Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 14-Inch Skillet Review

We purchased the Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 14-Inch Skillet so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

With culinary experts like Julia Child and James Beard giving Cuisinart their stamp of approval, it’s no wonder why the brand’s cookware is so highly regarded. Cuisinart’s professional-grade products are an affordable option and designed for any skill level, so creating gourmet dishes from scratch is no longer an expert chef’s task. We got to work cooking up chicken, veggies, and other dinner staples in our new skillet. Keep reading to see how it performed.  

Design: Impressive performance 

At first glance, it’s clear that this pan should be put on display. The skillet measures 14 inches and its sheer size is seemingly magnified by its sleek, 18/10 stainless steel mirror finish. The pan has riveted Cool Grip handles, including a helper handle and a longer handle, the latter of which stay cool even over high heat. We found the contoured handle immensely helpful as it made easy work of maneuvering the pan whether when serving, pouring, or even hand washing it in the sink.

This is a very large pan with ample depth for recipes that call for sauces, but it’s shallow enough to slide food from pan to plate. It’s actually a surprisingly lightweight pan, as well, considering it is 14 inches. Cuisinart’s skillet proved an excellent addition to our cookware lineup while preparing a meal for five. We found that it transitioned easily from stovetop to oven, so if entertaining is your thing, you’ll find this pan is extremely versatile when preparing large recipes. When it came to storing, however, it was difficult to find kitchen space due to its size and weight. If your cabinets are already overflowing or you live in a modest apartment, we would suggest opting for a smaller option. 

Material and Construction: Polished stainless steel   

Cuisinart’s 14-inch skillet is lidless. While we would prefer a lid, the pan does feature a tapered rim for drip-free serving and pouring. We used the pan to fry five large chicken breasts and then added vegetables to roast in the oven. The size of the pan allowed us to cook the chicken breasts altogether as opposed to one or two at a time and because the pan is oven-safe up to 550 degrees, it seamlessly transitioned from stovetop to oven which made the temperature and our meal timing consistent and convenient. The pan specifies that it’s also freezer safe, but considering its size, we had a hard time believing anyone would have room for it unless they have an industrial-sized appliance.  

Check out our guide to the best stainless steel cookware sets.

Heating Capacity: Quick and even  

This is a solid skillet with an aluminum encapsulated base. Essentially, that means the pan offers superior heat conductivity and even heat distribution, so everything cooks at the same time. The Cuisinart’s long Cool Grip handle remained cool to the touch even over high heat, but take care when using the helper handle as it does get very hot. 

Ease of Cleaning: Surprisingly simple 

Stainless skillets can be a real pain to clean, especially in comparison to nonstick cookware. After our first go with the pan, however, we were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to clean; it didn’t even require heavy scrubbing. After continued use, we did find that it became more difficult to clean if any sauces or ingredients scorched the pan but cleaning immediately after use made the process much easier. 

The Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Skillet is dishwasher safe but because stainless skillets have a tendency to rust, we would advise against it. With proper care—you can read about this in the included pamphlet—this is an extremely durable pan that’s sure to last a long time.  

Price: On the higher end, but worth it 

Cuisinart’s 14-inch skillet retails for $100, but you can often find it for $30 or less at online retailers. When purchased full price, the pan is pretty pricey, but frequent cooks and those who often entertain will find plenty of opportunities to put it to use. We found the pan a bit large for our everyday culinary needs, but we did appreciate its stovetop to oven versatility. 

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless 14-Inch Skillet vs. Cooks Standard 12-Inch Multi-Ply Clad Fry Pan 

Cuisinart is a tried-and-true cookware brand and while their 14-inch open skillet is a solid option, it’s not the only one out there. Cooks Standard offers a 12-inch fry pan that edges the Cuisinart out in terms of versatility. The 12-inch pan strikes a perfect balance in size as it’s able to tackle small and large recipes. Like the Cuisinart, it’s also oven-safe up to 500 degrees and safe for use on induction, gas, and electric stovetops. With a retail price of roughly $60, it’s also a more economical option—especially considering that it comes with a stainless steel dome lid. 

Interested in reading more reviews? Check out our roundup of the best skillets available to buy online.