Are you tired of mismatched pots and pans cluttering your kitchen cabinets?
Does it take forever to find the pan you’re looking for because your kitchen is so disorganized?
Does your cookware cabinet look something like this?
Whether you have a massive chef’s kitchen or a small galley kitchen with limited storage, a set of space-saving, stackable cookware will help you stay organized, find what you’re looking for quickly, and maximize your cabinet space.
In this article, I provide in-depth reviews of the 5 best space-saving, stackable cookware sets you can buy (both non-stick and stainless steel).
I cover everything you need to know about each set, including:
- What pieces are included
- Materials & Construction
- Design
- Cooking performance
- Price
- Pros and cons
- And much more.
You’ll learn exactly why each of these sets made this list and how they compare to each other. By the end, you’ll have all the important information you need to decide which one is best for you.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Use the links below to navigate the article.
- Best Space-Saving & Stackable Cookware: Quick Summary
- Side-By-Side Comparison Chart
- Best Stainless Steel: Calphalon Premier Stainless
- Best Non-Stick: Calphalon Premier Space Saving
- Best Low-Cost: Select by Calphalon Space Saving
- Best for RVs, Camping, and Boating: Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel
- Best With Removable Handles: T-fal Ingenio
- Final Thoughts: Which Space-Saving and Stackable Cookware Should You Choose?
Best Space-Saving & Stackable Cookware: Quick Summary
What makes a great set of space-saving, stackable cookware?
First, it needs to be easily stackable, compact, and require minimal storage space.
But, there’s so much more than that.
A great set of space-saving, stackable cookware:
- is made with high-quality materials
- conducts heat fast and evenly
- will last a long time
- has a beautiful and functional design
- is priced fairly
- includes all the specific pots and pans you need
The sets I feature in this article have all these characteristics and more.
If you only have a minute and you’re trying to understand which stackable cookware set is best for you quickly, here’s what you need to know.
- Best Stainless Steel: Calphalon Premier Stainless (see on Amazon)
- Pros: Designed specifically for compact storage, fast and even heating, long-lasting durability.
- Cons: Heavy, limited options (only one set is available).
- Jump to full detailed review.
- Best Non-Stick: Calphalon Premier Space Saving (see on Amazon).
- Pros: Durable due to hard-anodized construction and triple layer non-stick coating, easy to stack and store due to interlocking grooves.
- Cons: Handles get hot, vertical storage space is required, difficult to clean around the rivets and interlocking grooves, heavy.
- Jump to full detailed review.
- Best Low-Cost: Select by Calphalon Space Saving (see on Calphalon.com)
- Pros: Affordable, durable, easy to stack (same interlocking grooves as Calphalon Premier).
- Cons: Handles get hot, difficult to clean around rivets/grooves, no nob handle on the lids makes it difficult to open/close.
- Jump to full detailed review.
- Best for RVs, Camping, and Boating: Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel (see on Amazon)
- Pros: Affordable, only requires .5 ft3 of storage space, stacks and stores neatly, durable, fast and even heating.
- Cons: Food sticks to the cooking surface, bonded-base only (no conductive material up the sides).
- Jump to full detailed review.
- Best With Removable Handles: T-fal Ingenio (see on Amazon)
- Pros: Attach and detach handle with one hand and one click, pieces nest neatly, and require minimal storage space, affordable.
- Cons: Rims get scratched and damaged from the removable handle.
- Jump to full detailed review.
Best Stackable Cookware: Comparison Chart
The chart below provides a quick comparison of the best stackable cookware options.
Swipe or scroll to view the entire chart.
| Best Stainless Steel | Best Non-Stick | Best Low-Cost | Best for RVs, Camping, and Boating | Best With Removable Handles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Calphalon Premier (Stainless Steel) | Calphalon Premier (Non-Stick) | Select by Calphalon Space Saving | Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel | T-fal Ingenio |
| Where It’s Made | China | China | China | U.S.A. | France |
| Exterior Material | Stainless Steel | Heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum | Heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum | Magnetic stainless steel | Aluminum |
| Core Material | Aluminum | Hard-anodized aluminum throughout | Hard-anodized aluminum throughout | Aluminum (bonded-base) | Aluminum throughout |
| Cooking Surface | Stainless Steel | MineralShield (non-stick coating) | AquaShield (non-stick coating) | 18/10 stainless steel | Non-stick (PTFE) reinforced with titanium |
| Handles | Stainless steel, riveted | Stainless steel, riveted | Stainless steel, riveted with silicone grip | Heavy-duty synthetic | Bakelite (synthetic) |
| Lids | Stainless Steel | Tempered glass | Tempered glass | Steel | Glass |
| Oven-Safe Temperature (F) | 450 | 450 | 400 | 500 | 500 |
| Compatible with Induction | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unique Feature | Flat glass covers and interlocking grooves | Interlocking grooves, triple-layered cooking surface | Interlocking grooves, low cost | Requires minimal storage space | Removable handle |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
Best Stainless Steel: Calphalon Premier Stainless
The best space-saving, stackable stainless steel cookware is the Calphalon Premier Stainless collection (see on Amazon).
When it comes to stainless steel cookware, Calphalon is one of the most trusted brands. Their cookware is fully-clad, ultra-durable, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
The Calphalon Premier Stainless collection features tri-ply construction, similar to All-Clad and other premium brands, but it comes with unique features that make it stackable. Most notably, the lids are flat for easy stacking, and the handles have interlocking grooves so the pots and pans won’t spin as you stack.
Quick Facts About Calphalon Premier Stainless
What’s Included:
Calphalon Premier Stainless is only available as a 10-piece set. The set comes with the following:
- 8-Inch Fry Pan
- 10-Inch Fry Pan
- 2.5-Quart Sauce Pan with Cover
- 3.5-Quart Sauce Pan with Cover
- 3-Quart Saute Pan with Cover
- 6-Quart Stock Pot with Cover
This set is available on Amazon and Calphalon.com.
Materials & Construction:
Calphalon Premier cookware is constructed with three bonded layers. The cooking surface is made of 18/10 stainless steel for superior durability, the core layer is made of heat-conductive aluminum, and the exterior layer is made of magnetic steel exterior, making it compatible with induction cooktops.
This type of layered construction is called cladding, a process initially used for making coins but was first applied to cookware in the 1970s by All-Clad’s founder, John Ulam.
Design:
Calphalon Premier Stainless cookware has a brushed exterior, straight rims, and long stay-cool handles that are slightly curved and attached to the base with steel rivets.
The design is elegant, functional, and fits with any kitchen style.
The best part — the pieces are designed to stack neatly on each other, allowing you to store the entire set in small spaces.
Cooking Performance:
The best part of Calphalon cookware, inducing this collection, is its cooking performance.
It heats up fast and distributes heat evenly, which means your food cooks evenly. It responds quickly to changes in temperature, which gives you precise control over the cooking process.
It’s oven and broiler-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, dishwasher-safe (although I recommend hand-washing), and compatible with induction cooktops.
Price:
Calphalon is not the most expensive cookware brand, but it’s not the cheapest either.
Expect to pay less than brands like All-Clad, Demeyere, and Hestan but more than brands like Cuisinart and T-Fal.
The actual price depends on the set and where you buy it. It’s available in stores like Macy’s and online on Amazon, where you can read more reviews and check out the current price.
The Pros: What I Love About This Set
If you’ve read my other Calphalon cookware reviews, you know that I’m a fan of the brand. The cooking performance, durability, and design are well done.
The Premier stainless collection has all the excellent characteristics that Calphalon has become known for, plus it’s designed to save space and help you stay organized in the kitchen.
Here’s what I love most about Calphalon Premier Stainless:
It stacks neater than most stainless steel cookware. Some brands claim their stainless steel pots and pans are stackable, but few come with specific stacking features. This set has unique flat glass lids with long handles (no lid knob), so each piece sits evenly on top of the one below. Plus, the interlocking groove under the handles keeps each piece perfectly aligned.
It performs better than the competition. Due to its fully-clad construction, it heats up faster and more evenly than most and retains heat for long periods. It’s also incredibly versatile. You can use it on the stove, in the oven, under the broiler, and even on induction cooktops.
The Cons: What Could Be Better
Despite all my praises, Calphalon Premier Stainless cookware has a few downsides.
It’s bulky. Due to the thick handles and interlocking grooves, this cookware is heavy and difficult to move. If you prefer lightweight cookware, skip this set.
There’s only one option. The 10-piece set is the only product available in this set. So if you only need a few pots and pans or want to customize your set by purchasing individual pieces, you’re out of luck.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy This Set?
If you’re looking for high-quality stainless steel cookware that you can easily stack and store in a small space, the Calphalon Premier Stainless collection is the best option available.
The pots and pans are heavier than most, and it only comes as one 10-piece set, but it makes stacking your cookware simple and easy. With this set, you really do save space (30%, according to Calphalon).
It’ll cost you more than other options, like the Cuisinart Smart Nest Collection, but I believe it’s worth the higher price when you consider you’ll be using it for the rest of your life.
Bottom line — the Calphalon Premier Stainless collection has everything you want in premium stainless steel cookware that stacks up and stores neatly.
You can read more reviews and check out the price of this set on Amazon.
If you want to learn more about Calphalon, we’ve published several reviews of their other collections and compared them directly to their biggest competitors, including All-Clad, Made In, and Cuisinart.
Best Non-Stick: Calphalon Premier Space Saving
If you’re looking for space-saving, stackable cookware that’s easy to cook with, easy to clean, and costs significantly less than stainless steel, the best option on the market is the Calphalon Premier Space Saving Hard Anodized Non-Stick collection (see on Amazon).
And yes, this is the same design as the collection I just covered, but the materials are different.
Calphalon was founded in Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1963 and, their claim to fame is that they were the first company to bring hard-anodized aluminum to the cookware market.
Over the past several decades, they have become known for their wide variety of both non-stick and stainless steel cookware collections and, today, they’re one of the biggest cookware brands in the world.
Although Calphalon has cookware offerings, Premier is undoubtedly their most-popular stackable non-stick collection.
There are many things to love about this collection, but the best part is that it’s designed with special interlocking groves and flat lids so you can stack and store it without worrying about pieces sliding around and banging into each other.
Quick Facts About Calphalon Premier Space Saving
What’s included:
You can buy Calphalon Premier cookware as a 3, 6, 8, or 10-piece set. They also offer 20 individual pieces that you can add on to any of their sets.
Here’s what’s included in the pre-selected sets.
Calphalon Premier 3-Piece Set: 12-inch fry pan, 5-quart sauteuse (with lid).
Calphalon Premier 3-Piece Set: 8-inch fry Pan, 2.5-quart Chefs Pan (with lid).
Supper Club Set: 4-quart Chef’s Pan, 8-quart stockpot (with lid), 5-quart sauteuse (with lid).
Calphalon Premier 6-Piece Set: 8-inch fry pan, 3.5-quart pour & strain saucepan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart saute pan (with lid)
Calphalon Premier 8-Piece Set: 8-inch fry Pan, 2.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 3.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 6-quart stockpot (with lid).
Calphalon Premier 10-Piece Set: 8-inch fry pan, 2.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 3.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart saute pan (with lid), 6-quart stockpot (with lid).
You can read more reviews and check out the prices of each set within the Calphalon Premier collection on Amazon.
Materials & Construction:
Calphalon Premier cookware is made with heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum and 3-layers of PTOA-free non-stick coating.
Aluminum becomes hard-anodized when it’s treated through an electrolytic process that thickens its exterior layer and creates a super-durable, scratch and corrosion-resistant surface.
Most cookware only has one layer of non-stick coating, which quickly becomes scratched, wears down, and needs to be replaced.
Since Calphalon uses 3 layers, their cookware is scratch-resistant, even if you use metal utensils, and lasts significantly longer.
Design:
Calphalon Premier cookware has a dark gray exterior, a smooth black cooking surface, and sturdy riveted stainless steel handles.
The design elements that make this cookware special are its flat glass lids and its special locking grooves.
The flat lids allow you to stack each piece without any tipping, and the locking grooves hold the stack in place.
Cooking Performance:
As far as non-stick cookware goes, there are few collections, stackable or not, that cook better than Calphalon Premier.
Its hard-anodized aluminum construction distributes heat evenly, so you never have to worry about hot spots.
Since it has 3-layers of non-stick coating, your eggs will never stick, and you can cook with metal utensils without causing damage.
It’s oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s safe to clean in the dishwasher, although given how easily food releases from the cooking surface, it’s just as easy to hand wash.
Price:
This isn’t the cheapest non-stick cookware you can buy, but it’s certainly not the most expensive either.
Calphalon is a mid to high-end brand that will outlast the average non-stick cookware lifespan, and because of that, you’ll pay a little more.
You can check out the current pricing of each Calphalon Premier set on Amazon.
The Pros: What I Love About This Set
There are two things that I love most about this cookware; it’s ultra-durable, and it’s extremely easy to stack and store.
Most non-stick cookware isn’t known for its durability, but Calphalon is an exception.
They invented the use of hard-anodized aluminum, and, over the years, they’ve perfected the craft.
You can buy a cheap set from a department store, but more than likely, it will become scratched, and the cooking surface will wear down within a few years.
Since this set has 3 layers of non-stick coating, it has about three times the lifespan.
Also, it’s made with heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum.
The difference between heavy-gauge and regular hard-anodized aluminum is the thickness. Calphalon Premier cookware is thicker, heavy, and less likely to warp.
Most people reading this article have a lack of storage space in their kitchen and need a solution.
If that’s the case for you, this might be the best set.
Each piece has the same diameter, which means they stack almost perfectly vertical and take up minimal space side-to-side.
The special interlocking grooves keep the stack secured and prevent the bottom of each piece from sitting on the cooking surface of the piece below it. These grooves eliminate the chances of pieces sliding around and scratching each other.
The Cons: What Could Be Better
Like any other product, there’s always room for improvement.
These are the most common complaints about Calphalon Premier non-stick cookware.
Hot Handles: Although Claphalon advertises that their handles will “stay cool while cooking,” several customers complain that the handles get extremely hot, even on the stove.
Vertical Space Is Required: Since each piece rests on the groove of the piece below it rather than on the cooking surface, this collection requires ample vertical space. If your cabinets are wider than they are tall, you might have to break the set into two stacks.
Difficult to Clean: The cooking surface is easy to clean, food slides right off. However, food tends to get stuck on the steel rivets that connect the handle to the pan and the steel interlocking grooves that make this cookware so easy to stack.
Too Heavy: This cookware is thick, durable, and sturdy. The downside of thick material is that it’s heavy. Customers complain that it’s too heavy and difficult to maneuver. To give you an idea, the 10-piece set weighs just under 22 pounds, and the 15-piece set weighs just under 55 pounds.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy This Set?
If you have limited storage in your kitchen and you’re looking for a set of non-stick, ultra-durable, even heating, space-saving, and easily stackable cookware, Calphalon Premier is the collection for you.
I love the interlocking grooves, flat lids, and how each set is organized by the diameter of the pieces. It makes storing simple and retrieving the pieces you need safe and easy.
You never have to worry about a pot or pan sliding and scratching the cooking surface of the one beneath it.
There are two types of shoppers when it comes to non-stick cookware.
The ones that buy the cheapest option knowing they’ll need to replace it in a few years and the ones that are willing to pay a little extra for superior performance and long-lasting durability.
If you fall into the second group, you should strongly consider picking up a set of Calphalon Premier cookware.
Check out Calphalon Premier Non-Stick cookware on Amazon or read my in-depth Calphalon Premier review to learn more.
Best Low-Cost: Select by Calphalon Space Saving
Select by Calphalon Space Saving Non-Stick (see on Calphalon.com) is the best low-cost space-saving and stackable cookware because it’s made with high-quality materials, it’s durable, cooks evenly, stacks safely and easily, and requires very little storage space.
Most importantly, this cookware doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. In fact, it’s priced very reasonably.
The most significant differences between Select by Calphalon Space Saving and Calphalon Premier Space Saving is their construction, price, and oven-safe temperature.
Select by Calphalon is made with medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum, which is less thick than Premier’s heavy-gauge. It also only has two layers of non-stick coating instead of three.
Select has silicone wrapped handles which can only withstand up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven. The handles on Premier cookware are pure steel and are oven-safe up to 450 degrees.
Lastly, Select by Calphalon is significantly cheaper than Calphalon Premier. You can compare pricings by checking out Premier on Amazon and Select on Calphalon.com.
See Select by Calphalon Space Saving cookware in action in this quick video.
Quick Facts About Select by Calphalon Space Saving
What’s Included:
You can buy Select by Calphalon Space Saving cookware as a 2, 3, 5, 9, 11, or 14-piece set.
They also offer a few individual pieces (10-inch fry pan, 3.5-quart saucepan, and 6-quart stock pot) that you can add to any set.
Here’s are the pieces that are included in each set.
Select by Calphalon 2-Piece Set: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan.
Select by Calphalon 3-Piece Set: 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauté pan (with lid).
Select by Calphalon 5-Piece Set (Pasta Cookware): 3-quart sauté pan, 6-quart stockpot (with lid), pasta fork, solid spoon.
Select by Calphalon 9-Piece Set: 8-inch fry pan, 2.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 3-quart sauté Pan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 4-quart chef’s pan, 5-quart dutch oven (with lid).
Select by Calphalon 11-Piece Set: 8-inch fry pan, 2.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauté pan (with lid), 5-quart dutch oven (with lid), 3-piece utensil set (solid spoon, slotted spoon, solid turner).
Select by Calphalon 14-Piece Set: 2.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 3.5-quart saucepan (with lid), 10-inch fry pan, 3-quart sauté pan (with lid), 5-quart Dutch oven (with lid), 5-piece utensil set ( solid spoon, slotted spoon, solid turner, pasta fork, tongs).
The 9-piece set is the only one available on Amazon, but you can check out the others on Calphalon.com.
Materials & Construction:
Select by Calphalon Space Saving cookware is made with medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum and 2-layers of PTOA-free non-stick coating.
Its handles are steel with silicone grip for comfort and to prevent slipping.
Design:
Like the Calphalon Premier collection, Select by Calphalon cookware is thoughtfully designed with both functional and elegant features.
The dark gray exterior and smooth, shiny non-stick surfaces contrast well with its steel handles that are wrapped with black silicon for extra grip.
It features special steel grooves beneath the handle and on the side opposite the handle that interlock to hold each piece in place when it’s stacked.
It comes with flat glass lids that provide cooking and storage benefits; you can monitor your meal through the glass and, when you’re done cooking, the lids nest perfectly within the stack.
Cooking Performance:
Select by Calphalon cookware is made with the same hard-anodized aluminum and non-stick coating as Calphalon Premier; therefore, it conducts heat evenly, and food never sticks.
However, Select by Calphalon is made with medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum, which is not quite as thick as heavy-gauge. Since it’s not as thick, it won’t retain heat as long.
Also, Select by Claphlaon is made with only 2 layers of non-stick coating instead of three like Premier. Having one less layer means the cooking surface will scratch and wear down faster.
Calphalon claims that metal utensils are okay to use, but I would stick to soften materials like rubber and plastic.
It’s oven-safe up to 400 degrees (50 degrees less than Calphalon Premier) and dishwasher safe.
Price:
Although Calphalon Premier may be thicker and have more layers of non-stick coating, Select by Calphalon is the clear winner when it comes to price.
It’s not the cheapest non-stick cookware you can buy, but if you’re looking for quality, space-saving cookware from a well-respected brand, this is the best low-cost option.
Check the current price on Calphalon.com.
The Pros: What I Love About This Set
There are so many things to love about Select by Calphalon Space Saving cookware, but these are the things that stand out the most.
Low-Cost: Number one—it’s affordable. Nobody wants to spend more than they must on cookware, especially non-stick cookware that, no matter how much it costs, won’t last forever. With Select by Calphalon, you get high-quality cookware for a lower price.
Durable: Similar to the Calphalon Premier collection, this cookware is durable. When you pick it up, you can feel it.
It’s heavy, thick (not as thick as Premier), and sturdy. It’s not going to dent, chip, or warp (unless you abuse it: see our article on Why Pans Warp).
Most non-stick cookware has only 1 layer of non-stick coating, but this collection has 2. Because of this, it’s less likely to scratch, and the non-stick cooking surface will remain effective for longer than average. The best part, it comes with a 10-year warranty.
Easy to Stack: In my opinion, the best part of this cookware is how easy it is to stack. Not only do the pieces stack neatly on top of each other, but the interlocking grove aligns each piece so they won’t move. It also aligns all the handles so that they take up the least amount of space.
The Cons: What Could Be Better
It’s hard to find many complaints about this cookware, but here’s what the few consumers that complain had to say.
Similar to Calphalon Premier customers, the most common complaints are that the handles get hot, and it’s difficult to clean in the nooks of the interlocking grooves and around the steel rivets that connect the handle to the pan.
While most customers love the flat lids, some complain that they are difficult to open and close because they don’t have a handle in the middle like most lids. Instead, you have to use two hands to lift the helper handles on both sides.
Lastly, some customers complain that, unless the pan you need is on the top of the stack, it’s annoying to lift each piece to find what you need.
Unless you hang your pots and pans from hooks or have enough cabinet space to store each piece separately, this will be a problem (minor inconvenience).
Bottom Line: Should You Buy This Set?
If you’re looking for the best low-cost space-saving, stackable, non-stick cookware, the Select by Calphalon Space Saving collection is the one for you.
Calphalon is one of the best, if not the best, non-stick cookware maker in the world.
When you buy Calphalon, you know you’re getting a quality product, and this cookware is no exception.
If money is not an issue, I’d go with Calphalon Premier since it’s thicker and has an extra layer of the non-stick coating.
But, if you’re on a budget and trying to maximize value, Select by Calphalon is the way to go.
It’s available on Calphalon.com, where you can see more pictures, read more reviews, and check the current price.
Best for RVs, Camping, and Boating: Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel
If you’re the outdoorsy type and you’re looking for space-saving, stackable cookware you can take with you camping, in your RV, or on your boat, Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel cookware (see on Amazon) is the collection for you.
You may not have heard of the company Magma, but they’ve been around since the 1970s.
Their first (and still their most popular) products were grills that attach to boats. They are the world leader in boat grills and accessories.
Over the years, they’ve expanded into grills for camping, RVs, fish cleaning stations, and, of course, cookware.
Their cookware is designed with campers and boaters in mind. It stacks neatly and stores in small places, it’s compatible with all surfaces, and it’s extremely durable.
Take a closer look at this collection in this quick video.
Quick Facts About Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel
What’s Included:
You can buy Magma Nesting Stainless Steel cookware as a 7 or 10-piece set.
Here’s are the pieces that are included in each set.
Magma Nesting Stainless Steel 7-Piece Set (see on Amazon): 2-quart saucepan, 5-quart stockpot, 10-inch skillet/fry pan, skillet/stockpot lid, universal saucepan lid, removable handle (1), bungee securing cord.
Magma Nesting Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set (see on Amazon): 1.5-quart saucepan, 2-quart saucepan, 3-quart saucepan, 5-quart stockpot, 10-inch skillet/fry pan, skillet/stockpot lid, universal saucepan lid, removable handle (2), bungee securing cord.
Materials & Construction:
Similar to premium cookware like All-Clad, the cooking surface of Magma cookware is made of 18/10 stainless steel.
They use tri-ply (tri-clad) construction (18/10 steel, aluminum, magnetic stainless steel) for the base to achieve even heat distribution and making it compatible with induction cooktops.
Design:
This cookware is designed specifically for on-the-go use.
When nested, both the 10-piece and 7-piece sets need less than half of a cubic foot to store. Part of the reason it’s so compact is its removable handle.
The exterior surface is polished and shiny, with a somewhat large black “Magma USA” logo printed on it.
The bottom of each piece is flat, which helps it stay in place when your camper or boat is on the move.
Unlike most cookware, it comes with a bungee securing cord so you can secure the stack tightly.
Cooking Performance:
Since this cookware has a cladded base that includes a core layer of aluminum, it distributes heat quickly and evenly.
However, unlike the Calphalon Premier Stainless set, which has cladded layers throughout, this cookware does not have a heat conductive layer (aluminum) up the sides.
What does this mean for cooking performance?
It means that heating a sauce or boiling water will take slightly longer than it would with fully-cladded cookware.
Other than that, the cooking performance is fantastic. It’s compatible with all types of cooktops, including induction, it’s oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (without the handle), and it’s dishwasher safe.
Price:
Considering the value you get from this collection (durable stainless steel, tri-clad base, minimal storage footprint, removable handle, etc.), it’s very affordable.
The exact price varies depending on where you buy it, but both the 7-piece and 10-piece sets are available on Amazon, where you can see the current prices.
The Pros: What I Love About This Set
There are three things I love about this cookware. It cooks like a premium brand, it’s inexpensive, and it requires minimal storage space.
Cooking: When you buy a second set of cookware for your RV or boat, you don’t expect it to cook as well as a set designed for everyday use in the kitchen.
That’s why so many customers are surprised at how well Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel Cookware performs.
Even though it doesn’t have full-clad construction, the aluminum bonded base conducts heat fast and evenly with no hot or cold spots.
It’s thick, heavy, and feels durable (and IS durable), so you don’t have to worry about it becoming damaged on the go.
Inexpensive: Even though this is the best space-saving and stackable cookware for RVs, boating, and camping, it’s not the most expensive.
This is good news, especially since this will be a second set of cookware for most shoppers.
To see exactly how inexpensive this cookware is, you can check the current price of both the 7-piece and 10-piece sets on Amazon.
Minimal Storage Space Required: By design, this cookware is RV and boat friendly.
It’s perfect for taking with you camping.
Why?
Because the handle is removable and the pieces nest neatly on top of each other.
You can flip the sauté pan upside down to close off the stack.
The bungee cord that is included in each set secures the stack, so nothing moves in transit.
The best part—both the 7 and 10-piece sets only require half of a cubic foot of storage space.
The Cons: What Could Be Better
The most common complaint about this cookware is that food sticks to the cooking surface.
It’s funny, I’ve reviewed several different stainless steel cookware brands and the biggest complaint, by far, is that food sticks.
This is not a problem specific to Magma brand products; this is a universal problem.
Fortunately, you can minimize this issue if you learn how to cook properly with stainless steel. In short, you practically never need to cook on high heat. But if you want to learn more tips, check out my advice in this article.
If you really can’t stand scrubbing a few bits and pieces of food, you should consider buying the non-stick version of this cookware (it’s also available on Amazon).
However, the stainless steel version is more durable and will survive many more adventures than the non-stick version (which is why I consider the stainless steel version the best).
Bottom Line: Should You Buy This Set?
If you have an RV or boat and you’re looking for cookware that stacks securely, requires minimal storage space, is affordable, and cooks great, the Magma Gourmet Nesting Stainless Steel Cookware is the collection for you.
In all honesty, even though this cookware designed for cooking on-the-go, it’s an excellent set for your home too.
You can find it at stores like WalMart and Home Depot, but it’s also available on Amazon.
Best With Removable Handles: T-fal Ingenio
If storage space in your home is scarce, buying a set of stackable cookware with removable handles is a smart decision.
The best space-saving, stackable cookware with removable handles is the T-fal Ingenio collection (see on Amazon).
Tefal is a French cookware maker best known for inventing non-stick cookware back in the 1950s. That’s right; they were the first cookware maker to bond PTFE (Teflon) to the cooking surface of an aluminum pan.
In 1968 they were acquired by Groupe SEB, which is also the parent company of All-Clad (as of 2004).
Nowadays, Tefal is one of the biggest cookware companies in the world, and they market their cookware in the U.S. under the brand T-fal.
As they continued their focus on innovation over the years, they recently created a unique collection of cookware that stacks neatly with a removable handle that you can easily detach and connect to any piece within the set.
Quick Facts About T-fal Ingenio
What’s Included:
T-fal offers several varieties of cookware within the Ingenio collection, but the set that I recommend the most is the T-fal Ingenio Expertise 13-Piece set (see on Amazon).
Here are the pieces included in this set: 16 and 20-centimeter saucepans, 22 and 28-centimeter frying pans, 24-centimeter saute pan, 28-centimeter wok, 16, 20 and 24-centimeter glass lids, 16 and 20-centimeter plastic lid, and 2 removable handles.
Materials & Construction:
The base of this cookware is made from durable aluminum, and the non-stick cooking surface is coated with a special material T-fal calls Titanium Excellence.
Titanium Excellence is essentially PTFE (Teflon) reinforced with titanium to make it stronger and more resistant to damage.
T-fal claims it lasts 3 times longer than the non-stick coatings.
Design:
The unique design features are what make this cookware stand out.
First, of course, are the removable handles.
To attach or detach them, all you have to do is click a button. You can attach them to any part of the rim; you don’t need to slide them into a specific groove like you do with the Magma set I just reviewed.
Besides the obvious benefit of taking up less cabinet space, since the removable handles pop on and off so easily, they give you more room on the stove, in the oven, and in the refrigerator (when you’re storing leftovers).
The other design feature worth mentioning is T-fal’s famous Thermo-Spot® heat indicator. The Thermo-Spot Indicator is an area in the center of the frying pans that turns red to let you know the pan is hot and ready.
Necessary? Probably not. Helpful, especially for less experienced cooks? Yes.
Cooking Performance:
With its aluminum base and ultra-durable non-stick coating, you can expect excellent performance in the kitchen.
Sure, you might get faster heat transfer and longer retention with hard-anodized aluminum cookware (like Calphalon Premier, go back to review) or fully-clad stainless steel construction, but that’s not why you buy this set.
You buy this set because it’s easy and convenient. You’ll never have to worry about food sticking, the non-stick coating will last longer than most, and the set stacks and stores neatly without any long handles wasting space in your cabinet.
It’s oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s dishwasher safe, and is durable enough to handle metal utensils without scratching.
Price:
You’ll be happy to learn that this set is very affordable. Depending on where and when you shop, this might be the least expensive collection in this list. Check out this set on Amazon to see the current price.
The Pros: What I Love About This Set
If you read reviews of this set on Amazon, you quickly notice that the number one thing customers love the most about this cookware is the removable handle.
You can pop the handle off and on fast and easily with one click.
With most removable handles, you need to hold the pan with one hand while you slide and lock the handle into place with the other.
With T-fal Ingenio cookware, all it takes is one hand. This is so important because it means you can remove the handle from one pan and connect it to another while you’re cooking.
With fewer handles sticking out, you have more room on the stove, in the oven, in the refrigerator, and, of course, in the cabinet.
But, is the handle safe? What if the handle detaches by mistake while handling piping hot cookware?
Fortunately, T-fal engineered the handle to be completely safe if used properly. Laboratory tests confirm that it attaches securely and can hold up to 22 pounds (10 kg).
The Cons: What Could Be Better
If you’re looking for space-saving cookware with a removable handle, there’s not much to dislike about T-fal Ingenio.
Its cooking performance is above average, the non-stick surface is durable, and, most importantly, the removable handle saves a ton of space in your kitchen.
However, the one minor complaint that customers have is that, over time, the rim of the cookware gets scratched and damaged from clipping the handle on and off.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to avoid this. But, since the scratches are so high up the rim, it won’t have any impact on cooking. It’s just a cosmetic issue.
Bottom Line: Should You Buy This Set?
If storage space in your kitchen is hard to come by and you’re looking for a set of stackable cookware with removable handles, this is the best set you can buy.
T-fal is a trusted brand that’s been in business for decades, and this collection gets nothing but rave reviews on Amazon and other sites.
There are few other similar options on the market, like this Stansport 7-piece set on Amazon, but none have handles that attach and detach as quickly, and none are as easy to store as T-fal Ingenio.
You can find T-fal Ingenio cookware at your local department store, big-box store, or on Amazon.
Final Thoughts: Which Space-Saving and Stackable Cookware Should You Choose?
The best space-saving and stackable cookware for you entirely depends on your needs.
Are you looking for high-quality, fully-clad stainless steel cookware that will last forever and stack neatly? If so, the Calphalon Premier Stainless collection (see on Amazon) is the one for you.
Are you looking for a set of high-performing, hard-anodized aluminum, non-stick cookware that stacks up neatly, locks into place, and saves a ton of space? The very best non-stick stackable cookware is the Calphalon Premier Non-Stick collection (see on Amazon).
Are you on a budget and looking for the best non-stick stackable cookware that won’t break the bank? If so, the Select by Calphalon collection (see on Calphalon.com) is your best bet. It’s very similar to Calphalon Premier, but it’s not quite as thick and has two layers of non-stick coating instead of three.
Are you looking for a second set of cookware that performs great, requires minimal storage space, and travels well? If yes, the Magma Gourmet Nesting collection (see on Amazon) is the way to go. There’s no other brand that understands the culinary needs of RV, boating, and camping enthusiasts as well as Magma.
Is your kitchen storage situation in such dire straits that a set of stackable cookware with removable handles is necessary? If so, the T-fal Ingenio collection (see on Amazon) requires minimal storage space and will make your life much easier.
The truth is, you can’t go wrong with any of these sets. They’re all made by brands with long histories and strong reputations, and they all bring unique value to your kitchen.
Whichever set you buy, I wish you the best of luck. Happy cooking and organizing!
If you found this article helpful, you should also check out:
- The 6 Best Non-Stick Cookware Collections for Induction Cooktops
- All-Clad C4 Copper vs. Copper Core: How Do They Compare?
- All-Clad D5 vs. Copper Core: How Do They Compare?
- All-Clad HA1 vs. B1: Which All-Clad Non-Stick Collection Is Better?
- All-Clad vs. Calphalon: Non-Stick and Stainless Cookware Compared
- All-Clad vs. Cuisinart: How Does Their Cookware Compare?
- Is All-Clad Cookware Worth the High Price? An In-Depth Review
- Stainless Steel vs. Non-Stick Cookware: What’s the Difference?
- Ceramic vs. Teflon Cookware: What’s the Difference?
- Calphalon Classic vs. Contemporary: What’s the Difference?
- Is Made In Cookware Any Good? An In-Depth and Unbiased Review
- Carbon Steel vs. Stainless Steel Pans: What’s the Difference?
