I swapped my expensive pans for this five-star rated, affordable set – and even Ina Garten approves of the non-toxic material

If you’ve ever watched Barefoot Contessa and dreamed of channeling Ina Garten’s calm, composed cooking style, you’re not alone. While she famously champions high-quality ingredients and Le Creuset Dutch ovens, she’s also praised the virtues of tri-ply stainless steel – the kind used by professional chefs for even heating and crisp searing.

So, when I found this Tramontina 10-piece tri-ply stainless steel set for under $250 at Wayfair, we had to test it. It's beautifully made, induction-compatible, and oven-safe up to 500°F.

It’s also available at Target, Walmart, and Amazon, making it a budget-friendly swap if you want to level up your cookware without going full All-Clad. I would argue this is one of the best non-toxic stainless steel pans around.

Home cooks on TikTok are obsessed too – with many claiming it performs as well as sets three times the price.

I am not the only one singing the praise of the Tramontina cookware set either. One reviewer described it as: 'Hands down the best cookware I have ever owned (including prior Le Creuset and Staub cookware). This set cannot be beaten for the price and quality. I love how easy they are to clean and how fast they heat.'

Another verified customer, a long-time stainless steel fan said: 'I have been cooking with stainless steel and cast iron my entire life. Tramontina is an efficient high-quality product. 'I’ve been using this brand for about five years.'

They then went on to share an invaluable stainless steel cleaning hack I just had to share with you.

'I read some of the reviews and wanted to share a cooking and cleaning tip. For cooking, especially when using a stainless tri-ply, make sure your pan and oil are hot before putting the food in, especially if you are frying eggs.'

'For cleaning, buy Bar Keeper’s Friend, available on Amazon, and a simple Dish Brush with Handle, also from Amazon. Your pans will be clean, and as gorgeous as the day you bought them.'

'Don’t use anything that will scratch the metal as you clean. No high-quality pan will tolerate consistent scratching of its surface for too long. Treat your pans right and they will last for your lifetime and beyond.'

Stainless steel pans are a kitchen essential, known for their durability and even heat distribution. However, they’re also prone to stubborn stains, burnt-on residue, and discoloration, so it’s important to understand how to clean stainless steel pans properly before putting them to the test.

I was once a devoted fan of non-stick pans, but after learning more about the potential risks of their coatings flaking into food, I decided to give stainless steel a try – and I haven’t looked back since.

I've also recently switched to a non-toxic air fryer and a non-toxic coffee maker. It's the best thing I've ever done for my home and health.

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