I bought the Cuisinart 77-11G cookware set out of sheer desperation. My old pots and pans were a mismatched nightmare, collected from yard sales and well-meaning relatives.

Half of them had loose handles, and the other half… well, let’s just say they were more “non-stick adjacent” than actually non-stick. So when I saw this shiny stainless steel set on sale, I thought, “What the hell? How much worse could it be?”

Here’s what happened.

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First Impressions

When the Cuisinart 77-11G arrived, I felt like I was opening a time capsule from a 1950s housewife’s dream kitchen. The box was heavier than my last relationship, and just as full of promise. As I tore into it, the smell of new metal and possibility filled my nostrils. It was intoxicating, like new car smell for kitchen nerds.

The stockpot emerged first, a behemoth that could probably double as a bathtub for my neighbor’s yappy Chihuahua. Next came the saucepans, nesting like Russian dolls if Russian dolls were made of stainless steel and had the power to boil water.

The skillets slid out next, their surfaces so reflective I could see every pore on my face. Great, now my cookware was doubling as a brutal reality check. Thanks, Cuisinart.

But the real showstopper? The steamer insert. I stood there, holding it, wondering if I’d ever use it for anything other than a fancy colander. Spoiler alert: I haven’t. But it looks damn good sitting in my cupboard, judging me for my microwave vegetable habits.

Key Features

Aluminum Encapsulated Base: Fancy talk for “this shit heats up fast”. It’s like strapping a rocket to the bottom of your pan. Great for boiling water in record time, not so great when you forget it’s on and suddenly your kitchen smells like a tire fire. The even heat distribution is no joke though.

Premium Stainless Steel Cooking Surface: Translation: Hope you like seeing every mistake you’ve ever made reflected back at you. This surface is so shiny, it’s practically narcissistic. But it doesn’t just look pretty, it’s tough as nails. I’ve scraped, scrubbed, and probably cursed at these pans more times than I can count, and they still look brand new. It’s like they’re mocking my cooking skills with their eternal shininess.

Flavor Lock Lid: Sounds like something out of a sci-fi cooking show. In reality, it’s a tight-fitting lid that does a decent job of keeping moisture in. I made a risotto that didn’t turn into cement, so that’s a win in my book. Just be careful when you lift it – the steam release is like opening a portal to the sun. I’ve steam-cleaned my face more times than I care to admit.

Helper Handle: This is Cuisinart’s way of saying “We know you’re going to overfill this pot, you greedy bastard, so here’s a little extra support.” And let me tell you, when you’re draining a pot of pasta that weighs more than your firstborn, you’ll be thanking the cookware gods for this little addition. It’s saved me from several potential spaghetti disasters.

Measurement Markings: These are actually pretty handy, especially if you’re like me and your idea of measuring is “eh, that looks about right.” They’ve saved me from turning my soups into accidental concrete mix more times than I’d like to admit.

“Dishwasher Safe” claim: Yes, technically you can throw these in the dishwasher. But should you? That’s like saying you could technically wash your car with sandpaper. Sure, it’ll get clean, but at what cost? I’d recommend hand cleaning.

Pros

Durability: I’ve dropped them, banged them, and even used one as an impromptu drum during a particularly enthusiastic cooking session. They’ve taken it all in stride, barely showing a scratch.
Heat Distribution: The heat distribution on these pans is so even, it’s almost eerie. It’s like the cooking equivalent of noise-canceling headphones, but for temperature fluctuations.
Aesthetic Appeal: Let’s be real – these pans are prettier than most people. They’ve got that mirror finish that makes you want to check your hair every time you cook. I’ve caught myself admiring my reflection in the stockpot more times than I care to admit.
Flavor Enhancement: There’s something about cooking in these pans that makes food taste better. Maybe it’s the even heating. Maybe it’s the way they develop a fond (that’s fancy chef talk for “tasty brown bits”). Or maybe it’s just the placebo effect of cooking with something that doesn’t look like it was salvaged from a dumpster. Whatever it is, my meals have never tasted better. Even my failures are delicious now.

Cons

Learning Curve: If you’re used to non-stick, prepare for a rude awakening. These pans require finesse, patience, and a willingness to fail spectacularly before you succeed. It’s like learning to drive stick shift, but with more potential for house fires.
Weight: These pans are heavy. Like, “oops, I just did an accidental bicep curl” heavy. Great for building arm strength, not so great when you’re trying to gracefully flip a pancake.
Price Tag: Quality comes at a cost, and in this case, that cost might be your entire grocery budget for the month. But hey, at least you’ll have nice pans to not be able to afford food to cook in, right?

Final Thoughts

This set is perfect for the aspiring home chef who’s ready to graduate from microwaved meals and take-out. It’s for the cook who’s not afraid of a challenge, who sees a difficult recipe as a gauntlet thrown rather than a reason to order pizza. If you’re the type who watches cooking shows and thinks, “I could do that,” this set is your chance to put your money where your mouth is.

On the flip side, if you’re the type who sees cooking as a necessary evil, who just wants to get food on the table with minimal fuss, you might want to look elsewhere. This set requires commitment, patience, and a willingness to learn. It’s not plug-and-play cookware – it’s more like adopting a temperamental but ultimately rewarding pet.

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