Stainless steel cookware is the journeyman of the kitchen. It quietly and competently does its job, without the need for pampering (like cast iron) or any public drama (like Teflon-coated nonstick).

Our top picks come from Made In, All-Clad, and Misen. When building out your cookware collection, it’s important to snag a skillet for searing and a Dutch oven for stewing, boiling, and deep frying.

A cookware collection doesn’t have to be extensive in order to be truly great. A handful of well-built pans are all you need to get most cooking tasks accomplished, and a beautiful sauté pan just may ...

Megan Schaltegger is Food Writer for Food & Wine, where she writes about shopping, products, and deals with a focus on cookware, small appliances, and kitchen gadgets. She has over seven years of ...