What Cookware Do Professional Chefs Use?

What cookware do professional chefs use? Professional chefs rely on a versatile selection of cookware designed for durability, performance, and precision in the kitchen. From sturdy stainless steel pans to reliable nonstick skillets, cast iron pieces, and heavy-duty stockpots, these essentials help chefs handle a wide range of cooking tasks. Whether perfecting sauces or searing meats, professional chefs choose cookware that supports consistent results and stands up to daily use. Explore the types of cookware trusted by culinary experts to elevate your own cooking at home.

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  • All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Skillet with Lid
    $199.95
    (409)

    Love my AllClad...AllClad cookware is the best for cooking on my Wolf induction stove. Manufactured in the USA....Can't best that combination in a quality product....Love these pans. They cook evenly, are beautiful and are easy to clean

    Pros: easy to clean, quality, versatility

  • Staub Skillet, 10"
    $219.95
    (153)

    Great pan!...Love how well this holds up. Customer service is the best...Great frying pan...The best frying pan. Easy to clean. Holds desired heat wonderfully. Great color as well!!

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, durability

  • All-Clad Copper Core Skillets
    $259.95
    (108)

    I love it!! Best thing I ever bought for the kitchen....Cooks everything great and in hardly any heat....Best steel skillet I have ever used....I have a 14" tri-ply and love it, but the copper-core edges it out in even heat distribution.

    Pros: durable, quality, high quality

  • Demeyere Industry5 Stainless Steel Skillets
    $149.96
    (99)

    Best pan we have ever owned!...Great versatile pan. Cleans easy, and cooks to my satisfaction.

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, 5-ply construction

  • Demeyere Atlantis7 Proline Stainless Steel Skillet
    $379.95
    (87)

    Great Product!!!!...This is the best fry pan i have ever used it heats quickly and perfectly even on the entire pan....THE ABSOLUTE BEST COOKWARE...YOU WILL LOVE THEM. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP, BUT WELL WORTH THE PRICE.

    Pros: easy cleaning, even heating, no rivets

  • All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Skillets w/ Lid
    $269.95
    (65)

    Best skillet I?ve ever owned, bar none....Wirecutter (NYT) is my go to review site, and they have chosen it as Best Skillet for several years now...I love the lid also, as well as the even cooking and easy cleaning....Love it!!...Great even cooking and...

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, durability

  • Hestan ProBond Skillets
    $149.95
    (64)

    Great Pan...Best pan I have ever had!...The Best

    Pros: easy to clean, quality, durable

  • All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Skillets
    $159.95
    (48)

    Perfect for everything from frying eggs and bacon to searing a salmon fillet, these versatile skillets are a welcome addition to any kitchen. A revolution in cookware technology, D5 cookware is the most advanced collection to bear the legendary All-Clad...

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, quality

  • Demeyere Alu Pro5 Aluminum Nonstick Frying Pan
    $169.95
    (36)

    Hands down the BEST!...I love to cook and am always on the hunt for great pans. These are amazing and my search is over!...Best non stick fry pan I ever used. doing eggs using no fat and I love the comfortable stay-cool handle

    Pros: non-stick, quality, nonstick

  • Cristel Castel’Pro 3-Ply Mini Skillets
    $62.96
    (8)

    Great for toasting spices...But bought this product to try out for one or two eggs which it is great for....Love it!

    Pros: nonstick, easy handling, better than other cookware

  • Sur La Table Classic 5-Ply Stainless Steel Skillet, 12"
    $149.96
    (7)

    Great quality...Works great. When heated up correctly it is nonstick works perfect. Easy to clean

    Pros: easy to clean, cooks food well, size

  • Cristel Castel’Pro 5-Ply Deep Skillets
    $139.96
    (7)

    Love it...This is my first cookware from Cristel and I love it....Love the uniform heat distribution, and that my food doesn't burn....The feel of the pan is great - it's not too heavy and the handle is very ergonomic.

    Pros: perfect size, ergonomic handle, non-stick

  • Viking Professional 5-Ply Stainless Steel Nonstick Skillet with Lid
    $239.96
    (5)

    LOVE! It seems so simple but I have been looking for a large non-stick pan with a lid....
    great pan until it started to delaminate
    I call Viking and set a picture they told me I had

    Pros: durable, even searing, oven safe

  • de Buyer Mineral B Pro Carbon Steel Skillet
    $134.95
    (3)

    It's a bit heavy, but that's part of what makes it a stable foundation for cooking great meals....The de Buyer Mineral B Pro is one of the best kitchen purchases I've ever made....stays warm for a long time after without needing to be over it all the...

    Pros: versatile, stainless steel handle, durable

  • Sur La Table Classic 5-Ply Stainless Steel Stockpot, 8 Qt.
    $199.96
    (2)

    We took our favorite things about the best French cookware and made them even better. These pans are packed with chef-inspired details like gently curved sides and smooth rounded edges to help you get the results you love and make more of every meal....

    Pros: cost effective, price, fast heating

  • Le Creuset Stainless Steel Skillet Set, 8" & 10"
    $199.95

    Le Creuset stainless steel fry pans offer superior control at every preparation stage, with quick heat distribution. Durable and versatile, it is well-suited for stovetop and oven use. Le Creuset tri-ply stainless steel features a full aluminum core...

  • Cristel Castel’Pro 5-Ply Skillets
    $181.96

    Full of unique, chef-friendly features such as rounded corners and rims and comfy stay-cool handles, Castel’Pro is made in France and designed by chefs for fast, precise, economical cooking. These pro-quality skillets are available in a wide range...

  • Hestan ProBond Luxe Stainless Steel Skillet
    $249.95

    Bring exceptional heat performance and show-stopping polish to your stovetop with the Hestan ProBond® Luxe Stainless Steel Skillet. Available in 8.5", 11", and 12.5", each skillet is handcrafted in Italy from durable tri-ply stainless steel with a ProCore™...

  • Hestan ProBond Stainless Steel TITUM™ Nonstick Skillets
    $269.95
    (577)

    Love me hesitant pans. Super solid performing and work great on induction....The weight and balance from handle also some of the best I've owned....Best I've...Best I've ever owned and I have owned plenty! Worth every cent. Love love love it!!!

    Pros: quality, durability, easy to clean

  • Hestan NanoBond Titanium Stainless Steel Skillets
    $449.95
    (550)

    The best cookware ever!!!...I love this cookware. It is the best I have ever had. First, it's beautiful....Second, it cooks great and is easy to cook with. Third, clean up is a breeze. I love it!!!...Hestan is the best in cookware...Love this pan and...

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, quality

  • Zwilling Motion Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Skillets
    $34.96
    (219)

    Best of the best...Looks and feel great. I’m sure I will love it....Best fry pan I ever owned! Cooking to cleaning...there is nothing to complain about....Great product!!!

    Pros: lightweight, durable, high quality

  • Scanpan Pro SB+ Skillet
    $124.95
    (201)

    The Best...Love them! Cook beautifully and great cleanup. Highly recommend....Easily the best pan I've ever used!

    Pros: non-stick, durable, easy to clean

  • Caraway 5-Ply Stainless Steel Skillet
    $114.75
    (192)

    The best frying pan...Truly love it !...Great...The mini fry pan by Caraway hands down is the best pan I've ever used!!! Great product!!!

    Pros: durability, easy to clean, appearance

  • Zwilling Clad CFX Ceramic Nonstick Skillet
    $49.96
    (171)

    Achieve perfectly browned and braised results every time, plus everything else you want and need in a nonstick skillet. Encapsulated by shiny stainless steel, the sturdy, 3mm clad construction features an aluminum core that heats up evenly and quickly....

    Pros: nonstick, even heating, durable

What Cookware Do Professional Chefs Use?

When it comes to cookware used by professional chefs, there’s a reason why certain materials and designs have stood the test of time in both restaurant kitchens and home settings. Stainless steel is a clear favorite for its durability, versatility, and ability to handle a wide range of cooking techniques. It’s non-reactive, which means it won’t interact with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or wine—an essential feature when preparing everything from pan sauces to reductions. Stainless steel’s non-porous surface resists lingering flavors and odors, making it an ideal choice for cooks who switch between delicate fish and robust meats in the same day. Many of the best cookware brands 2025 are focusing on multi-layered construction, often combining stainless steel with an aluminum core to achieve the even heating of aluminum and the resilience of steel. This hybrid approach is a hallmark of cookware brands endorsed by professional chefs, as it delivers the consistent results demanded in a professional kitchen.

Cast iron is another staple, beloved for its ability to retain heat and develop a rich, flavorful sear on meats and vegetables. Whether you’re preparing a hearty autumn stew or baking a rustic loaf of bread, cast iron’s heat-holding properties make it a workhorse for slow-cooked dishes and high-heat searing alike. Many home cooks discover that cast iron only gets better with age, developing a natural patina that enhances both its performance and character. Copper, meanwhile, is prized by chefs for its rapid heat responsiveness, allowing for precise temperature control—crucial when crafting delicate sauces or confections. While copper requires a bit more care, its superior heat conduction makes it a valued tool for those who appreciate the nuances of fine cooking. For those seeking easy cleanup and reliable performance, the best nonstick ceramic cookware set offers a modern solution, providing effortless food release and a smooth surface that’s gentle on delicate ingredients like eggs or pancakes.

Choosing the best type of cookware often comes down to the kinds of dishes you love to prepare and the cooking techniques you want to master. Stainless steel excels at browning and deglazing, cast iron is unmatched for searing and oven-to-table presentations, and copper shines in tasks requiring quick adjustments and finesse. These pieces aren’t just for seasoned professionals; they make thoughtful gifts for newlyweds, recent graduates, or anyone looking to elevate their everyday meals. As the days grow cooler and kitchens fill with the comforting aromas of fall, investing in chef-approved cookware can inspire new traditions and memorable meals. For a deeper dive into the specific pots and pans chefs reach for every day, explore our comprehensive guide here: What Pots And Pans Do Chefs Use?. Whether you’re outfitting your first kitchen or upgrading your collection, these timeless essentials bring professional results within reach—season after season.

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