Buying guide for Best Rachael Ray cookware sets
Your kitchen countertop may be loaded with appliances, but the basics of cooking, from sautéing to frying to boiling to steaming, are done on the stovetop in pots and pans. A good set of cookware is a culinary essential, and some of the best cookware available today is from Rachael Ray, one of the biggest names in cooking and baking.
Rachael Ray rose to fame championing quick, easy, and healthy meals for inexperienced and expert cooks alike. She has shared her love of food through television shows, cookbooks, and her line of colorful and practical cookware that is among the most popular on the market. She offers skillets, woks, pots, and pans, as well as sets that may include accessories and extras, such as utensils. A Rachael Ray cookware set may include as few as three items or as many as 14 items, but regardless of the number, each piece is designed to make it easy and fun to create delicious dishes.
Key considerations when choosing a Rachael Ray cookware set
Quantity
How many pots and pans do you need? That number will factor into which set you choose.
If you only need a couple of items to complete a set for basic cooking, you might want to buy them individually. However, if you need a half dozen items, such as saucepots, saute pans, skillets, and a stock pot, you might be better off investing in a set. You’ll save money, too.
If you’re cooking for one or two people, you may only need a few basic items. If you regularly cook for a lot of people or make more elaborate meals, opt for a larger set of 12 or 14 items.
Expert Tip
When choosing your cookware set, consider how you cook and what you like to eat before you buy. If you like to cook breakfasts, get a set with a couple of fry pans for eggs and maybe a baking sheet for bacon. If you’re a soup-and-stew person, look for larger capacity pots and pans.
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Nonstick
Most of Rachael Ray’s cookware sets contain nonstick pots and pans. They’re easy to use and easy to clean.
That said, nonstick cookware sets require a bit of special care to keep them working effectively. You shouldn’t preheat an empty nonstick pan, especially if it’s made of aluminum. The pan heats up rapidly enough, and too much heat could ruin the pan’s surface if it’s empty.
Avoid using high heat, too, and only use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching the nonstick surface.
Colors
Rachael Ray’s cookware distinguishes itself from the rest by offering pots and pans in a variety of colors. Nearly all of her cookware has at least a little bit of color, even if it’s just the handles or the lid.
If you’re interested in a more muted look, there are anodized aluminum pots and pans in plain gray with gray handles, too.
Rachael Ray Cucina hard anodized cookware has earned a fan-base of home cooks for its reliable nonstick surfaces and ability to heat even for precise results.
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Exciting Rachael Ray cookware features
Brights collection
The pots, pans, and skillets in Rachael Ray’s Brights collection have a colorful enamel exterior in vibrant pumpkin orange, deep blue, bright red, or royal purple. If you want to coordinate with a color scheme in your kitchen, or if you simply want to add a contrasting hue, the bright colors of this contemporary collection are sure to impress you.
These hard anodized aluminum nonstick cookware sets feature at least 10 items, and the pots and pans have nonstick surfaces and may be coated in porcelain.
Cucina collection
The Rachael Ray Cucina nonstick collection offers a blend of a rustic look and feel with modern functionality. The colors in this collection are a bit more muted though still eye-catching. They include cranberry red, sea salt gray, pumpkin, lemongrass, and agave blue.
For those who embrace a country or farmhouse feel, this colorful cookware imparts a sense of nostalgia. You’ll have a choice of 10- to 14-piece cookware sets in this collection. The pieces are made from aluminum, some with porcelain exteriors.
For your safety
Silicone-coated stainless steel handles stay cool, but oven mitts are still the safest way to move hot cookware, especially if the items are heavy or you’re working in a crowded kitchen.
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Accessories to go with your Rachael Ray cookware
Kitchen apron
Keep your clothes clean while you cook by wearing a kitchen apron. Many come in a one-size-fits-most style, and there are lots of designs to choose from.
Oven mitts
Protect your hands while you’re fixing dinner with a pair of oven mitts. The best oven mitts are comfortable and keep you safe from high heat.
If you’re cooking for one or two people, you may only need a small set with a few basic items. If you regularly cook for a lot of people or make more elaborate meals, opt for a larger set of 12 or 14 items.
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Rachael Ray cookware set prices
Inexpensive
For $25 to about $60, you can find individual saucepans, steamers, stockpots or skillets. This range does not include large sets, but you can find sets that include a pair of frying pans, for example, in this range.
Mid-range
You can purchase a Rachael Ray cookware set for between $75 and $150. These may feature up to 14 or 15 items and come in a variety of color options.
Expensive
For about $110 to $150, you’ll find the most comprehensive cookware sets in the Cucina and Brights collections, including up to 14 or 15 pieces.
Expert Tip
I rarely use lids on my pots when cooking, so I store them in a separate drawer to keep them out of the way. If lids are getting in your way, consider storing your lids in an easy-access, but up and out of the way, space in your kitchen.
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Tips
- Show off your cookware. Most Rachael Ray cookware is colorful. Display your pots and pans on an open shelf, or hang them on a rack when they’re not in use.
- Take care of your cookware. Cookware can last many years if properly cared for. Be careful not to scratch the nonstick coating.
- Mix and match colors. Even if you get a set in one color, you can buy individual items, utensils, and accessories in coordinating colors.
- Don’t preheat empty cookware. Make sure there is oil, water, or food in your pan before you turn on the heat. If it’s empty, you could ruin the nonstick coating.
Are you trying to outfit a new home or apartment kitchen on a budget? In general, Rachael Ray cookware sets and individual pieces are less expensive than other popular name-brand cookware.
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FAQ
Q. How do I clean my Rachael Ray cookware?
A. While some Rachael Ray cookware is designated as dishwasher safe, it’s always best to wash it by hand if possible. The chemicals in some dishwasher detergents may decrease the lifespan of pots and pans, especially the nonstick variety.
What’s more, the cookware could get scratched if something were to move against it in the dishwasher.
When washing cookware by hand, use a gentle cloth or sponge with warm water and soap. You can soak a pan in water to remove stuck-on food. It’s best to dry the cookware by hand as well.
Expert tip
If you choose to store your pots with their lids, consider turning the lid upside down on top of the pot for storage. This way, you can stack other things on top, and it’s easier to slide them in and out of a cabinet.
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Q. How should I store my Rachael Ray cookware?
A. Hanging your cookware will protect the surfaces of the pots and pans, especially nonstick items. Stacking cookware could scratch or dent it, which can ruin the nonstick coating. A wall shelf or hanging rack is best.
If you must stack the pans on a shelf or in a drawer, put something between them, such as paper towels, to protect the surfaces. Make sure the cookware is fully dry before storing and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Q. What does “hard anodized” mean?
A. Rachael Ray hard anodized cookware has been reinforced to be harder and more durable than similar products that haven’t been anodized. This is a process frequently done to aluminum to increase its longevity and promote even heating. Typically, cookware that is hard anodized is more expensive, but it should last longer than other options.
