Your cookware, the pots, and pans that bring your kitchen together. What’s on your wishlist?
Most peoples list probably has one of everything on it. And if you buy right the first time, then one will be all you need. We really are inundated with options of cookware, so we’ve decided on a few super cooking vessels that should definitely be on your list.
We chose Viking Culinary cookware as they’ve been in the industry for 25 years, and have become experts at what they do.
So, let’s take a look at a few excellent options of kitchenware that are currently available in our in-depth Viking Cookware Review, and find the perfect set for you…
The Best Viking Cookware Reviews
1. Viking Professional 5-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set – Best Premium Viking Cookware
For the cook that is serious about their food.
This cooking set consists of both an 8 and 10-inch frying pan, a 3.4-quart saute pan with a lid, an 8-quart stockpot with a lid, and 2 and 3-quart saucepans with lids.
Why is stainless steel simply superior?
Why would stainless steel be your first option? Surely cookware is cookware? Actually, no, not all cookware is equal; some is more equal than others. Being big metal fans, stainless steel is our first choice in cookware. It’s germ-resistant and not porous, so it won’t absorb harmful bacteria or germs. This makes it healthier and safer than other options.
Stainless steel is also non-reactive, which means it won’t react with the food acids in your tomatoes, lemon juice, or vinegar. If pots or pans are reactive, then they discolor rapidly and may give your food an unpleasant flavor. These reactions may also add dangerous toxins to your food.
Why ply?
The ply has to do with the various materials layered to make the cookware and is called multi-ply, multi-clad, or multi-layered. Each layer has a purpose and has different metals layered together in order to distribute the heat equally throughout the bottom and the sides of the cooking equipment.
This is where the magic of the 5 ply comes in. This type of cookware resists heat and has five layers of superior metals, making it thermally stable to avoid warping.
Some like it hot…
The layering of the materials allows them to use the best materials possible for heat distribution. This set can be used on induction, in the oven, and is broiler and grill friendly up to 315℃ or 600℉. The pots even have markings on the inside to simplify your measurement of ingredients.
If you’re wondering if you should go for 5 or 3-ply, then it would probably depend on how much of a cooking enthusiast you are. 5-ply has a more precise and consistent temperature control, so the sauces that split easily like Hollandaise, or more delicate foods like risotto, will have less chance of being ruined. They also ensure that your steaks are evenly seared.
PROS
- Lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
- Handcrafted in the USA.
- Even cooking.
- Dishwasher safe.
CONS
- Saucepan handle is a bit too long.
- Cleaning around the rivets is irksome.
2. Viking Contemporary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set – Best Viking Cookware for Beginners
For the amateur cook that wants sturdy pots and pans.
This set has your 5.2-quart Dutch oven and lid, 8 and 10-inch frying pans, a 3.6-quart saute pan and lid, and the 2.4 and 3.4-quart saucepans and lids.
Stainless steel wrapped around a thick aluminum core for that even heat…
If you’re buying cookware, then you need something that is good quality and is not going to warp. The materials used and the way they are manufactured make a huge difference. For instance, stamped warp faster than spun ones.
Overheating these cheaper pans causes warping, they’re thin, they don’t distribute heat evenly, which makes foods burn in some places while some of it may remain undercooked. Not sure if you’ve personally experienced that before, but it’s dreadful! Beware, undercooked chicken and some other foods can make you extremely ill.
With low-quality pans, if they’re heated and cooled too often, the structure of the metal changes, causing the warping. Different metals have varying heat resistant properties.
Not the easiest to clean…
The pesky part with this cookware set is cleaning around the little rivets on the inside. It’s also hard to clean when food sticks to the bottom of the pan. But that generally only happens when you heat the pan too much, it’s all about temperature control and knowing what you’re doing.
Cooking tip: For all brands of pots and pans, add salt and spices after your food is cooking to avoid the chance of pitting or little white dots on the bottom of your cookware.
PROS
- Glass lid vents.
- Volume markers.
- Heavy duty
- Teflon free.
CONS
- Small frying pan tips because of the long handle.
- Heavier than expected.
- Handles get hot.
3. Viking Culinary Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set – Most Durable Viking Cookware
For the cook wanting hardy kitchen equipment that lasts a lifetime.
Next in our Viking Cookware Review, this set features a 5-quart Dutch oven with a lid, 10 and 12-inch frying pans, 2 and 3-quart pots with lids, and a 4.5 -quart saute pan with a lid.
Apart from being absolutely gorgeous, this anodized cookware resists scratching, is non-stick, and has the bonus of making cleaning effortless.
Built to last…
The anodization also prevents that reactiveness to acidic foods that we mentioned earlier. Anodization doesn’t come off; it’s a way of making the metal as strong as the former governor of California. It prevents aging (we’re looking at you aluminum), which happens when certain materials react with oxygen and are heated and cooled often over a long period of time.
Basically, they’ve used an inert material on the outside, which prevents food interactions and reactions. And to make it last, they’ve put not one, not two, but three layers of non-stick coating to make these super robust. It also has corrosion-resisting properties, so it doesn’t corrode and rust. Plus, the sheer strength is what makes it better than sliced bread.
Keep an eye on your cooking…
We love the see-through domed lids so you can see how far along your food is. They also prevent evaporation and contain the heat inside. They don’t scratch easily, so it’ll last you for a long time or a lifetime if you take care of them.
What you really have to appreciate from Viking is their signature stay-cool handle. Many of us still lack a fingerprint from using one of our gran’s old cookware sets, the handles used to get hot, and it’s so easy to forget. However, back to the present day, Viking stay-cool handles are designed to minimize heat transfer, so should cause you no problems at all.
And they’re also designed to fit cozily in your hands.
PROS
- Top-quality.
- Volume measurements.
- PFOA free and Dishwasher safe.
- Compliments any kitchen.
- Metal utensil friendly.
- Triple-layer and Non-stick.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Even heat distribution.
CONS
- No side vent.
4. Viking Culinary Viking Enamel Cast Iron, 10-inch Fry Pan – Best Cast Iron Viking Fry Pan
For the searing, braising, browning, and shallow frying cook.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting cooking skillet, this option will definitely pan out.
Unlike bare cast iron, enamel cast iron cookware doesn’t react with your food and won’t leach. This is one hardcore pan, it resists chipping and cracking, and it’s safe to use metal utensils with it. You can use it in the oven or stove, on gas or electricity, coil burners, or on the grill up to 400℉ or 204℃.
Holds its heat…
This pan has specifically been designed to be efficient in heat distribution and in holding heat. It will also hold cold temperatures just as well as the hot ones, so it can be used for prepping or serving cold foods or storing them. The way this pan holds the heat makes the energy requirement lower.
With the sturdy cast iron, you generally only need to use low to warm temperatures to cook most foods. We all know that having your pan too hot and not adding enough butter or good quality oil will definitely cause your foods to stick. If you have this at the right heat, and with the right oil, you should have very few problems, and it should be very easy to clean.
We absolutely recommend this skillet for juicy steaks…
Not using this pan for meat would be a missed steak. But it’s great for eggs too, and BBQ, and chili, and just about everything.
Delicious food tip, once you’ve finished cooking your food, use the leftover juices and oils in the bottom of the pan to use as your gravy base.
Also, don’t forget to never put any cast iron into the dishwasher, either this pan, or any other cast iron piece.
PROS
- Enamel coating.
- Retains heat or cold well.
- Sears evenly and perfectly.
- No leaching.
- Resists chicks and cracks.
- Non-toxic.
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a lid.
- Shouldn’t be used on induction stoves.
- Not dishwasher safe.
Looking for More Superb Cookware Options?
If so, then check out our comprehensive reviews of the Best Cookware Set for Electric Stoves, the Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, the Best Titanium Cookware, the Best Stone Cookware, and the Best Cookware for Gas Stoves currently on the market.
You may also be interested in our in-depth Cuisinart Muliticlad Pro Review, our Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Review, our Circulon 80580 Nonstick Cookware Set Review, our Pioneer Women Cookware Sets Review, or our Blue Diamond Cookware Review.
Final Thoughts
Who is the winner here? Clearly, anyone buying these cooking apparatus.
The problem with buying inferior cookware products is that, apart from the health implications, you’re going to need to buy a new set every few years. Therefore, our champion is the…
Viking Culinary Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set
…for its longevity and how handsome it looks in any kitchen.
Yes, it’s initially more pricey than single-metal cooking apparatus, but the long-term saving makes this a worthwhile investment. Remember, if you buy cheap, you buy twice (or more).
A final note from personal experience is that even though some pots and pans are dishwasher safe, hand washing is always better and will increase the lifespan of most cookware products.
Happy cooking!
