Cuisinart 77-17 Chef's Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set

List Price : $670.00
Price : $183.99
You Save : $486.01 (73%)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Bringing the Good Life Home
Inspired by the great French kitchens, Cuisinart began making professional cookware over 30 years ago. Constructed of the finest materials available, to perfectly perform all of the classic cooking techniques. Designed to last a lifetime, Cuisinart cookware makes family meals memorable and entertaining a pleasure. Savor the Good Life right at home, with family and friends. Cuisinart makes it absolutely delicious.
Cuisinart Chef's Classic™ Stainless is an investment that will prove its worth every time you use it. Exclusively designed aluminum encapsulated base provides superior heat conductivity and even heat distribution to meet the demands of gourmet chefs everywhere. When properly cared for, your Cuisinart® Chef's Classic™ Stainless Cookware will give countless years of service and pleasure. Follow the use and care suggestions in this leaflet to preserve and maintain the cookware’s original beauty.
Whether you’re a serious gourmet, a regular entertainer, or cooking for the family, this deluxe cookware set has versatile pieces for infinite menu options and great results!
What's in the Box
1.5 Quart Saucepan w/ Cover, 2 Quart Saucepan w/ Cover, 3 Quart Saucepan w/ Cover, 4 Quart Sauté Pan W/ Helper ; Cover, 9 Quart Stockpot w/ Cover, 8” Open Skillet, 10” Open Skillet, 12” Skillet w/ Cover, 20cm Multi-Steamer Insert w/ Cover, and 24cm Pasta Insert
Product Features
Unsurpassed Heat DistributionPure aluminum encapsulated base heats quickly and spreads heat evenly. Eliminates hot spots.

The Coolest Touch in Home CookingCast stainless steel Cool Grip™ stick handles are contoured for a secure grip and designed to stay cool on the stovetop.
Superior Cooking SurfaceStaniless steel cooking surface does not discolor, react with food, or alter flavors.
Perfect BalanceRiveted stainless steel handles, including side grips and helper handles, are professionally riveted to ensure a lifetime of perfect balance.
Flavor Lock LidTightfitting stainless steel lids fit tight to lock in flavor, texture and nutrients. Wide, easy grip handles.
Drip-Free PouringRims of cookware are tapered to make pouring clean and easy.
Versatile PerformanceOven safe to 500°F. Cook on stovetop, in oven, or under broiler. Freezer safe for easy food storage.
Dishwasher SafeBrilliant stainless steel comes out of the dishwasher looking like new.
Lifetime Warranty
About the Set
8, 10, and 12 inch Skillets: The ideal choice for browning and frying, skillets are a cookware classic. 12 inch skillet includes cover.
1.5, 2, and 3 Qt. Saucepans w/ Covers: No other piece of cookware performs with the versatility of a saucepan. It is a kitchen essential, working hard from morning until night.
4 Qt. Saute Pan w/ Helper Handle ; Cover: The high, straight sides and the flat cooking surface of the saute maximize capacity. Sear meats, poultry, and more; cover to simmer for a perfect finish.
9 Qt. Stockpot w. Cover: Round out a cookware assortment with this 8 quart stockpot. The perfect size for everyday cooking or a crowd.
20cm Multi-Steamer Insert w/ Cover: Stainless steel steamer turns 2 and 3 quart saucepans into steamers. Tight lid retains healthful vitamins and minerals.
24cm Pasta Insert: Makes cooking and draining pasta easy.
17 Piece Chef's Classic Stainless Set includes: 1.5-quart, 2-quart, and 3-quart saucepans with covers; 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch covered skillet with helper; 4-quart saute with helper and cover; 9-quart stockpot with cover; 20-cm steamer insert with cover; 24-cm pasta steamer

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25 x 13.8 x 11.6 inches ; 9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 34 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000C239HW
• Item model number: 77-17
  

Product Features

• 1-1/2-, 2-, 3-quart saucepans; 8-, 10-, 12-inch skillets; 4-quart saute; 9-quart stockpot; 7-3/4-, 9-1/2-inch steamer inserts; with lids
• Mirror-polished 18/10 stainless steel with inner core of aluminum for fast, even heating
• Riveted stainless-steel handles stay cool on the stovetop
• Matching 18/10 mirror-polished stainless-steel lids seal in moisture and nutrients
• Oven-safe to 450 degrees F; limited lifetime warranty; dishwasher-safe

 

Cuisinart 77-17 Chef's Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set

 

Customer Reviews

I bought these to replace some 6 year-old nonstick pots and pans which warped like....well, to make a long story short; this time, I am going Stainless-Steel! Although I would love to have an All-Clad set, but where else can you get a quality 17-Piece like this for more or less around $200 - and ships for FREE from amazon?
I have read many reviews (many negative ones) and this is my conclusion:
1.) Yes, 'Stainless-Steel' sticks! Not to mock this, but that's why 'Nonstick' cookware was invented - perhaps for the folks that do not know how to cook in stainless-steel. Easy remedy: return your set for a Nonstick set...if not, a little oil and lower your heat will do the trick. But, in addition to my stainless set, I will always have one nonstick skillet handy for my eggs (it's just much quicker and easier). But for searing and browning; there's no comparison to stainless-steel!
2.) Some complaint that the sides don't heat up compared to other brands: Yes they do, if you want to spend a little more $$ for the 'Multi-Clad' line. Also, unless you plan on cooking your food "on the sides", otherwise the encapsulated base heats evenly and works flawlessly for me.
3.) Stains, Marks and Colorful Swirls - If you use it to cook food, then expect the usual marks and normal wear - maybe even some tear. My solution for all of the above: 'BKF', OR unless you plan on displaying it for good.
The set:
There are TWO different 17-Piece sets available from the Chef's Classic line; the other one comes with a 2 qt. open 'Saucier' (and odd sizes for the rest) but I opted for this one because it is more versatile beginning with a 1.5 qt. Saucepan, then 2 and 3, a 12" Covered Skillet and for the Pasta Insert, etc, etc..
Again, for the money, they are as good as you can get. The product has a very solid feel to it and an even-weight distribution - light, yet heavy enough to do the task. Although I did find some minor flaws; like a few minor buffed-out scratches by the bottom edge between the encapsulated base on my 1.5 qt. The 'lips' on some of the larger pans (closer to the handles) seem to have bent down a bit; this produces a very small gap when the lid is covered, particularly on the 12" skillet where you can see an 'arch' effect with its lid on (the large lid is uneven on this one) and pressing it down once tends to reduce the effect. Though nothing significant, but it just appears to break that 'vacuum seal' and not so perfect tight-fit lid that was claimed by the mfg.
I have put all of them to a rigorous test for the '08 Christmas - '09 New Year's feast and they have performed very well. It cooks evenly on my old electric 'coil' stove top burner, although it could've been much better if I've had a gas range, this way I have more control of the cooking temperatures (very essential for heavy-bottomed cookwares).
Pros:
Design - lip for spill-proof easy pouring.
Good heat distribution (not great).
Oven safe up to 450 degrees, that's high for a set priced like this.
Handles: well balanced and stays cool no matter how long it's been on the burner.
Most lids are interchangeable, especially for the 8" ; 10" open skillets and they also fit other non Cuisinart that I have laying around.
Nicely polished stainless-steel exterior and lids.
Sturdy and well weighted/balanced.
Well priced.
Cons:
Workmanship and Quality Control (minor, this reduces one star).
Slow to heat (especially the 9 qt Stockpot for cooking pasta compared to my other pot with the same amount of water).
Pasta insert bottom sits a bit high (if sat lower, can prevent the use of more water so heat up time can be faster and to avoid boil-over spills).

I finally decided after many years that it was time to treat myself to a new set of decent cookware - following the purchase of a new stove with a glass/ceramic cooking surface. The manual recommended aluminum clad with straight sides and flat bottoms. When I researched the best in this category (not including the very expensive dual clad), Cuisinart Chef's came up time and time again. I googled for the best price and found it at Amazon - actually an amazing price that no one else came close to for a 17 pc set. I have used the cookware a few times and already am very pleased. Although they seem to heat up slowly, they cook beautifully and clean up easily. I was a bit concerned that the instructions recommend that you do not use anything abrasive to scrub the cookware (like brillo etc) but I didn't need to worry - cleaning with a sponge has worked very well, and on occasion I also use some Cameo cleanser for water spots - cleans up like new. I expect this to be the last set of cookware I will ever need to buy.