I Tried Hedley & Bennett's Stainless Steel Cookware – They Have a Learning Curve, But the Results Are Worth It

After cooking for weeks with the Hedley Stainless Steel 3-Piece Cookware Set, I stopped reaching for my nonstick frying pan.

Stainless steel does come with a learning curve. From mastering the preheating technique that helps prevent food from sticking to learning how to tackle stubborn residue without damaging the surface, it takes a little more patience than traditional non-stick cookware. This non-toxic cookware set, however, makes the transition surprisingly easy. It strikes a balance between being approachable for beginners and offering the performance more experienced cooks expect.

Here’s what to know as you consider the Hedley Stainless Steel 3-Piece Cookware Set for your everyday cooking needs.

Product Specifications: Hedley & Bennet 3-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware

Design and First Impressions

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On first impression, the pans look sleek and professional. I can almost convince myself that I’m more than an amateur cook trying to keep seven mouths fed three times per day. The shiny coating and thin but tight-fitting lid design contribute to the modern aesthetic.

In unboxing the product, I noticed less plastic than other kitchen products I’ve unboxed lately. Yet, the product is well protected and secure. Should someone receive it with defects, there’s a lifetime warranty that can help (but doesn’t apply to typical wear and tear).

Stainless steel pans have some start-up procedures, so I washed with soapy water and a non-abrasive pad, and “seasoned” the pan by warming it on medium/low for a few minutes, then added oil before cooking. It did take a few more times doing this than other pans I’ve tested to get the non-stick surface to work properly.

I did wonder why the saucepan comes with a lid, and the frying pan doesn’t. But overall, first impressions were positive, and I was ready to start cooking.

Cooking Performance

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I tested this cookware for over three weeks, using it for everything from weekend breakfasts to a stir-fry dinner. Over time, I learned the best foods to use this set on, and others that weren’t as simple.

Overall, the pans take a bit of time to get to know, but then will become your go-to pans quickly:

• Seared steak: One of my favorite ways to make steak quickly on a weeknight for a family whose preferences range from medium rare to super well done is a frying pan. This stainless steel pan heated up quickly and evenly for the task, and I was surprised to see fit steak chunks for a family of seven. In just minutes, the first round of steak was done, and I continued to rotate the remaining steaks that were to become more well-done. This cooking session was when I really noticed the difference in the flawless heat distribution with this pan. With others, I’d have to rotate the steak closest to the gas flame and further away, but that wasn’t necessary with this pan. The only flaw was having to apply so much elbow grease and a little bit of vinegar to get the pan clean afterward. It was much more difficult than other pans I own.
• Spaghetti: I boiled two small boxes of lentil spaghetti all in the saucepan to find out just how much it could hold. I was surprised that there was plenty of room (I did break the spaghetti in half, which I usually do anyway for smaller mouths). I was able to fill the saucepan up three-fourths of the way with water and still have the spaghetti moving around at a rapid pace with a rolling boil, cooking thoroughly. I liked having a smooth, not-so-clunky lid that I could use as the water warmed up, that fit snugly but could still be removed with one hand easily. In about eight minutes, the pasta was complete, and I had a new favorite go-to not-too-big and not-too-small pasta pot.
• Sauce: After cooking the spaghetti and moving it to another dish, I warmed the pasta sauce in this same saucepan. The sauce bubbles evenly across the top and heats quickly without burning the bottom or edges. The saucepan was only halfway full for my whole family so it could easily hold and heat sauce for a larger crowd without taking up too much real estate on the stovetop. I liked covering it but cracking the lid to allow some heat to escape while I kept it warm until everyone was ready to eat. The pan kept the sauce quite warm without any burning issues during that wait.
• Fried eggs: Frying eggs on a stainless steel pan isn’t my first choice, because it takes a very precise amount of heat and oil that I could never get right with this pan. Though it’s likely operator error, it’s worth noting that if you intend to buy this pan for egg frying, it might be a more difficult process than with traditional non-stick. My eggs weren’t seamlessly gliding around as I’d hoped.
• Pancakes: I like to test the same recipe with many products I try out, which is a “pancake” made of mushier, high-protein ingredients including egg and cottage cheese, mixed with oats. It proved to be a bit difficult on this pan, creating too much of a seared look compared to my pancake griddle, even at lower heats. So, it’s not the best for this type of recipe, or it needs to be done on much lower heat than you’d expect. But it was nice to be moving the pan around with one hand with no glove needed due to the cool handle, and flipping pancakes with the other.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance

The website comes with precise and helpful cleaning instructions, including: Allowing the pan to cool before using cold water and hand washing with gentle soap to protect the surface (using a dishwasher is allowed, but they make a note that it may shorten the life of your pans). Similarly, they suggest avoiding metal tools to prevent scratches.

They also recommend boiling vinegar and water in the pan for stubborn residue (this tip is a must, and I had to do this multiple times).

Overall, the product is easy to clean unless you have made something, like the steak, that creates a more difficult-to-remove residue. I found leaving the pan to sit for too long made it much harder to clean than just letting it cool a bit and handling it right then. I did have multiple incidents of residue getting stuck, and overall opted for handwashing for this reason over dishwashing.

Finally, storing the pans is simple, but you might want to use felt pan liners from Amazon, so other pans don’t scuff or scratch the surface during storage.

How Does the Hedley & Bennett Stainless Steel Cookware Compare?

Reviewers called out many of my own favorite features. On the Hedley & Bennet website, one noted that the pans “changed my sauce game,” while another appreciated that there weren’t any hot spots. One did find it to be a favorite for making eggs, which wasn’t my own experience, but I do agree that overall, the product is “worth every penny.”

My Verdict: Should You Buy The Hedley & Bennett Stainless Steel Cookware?

Overall, I think this is a set most cooks would be happy to have in their kitchen, so long as they are willing to take the time to learn how stainless steel works and give it the care it deserves. Stainless steel does have a learning curve, but once you understand how to cook with it, the payoff is clear.

The brand promises it will last “decades, not years,” and based on my experience so far, I can see why. It feels like the kind of cookware you invest in once and reach for every day, whether you are an enthusiastic home cook or a seasoned professional.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

I test all cookware in my own home under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

From non-toxic cleaning essentials to smart storage solutions that help protect your pans, these are the tools we wouldn't be without when cooking with stainless steel.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

If you aren’t sure how to navigate the various types of cookware that might be best for your home kitchen, check out our article on how to clean and care for every type of cookware.

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