Stainless steel cookware is often made with an aluminum core, which could leach into your food. If you’re looking for stainless steel pots, pans, and more that are all aluminum-free, I’ll tell you where to find them.
What is the best stainless steel cookware without aluminum? Here is the best stainless steel cookware without aluminum for 2021:
- Rachael Ray Create Delicious Cookware Set
- World’s Finest T304
- Chantal 21 Steel Set
- Maxam Waterless Set
- ELO Skyline Set
- Kenmore Elite Devon Set
- Nevlers Multi-Clad Set
- Denmark Tools for Cooks Celebration Collection
In this guide, I’ll share plenty of pertinent information on each of the stainless steel cookware sets listed above, such as which pieces are included, the cookware specs, and more. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have found the perfect stainless steel cookware!
The 8 Best Stainless Steel, Aluminum-Free Cookware for 2022
Rachael Ray 70412 Create Delicious Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
I’ll start this list with a name that’s instantly recognizable in the world of cookware: Rachael Ray.
The brand’s Create Delicious stainless steel cookware set includes 10 pieces, so you get all the essentials.
Let’s take a look and what’s included:
- Slotted turner (wood)
- Solid spoon (wood)
- Three-quart sauté pan and lid
- 10.25-inch frying pan
- Six-quart stockpot and lid
- Two-quart saucepan and lid
- One-quart saucepan
The polished stainless steel used to construct each piece of kitchenware not only looks great but there’s no aluminum to be found here.
Every piece in the set features etched markings for taking measurements. The handles are double-riveted steel that’s covered in silicone for a non-slip grip that doesn’t heat up when on the stove or in the oven. The cookware can handle temps of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lids themselves are not steel, but rather, glass. The Create Delicious set uses shatter-resistant glass so even when you turn up the heat, you don’t have to worry about kitchen mishaps.
World’s Finest T304 Steam-Controlled Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set
This massive cookware set from World’s Finest includes practically everything you need in the kitchen and then some, as the set boasts 17 pieces in all!
Here’s a rundown of some of what you get:
- 1.7-quart saucepan and cover
- 2.5-quart saucepan and cover
- 3.2-quart saucepan and cover
- 7.5-quart roaster and cover
- 11.38-inch skillet
All pieces are made of hardy T304 stainless steel with seven layers, none of which are aluminum. World’s Finest mentions that the steel they use for their cookware won’t corrode, which will help the pieces maintain their appeal and luster for a long time to come.
Chantal Induction 21 Steel 9-Piece Cookware Set
Fancy doing some induction cooking? You’ll need a toughened cookware set like this one from Chantal.
All the pieces use 21/0 steel sourced from Japan. The steel has no traces of metals like nickel or aluminum, although the pieces are reinforced with copper and titanium.
Chantal’s steel cookware is designed to withstand time in the dishwasher, broiler, and oven, even if you like to braise and sear your meals. Steel never reacts with food!
What are the pieces in the set? Here are some of them:
- 10-inch frying pan
- Eight-quart stockpot and lid
- Five-quart stockpot and lid
- 3.5-quart saucepan and lid
- Two-quart saucepan and lid
All the lids included in Chantal’s set are tempered glass that withstands temps up to 425 degrees. The lids feature a drip-less pouring rim to control messes, which is music to any home cook’s ears!
Maxam 9-Element T304 Waterless Stainless Steel 17-Piece Cookware Set
How about another stainless steel cookware set with 17 pieces? The Maxam 9-Element set uses surgical stainless steel so the cookware you own now could be the same pieces you reliably use for many years.
Five metal plies lend each piece of cookware excellent temperature control and durability. You might also like the Steam Control Valves throughout which let you customize warmth so you can cook your way to healthier meals using steam.
Some of the pieces included with the set are:
- 1.7-quart saucepan with a high-dome cover
- 2.5-quart saucepan with a cover
- 3.2-quart double-boiler
- 7.5-quart roaster with a cover
- 11 3/8-inch skillet with an egg rack and helpful handle
Each of these elegant pieces is waterless so that erosive acids from all the everyday foods you cook won’t wreck the cookware.
Plus, this cookware simply looks nice. Maxam added a mirror finish on the exterior and a satin-like interior that’s sure to get everyone oohing and ahhing whenever you pull out your pots and pans to make dinner.
ELO Skyline Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
With the power of German engineering behind it, it’s unsurprising that ELO Skyline’s stainless steel cookware set is also an Amazon’s Choice pick.
The ELO brand has nearly 100 years of excellence in producing kitchenware. The company lives by the slogan “cooking with joy,” which is something you may get to experience for yourself once you begin using this cookware.
The 18/10 stainless steel looks gorgeous thanks to the high-gloss finish on the exterior and interior. Encapsulated bottoms reduce energy usage and distribute heat across the pot or pan evenly for meals that cook succulently.
Although the handles are metal, they’re hollow so they don’t heat up to the same degree as the rest of the cookware. You can hold them without being at risk of burning yourself.
The 10 pieces are safe to go in the oven and dishwasher alike. If you prefer stovetop cooking, ELO says the cookware can safely cook on induction stovetops, ranges, and other cooking surfaces.
Kenmore Elite Devon Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
The Elite Devon heavy-gauge stainless steel cookware set by Kenmore is aluminum-free for your peace of mind and your family’s safety.
This Amazon’s Choice cookware set includes 10 pieces in all, such as:
- 4.4-quart sauté pan and lid
- 9.5-inch frying pan
- Five-quart Dutch oven with a steamer insert and lid
- 2.5-quart saucepan and lid
- One-quart saucepan and lid
The saucepans and Dutch oven come with capacity markings for better quantity control. Also adding to the design of this set is that it’s all stackable so you can spare your pantries for other cooking essentials.
Let’s talk a bit about the stainless steel Kenmore uses in the cookware set. It’s 18/8 multi-ply steel with great heat absorption capabilities. You’ll also notice your pots and pans heat more evenly so your meals cook perfectly.
You know what doesn’t come with this set? Aluminum and perfluorooctanoic acids or PFOAs!
Nevlers Multi-Clad Stainless Steel 15-Piece Cookware Set
With a complete set like Nevlers’ multi-clad cookware, which includes an impressive 15 pieces, you’ll have a kitchen full of aluminum-free cookware.
Get cooking using stainless steel pieces like:
- Soup ladle
- Two-prong fork
- Slotted spatula
- Spoon
- 9.8-inch steamer insert
- Eight-quart covered stockpot
- 3.5-quart covered sauté pan
- 7.9-inch frying pan
- 9.8-inch frying pan
- Three-quart covered saucepan
- 1.5-quart covered saucepan
The 18/8 stainless steel construction of Nevlers’ set can cook up to 550 degrees, which is the highest temperature limit of any of the cookware I’ve reviewed in this post.
All sorts of cooktops are appropriate for use with this cookware, including induction, ceramic, halogen, glass, gas, and electric stovetops. The cookware is dishwasher-safe too!
The included covers for the pots and pans are 18/8 stainless steel as well to lock in nutrients and moisture as you cook. The heat distribution of this kitchenware is also outstanding, so hot spots won’t be an issue in your cooking going forward.
Denmark Tools for Cooks Celebration Cookware Collection
The last set of aluminum-free stainless steel cookware is Denmark Tools for Cooks’ Celebration Cookware collection.
The pieces in this set are as follows:
- Slotted turner
- Solid spoon
- Five-quart covered Dutch oven
- Two-quart covered saucepan
- One-quart covered saucepan
- Two covered saucepans
- Eight-inch open frying pan
- 9.5-inch open skillet
The Denmark Tools for Cooks brand was founded in 1985 and has a legacy of manufacturing high-quality cookware. The Celebration set is a great example of that, as the cookware features mirror-polished stainless steel exteriors and handles with copper accents.
Those handles are riveted for maintaining your grip. The glossy, colorful finish lends the copper a rustic yet classic feel that only increases the appeal of this set. All pieces can withstand temps of 350 degrees.
Tips for Choosing the Right Stainless Steel Cookware
I just gave you 8 fantastic stainless steel cookware options, all of which are made without an aluminum core. If you’re having a hard time narrowing down your choices, allow me to help in this section.
Here are some tips for picking the right cookware set for you and your family.
Set Your Budget
The cost of stainless steel cookware is as low as $100. On the higher end, you could spend several hundred dollars on a quality set. The greater the number of pieces, the more expensive you can expect the cookware to be.
Although new cookware overall isn’t a tremendous expense, you still want to set a budget so you can spend within your means.
Determine How Many Pieces You Need
For those striking out into the world of adulthood in their first apartment or home, you probably won’t have any cookware pieces. Other homeowners only need to replace a couple of pots of pans.
Whether you want a small 10-piece set or you wish to fill your kitchen with 17 pieces of stainless steel cookware, there’s something on the list above for you.
Choose Comfortable Handles
The handles for each cookware set I reviewed are designed for your comfort, but what’s comfortable to one person isn’t always to another.
I recommend visiting a department store to test various cookware handle types and materials. Then, as you shop online, you can confidently select a type of handle that will feel comfortable to you.
Avoid Cookware That’s Too Heavy for You
As beautiful as your stainless steel kitchenware is, if the pieces are too bulky for you to easily handle, then you won’t want to use them. Again, visiting a store and sampling various stainless steel pots and pans is to your benefit so you can get a feel for their weight.