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Before COVID-19 I spent most of my days cooking professionally, so I rarely cooked at home, but now I make dinner every night in addition to teaching hands-on cooking classes several times a week from my home kitchen. My stove only ever sees the bottoms of two pans, no matter how large a meal I’m making—my trusty 10-inch Made In non-stick frying pan, which does the bulk of the work, and my pink Le Creuset Dutch oven, in which I cook anything that doesn’t fit in the frying pan. If I’m making a multi-course meal, I time each component to go in and out of the two pieces of hefty cookware I own (OK, I also own a wok, but it lives in a cupboard and I rarely use it).
Despite being a minimalist when it comes to my personal cookware, there’s something incredibly satisfying about owning a high-performing set of matching cookware, especially when it’s affordable. Enter: the Rachael Ray 14-Piece Set Hard Anodized Cookware Set. I tested these non-stick pots and pans over the course of a month during a stint at Drexel University’s Food Lab, where I could put them through further tests on commercial-grade equipment.
“I use three different surfaces to cook food,” Rach tells a studio audience member. “My go-to for any sort of protein or meat is a cast-iron skillet,” she adds. “I think it’s an essential for the kitchen.” (She recently made a pizza in a cast iron skillet, too.
Level up your kitchen with the Cook + Create Hard Anodized Nonstick Frying Pan from Rachael Ray. This fun and super-functional fry pan is crafted from thicker gauge hard-anodized aluminum for a luxe, sturdy feel, and reliable stovetop performance that heats up quickly and evenly. A new triple layer nonstick provides the ultimate performance in scratch resistance and durability, and to top it all off, this versatile frying pan is oven safe to 400°F to handle a wide range of recipes.
How does the cookware perform?
The non-stick coating is extra non-stick and works like a charm.
The non-stick coating used for Rachael Ray’s hard-anodized cookware is called Eclipse and is so effective that it makes the cookware seem hydrophobic. Upon heating up tomato sauce in the saucepans, I discovered that the sauce pulls away from the edges of the vessel.
The pots and pans heat up very quickly, so you can boil water for pasta and have it ready faster than you would expect. The skillets make an utterly perfect, evenly cooked frico (a lacy, crispy mound of browned cheese).
I poured the aforementioned tomato sauce over the pasta (which had been boiled in the super speedy 4-quart saucepot) in the saute pan, covered it generously in parmesan, and popped it in a 400°F commercial oven for 10 minutes. The brand does warn that high heat may damage the non-stick coating, but thus far, the saucepans have survived being baked.
At home, I fry eggs in the pans with the faintest hint of olive oil as a pan coating and the eggs seem to hover as they’re frying. The non-stick coating is amazing!
Rachael Ray Cucina Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 12 Piece
FAQ
What company makes Rachael Ray cookware?
What frying pans do professional cooks use?
What frying pan does Bobby Flay use?
What coating is on Rachael Ray cookware?
Are Rachael Ray pans good?
None of the Rachael Ray sets can tolerate high-heat cooking, so they are best for simple applications on electric or glass stovetops. On the positive side, the aluminum cores of these pans are well constructed and heat quickly and evenly. The nonstick coating releases food reasonably well, especially if you use a spoonful of oil.
What kind of cookware does Rachael Ray use?
You are a Rachael Ray fan and want to support her brand. You want cookware that’s bright, colorful, and lightweight. You’re on a budget and are looking for decent-quality but inexpensive cookware. You want cookware that heats fast and evenly and retains heat well. You prefer fully-clad stainless steel cookware.
How much does Rachael Ray frying pan cost?
Rachael Ray cookware is affordable. A frying pan costs around $30 and you can buy a full set for under $200. It is easy to find at local retailers like Kohls, Walmart, and Target. It’s also available through online retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, and the Rachael Ray website.
Can you cook a Rachael Ray Fry Pan on high heat?
The product label recommended cooking only on medium or low heat. It warned that cooking on high heat could melt the enamel paint and stain your cooktop. In fact, the label said that cooking on high heat with this Rachael Ray fry pan would void the warranty.