Chefs Swear By This Long-Lasting Cookware, From $20

When looking to buy cookware, you don’t just want pots and pans that will function well day to day, but ones that will last through the years. While some affordable cookware isn’t made to last forever, sometimes it’s worth investing in pieces that will last — even for generations. So we went to the experts — professional chefs — to find the best-performing cookware to pass down to our kids or gift this holiday season.

Whether you’re looking for a new stainless steel frying pan, Dutch oven, cast iron skillet, or comprehensive cookware set, we asked professional chefs to recommend their favorite heirloom-quality cookware. From a Staub Dutch oven that’s been in one chef’s family for decades to an All-Clad set that’s lasted 30 years, these are the seven pieces they raved about, from just $20. 

Best Heirloom-Quality Cookware at Amazon

• Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet, $20, originally $34
• All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set, $700
• Cuisinart 11-Piece Cookware Set, $104 with coupon, originally $180
• Staub Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Cocotte, $263
• Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Signature Round Dutch Oven, $314, originally $420
• Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set, $149, originally $240
• ​​De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan, $100

Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

This chef-loved pick from Lodge is not only our editors’ favorite cast iron skillet, but it’s surprisingly affordable, too. Now just $20 for the 10.25-inch version, the skillet is beginner-friendly yet built to last. Ashley Lonsdale, ButcherBox chef-in-residence, uses her Lodge cast iron skillet almost every day.

“The internet is littered with videos of folks restoring vintage cast iron pans, so no matter how much you may abuse yours, it can always be brought back to life,” says Lonsdale. “It’s one of those indestructible cooking pieces that’s also really versatile and useful.”

All-Clad D3 3-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Few brands do stainless steel cookware better than All-Clad, particularly its crowd-favorite D3 line, which has an aluminum core for fast, even heating. Richard LaMarita, the Chef-Instructor of Plant-Based Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus, has owned All-Clad’s D3 cookware set for 30 years and says they still perform like he got them yesterday.

“There is excellent craftsmanship in their three-layered design of an aluminum core sandwiched between layers of stainless steel (hence D3),” says LaMarita. “The pans heat quickly, hold heat well and evenly, and have never developed hot spots, warping, or discoloration over the years.”

Cuisinart 11-Piece Cookware Set

This sleek 11-piece cookware set has everything you need for weeknight dinners or holiday hosting, including three saucepans, two skillets, a stockpot, and a steamer basket. One of our editors has used Cuisinart cookware for over nine years, reporting that the pieces “work each and every time without fail,” On sale for just over $100, this cookware set is an absolute steal, especially considering stainless steel’s longevity.

Cuisinart cookware is a “trusted favorite,” says Doug Brixton, chef at The Golden Swan in New York City. “Throughout my career, I have relied on [its] versatile range, consistently impressed by the quality and performance that meet the demands of both professional chefs and passionate home cooks.”

Staub Cast Iron 7-Quart Round Cocotte

While it can be easy to pit Le Creuset against Staub in the battle of heirloom cookware, both brands have their strengths and rank among our favorite Dutch ovens. Staub’s Round Cocotte has a more modern look, durable enamel, and a genius self-basting lid.

Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef at The Forked Spoon, swears by Staub cookware. “I have a Dutch oven that’s been in my family for decades and it still cooks, stews, and braises beautifully,” says Randhawa. “The enamel coating prevents rusting, doesn’t need seasoning, and resists staining and flavor absorption, which is crucial for maintaining its quality over time.”

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven

If there’s one piece of cookware that you’d expect to see passed down for generations, it’s a Le Creuset Dutch oven. Not only is the editor-loved brand’s enameled cookware beautiful, but it’s also highly durable, available, in a range of sizes, and comes in stunning colors.

Lonsdale is also a big fan of Le Creuset’s “lifetime-lasting” cookware. “My 5.5-quart Dutch oven gets so much use in my kitchen, and with proper care, I know I will have it for life,” says Lonsdale.

Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set

Calphalon is proof that cookware doesn’t have to be expensive to last you for years. This simple stainless steel set has everything you need to cook like a professional chef, including two frying pans, two saucepans, one stock pot, and one saute pan. Plus, all of the pieces are oven- and dishwasher-safe and come with glass lids (except for the frying pans).

“I’ve used these extensively now for over a year and can confirm they are a great set that I expect will last many, many years to come!” said one former professional chef who reviewed the set at Amazon. The set also happens to be our editor’s top value pick out of all the stainless steel cookware sets we tested.

De Buyer Mineral B Carbon Steel Fry Pan

French cookware is known for its staying power, and this carbon steel frying pan from De Buyer is a prime example. Made in France, this lightweight pan is naturally nonstick, which makes it ideal for searing and sauteing. It’s also part of the same line as one of our very favorite French pans.

One professional chef, who reviewed this pan on Amazon, gifted it to their wife after raving about it to her for years. De Buyer’s carbon steel cookware offers “flavor and searing properties” that are comparable to your “favorite cast iron skillet,” said the chef.