The Best Saucepans: A Buyer’s Guide

Material: Stainless Steel

Capacity: 1.5 Quarts

Cuisinart is a household name for a reason. The ideal balance of quality and affordability makes the brand a popular choice in many kitchens. This 1.5-quart stainless steel saucepan has an aluminum encapsulated base, which helps it heat evenly for more efficient cooking. The stainless steel handle is long, which can prevent it from getting too hot, and the non-stick coating system is reinforced with titanium particles, which means it’s scratch resistant and it’s safe to use stainless steel utensils. It also comes with a stainless steel lid, but you may require an oven mitt as the handle is also stainless steel, and it can get quite hot. Additionally, the lid is solid, so you won’t be able to monitor your food while cooking unless you remove the lid. 

Features:

• Aluminum encapsulated base
• Measurement markings
• Quantantium non-stick

Pros:

• Heats evenly 
• Dishwasher-safe
• Budget-friendly

Cons:

• Stainless steel handles can get warm
• Pan edges are quite sharp
• Solid stainless steel lid, so you can’t see your food while cooking 

Material: Stainless Steel

Capacity: 1.5 Quarts

For one of the most versatile, quality, and durable saucepans available, the Calphalon Tri-Ply 1.5-Quart Saucepan stands out as a great option. It has a heavy-gauge aluminum core with two layers of stainless steel for the best conduction of heat, plus you have more control during the cooking process. It has really high sides and a domed lid, which helps eliminate evaporation to retain moisture in food and less liquid loss in soups/stocks. It’s compatible with induction cooktops and is also oven and broiler-safe up to 500°F, so it can easily go right from the stovetop into the stove and onto your table. The clear lid is made from tempered glass, which is also oven-safe, and you can watch your creations as you cook. With a lifetime warranty, you know this saucepan is going to last you, so it’s worth paying the price. 

Features:

• Tri-ply (2 layers of stainless steel, 1 layer of aluminum)
• Domed, tempered glass lid
• Lifetime warranty

Pros:

• Corrosion- and scratch-resistant
• Oven and broiler safe
• Compatible with induction ranges

Cons:

• More expensive

Material: Hard Anodized Aluminum 

Capacity: 3 Quarts

This large-capacity, durable saucepan from GreenPan is made with hard anodized aluminum, which makes the pan scratch and wear-resistant, so you can use metal utensils without worrying. GreenPan uses recycled aluminum in all its cookware, and operates an 18% solar-powered factory, making their products a sustainable choice. The saucepan has diamond-reinforced ceramic non-stick, which is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so it’s entirely food-safe. It is also oven and broiler-safe up to 600°F, so it’s incredibly versatile. The pan comes with a tempered glass lid, which is oven-safe up to 425°F and allows you to watch while you cook your food. 

Features:

• Hard anodized composition 
• Large, 3-quart capacity
• Tempered glass lid

Pros:

• Free of toxins including PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium
• Made from recycled aluminium 
• Scratch-resistant

Cons:

• The handle may get hot
• No hole in the lid to let steam escape