Meet the Cookware That Will Change the Way You Cook Forever

Over the years we've fallen in love with countless pots and pans, for one reason or another. Maybe they have the nicest heft, or the lightest weight, or maybe they sear just right. But we’ve never landed on a set that has it all.

Until now.

We are beyond excited to announce the launch of our all-new Five Two cookware, what we think is the perfect set of essentials—two sizes of skillet, a sauté pan, saucepan, and stockpot. And because an essential toolkit comes with options to cover all the bases, we created a mixed set—a core stainless steel collection with nonstick for specific tasks. And we couldn't have done it without you.

Our cookware is the result of decades of kitchen know-how and more-than-we-can-count rounds of testing to get it right, but most crucially, it’s thanks to the insights of thousands of members of our brilliant community.

You told us what you yearned for, and we took all those “wouldn’t it be nice if...” ideas and made them real. Lids with built-in strainers? Check. Pouring spouts for pots? Done. Plus, we added a few ideas of our own, like the rivetless interiors for a seamless, modern look and exceptionally easy clean-up.

To ensure our cookware can withstand the daily grind and withstand a lifetime, we knew stainless steel was the way to go. Ours happens to be an ultra-thick, special tri-ply that heats quickly and evenly (goodbye, hot spots) and won't warp. Even the handles are solid-cast stainless; they won't dent or come loose—and are extra comfortable for gripping.

But we couldn't leave out nonstick, which will always have a place in our kitchens (really, is there any other way to fry an egg?). So we picked the highest-grade ceramic coating that’s completely clean and totally non-toxic—and then reinforced it with diamonds for added durability.

Naturally, our cookware had to be beautiful enough to show off (see those cut-outs on the handles for hanging?), so we added mid-century inspired curves, modern glass lids, and minimal logoing. “We felt strongly that the design needed to be timeless, fitting into classic and modern kitchens alike,” says Kristina Wasserman, Director of Five Two.

The 10” Nonstick Skillet

“This skillet’s perfect for a single duck breast, or scrambled eggs and just the right amount of maple-candied bacon.”
—Eric Kim, Senior Editor

The 12” Covered Skillet (nonstick or stainless)

"A smaller nonstick skillet is great for frying up a couple of eggs, but for a family of four, the 12-inch pan is perfect—for pancakes, or sausages, or frittata.”
—Merrill Stubbs, Co-Founder & COO (and mastermind behind adding the 12” pan to the mix)

The 3QT Saucepan

“I can’t wait to make a Food52 classic in this, maybe this One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf. After that: Marcella sauce, of course.”
—Kristen Migliore, Creative Director of Genius

The 4QT Sauté Pan

“I plan on inaugurating my sauté pan with a glorious, extra-jammy braised onion sauce—it’s heaven with fresh pasta.”
—Erin Alexander, Associate Editor

The 6QT Stock Pot

“Now that the weather is getting colder, I'm looking forward to using this to make big batches of stock, out of the leftover bones I’ve been saving from the kitchen all year long.”
—Josh Cohen, Test Kitchen Director.

If you’ve been lucky enough to inherit high-quality stainless-steel pots and pans you already know it’s the ultimate cooking surface. You’ll also know that, if looked after, it will last a lifetime.

Here are some of our tips to keep your Five Two cookware in top shape for years to come:

• Each pan, pot, and lid is designed to be tossed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning, but remember to let the pieces you’ve cooked with come to room temperature before rinsing—a cold shock can cause hot surfaces to warp.
• To get rid of build-up, fill the pot or pan with hot, soapy water and let it sit on a dry surface. Then scrub it down with the soft side of a sponge.
• To help our nonstick pans live as many years as possible, Wasserman suggests using them over a low-to-medium heat setting with a splash of oil or butter. We also recommend hand-washing to keep it looking its best.
• Try not to stack pots and pans directly on top of one another—it’s a recipe for scraped edges. Instead, hang them or stack them with a felt protector in between each piece.
  
  For more on stainless steel care, pop over to our complete guide to caring for stainless steel.