right, nothing sticks to it so cleanup is quick and easy. 

If you do need to stack it in the cupboard, it’s a good idea to put a sheet of kitchen paper between the items to avoid scratching the non-stick surface.
Also, use silicon or wood utensils. Rachel does have a range of lovely orange or blue utensils that go so well with this set and while they are functional and durable they are not expensive.

Is it oven safe?

Yes, the cookware goes from stove top to oven – up to 400 degrees - which is such a help when cooking and cleaning up. If you keep the heat low, you hardly need any butter or oil which makes it a healthy way to cook and also stops food from sticking and burning. Food still browns though and cleanup is very easy.

What are the lids like?

The glass lids are a bonus as you can see what’s happening in the pot without having to lift the lid and lose heat…or fill your kitchen with steam!

What are the handles like?

The soft grip handles are made from silicon which stays cool and is easy to grip. The bright color makes you very aware of their position on the stovetop which is an excellent safety feature as it reminds you to turn them out of the way to prevent accidental knocks and also out of the reach of children.

The handles are oven safe to 400ºF, which makes this cookware ideal for those dishes that you start cooking on the stovetop and want to finish off in the oven.

What colors are available?

The set is available in an attractive charcoal gray color with handles in the Rachael Ray signature colors - bright orange or blue.

Orange is Rachel’s favorite color!

The orange set is available at Amazon and is oftentimes cheaper than the blue version. The blue version is actually exclusive to Cooking.com but Amazon also sell this set on behalf of Cooking.com .

What Others Are Saying

This set is rated extremely well on the internet with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.

The words ‘love it’ and ‘excellent cookware’ are used constantly.

The main comments include:

Some mentioned how nice this set looks hanging on their pot racks. If you want to hang these pots on a rack and a coordinated kitchen is important to you then you may want to think about whether the bright orange or blue trim will suit.

A few reviewers felt that the weight of the pans was quite good mentioning that they weren’t too heavy. Making the ideal for anyone with weak wrists or suffering from arthritic conditions in the hands. (not sure about this statement - it will all come down to the individual in this respect)

The ‘grippy’ silicone handles were a hit with many with comments such as “easy to grip” and “comfy”.

A good majority of the reviews indicated that these pans were very easy to clean. Some mentioned that a moistened paper towel was enough to clean the pans.

The price was a big plus for many and we agree. The set is great value for money.

Good heat distribution and no hotspots was mentioned in numerous reviews. This really helps in ensuring meals turn out the way you want them to.

How much should you pay for this set?

The standard price around the internet is just under $200 but we have seen it a lot cheaper than this but usually only at Amazon. Amazon will generally have this set selling for under $150 - that is the time to buy it! If you see it for over $150 and you are not in a rush to buy it then add the set to your shopping cart on Amazon and then check it everyday until you see it cheaper. Amazon consistently have the best price so I would check them out first. Cooking.com stay fairly static with their pricing and it is generally more expensive than Amazon.

Is it cheaper to buy individual pieces?

We haven't been able to do a calculation on whether it is cheaper to buy individual pieces because most of the pieces in this set are not sold individually.

Where Can You Buy the Rachael Ray 10pc Cookware Set?

We find that Amazon consistently has the best price so we would recommend trying them first. CLICK HERE to view it.

If you are after the blue set you can head over to Cooking.com. CLICK HERE to view the blue set on Cooking.com OR you can purchase it via Amazon.