Why are some stainless steel cookware more expensive than others?

Higher-priced stainless steel cookware uses surgical stainless steel, which is more expensive to make. It is the best stainless steel because it is not porous. It does not have tiny pores for bacteria to live and grow. Therefore, it is easier to keep the kitchen utensils clean and sterilized. Hospitals use this type of stainless steel. So with quality stainless steel cookware, you get healthy cooking.

For even heating without hot spots or burning in some areas, you need weights. Good stainless steel cookware is heavy. Having a thick bottom layer on the cookware allows for even heat distribution and allows food to stay hot in the cookware for a while after the heat source is removed, so less energy is used. Good stainless steel cookware will have 4-6 layers of stainless steel.

For really good cookware, you need fast heat transfer. Aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor, which is why many pot bases are made with it. But it is soft and can be easily damaged. That’s why high-quality cookware companies use higher-durability metals. Therefore, high-quality cookware will encase a thick layer of aluminum within layers of stainless steel for rapid heat transfer and even heating. 5-7 layers of stainless steel and aluminum make for strong, heavy and healthy cookware sets.

Cheaper stainless steel sets will not use surgical stainless steel. Stainless steel will be more porous with small holes for bacteria to accumulate. Cheaper sets won’t use aluminum for quick heat up or as many layers of stainless steel. It doesn’t cost that much to make

So you have to decide what you want to cook with. If you want healthier cookware with fast heat transfer and even heat distribution, you’ll pay more. If you want a cheaper set, you will have cookware that is not as healthy, and the heat transfer is not as good, and even heating is not as good as more expensive cookware.