First time I laid eyes on this Rachael Ray 80650 pasta pot I was surprised to see that the regular black plastic handles which have been on almost all cooking wear has been swapped for this cheerful and vibrant orange color, little did I know then that this pot was made by a popular cooking TV show host Rachael Ray, that was enough to get me to try it out.

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 8-Quart Oval Pasta Pot

This Rachael Ray 80650 pasta pot was made for pasta, so I decided to use it for just the occasion; the large 8 was able to take a lot of water and since it’s an oblong pot not only does it take up less space on the stove for a large pot like itself but the pasta just fits perfectly in it, with smaller pots I would find myself breaking them in half or leaving the pot open and the pasta sticking out the top, but not with this pot.

It’s very light considering its size and load and the pouring side may be good for pouring and straining however I find that it doesn’t really allow the pot to be sealed completely, but if you are using it solely to boil pasta then it would not be a problem.

The non stick surface of the pot makes it a breeze to clean, residue and oil does not get absorbed so I have no worries about having to scrub, but it is a surprise that even if it is a non stick pot; the food stuff which touches the bottom will get burnt, this is probably due to the surface being a little too thin, but still this pot after all was made for pasta and using it to do anything besides that would lead to some unsatisfactory results.

Overall it is a great pot for boiling pasta and was designed to do it incredibly well, being lightweight and having a pouring side, but it would have been nice if it didn’t have problems handling chunky soups, and maybe a tighter lid so that it can trap heat and steam more effectively for faster boiling, not that it boils slow but a little faster would definitely be a bonus.

For its price at well below $100 the Rachael Ray 80650 pasta pot could be a great addition to your kitchen ware and even more so if you are passionate about your pasta.

For braising meats and cooking stews, get this lovely Staub 5.5-Quart Oval Cocotte. Or maybe you’d like to stick to Rachael Ray cookware for its design. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to go through my Best Cookware Set main page for more tips like the different types of cookware and cookware material guide.

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Farberware Millennium Soft Touch 12-Piece Cookware Set seems to be pretty decent in terms of usability and versatility, not to mention the generous price it came in especially for 12 pieces. Farberware has been in the market of creating cookery for a long time now, and I know a few seniors who swear by their quality and would want nothing other than Farberware in their kitchen cabinets and on their stoves.

Farberware Millennium Soft Touch 12-Piece Cookware Set

This Farberware Millennium Soft Touch 12-Piece Cookware Set comes with all the necessary cookery to complete an average kitchen (well mainly for pots and pans), being stainless steel they are great on induction cookers or induction stoves, not to mention that these were made lighter than others of their volume, I really like being able to carry the pots be it for pouring something out or to just put it on the dinner table when I run out of plates or trays during a party.

The handles are great, they feel like they won’t break even if you wanted them to, I’m not sure if this does add benefits during cooking but it sure gives me confidence when I’m flipping my omelets and pancakes in front of guests without having to worry of the pan wobbling or the handle bending.

All the lids are made of tempered glass, and together with the pot you can toss them into the oven, really handy when I decide not to use my regular gas stove or if I just want to warm up the food inside.

The one problem that I have experienced however is that this set is not a non stick set meaning that I would have to add some oil, shortening or grease to make sure the food doesn’t become one with the pan.

A lot of buyers agree that for a set that gets the work done this one is definitely a good choice, I couldn’t help to agree even if there are a few things needed to be added or fixed, but the problems are merely a result of being spoiled by the more expensive and modern cookware I have used, the looks and feel of this Farberware Millennium Soft Touch 12-Piece Cookware Set is perfect if you are a person only interested in cooking and you actually know how to cook, for its price it is definitely recommended for cooks of average capabilities.

Looking for the best stainless steel cookware set? There is no other better than this All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set, I think. Stainless steel is really popular but I always suggest a good non stick frying pan to go with the set, such as this WearEver Premium 10 inch Hard-Anodized frying pan or the Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned 12-Inch Skillet.

There are more tips and recommendations in my Best Cookware Set page.

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The creators of the original non stick pan have come with this non stick cookware set, T-Fal Signature Hard Anodized 12 Cookware Piece Set, with 12 pieces of non stick appliance you will be delighted with cooking pleasure.

T-Fal Signature Hard Anodized 12 Cookware Piece Set

The weight could be an issue if you are cooking large quantities, but that’s not a problem, the feel of the T-Fal Signature Hard Anodized 12 Cookware Piece Set is entirely sturdy with their well built handles that you won’t be afraid to grab on to, not to forget how ergonomically well made they are, I don’t feel any discomfort at all from the grips.

The little marked in the middle of the pan is a T Fal trademark, if you like looking at things change then you may find yourself staring at the spot in the middle of the pan waiting for the marker to slowly turn red to let you know the pan is at its maximum temperature, this is great when you are making pancakes and prefer them slightly brown on the bottom.

The transparent glass lid is exceptionally helpful, as with all my other cookery sets I really like to see what’s going on in the pan or pot, they also have those tiny vents to let the pressure out so you won’t have to worry about the lid flipping off the pot when you boil porridge or any sort of grain for that matter.

The non stick function here would be a double edged sword, as with all other nonstick cookery I would always have to extra careful to avoid scratching them which would reduce the lifespan of any non-stick pan, but you are assured that T Fal offers great, if not the best non stick properties of any pan available on market, I could slide anything which was frying out of the pan and cleaning only involves wiping the pan with tissue or a cloth after use.

This T-Fal Signature Hard Anodized 12 Cookware Piece Set is especially recommended to cooks who love hassle free cooking and are not too interested with spending a lot of money on a professional set that demands skill and like the name says to be a “professional” to handle.

More T-Fal Cookware Reviews can be found here or in my Best Cookware Set main page.

You might also like to read about the T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set or the Best Hard Anodized Cookware Set that I have to recommend.

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This color handle sauté pan from celebrity chef Rachel Ray received great ratings on Amazon, buyers were satisfied and left great comments and reviews on the site, I was wondering what the deal was with this pan so I decided to check it out.

Rachael Ray 5-Quart Hard-Anodized Orange Oval Sauté Pan

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 5-Quart Oval Saute Pan with Glass Lid

Being oval in shape you have to agree that this pan for its size can fit things which are otherwise too long for regular 5 quart pots that are round, this is ideal for spaghetti if you don’t want to break the pasta before boiling it. The oval shape also saves a lot of space on the stove; they won’t bump into each other like conventional round pots which occupy the same amount of space no matter which way you turn them.

I used to have pots where the cover was made of the same material as the pot itself, which I have to open every time I needed to check whether my stew was done or was just curious to see how the vegetables were dancing around when the lid was closed, but I don’t have to worry with this one, since it comes with a glass lid (I finally caught the greens in action).

This Rachael Ray 5-Quart Hard-Anodized Orange Oval Sauté Pan being a nonstick pan means I won’t have to grease it or add much oil in fact I don’t even add oil anymore when I fry flat things like slices of meat.

The long handle on one end really makes it easy to carry the pot around the kitchen especially when I want to pour whatever it was I have been cooking directly from the pot onto a plate, not to mention that even with plastic no heat easy to grip handles this pot can fit into an oven, you may want to slide it into a regular oven when you just want to warm up some cold food that was lying around in the pan.

I can see a bright future for pots and pans like these, being able to hold large amounts without occupying so much space is a great catch for kitchen ware, especially when you need to do so much in so little time. Check out the Rachael Ray 5-Quart Hard-Anodized Orange Oval Sauté Pan here.

If you like the Rachael Ray Saute Pan, you’ll also like other Rachael Ray cookware such as the Rachael Ray 80650 8-Quart Hard-Anodized Covered Oval Pasta Pot and the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 12-Inch Open Skillet. Better still, get the whole Rachael Ray 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set that has been receiving positive ratings from users.

See also what I have to recommend as the Best Frying Pan To Go With Your Cookware Set or go to my Best Cookware Set main page.

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For all the non stick cookware fans out there, this might be your best set of cookware yet. I personally can never agree to buying a whole set of non stick cookware, since they are a pain to maintain in tip top condition. I always like to be able to stir my soups as roughly as I please without being afraid of scratching the bottom of the pot. But here’s the T-Fal Initiatives 10-Piece Nonstick Inside and Out for those seriously into non stick.

T-Fal Initiatives 10-Piece Nonstick Inside and Out

Truly Non Stick and Easy To Clean
Many are pleased that this set is truly non stick. Just heat up pans with medium heat and spray them with a little cooking spray, then whatever you fry in them will slide right out when done! And the outside of the cookware is nonstick too, that means cleaning up is so easy to do.

One reviewer said that she could wipe the pans clean with a kitchen towel if she wanted to. Even really sticky stuff like cheese would wash right out under the tap. You have to make sure the pots and pans are really cooled down before letting them touch cool tap water though.

A Couple Of Downsides
This set of cookware has glass lids for the saucepans, but they don’t have lids for the saute pans. Several reviewers have grumbled that the saucepan lids don’t fit the saute pans, so it’s difficult for some cooking methods.

Another downside is that although this T-Fal Initiatives 10-Piece Nonstick Inside and Out set is described as oven safe up to 400 degrees, it is not recommended for oven cooking or even high heat cooking. The pots and pans are thin and do not retain heat well. A few users have complained of broken handles and cracked coating after using them on high heat.

I would recommend this set for beginner cooks who are willing to hand wash their cookware. The T-Fal Initiatives 10-Piece Nonstick Inside and Out is an affordable set of cookware even for college students.

For other non stick options, read my reviews on Farberware 20772 Enhanced 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set and cast iron cookware. T-Fal cookware is an established brand on non stick cookware, but it does have other types of cookware such as the T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set as well.

Or you can go back to my Best Cookware Set page here.

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Yet another pricey product cashing on celebrity, we don’t blame you if you are a bit wary. But don’t cross out this skillet out of your ‘to buy’ list just yet, you might be surprised of the rave reviews it’s getting from users with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. With an array of noteworthy features, the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 12-Inch Open Skillet is fast becoming an easy favorite among homemakers.

Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Nonstick 12-Inch Open Skillet

Made from professional hard-anodized aluminum, this skillet heats up quick and has no hot spots so adios ‘spotty’ burnt bacon! The hard-anodized aluminum provides exceptional strength and durability to the skillet and get this – it resist scratches, deflects dents, and other signs of wear and tear. Ideal as a favorite everyday go-to skillet eh?

It only gets better. The Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 12-Inch Open Skillet also comes with a non-stick interior that allows food to slide right off the pan and reduces clean up time so you neither lose a big chunk of food stuck to the bottom of the skillet nor a big chunk of your time getting the skillet clean.

Equipped with a comfortable-to-grip silicone handle that stays cool to touch and oven safe, it withstands heat up to 400 degrees. The handle is in Rachael’s favorite trademark orange and the bright color is actually a thoughtful safety feature as you will certainly be aware of its position on the stove top.

The 12-inch skillet is convenient enough for an omelet for one but also large enough to conjure meals for a family of five. As with any other fine cookware range, the set isn’t dishwasher safe but this really isn’t a problem because if you treat it right, nothing sticks so cleanup is easy.

Evidently there has been some thought gone into the construction of this one and even if it’s a bit on the pricey side, the Rachael Ray Hard Anodized 12-Inch Open Skillet is worth every penny spent. Perfect idea for Christmas present? Most definitely.

Are you looking for more Rachael Ray cookware? Or maybe you’d like to find a great non stick skillet like the Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet or the WearEver Premium Hard-Anodized 10-Inch Saute Pan.

Other hard anodized cookware reviews can be found in my Best Cookware Set main page too.

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T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set

T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set

• 8- and 10-1/2-inch sauté pan; 1.1-, 2.2-, and 3.2-quart covered saucepan, 5-1/2-quart covered Dutch oven, spoon, and slotted turner
• Stainless-steel construction with multi-layer steel/aluminum/copper bases for even heating
• Riveted stainless-steel handles ergonomically designed for comfort
• Glass lids with stainless-steel loop handles help trap in heat, moisture, and nutrients
• Oven-safe to 500 degrees F; limited lifetime warranty; dishwasher-safe

Many of the users were happy to find that the T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set replaces their non stick cookware well. What with the concern about teflon coating getting off into the food and posing a threat to health, family cooks are now looking for stainless steel or cast iron cookware.

Nothing sticks to this set of cookware except eggs. Scrambled eggs are the worst, but soaking the pan and scrubbing it afterwards will get it clean and shiny again. If you do get any marks left in the pan, baking soda and vinegar works well on stainless steel.

The multi-layer copper bottom of the cookware makes them heat evenly. The food gets cooked whether it is in the middle or at the side of the pan, so no half-burnt and half-cooked food.

A reviewer found that the copper bottom is difficult to become shiny again, but I. Marshall advised to use red wine vinegar and salt to scrub the bottom.

One thing that is great about stainless steel cookware is that they are dishwasher safe. If you don’t really care whether they look really shiny or beautiful in your kitchen, by all means use the dishwasher to clean them every time. What a time saver.

At the current discounted price, T-Fal Ultimate Stainless-Steel Copper-Bottom 12-Piece Cookware Set is largely recommendable. Click over for best price.

Stainless steel cookware sets are really popular, and I suggest that you check out All Clad cookware for high quality stainless cookware, though the price will certainly reflect this too. Other types of cookware like hard anodized cookware and copper cookware are really good too, you can find my recommendations in my Best Cookware Set page.

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KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set

KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set

• Set contains 1-, 2-, and 3-quart covered saucepans; 8- and 10-inch open French skillets; 8-quart covered stockpot
• 18/10 stainless-steel with encapsulated aluminum disc base; polished interior and brushed exterior finishes
• 18/10 stainless-steel handles encased in stay-cool silicone grips
• Tight-fitting 18/10 stainless-steel lids keep in heat and moisture
• Oven-safe to 400 degrees F; dishwasher-safe; limited lifetime warranty

The KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set comes with an 8-quart stockpot instead of a 6-quart one, despite that it has only 8 and 10-inch skillets. It is best for the medium families whose diet contains more stews and soups than fried food. That means a healthier diet.

Oven Safe
The stockpot is large enough to cook chili for a big gathering, and the best thing about this set of cookware? You can pop them into the oven for a yummy casserole!

It’s so convenient to stir-fry some ground beef and onions in the saute pan, then add tomatoes and cooked pasta, cover the whole pan with foil, and bake the whole thing! There’s no need to transfer to a baking dish, adding one more item to wash later on.

And yes, the handles are oven safe, made of stainless steel and silicone rubber grips for a comfortable hold.

Although the skillets are not non stick, it isn’t too difficult to keep eggs from sticking with a little skill. Heat up the pans dry first, then give it a good coat of cooking spray, add a little butter or oil, then you’re ready to scramble an egg or cook an omelet.

KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set is dishwasher safe anyway, so cleaning is a breeze. I’d say this will look good in any kitchen, as stainless steel cookware always do.

Other stainless steel cookware sets I recommend are All Clad 9-piece stainless cookware set, Simply Calphalon Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set, and Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set.

For other types of cookware, go to my Best Cookware Set page.

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Non stick cookware is still popular with some people, and I like to use a non stick skillet together with my other uncoated cookware. But non stick cookware needs special care to ensure that the coating stays on good and nice for ultimate performance and health reasons. Here are some tips to care for your non stick cookware:

• Never use cooking spray or non stick spray on non stick cookware. The spray will degrade the non stick coating and eventually it will no longer be non stick.
• Never ever use metal utensils on non stick cookware. And that means no flipping sides with a metal turner, no stirring with metal spoon, no picking up food with a metal fork, and definitely tell yourself “no” when you find that little voice saying “just once”.
• Although you might want to wash the non stick cookware immediately to avoid food caking on, don’t run the cookware under water when it is still hot. This will cause the pan to warp and damage it.
• Try to resist washing your non stick cookware in a dishwasher. Most manufacturers advise against this as well because the high temperature in a dishwasher will damage the non stick coating. Washing non stick cookware in a dishwasher might also void the warranty.
• To get dried food off, mix baking soda with warm water to make a paste, and rub it onto the pan with a dish cloth or sponge. Really stubborn residue can be removed with elbow grease. Just remember not to use steel wool, scouring pads or stiff brushes to wash non stick cookware.
• Washing the cookware twice in a gentle manner will work as well as washing it vigorously once. Use only dish detergent that is gentle enough for your hands, no harsh solutions or cleaning agents.
• Always protect the non stick surface from being scratched. Store the cookware by hanging it on a pot rack, or if you don’t have one, try to keep it on top of the stack. If you can’t do that too, place a clean dish towel on the surface before stacking something else on it.

Taking careful steps to care for your non stick cookware will prolong their lifespan and keep up their performance, giving you the best value for your money spent.

For other types of cookware material, you might like to read my guide posts on

• how to care for cast iron cookware; and
• how to care for copper cookware.

Find the Best Cookware Set in my main page and the best frying pan to go with your cookware set.

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Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set

Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set

• Includes 1-, 2-, and 3-quart covered saucepans; 4- and 8-quart covered saucepots, 8- and 10-inch nonstick aluminum skillets, 3 nesting bowls, 9-by-13-inch nonstick cooking sheet, and 9-by-13-inch nonstick cake pan
• 18/10 stainless steel with phenolic handles oven-proof to 350 degrees F
• Pots and pans feature fully-capped aluminum core for superior cooking
• Close-fitting stainless steel lids; plastic lids on nesting mixing bowls
• Dishwasher-safe; limited lifetime warranty

The most fabulous thing about this Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set is probably what you get for the price! Twelve items at $110 might seem rather impressive already, but wait till you see the 100% five star reviews at Amazon.

The body of the cookware is made of stainless steel with an aluminum core for even heat distribution. The lids are stainless steel, interchangeable, bell-shaped for no dripping, and fit nicely. If you like glass lids for seeing through, these are not for you.

I like it that the skillets are non-stick while all others are uncoated. Exactly what a good set of cookware should be! With due care to the non-stick coating, frying food and cleaning up will be much faster and easier.

There are even a cookie sheet and cake pan included! That practically completes the kitchenware for someone moving out to a new place.

This cookware set is easy to clean by hand or dishwasher. The ring in the handles makes it easy for you to hang them up on the pot rack afterwards. The handles do feel a bit cheap, and they’re not riveted, but a loosened handle after some time of use is a good compromise for such a great bargain, no?

Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set is an excellent set of cookware for the money. Perfect for those who’re looking out for a whole set of cookware whether for themselves or as a loving gift.

If you can afford it, go for the best stainless steel cookware like All Clad 9-piece cookware set. Other more affordable stainless cookware are KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 10-Piece Brushed Stainless Steel Cookware Set and Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set.

Looking for other types of cookware? Find out what is on my top list in Best Cookware Set main page.

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