Kitchen Academy Cookware Set review: 30 pieces to start a kitchen from scratch

Kitchen Academy Cookware Set at a glance

Why I looked closely at this set

Big cookware sets are tempting.

One box, one price, and your kitchen is ready.

But piece counts can be misleading, because lids, utensils and placemats all count as "pieces".

The Kitchen Academy Induction Cookware & Bakeware Set advertises 30 pieces, so I wanted to know how much of that is genuinely useful.

I went through Kitchen Academy's listing and specifications, a large sample of positive and critical owner reviews, and how the set compares with other nonstick and stainless options.

As a former restaurant cook, I paid particular attention to how the pans handle heat, how the coating holds up and which pieces you will actually reach for.

My take is that the core cookware is good for the price, while the rest of the box is mostly padding.

Illustration: the set includes pots, pans and bakeware in a matching granite finish.

What is in the box

Here is what the 30 pieces actually are, according to Kitchen Academy.

• Frying pans: 5.5-inch, 8-inch and 11-inch fry pans, plus a 9.5-inch deep fry pan with lid
• Grill pan: A 9.5-inch square steak pan
• Saucepan: 1.5-quart saucepan with lid
• Casseroles: 3-quart and 5-quart casseroles with lids
• Steamer: A 9.5-inch steamer insert
• Bakeware: 5 pieces, including a muffin pan and baking sheets
• Utensils: 3 silicone utensils
• Knives: 3 ceramic knives
• Placemats: 6 dining placemats

Strip out the placemats, utensils and knives, and you have 13 pieces of cookware including lids, plus five bakeware pieces.

That is still a complete starter kitchen.

Just be aware that the 11-inch fry pan, the most useful pan in the set, does not come with a lid.

One owner was disappointed to find that several pans have no lids and that matching lids cannot be bought separately.

How the cookware is made

The pots and pans have an aluminum core with a granite-style nonstick coating.

Aluminum heats quickly and spreads heat well, which is why most nonstick cookware uses it.

Underneath, each piece has a large magnetic stainless steel base.

That base is what makes the set work on induction.

Kitchen Academy says it works on all major cooktops, including glass stoves.

The handles are Bakelite, a heat-resistant plastic with a dark finish.

Kitchen Academy says the coating is free of lead, PFOS and PFOA.

The listing does not say exactly what the coating is made of.

"Granite" usually describes the speckled look of the nonstick finish rather than real stone.

If you want to avoid PTFE nonstick specifically, ask the seller before buying.

Cooking performance

Owners are mostly happy with how the Kitchen Academy pots and pans cook.

Heat and nonstick release

Reviewers repeatedly mention even heat distribution and food sliding off with little or no oil.

One owner who has used the set since June called it the best set of pots and pans she has ever had.

Another said the pans still look brand new after several months.

Eggs are the classic nonstick test, and one owner noted they need a little oil.

That is normal, and a small amount of butter or oil also protects the coating.

Induction

Induction compatibility is a real selling point.

Many cheaper nonstick sets do not work on induction at all.

The stainless base makes good contact with flat induction and glass surfaces.

One owner did report that a skillet bowed up slightly in the center, which made oil pool at the edges.

Warping is the enemy of induction cooking, and it usually comes from heating an empty pan on high or plunging a hot pan into cold water.

High heat and gas flames

This is where the set is weakest.

One owner said the pans started turning black after four months and were not good with high heat.

Another moved from an electric stove to gas and noticed a strong smell from the handles getting too hot.

Keep the flame under the base of the pan, not up the sides.

And use medium heat, which is all most nonstick cooking needs anyway.

Illustration: the granite finish looks sleek, but nonstick lasts longest on low to medium heat.

The bakeware and extras

This is the part of the set I would not buy it for.

Several owners describe the bakeware as thin and cheap compared with the pots and pans.

More seriously, one owner said the cupcake pan rusted after the first wash, and another piece rusted after a few washes.

Rust on bakeware usually means water got into a scratch or a rolled edge and was left to sit.

Dry bakeware immediately and thoroughly, ideally in a warm oven for a minute, to reduce the risk.

The ceramic knives get a similar verdict.

One owner said they lasted about seven weeks.

Ceramic blades are sharp but brittle, and they chip easily if they hit a bone or a hard board.

The placemats and silicone utensils are fine, but they are not why you buy a cookware set.

Think of all of these as a bonus, and plan to upgrade them over time.

Durability and coating wear

Durability is the biggest question with any nonstick set, and this one is no exception.

Owner reports range widely.

Some owners have used the set for nine months or more with no issues.

Others report scratches on arrival, coating damage after a handful of uses, or pans darkening after a few months.

One owner who cooked pork chops found coating coming away even though she never used metal utensils.

Another received a piece with the coating already chipped.

My read is that this is a typical mid-priced nonstick set.

Treated gently, it should last a few years.

Treated like stainless steel, it will not.

Dishwasher or hand wash?

Owners disagree on whether the set is dishwasher safe.

Some say they put it in the dishwasher with no problems, while another said she only found out after buying that it is not dishwasher safe.

Whatever the label says, I recommend hand washing nonstick cookware.

Dishwasher detergent is abrasive and shortens the life of any nonstick coating.

Warm water, a soft sponge and a little dish soap is all it needs.

Illustration: hand washing and soft utensils keep the nonstick finish looking new for longer.

How to make the set last

• Use medium heat: Nonstick does not need high heat. Preheat on low to medium for a minute or two.
• Never heat an empty pan on high: This is the fastest way to damage the coating and warp the base.
• Use soft utensils: Stick to silicone, nylon or wood. The included silicone utensils are a good start.
• Hand wash: Wash with warm water and a soft sponge, then dry right away.
• Let it cool first: Do not plunge a hot pan into cold water.
• Watch the oven limit: The Bakelite handles are oven safe only up to 350°F for a limited time.
• Store with protectors: Pan protectors or a paper towel between stacked pans prevent scratches.

Follow these and the set will look better for longer.

Ignore them and even expensive nonstick wears out quickly.

The pieces you will actually use

In most kitchens, a handful of pans do 90 percent of the work.

Here is how I would expect the set to be used day to day.

Everyday workhorses

The 11-inch fry pan will be your main pan for eggs, vegetables, chicken and stir-fries.

The 3-quart casserole handles pasta for two, rice, soups and sauces.

The 1.5-quart saucepan is ideal for heating milk, making oatmeal or reheating leftovers.

Occasional helpers

The 5-quart casserole is the one you grab for pasta for a family, stock or a big batch of chili.

The deep fry pan with its lid is useful for braising and shallow frying, because the higher sides contain splatter.

The square steak pan gives grill marks on chicken, burgers and vegetables, but it is harder to clean than a flat pan.

The steamer insert turns a pot into a vegetable or dumpling steamer.

Rarely used

The 5.5-inch fry pan is very small and mostly suited to a single egg.

The bakeware will see use for muffins and sheet-pan dinners, but given the rust reports, I would line it with parchment and dry it carefully.

What owners say: the good and the bad

With more than 2,500 ratings and an average of 4.5 out of 5, the set has a large owner base.

A few themes stand out.

• Looks: Owners love the gray granite finish and describe it as sleek, modern and high-end.
• Nonstick: Most owners say food releases easily with little oil, at least in the first months.
• Even heating: Many owners mention even cooking with no hot spots.
• Coating wear: The most common complaint, with some pans darkening or losing coating after months.
• Bakeware rust: A recurring complaint, especially on the muffin pan.
• Missing lids: Some owners wish the frying pans came with lids.

My overall read is that the pots and pans earn their good rating, while the extras drag the set down.

That is why durability is the lowest of my four subscores.

What I would add to the set

If you buy this set to start a kitchen, a few additions fill the gaps.

• A universal lid: A glass lid that fits 10- to 12-inch pans covers the 11-inch fry pan.
• A good chef's knife: A steel chef's knife will outlast the included ceramic knives by years.
• A cast iron or stainless skillet: For high-heat searing, so you can keep the nonstick pans for gentle cooking.
• Pan protectors: Felt protectors between stacked pans prevent scratches in the cupboard.

With those additions, this set covers almost every everyday cooking task.

Together they cost much less than upgrading to a premium set.

Is the Kitchen Academy set worth the money?

At the time of writing, the Kitchen Academy set costs about $200 on Amazon.

That is reasonable for a complete induction-compatible kitchen in one box.

Buying the core pans and pots separately from a well-known nonstick brand would usually cost similar money or more, without the bakeware.

One owner summed it up fairly: she expected better quality for how much she cooks and bakes, but for the price she paid, it was reasonable.

If you cook every day at high heat, a stainless steel set will last much longer, even though food sticks more.

If you want easy cleanup and a matching kitchen fast, this set is good value.

Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.

Illustration: on gas, keep the flame under the base so the handles do not overheat.

Kitchen Academy Cookware Set specifications

From Kitchen Academy's listing and the Amazon product page.

Kitchen Academy vs other cookware types

A granite nonstick set is one of three common choices for a new kitchen. Here is how they compare.