Kitchen Fair Cookware Reviews & Guide
Are you looking to upgrade your cookware but don’t know where to start? Kitchen Fair offers high-quality pots and pans to fit a range of cooking needs. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore Kitchen Fair’s collections, features, and top-rated products. You’ll also find pros and cons, reviews, top recommendations, and comparisons to alternatives from All-Clad, Le Creuset, and more.
Our goal is to provide everything you need to decide if Kitchen Fair’s durable, beautiful cookware is the right choice for your kitchen. Let’s dive in!
An Overview of Kitchen Fair and Their Cookware Collections
Based in the USA, Kitchen Fair has been crafting exceptional cookware since the 1960s. Their products offer thoughtful designs and robust construction for home cooks looking for cookware that can keep up with daily use.
Kitchen Fair’s collections include:
- Stainless Steel – With an aluminum core for excellent heat conduction and distribution. Durable stainless steel interiors resist staining. Dishwasher safe.
- Nonstick – Reinforced nonstick coating provides effortless food release. Hard anodized aluminum bodies. Dishwasher safe.
- Ceramic – Features a PFOA-free ceramic coating. Suitable for all cooktops including induction. Some variations are oven safe.
- Cast Iron – Pre-seasoned and ready to use. Superior heat retention and searing. Great for braising, pan frying, baking.
- Copper – Offer excellent temperature control and responsiveness. Stainless steel lined interiors. Prized for their beauty and performance.
- Enameled Cast Iron – Vibrant enameled exterior. Retains and distributes heat evenly. Ideal for slow braising, roasting. Broiler and oven safe.
Within each line, you’ll find skillets, saucepans, stockpots, sauté pans, and more, available in various sizes. Starter sets are an affordable way to outfit your kitchen with the essential pieces. Individual replacements let you expand your collection over time.
Key Features and Benefits of Kitchen Fair Cookware
From heat mastery to ease of use, Kitchen Fair’s designs offer advantages for all types of home cooking:
- Cooking Surfaces – Kitchen Fair meticulously crafts cooking surfaces tailored to each material’s strengths. Stainless steel and cast iron receive polished finishes that gradually improve with seasoning over time. Nonstick coatings deliver effortless release for low fat cooking. And copper and enameled surfaces provide responsive, even heating.
- Handles & Lids – Secure riveted handles stay cool on stovetops. Lid knobs are shaped for easy gripping with oven mitts. Vented lids allow steam to escape.
- Oven & Broiler Safety – Many Kitchen Fair pans transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven for unified cooking. Stainless steel, cast iron, and enameled pieces can withstand the high heat of broilers.
- Dishwasher Safe – Except for copper, all Kitchen Fair cookware can be cleaned in the dishwasher for added convenience. This makes daily upkeep easy.
- Innovative Designs – Kitchen Fair pioneered the use of three-layer construction in their stainless steel cookware for superior heat control. Nonstick skillets feature a unique triangular cooking surface to promote better browning.
- Extra Touches – From measurement markings stamped into stainless steel cookware to pour spouts on saucepans, Kitchen Fair includes useful accents not always found on competitors’ products.
Thoughtful designs yield versatile, high-performing cookware suited to all cooking methods. For example, fry pans have gently sloped sides great for tossing foods. Saucepots pour cleanly from the lipless rims. And stockpots excel for simmering soups and stews.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Kitchen Fair Cookware
Kitchen Fair pots and pans offer many advantages along with some downsides to consider:
Pros
- Durability – All-metal construction and resilient finishes withstand daily cooking and cleaning. Items last for years with proper care.
- Even Heating – Aluminum and copper cores foster excellent heat conduction. Stainless steel and cast iron also cook evenly once warmed.
- Easy to Clean – Polished cooking surfaces resist staining and food sticking. Most lines are dishwasher safe for quick cleanup.
- Good Looks – Beautiful exteriors in gleaming metal or rich colors. Many collections match any kitchen decor.
Cons
- Price – Quality materials and construction come at a cost. Kitchen Fair sets are an investment, especially for premium pieces like copper.
- Weight – Heavier pans take more effort to maneuver and could be difficult for some users to handle.
- Special Care – Copper and seasoned cast iron require gentler hand washing and other care considerations.
While the higher prices keep Kitchen Fair from being an impulse buy, their cookware should provide many years of pleasurable, reliable performance when properly maintained.
Reviews and Customer Opinions on Kitchen Fair Cookware
Kitchen Fair earns overwhelmingly positive reviews for their impeccable craftsmanship and versatility:
The stainless steel line garners rave reviews for its triple-ply construction that rivals more expensive brands. Owners find it distributes heat beautifully for consistent cooking results across their Kitchen Fair stainless collection.
Nonstick skillets and pots rank among the best available for their reinforced coatings that far outlast cheap nonstick. Food slides right off with little to no oil needed.
Ceramic cookware provides excellent nonstick release and scratch resistance in an environmentally-friendly package. Users comment on the eye-catching colors.
Cast iron pans draw praise for their natural nonstick seasoning and suitability for high heat searing and browning. Many rely on Kitchen Fair enamelled cast iron for everything from weekday meals to holiday roasting.
The copper line elicits reactions approaching reverence from home cooks and professionals alike. Responsive temperature control makes copper a joy to cook with for sauces, finicky dishes, and more.
Some wish handles were longer on smaller pans. There are also isolated reports of quality deficiencies, but Kitchen Fair honors their lifetime warranty. Overall most agree Kitchen Fair cookware is worth the investment.
Our Top Picks Among Kitchen Fair Cookware
Ready to shop for Kitchen Fair pots and pans? Based on tests and customer reviews, we recommend:
Stainless Steel
- 12″ Fry Pan – This large frying pan provides ample room for cooking larger quantities of meats, vegetables, or other ingredients. The tri-ply construction ensures even heating across the bottom and up the gently sloped sides for effortless tossing and flipping. It’s the perfect size for whipping up big weekend breakfasts too.
- 3 Qt Saucepan with Lid – Having a mid-sized saucepan like this 3 quart model allows you to boil eggs, cook smaller amounts of vegetables or grains, simmer sauces, and more. The included lid traps in heat and moisture. The pour spouts on either side make it easy to drain off excess liquid without spilling. It’s a saucepan size you’ll reach for multiple times per week.
- 8 Qt Stockpot – When it’s time to make big batches of soups, stews, chili, pasta, or stock, this spacious 8 quart stockpot fits the bill. The tall straight sides give you plenty of room for ingredients to simmer while the tri-ply construction distributes heat gently and evenly. The lid helps lock in heat and moisture. Two sturdy handles make transferring around the kitchen a breeze.
- 10 Piece Set – Kitchen Fair’s 10 piece stainless set provides the essential pots and pans for most home cooks. You get 1.5qt and 3qt saucepans, an 8qt stockpot, a 10″ skillet, and two glass lids to fit the saucepans. This covers all the basics from boiling and simmering to frying. It’s the ideal starter set for outfitting your kitchen with Kitchen Fair’s stellar stainless steel cookware.
Nonstick
- 10″ Nonstick Fry Pan – A 10″ nonstick skillet can tackle everything from eggs and pancakes to meats, veggies, and more. The reinforced coating provides smooth food release without extra oil or butter needed. The slope sides make tossing and flipping easy while the riveted handle stays cool. This workhorse pan will be your go-to for daily nonstick cooking.
- 3 Qt Nonstick Saucepan – Having a mid-size nonstick saucepan opens up delicate cooking tasks like simmering tomato sauce or milk-based dishes that can scorch on stainless steel. It’s also perfect for boiling pasta – the nonstick surface won’t hold onto starch. The included tempered glass lid contains splatters. Handy pour spouts allow for drip-free pouring.
- 7 Piece Nonstick Set – Kitchen Fair’s 7 piece nonstick set outfits your kitchen with all the essentials. You get 8″ and 10″ fry pans, 1.5qt and 3qt saucepans with lids, and a plastic turner. This provides nonstick versatility for everything from eggs to pasta and more. It’s the ideal way to add Kitchen Fair’s durable nonstick cookware to your kitchen.
Ceramic
- 11″ Ceramic Fry Pan – A generously sized 11″ ceramic skillet allows ample room for cooking meats, vegetables, or batches of pancakes and eggs. The eco-friendly ceramic coating delivers smooth food release so ingredients slide right off. The exterior enamel finishes come in vibrant colors to brighten your stovetop.
- 5 Qt Ceramic Dutch Oven – This spacious 5 quart ceramic Dutch oven gives you ample capacity for simmering chilis, stews, braising meats, and even baking bread. The slick ceramic interior makes cleanup a breeze while the enameled exterior adds a pop of color. Great for taking a dish from stovetop to oven in a single pan.
Cast Iron
- 10″ Cast Iron Skillet – You’ll want a 10″ cast iron skillet handy for steaks, burgers, chicken pieces, and anything else that benefits from high heat searing. The heat retention of cast iron creates the coveted crispy crust. As the natural seasoning improves over time, this pan will just get better. It’s built to last decades.
- 5 Qt Enameled Dutch Oven – Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens like this 5 quart model are ideal for braising, simmering, and roasting. From coq au vin to beef stew to roasted chicken, the enameled cast iron provides even gentle heat distribution. Vibrant enameled colors add flair while the interior seasoning prevents sticking. The lid locks in moisture so food turns out incredibly tender.
Copper
- 2 Qt Copper Saucepan – Having a smaller 2 quart copper saucepan on hand lets you take advantage of copper’s superior responsiveness and temperature control for things like finicky sauces or sticky candy mixtures. The stainless steel interior resists reactivity while the copper core gives you precision heating. A must for serious cooks.
- 7 Qt Copper Stockpot – This expansive 7 quart copper stockpot handles big batch canning, stocks, deep frying, and more. The tall straight sides prevent bubbles from boiling over while the copper core provides rapid yet even heating. The size also gives plenty of clearance for immersion blenders. A pot you’ll be grateful to have when tackling large-scale recipes.
These pieces earn top marks in tests and owner reviews for their durability, ease of use, and versatility for everyday cooking tasks.
Alternatives to Kitchen Fair Cookware
Kitchen Fair competes with other premium cookware brands. Here’s how they compare:
All-Clad is renowned for its professional-grade, American made stainless steel cookware constructed with a core of either aluminum or copper. It matches Kitchen Fair’s quality but demands an even higher price.
Le Creuset pioneered colorfully enameled cast iron cookware. Their Dutch ovens are beloved heirlooms. Le Creuset enameled pieces cost significantly more than Kitchen Fair’s.
Cuisinart offers capable stainless steel cookware at lower prices than Kitchen Fair targeting amateur home cooks on a budget. Their nonstick lineup also provides a more affordable alternative.
Tramontina focuses on providing commercial-level stainless steel cookware at consumer-friendly prices. Their products equal All-Clad tri-ply performance for far less.
T-fal specializes in inexpensive but capable nonstick cookware perfect for outfitting a kitchen on a tight budget. Their pots and pans lack the sophistication of Kitchen Fair.
While not inexpensive, Kitchen Fair products lie within reach of dedicated home cooks that appreciate quality materials and designs that improve the cooking experience. Their collections offer a step up from mainstream brands without the shocking price tags of luxury names.
Where to Buy Kitchen Fair Cookware?
Kitchen Fair sells through retailers nationwide:
- Sur La Table – Offers an extensive selection including exclusive colors and sets. Frequent sales and promotions.
- Bed Bath & Beyond – Stocks core Kitchen Fair items year-round. Coupons can help offset costs.
- Crate & Barrel – Carries popular Kitchen Fair fry pans, pots, and stainless sets. Provides wedding registries.
- Williams-Sonoma – Upscale ambiance. Knowledgeable staff offers product demos.
- Kitchen Fair – Purchase directly from the manufacturer. Offers exclusive special editions.
Check retailer sites for product availability, pricing, and promotions. Sign up for newsletters to receive advance notice of sales. The holiday season sees impressive discounts on Kitchen Fair cookware, making it a great time to invest in pieces for yourself or as gifts.
Find the Best Kitchen Fair Cookware for You
In summary, Kitchen Fair offers exceptional performance and quality for cooks that appreciate well-designed cookware made to last. Their diverse collections provide polished stainless steel, slick nonstick, vibrant enameled cast iron, responsive copper, and more.
Thoughtful designs result in cookware suited for all cooking methods. While pricing sits above entry-level brands, Kitchen Fair pots and pans deliver durability and cooking advantages to justify the investment.
We hope our guide gives you the information needed to decide if Kitchen Fair is right for your cooking needs. Let us know if you have any other questions as you shop for your ideal cookware.