When it comes to buying cookware, a good, quality set can set you back hundreds of dollars so you want to be sure it's money well spent.
To see if a high price will get you high quality, Consumer Reports tested 16 uncoated pots and pan sets, which are good for browning, searing, and caramelizing.
There were sets from big names new to stainless-steel cookware, such as Le Creuset, Pyrex, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Testers put each set through a series of tough tests.
To see how evenly the pans cook, testers make pancakes. One pan tested heated evenly, but the pricey $550 Culinary Institute pans only did so-so. And the $450 Le Creuset set couldn't handle the heat either.
Testers also looked at the non-stick fry pans that come with some of the sets using a machine that scrubs pans up to 2,000 times to see how the surface holds up.
Some didn't.
Afterwards, testers fry eggs on the worn surface to see whether food sticks and how hard it is to clean.
In the end, testers top-rated a Bonjour 10-piece, stainless-steel set for $570 dollars.
While the set is pricey, none of the less-expensive sets did as well in all of Consumer Reports tests.
"The Bonjour cooked food evenly; had comfortable, durable handles; and it was pretty easy to clean. Plus it's oven-safe up to 500 degrees," Celia Lehrman said.
Among non-stick cookware, Anolon Advance is highly rated and comes in a 10-piece set.
You can also buy pieces individually to get just what you need or slowly build your set.
If you opt for non-stick, it's important which cooking utensils you choose to use.
Metal ones will scratch the surface, so only use ones that are made for non-stick pots and pans.
And never let non-stick cookware get hotter than about a medium heat.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
