Sainsbury's 3-piece stainless steel pan set review
A solid saucepan set is a large but worthwhile investment. Read about how this budget-friendly Sainsbury's three-piece set stood up to our test.
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Sainsbury's 3-piece stainless steel pan set with silicone rim
Pros: Functional design at a great price, easy draining and measuring, quiet to use
Cons: Not as heavy-duty as some, silicone rims may eventually become stained if using food colourants or spices such as turmeric
Overall rating: 4/5
A well-designed trio that did well in our tests, this saucepan set was a pleasant surprise – and it was hard to believe that three pans came in under £50.
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The grey silicone rims and handles may not be to everyone's taste, but they meant that there was no banging and clattering of saucepan lids after checking on food. That's always a bonus if you have an open plan living/cooking space.
The materials used felt good to the touch, with a thick coating of silicone over the arched lid-pulls and on either side of the cool-grip handles.
There was no problem in transferring things to stay warm in the oven. Safe to 200 degrees, it's unlikely we'd want to roast in high-sided pots like these, but it meant that during a batch cook-a-thon, bolognese could be left to simmer for a few hours on a low oven shelf, freeing up hob space for other things.
We won't pretend the grade of stainless steel used in this budget set could compete with the Le Creuset pans we tested, but there is a heavier grade of steel used on the base, which results in even heat distribution.
The real genius of these saucepans, however, came into play when boiling and straining vegetables and pasta. With a subtle dipped spout at either side of the pan, a simple twist of the lid covered the gaps with two integral strainer panels. Whether right or left-handed, this made those 'where’s that colander gone?' moments at serving time a thing of the past.
Who eats lots of pasta? Students. If you know someone heading to uni for the first time who's going to exist on packet noodles or penne, this is the perfect set – and it may last them well beyond graduation.
Specifications:
Hob type: all hobs
Pans included: 20cm, 18cm, 16cm with glass, silicone-rimmed lids
Dishwasher safe: yes
Ovenproof: up to 200 degrees
Matching pans available: 3-tier steamer, stock pot and frying pan
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This review was last updated in August 2019. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at [email protected].
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