Welcome to Cookware Week! We’re sharing our favorite cookware sets, accessories, and kitchen appliances, plus intel on how to care for all of it, the best recipes to make with every piece, and exclusive sales for Chowhound readers.
Do you dream of Le Creuset and KitchenAid but just don’t have the budget for them? These affordable cookware alternatives are just as good. (But don’t forget to check out deep discounts on big-name brands like All-Clad for Cookware Week! And direct-to-consumer cookware brands are also worth a look.)
There are plenty of cookware pieces that are super high quality, but have an accompanying price tag that’s out of range for most people. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that not only look similar, but perform just as well. We’ve rounded up some of the best budget cookware alternatives that will look just as good in your cabinets and work just as well on your stove as your dream kitchen supplies.
Dutch Ovens Baller: Le Creuset Dutch Oven, $379.99 on Amazon
Unsplash
These classic enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are made incredibly well and come in a rainbow of beautiful colors. The sand-colored enamel interior is resistant to wear, and the bright exterior enamel is scratch and chip resistant. They’re also able to withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees, but it’s completely understandable if the price tag is an obstacle.Buy Now
Budget: Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Dutch Oven, $59.90 on Amazon
Lodge/Amazon
These Lodge Dutch ovens will not only serve the same purpose (use them to braise, roast, bake, saute, fry, broil, and even marinate food, and bring them straight from the oven to the table), but at a fraction of the price. They come in several similar colors to Le Creuset’s options, and also feature a porcelain enamel interior and exterior coating that will last for years.Buy Now
Knives Baller: Shun Classic Knife Block Set, $259.95 on Amazon
Shun/Amazon
A favorite of many chefs, Shun knives are made by hand in Japan from stainless steel with Damascus cladding. This five piece set includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, 4-inch citrus knife, 9-inch combination honing steel to keep everything sharp, and a 6-slot deluxe bamboo knife block, but it will set you back a bit.Buy Now
Budget: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Block Set, $41.99 on Amazon
Cuisinart/Amazon
This Cuisinart set includes 15 stainless steel hollow-handled knives and is far more affordable. It includes an 8-inch slicing knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, a 5.5-inch serrated utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, a 3.5-inch bird’s beak paring knife, an 8-inch sharpener, and all-purpose shears—all designed to be ergonomically comfortable—and a block to hold them all. (Properly caring for any knives will help prevent rust, but if it happens, here’s how to remove it.)Buy Now
Related Reading: Get $20 Off a Bestselling Nonstick Pan & Chef’s Knife Bundle at Material Kitchen
Nonstick Skillets Baller: All-Clad HA1 Nonstick 10- and 12-Inch Skillets, 2 for $99.96 at Sur la Table (normally $149.95)
Sur la Table
All-Clad is known for their long-lasting, high-performance cookware. These nonstick pans are made from stainless steel to prevent warping and ensure even heating, with a durable nonstick coating that cuts down on the amount of fat you need to cook. If you do somehow manage to break or damage them, don’t worry—they come with All-Clad’s lifetime warranty.Buy Now
Budget: T-fal ProGlide Nonstick 8- and 10-Inch Pans, 2 for $24.99 on Amazon
T-fal/Amazon
These pans may be a fraction of the All-Clad price, but they have over 200 reviews on Amazon that have resulted in a four and a half star rating. In addition to being nonstick, they have a thermo-spot heat indicator that turns a solid color when the pans are fully heated so there’s no second-guessing whether it’s how enough to start cooking. They’re also completely dishwasher safe, which is super convenient if you cook a lot.Buy Now
Related Reading: Take an Extra 10% Off Already-Low Prices on All-Clad & Other Big Brands for Cookware Week
Stand Mixers Baller: KitchenAid Stand Mixer, $379.95 at Sur la Table
Sur la Table
This is on nearly every wedding registry, and for good reason: It’s truly great. It lasts forever and can do almost anything, from mixing thick batter and sticky dough to whipping cream and shredding meat, with 10 speed controls and several attachments (it comes with a flat paddle/beater, a dough hook, and a wire whip, but you can also buy many more mixer attachments). They’re a worthy investment, but the price tag is fairly high even for basic models.Buy Now
Budget: Cuisinart Stand Mixer, $150.34 on Amazon
Cuisinart/Amazon
Cuisinart makes this durable, 5.5-quart tilt-head stand mixer that has a 500-watt motor and 12 speed settings, with fantastic ratings on Amazon. At a fraction of the KitchenAid price, it still comes with a chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, and splash guard, and comes in several colors to rival many of KitchenAid’s bright hues.Buy Now
Saucepans Baller: Scanpan Pro S5 Saucepan, $139.95-$159.95 at Sur la Table (normally $187-$214)
Sur la Table
This tall-sided saucepan has an innovative nonstick coating that’s durable yet easy to clean, and pouring spouts on either side, which are super convenient when preparing sauces. It also has a stainless steel handle and a tempered glass lid. But it will put a dent in your wallet.Buy Now
Budget: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Saucepan, $16.99 on Amazon
Cuisinart
Cuisinart’s saucepan is anodized, which means that it’s even harder than stainless steel and heats up super quickly. It’s also nonstick and has a convenient drip-free pouring indention but is way cheaper than many other brand-name options. Pro-tip: Never use metal utensils with nonstick, since it can damage the finish.Buy Now
Soup Pots Baller: Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 5-Quart Stockpot, $143.96 at Sur la Table (normally $270)
Lagostina
This Italian-designed 5-quart pot is made from three layers of stainless steel, aluminum, and hammered copper, to ensure it heats up quickly and responds to temperature changes quickly too. The stainless steel lid and lining mean the pan won’t react with acidic ingredients, but even on sale, it’s a bit steep.Buy Now
DEMMEX Hammered Copper Soup Pot, $79.80 on Amazon
Demex/Amazon
This slightly smaller 3.4-quart pot is made of 1.2 millimeter thick hammered copper on the outside, and lined with food-safe tin (so it also won’t react to acidic food). Like its more expensive counterpart, in addition to being useful for preparing soups, stew, and braises, this pot is gorgeous to display during holiday gatherings. (For an even more affordable alternative that’s still a lovely shade of copper, this ceramic-coated pot is scratch-resistant and oven-safe, and comes with a glass lid.)Buy Now
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