Customer Reviews

Sabatier Precision 20-Piece Stainless-Steel Cookware Set

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I received my order this afternoon and the GOOD thing is that it got here much quicker than I expected. Sadly, the cookware is not what I expected... and perhaps that's my own fault. With the Sabatier name on it and after reading reviews of a similar but anodized set I decided to give this one a try, especially since it was a Gold Box deal and came with free shipping.

My expectations were too high; I got what I paid for. It's stainless steel but it's very thin and light. If you're expecting some super, long-wearing cookware you're not going to get it. The handles are stamped and bent from flat stock and are welded to the pots, the rims of the pots are fairly sharp (not reinforced or with a lip), and the handles on the lids do not seal against the glass; dishwater gets under the handle during washing but doesn't rinse out very easily. The utensil set that comes with this are marginally useful at best. I'll definitely use the container for the utensils, but with my own utensils.

To sum it up... if you are young and looking for an adequately good starter set of cookware, you can't beat this price. But if you are an accomplished cook and used to good or very good quality cookware, spend the money on a decent 8" saute pan.

Don't let the MSRP fool you. The quality of the cookware is analogous to discount store stuff. Here's a synopsis of each type of cookware included in this 20-piece set:

1) The Pots/Pans & Glass Lids
The first thing I noticed was a badly dented lid (on the metal rim of the largest lid) from not-so-great packaging. I have yet to contact Amazon but anticipate no problems with getting a replacement lid.

The lid handles are not what I expected. There is plastic sandwiched in between metal rims, defeating the purpose of stay-cool handles. I'd be afraid to put them in the oven, too. Ineffective lid handles.

The bottoms of the pots & pans are just as pictured--thick and sturdy. The bottoms are stamped 18/10 stainless, a step up from the advertised 18/8 grade.

The sides of the pots & pans are kind of thin. The top rim is slightly sharp (though you probably couldn't cut yourself on it)--better cookware usually has thicker sides or a lip at the rim.

2) The mixing bowls aren't very sturdy. The steel is so thin that you can see the indentation of the outside stamping on the inside bottom of each pot/pan...Don't figure these bowls into the value of the overall set.

3) The utensils are really poor quality. Their handles are hollow, providing a pretty poor grip. The stems are a bit flimsy. The ladle's too shallow. I wouldn't put much value on the utensils, either.

Overall, these pans are okay for everyday use. Considering the price, it's a decent value. However, you won't be that much better off buying this set from your Goldbox. I'd recommend checking out the other sets out there for a little bit more money. Cookware is something you have to see and feel before you buy.

Finally, just in case you were wondering, the pots/pans/mixing bowls are made in China. Nothing against that...I just really wish all online merchants would specify country of origin...

This set is actually of good quality. It looks well-made and heavy. I would guess that this set would do fine for us casual cooks, but not for heavy use. Nevertheless, mind you, I just got this set, so I would really not know if this is really stainless. All in all, if asked for a value, I would say this set is worth $75-$90, well above the price I paid for.

The 4 star (instead of 5) is because my set has a scratch.

Initially, I was pleased with the purchase, since it was a super cut-rate price and I personally LIKED the utensils that everyone else has scoffed at. My disappointment started with the dutch oven, when 1st time out of the plastic wrap and it's one time use boiling crabs, one of the handles snapped in half. Poor quality, poor inspecting, poor testing on this cookware? I will leave that up to the discriminating buyer. My thought is that for a family that does not cook a great deal or for myself, a single fellow, it is not bad cookware, but there are some disappointments that should not be experienced by any of us. The handle on a new piece of cookware breaking first time out should be on that list!

I bought this set offered in my Gold Box with the assumption that might be pretty good, but without any great expectations. No one, after all would sell a cooking set valued at over $200 for only $33 with free shipping. The MSRP as stated is silly.

My purpose for buying this set was to use it for a second home that I visit occasionally. For this purpose, it is a good enough value at the price paid with free shipping. Otherwise, do not be misled by the Suggested Retail Price. It is worth every penny of $33 though.

Read the other reviews of the workmanship. I concur with them generally. The lids fit inaccurately, but adequatley. The Steel is thin, especially in the mixing/storage bowls. The utensils are stamped out of relatively thin steel, and the handles are hollow, allowing water to get inside. Further, there are small, but inconsequential scratches and mars on the bottoms of the pans.

What I DO like is that the saute and frying pans are also of steel, with the heat-sink bottom, and coated with teflon (or the chinese equivalent). I have shied away from cooking in aluminum, so this is a definite plus.

Summary: For a first set, or as a set for a cabin or second home, this is really pretty good. Just don't pay alot, and don't pay for shipping, and don't bother showing it off if the Queen of England should stop by for tea!

My largest lid was dented like many have said, I was offered a $10 rebate or ship the whole thing back for replacement. It's the packing that's shoddy, anyone experienced with shipping knows you don't pack to the edges of the box, in this setup all space is used within the box and the only thing saving damage to the cookware is the cardboard, bubble wrap and foam paper that was used. However for the cost, that is expected, shipping materials are not cheap.

I also have lids that get water (and soap) trapped under the handles. I am going to try RTV silicone they use in aquariums to fix. ***UPDATE*** I was going to do the silicone (cheap for $3), but I saw a newer set with the same style lid handles....the difference was it had four semi-circular cuts made around the bezel that traps the water, so I got out my small round dremel tool (about 3/16"-1/4") and did four cuts about 1/16"-1/8" high...perfect solution!!!!! Water just runs out no matter how it's placed in the drainboard. She's PERFECTLY happy now with them!

It's still a great value. A stainless steel set vs aluminum...you really can't go wrong...the closest comparing product was of course about twice the weight and about 5x the price ($250)...same 18/10 construction only had rolled lips and about double the thickness on the pots.

We use the mixing bowls for food storage so they work nice, another plus is they all fit together so the only shelf space you need is for the largest bowl. We bought this set because we didn't have the space (right now) a larger set would require.

We are happy with this set now with the slight modification.

It's a great value, but not a outstanding set of cookware. It's the perfect starter and a better alternative to aluminum. We will be upgrading as exception values come along on heavier and better quality cookware. If price range and cooking use were the only criteria I'd have given it a 5 star rating, but we still want a nice set of All-Clad eventually :)

These pots & pans are ideal if you cook often but not with chef-level skill -- if you're a single guy or a young couple. Yes, water gets under the lid knobs (I'm trusting that won't cause problems down the line), and yes, some of the workmanship (particularly the utensils) is chintzy. (In fact I'd never use these steel utensils on a non-stick surface -- why cause a scratch, when you can buy a plastic spatula at the grocery store for $3?) But the bottom line is, if I'd paid $250 for this set, I'd feel robbed -- while at $35, it's a steal, and I'm happy.

This is an exceptional value for a set of everyday cookware, you cannot beat the price. The pans are sturdy with vented glass lids, the mixing bowl set is nice and the utensils with
holder are an added bonus. Some of the utensils aren't very practical but considering the value of the pots and bowls, even if you don't use most of the utensils (the ladle is too shallow)
you can't go wrong with this set.

First off, I don't claim to be a world class chef, but as
someone who does a lot of cooking I found this set to be a
very good value. Everything arrived in good shape, and I've
been using the pots and pans for a month now and they still
look and work fine. I especially like the glass lids for the
pots.

Kudos to Amazon for getting me the cookware before Thanksgiving. This purchase was amazing. The shipping was great and none of my pots or pans had any dents like previous raters. Folks I am in Culinary school and I was so impress with this cookware. I have spent over 300.00 on pots and pans alone and this set for this price was excellent. My mother plans on purchasing a set and hopefully a few of my classmates also. This purchase is the best shopping experience I have had all year.