Any chef will tell you that the key to a great dish is using fresh ingredients, imagination, and a high-quality set of cookware.
This is especially true for gas hobs where you’ll be cooking over direct heat, and a high temperature tolerance is essential.
Quality cookware can often be the difference between a meal that’s been cooked to perfection and an overdone disaster, therefore it’s worth investing in a set that will serve you well over the years so you can really wow your dinner guests.
We’ve reviewed five of the best cookware sets that not only perform incredibly well but also look good in your kitchen.
Our buyer’s guide is a treasure trove of information regarding what to look out for on your search to find the best cookware for a gas stove, and we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions at the end of the article.
In a hurry?
With the Rachael Ray Cucina Cookware you’ll really be cooking on gas.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick had to be the Duxtop cookware set. It might be an eye-watering price to some, but you definitely get what you pay for with this 17 piece professional set.
Cook small dishes and sides with the 1.6Qt or 2.5Qt saucepans, and use the large stockpot for stocks, soups, and stews.
You also have the choice of two non-stick pans for frying or sauteing. Whatever you’re making, utilize the accessories and silicone kitchen tools, and appreciate the high quality of the glass-tempered, well-fitting lids.
The heavy impact-bonded aluminum encapsulated bottom of these premium food-grade stainless steel pans heats up quickly and ensures even heat distribution during cooking.
On the inside, there's a nonstick coating of Fusion titanium that’s been reinforced with a ceramic coating free from PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, and cadmium.
Moving multiple pans around the stove is an easy task thanks to how comfortable this cookware is to handle, with handles that are cool to touch and offer a good level of grip.
They’re also double-riveted for reinforced durability and extra safety when holding the pans.
Save for use on gas stoves, in your oven, and even your dishwasher at the end of the meal, or you can pop one of these pans in the freezer if there are leftovers for easy long-term storage.
If there are any issues with the quality of lifespan of your pans, you’re backed by a lifetime warranty and a great customer service helpline.
Pros
- High-quality, professional-grade materials
- Range of pots and pans included
- Pans heat up quickly and evenly
- Ergonomically designed handles
- Oven, dishwasher, and freezer safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive option
- The seam running around the underneath of the pan can discolor
EDITORS CHOICE
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, the Rachel Ray Cucina 12 piece cookware set is just as hot as our first pick in terms of quality, let down slightly only because the beautiful colors in which they’re available may fade over time and with frequent use.
Serve up without the need to transfer food to another dish as these pots make a great table centerpiece on their own.
The dual-riveted rubberized handles are slightly curved and provide excellent grip, so there’ll be no fear of dropping your culinary masterpiece before it reaches the plate.
The set includes everything you need to cook up an impressive multi-course meal, from an 8.5-inch skillet to a 6Qt stockpot with a lid.
In-between these sizes are two saucepans, each with a shatter-resistant glass lid of their own, a pan for frying, and a pan for sauteing. You’ll even get a matching slotted spatula and spoon.
Manufactured using durable aluminum with a porcelain outer exterior, this is a hardwearing set of cookware that can withstand the high heat and rapid temperature changes of a gas stove.
It evenly distributes heat and is safe to use in the oven up to 400 F.
It might not be dishwasher safe, but the non-stick PFOA-free coating lets food glide around the pan and makes it easy to clean by hand, whilst also reducing the need for oil which allows for healthier cooking.
Pros
- Attractive design with bold colors to choose from
- The durable handles are curved for comfort and grip
- Heats up quickly and evenly
- Non-stick pans reduce the need for oil
- Oven safe up to 400 F
Cons
- Color fades over time
- Not dishwasher safe
BEST VALUE
Next, we looked at the Nutrichef cookware set which includes 11 kitchen essentials in a fresh, modern design.
It’s a great eco-friendly option for the environmentally conscious, as up to 60% less CO2 is produced during manufacturing.
The excilion blue diamond ceramic is highly durable and allows for better heat transfer, while the inner non-stick coating is non-toxic and prevents food from catching on the bottom of the pan.
It also makes it easy to clean with non-abrasive tools. The cookware is also dipped in glaze which helps to prevent staining.
Heat is evenly distributed for controlled cooking and can be used at a maximum temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can be used on any hob except induction and you can safely use this cookware in your oven.
Silicone touch handle grips are cool to the touch for safer handling and they’re incredibly lightweight which makes it easy to maneuver them around your hob.
The pans can easily be carried straight from kitchen to table and they look great to serve with, although they stack away for convenient storage.
Pros
- Best budget option
- Attractive design with ergonomic handles
- Non-toxic non-stick coating
- Durable ceramic exterior
Cons
- No lid included for the large pan
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for a smaller set that just includes the basic essentials, then look no further than the upgraded Cuisinart MCP-7N MultiClad Pro 7 piece Cookware Set.
The cast stainless steel handle is now riveted to improve durability and extend the lifespan of the cookware.
You’ll get a 1.5 Qt and 3 Qt saucepan with their own lids included, an 8 Qt stockpot which also comes with a lid, and a 10-inch skillet, which is everything you need to cook a solid meal.
It does mean you have less freedom with sides and portions, however, without a pan for frying and sauteing.
They are great at providing even heat distribution on a gas stove and they’re also suitable for use on an induction hob.
Use them in the oven where they’re safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and pop them in the dishwasher when you’re finished cooking for convenient cleaning.
While the pan heats up quickly, the handle stays cool to the touch and the lids offer a snug fit that retains the heat well.
The rims have also been designed with the user in mind as the tapered sides stop liquid from dripping onto your kitchen counter while you pour.
Pros
- Reinforced handles for added durability
- Great basics set
- Evenly distributes heat
- Dishwasher safe
- Tapered rims for drip-free pouring
Cons
- Not the best choice if you’re looking for more variety
RUNNER UP
Last on our list is this professional cookware set from T-fal which includes an 8-inch fry pan, a 10.25-inch fry pan, 1 Egg Wonder fry pan, a 1-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, and a 5-quart stockpot, each with their own lid, a stainless steel steamer insert, and 2 nylon utensils.
T-fal boasts of their perfect recipe for the cookware’s heat mastery system which contains 3 ingredients: an improved non-stick coating, a base that distributes heat evenly and doesn’t warp, and their innovative Thermo spot technology.
The Thermo spot indicator clearly indicates when the pans are preheated to the perfect temperature as the ring that circles the spot will change to solid red color, so you can add your seasonings and ingredients at the right time.
Vented glass lids allow you to see how your food is faring whilst allowing some of the steam to escape, and the handles are riveted for better grip and comfort.
Another great thing about these pans is that they’re oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (although only 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the lids) as well as dishwasher safe, and they come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Heat Mastery System for professional-quality cooking
- Even heat distribution
- Durable, ergonomic handles
- Dishwasher and oven safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Despite improvements, some customers report that the non-stick coating begins to peel after a few uses
- Small fry pan could be traded for a larger version
Best Cookware for Gas Stove Buying Guide
Pretty much all types of pans can be used on gas stovetops, but if they’re not equipped to deal with the heat then there’s a risk that they’ll end up burning on the bottom, discoloring those bold, bright colors that you’ll sometimes find on the underside of certain pans.
To help you in your search for the best cookware for gas stoves, we’ve put together this handy buyer’s guide to point you in the right direction of what makes a good cookware set.
Look for the following qualities and your cooking will reach new levels of professionalism.
What’s Included?
Before you even start to think about performance, you should first consider what you’ll actually be getting out of a set of cookware as they’re available in a range of sizes, with each set containing different pieces.
There are some excellent basic sets at the more affordable end of the spectrum that provides you with the core cooking essentials, or you can kit out your kitchen with a full collection if you need an entirely new set of cookware, say, if you’re moving house.
It’s worth making an inventory of what you already have in your kitchen or you may end up doubling up on certain pieces and realizing afterward that you’re missing something that was included in a different set.
Try to also remember to think about how much space you have available for storing the cookware when it’s not in use.
The more pans included, the more of your kitchen cupboards you’ll have to sacrifice, although some will be stackable for added convenience.
With that being said, there’s plenty of useful storage ideas and life hacks to be found online, so a smaller cooking area doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the cookware of your dreams.
Heats Up Quickly
One of the great advantages of cooking on a gas hob is that with just a simple turn of a knob you can have instant high heat.
You’ll appreciate cookware that can reach the desired temperature equally as quickly so you’re not waiting around for it to be ready to cook with.
The best cookware for gas hobs is highly heat conductive so your oil will start sizzling soon after the heat has been turned on.
But it’s not just how quickly it gets there, it’s also how well it maintains its temperature, leading us onto our next point.
No Hot Spots
There’s nothing worse than turning the first few pieces of food over to see beautifully browned sides, only for them to start looking more anemic with every flick of your tongs.
Hot spots can make cooking everything to the same timeframe a much more difficult task, resulting in food that’s burnt in places and undercooked in others.
This is particularly important to think about when you’re cooking on a gas stove, as the burning pattern is naturally more condensed.
Look for cookware that will provide equal heat distribution across the pan, as this will lead to more even cooking and consistent results.
Highly Reactive
Just as your pan should heat up quickly, it should also respond to reductions in temperature to ensure that you don’t end up accidentally overcooking your food.
Even professional chefs will tell you that you’ll often need to adjust the flame to respond to how the food is cooking, so you’ll need cookware that can keep up with these changes.
Lightweight
Whenever you’re working with heat you should ensure that you have full control over any equipment in your hands.
The more lightweight your cookware is, the easier it will be to maneuver everything when you’re transferring food from pan to plate, which is safer and more comfortable for you.
Recommended Materials
So now you know which boxes we had on our checklist, which materials have the most ticks next to them?
Using the above subheadings as the criteria on which we based these recommendations, here are the materials that perform the best on a gas stove:
Aluminum
A relatively low-cost option is aluminum, yet despite its affordable price, it performs surprisingly well on a gas stove.
It heats up quickly and evenly so you don’t have to worry about inconsistent cooking results, and it reacts to however you adjust the temperature.
Aluminum cookware is a great choice for beginners or less experienced cooks due to its helpful conductive capabilities.
Plus, it’s a durable material, so you’ll be able to use these pans for years to come.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another popular choice of material for cookware that’s designed for use on a gas stove as it offers excellent heat conduction.
It’s easy to clean which is a bonus, but in terms of performance on a gas stove, it can take a little longer to reach the desired temperature.
However, it's non-reactive with food so there are no health concerns, and provided you maintain and care for them properly, they’ll likely last a long time even with frequent use.
Cast Iron
One of the most durable options of cookware is cast iron, with impressive heat retention capabilities that keep cooking your food long after the heat has been switched off.
This is actually one of the reasons why it’s less suitable for gas stoves, however, as it’s slow to react to temperature adjustment.
Cast iron cookware is also difficult to maintain as it requires specific cleaning to season the pan, meaning you can’t leave it wet or you’ll be at risk of rust forming, and this isn’t a flavor you necessarily want to taste in your food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use glass cookware on a gas stove?
It’s not true for all glass cookware, but some brands (including Visions, Pyrex) do offer certain pieces of glass cookware that are suitable for use on a gas stove, as they’re resistant to thermal shock to prevent cracking or shattering when it comes into contact with intense heat.
How hot can a pan get on a gas stove?
The answer to this question depends on the BTU output of your stove’s gas burner, and for an accurate reading, you’d have to hold a thermometer to the bottom of your pan after it’s been exposed to the flame.
Given the high temperatures that can be reached by a natural gas flame, trust us when we say that the pan will be plenty hot.
