The six-piece stainless steel Ikea cookware set is affordable, accessible and surprisingly well-performing.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
Stainless steel cookware has long been known as a true kitchen heirloom. But it’s also quite expensive, especially if you’re investing in a beloved brand like All-Clad. While I’ve tested luxe brands like 360 Cookware, there are plenty of other options that ring up at half the price or less. This leaves me with a burning question: Are inexpensive cooking pots really all that bad?
“Honestly, any stainless steel pan is an excellent tool in your kitchen,” says Sonya Sanford, chef and co-host of Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy. “You can use it to cook on high heat, it’s oven-safe, it’s non-toxic, and will almost always last for decades (and will certainly last longer than a coated non-stick pan).”
After trying out dozens of pans throughout the years—some good, some terrible—I’ve developed a personal rule. If a pricey piece of cookware won’t last for a few years—preferably for life—it doesn’t belong in my kitchen. The grey area is budget cookware, which often prioritizes short-term aesthetics over long-term use. But if there’s one budget brand I do trust, it’s Ikea.
When I saw that my favorite flat pack furniture brand offers a six-piece stainless steel cookware set for under $60, I knew I had to try it out. Here’s my experience testing out the budget-friendly Ikea cookware set from the 365+ collection, including how it stacks up to the other pieces in my cupboards.
Ikea Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Despite the low price point, this Ikea cookware set is still a well-rounded addition to a home cook's cabinet.
What is IKEA stainless steel cookware
The $60 Ikea cookware set comprises of three core items: a 2.1-quart sauce pan, a 3.2-quart pot and a larger 5.3-quart pot that’s perfect for braising proteins and making big batches of soup. Each piece comes with a fitted lid complete with a small steam vent. All six pieces are made from durable stainless steel. The pots are also tri-ply, offering a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel.
How We Tested
In order to thoroughly test the cookware, I swapped my existing cookware with the three pots for a full month. Any time I needed to braise, boil, brown or bake, I whipped out one of my trusty Ikea cookware pieces. Given the price—which comes out to around $20 per piece—I expected some pretty poor performance. This is one of the times I’m glad to be wrong.
But first, let’s get the obvious negatives out of the way.
The Bad
I’ll start by reiterating: these are not pro quality pots. Sonya notes that there’s three main things she looks for when splurging on cookware: a sturdy heavy weight, that the pan is fully clad, and that it has a well-constructed handle. At such a low price point, it’s no surprise that these pots don’t have all of those characteristics.
While nice and sturdy, the handles of Ikea cookware can get quite hot, so it’s worth having a pot holder on hand to prevent burns. The pots themselves are also lightweight. In fact, the total weight of the entire set is around seven pounds. This may mean that they could lose their shape over time and offer less durability long term, especially if you’re a bit rough with them. However, this does have its perks—more on that in a moment.
Ikea cookware offers a sturdy, even-heating tri-ply bottom. However, the pieces are not the fully clad stainless steel most chefs prefer. The cookware features a thick stainless steel base with an aluminum core for more even heating, rather than extending up the sides—something Sonya typically avoids. While heat transfers quite well on the bottom, the sides won’t hold heat as well or as evenly. These “disc bottom pans” aren’t ideal for serious chefs, as they require more frequent stirring to prevent burning along the sides of the pot.
All that said, I’d still recommend these pots, especially at such a budget-friendly price point. Just temper your expectations.
The Good
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the versatility of this $60 set. Whether I was browning up beef, caramelizing onions for red beans and rice or braising chicken, the pots offered a good sear and took hardly any time to heat up. I attribute this to the tri-ply construction, which conducts heat well on the bottom of the cookware.
Ikea cookware performs best when you know some basic rules for using stainless steel, like using high heat oils (such as algae oil) to prevent sticking. The three pieces are also quite flexible and work for a variety of kitchen tasks. One feature I love is that these pots are oven-safe, allowing you to crisp up your favorite dishes. In addition, they’re also induction-friendly, which is a nice bonus.
Cleanup is pretty simple, as the pots and lids are all dishwasher safe. Just wait for them to cool down first to prevent warping! While most stainless steel cookware can go into a dishwasher, it’s usually not advised to keep it in good condition long term. However, at such a low price point, I feel far less guilty popping these on the bottom rack than I would with my pricier All-Clad cookware. For any rainbow residue that results, I just use the usual stainless steel cleaning protocol to give them back their gorgeous gleam.
Storage is similarly easy, as the pots nest together. While I highly recommend investing in some pot protectors to prevent scratches, the nesting design is useful for smaller spaces. Given the price and the ease of storage, this set would be a great gift for a new grad. Do they require a bit more attention when simmering compared to a set-it-and-let-it-cook All-Clad pot? Yes, but that’s the price you pay for a budget buy.
Overall, this is an excellent wallet-friendly starter set for folks who are new to stainless steel cookware. And despite the lightweight feel being technically less sturdy, it is much easier to haul around the kitchen and pour from than heavier cookware, especially for folks with mobility issues. Plus, the versatility of stainless steel always beats similarly inexpensive nonstick pans.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- Three-ply construction
- Induction-friendly
- Lids include a steam vent
- Stackable design
- Oven safe
- Dishwasher safe
- 15-year limited warranty
Cons
- Handles get quite warm
- Disc bottom rather than fully clad
- Lightweight, which may not transfer heat as well
- May not be as durable as pricier cookware
Product Comparison
At $20 per pan, you’re definitely sacrificing a few features found in pro-quality cookware. Compared to brands like All-Clad or 360 Cookware that ring up at over $100 per piece, Ikea cookware is a budget buy. The construction isn’t as sturdy, nor do the pots offer fully-clad sides. Those hunting for a cookware set they can pass along to their children may want to shop elsewhere.
As for finding low cost pro pans, Sonya offers a few tips.
“I’ve found some great options at restaurant supply stores. If you’re still looking for All-Clad or another higher-end brand, I recommend checking out Facebook Marketplace or garage sales—I often spot more affordable high-end stainless steel second hand,” she says. Personally, I’ve also had success snagging premium pans for less during the coveted All-Clad Factory Seconds sale and at outlet stores like TJ Maxx.
Final Verdict
Let’s be honest here: a $20 Ikea pot is in no way going to perform as well as a $150 All-Clad pot. I think we all know that.
However, I’m still pretty happy with the performance of Ikea cookware. Sure, it’s not pro-quality, and you’re not going to get performance as wow-worthy as luxury brands. But for folks who have less than $70 and want to invest in a solid set of stainless steel cookware that should last quite a few years, you really can’t go wrong. I’ve used some bad cookware over the years, and Ikea cookware doesn’t even come close to that line for me.
Would it be nice to spend big on “buy it for life” cookware that lasts for 30 years or more? Of course; but that’s not a luxury most folks can swing without some budgeting. It also helps that Ikea offers a 15-year limited warranty for added peace of mind. And as with most Ikea purchases, you can also return the set within 365 days for a full refund if you’re unhappy with its performance.
I plan to continue testing to see how the pots hold up over time. But for now, even after reintegrating my pricey pans, I still find myself reaching for the Ikea cookware set when I don’t want to hand wash my pots. The dishwasher-safe nature alone makes each piece a well-appreciated part of my cookware collection. Plus, after several uses (and subsequent spins in the dishwasher), they still look pretty enough to keep on my stovetop, especially after a quick spot treatment to keep them gleaming.
Where to Buy
Ikea Stainless Steel Cookware Set
At only $20 per pot, the Ikea cookware set is an affordable alternative to luxury brands.
The six-piece Ikea cookware set is available on Ikea’s website for just under $60—that’s only $20 per pot. Folks looking to complete their set with a stainless steel frying pan or sauté pan can shop the entire Ikea 365+ cookware collection on the brand’s website. The other pieces in the collection are similarly inexpensive, proving that there’s no need to break the bank for a solid set of cookware.
FAQ
Is Ikea cookware any good?
For folks who want a budget-friendly cookware set, Ikea cookware is worth the small upfront investment. While new home cooks will likely want to upgrade to a pricier pick after a few years, it’s a solid budget-friendly option that comes with an excellent 15-year warranty.
Is Ikea cookware non-toxic?
Ikea’s stainless steel cookware is non-toxic and contains no PTFE, PFOA or lead.
Is Ikea stainless steel cookware oven safe?
Ikea’s stainless steel cookware is oven safe, though we’d caution putting it in an oven above 500ºF.
How durable is Ikea cookware?
While it’s not as thick and sturdy as pricier brands, Ikea’s stainless steel cookware is durable enough to last for years. It also comes with a 15-year limited warranty and a 365-day guarantee. If you find it wears quicker than you expect, you can return it within a year for a full refund.
Why You Should Trust Us
As Shopping Editor for Taste of Home, I’m a passionate home cook with a passion for recommending the very best products using honest and fair testing practices. Our testing team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating everything from the best upright freezers to the best toasters.
I’ve personally tested dozens of cookware brands, including ceramic cookware, nonstick cookware and stainless steel cookware options like 360 Cookware. While I’m not a pro chef, I always approach testing from an amateur chef’s perspective—especially when it comes to personal budget. This gives me a unique perspective when it comes to finding the best kitchenware for the average home cook. As a rule of thumb, bells and whistles don’t impress me as much as items that withstand the test of time!
For this piece, we also spoke with Sonya Sanford, chef and co-host of Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy to ask about what to look for when buying budget stainless steel cookware. Her podcast inspires home cooks to try new dishes in the kitchen by sharing trusted recipes, tips, and friendship.
