WMF Diadem Plus review: German pots that look the part

WMF Diadem Plus at a glance

First impressions of the WMF Diadem Plus

Most kitchens I know have the same pot problem.

There's one good pot, a dented one from a student flat and a lid that fits nothing.

The WMF Diadem Plus is the opposite of that.

It's a coordinated collection of five pots in graduated sizes, all in the same polished stainless steel and all made to work together.

What I like first is the look.

The polished finish gives the pots a neat, professional appearance, and the gently bulged shape is classic WMF.

It works in a modern white kitchen just as well as in a traditional one with wooden cabinets.

This is cookware you can hang on a rail or leave on the stove without it looking messy.

The second thing I like is the range of sizes.

Having several pot sizes makes it easy to pick the right one, whether that's a quick lunch for one or a larger family meal.

The glass lids are the third detail that stands out.

They help keep heat and moisture inside, and you can see what's happening without lifting them.

Five pots in the same polished steel, made to look good out in the open.

What's in the WMF Diadem Plus 5-piece set

The Diadem Plus is one of WMF's long-running stainless steel ranges, and the five-piece set is its most popular bundle.

The Amazon listing carries WMF item number 0730556040.

The core of the set is three tall pots, which WMF calls meat pots, in 16, 20 and 24 centimeters.

That's roughly 6.3, 7.9 and 9.4 inches across.

Next to those you get a lower 20-centimeter casserole, often called a stewing or braising pot.

Depending on the version, the fifth piece is either a small 16-centimeter saucepan with a long handle or another lidded pot.

Capacities run from about 1.5 liters for the smallest piece to around 6 to 6.5 liters for the 24-centimeter pot.

WMF sells slightly different five-piece bundles in different countries, and the descriptions on shop pages don't always match.

So my advice is simple: check the exact sizes and pieces on the listing before you order, and make sure the mix suits your household.

Sizes based on WMF's European listings. Bundles vary by market, so check the listing you buy from.

The TransTherm base: why it matters

The part of a stainless steel pot that does most of the work is the base.

Plain stainless steel isn't a great heat conductor on its own.

That's why better pots add a thicker, layered base to spread heat across the bottom.

WMF's version is called TransTherm, and it's a patented encapsulated base with a heat-conducting core sealed in steel.

WMF says it spreads heat evenly and holds it for longer, which lets you turn the burner down earlier and cook with less energy.

The base is also magnetic, so the whole set works on induction.

WMF lists it as suitable for gas, electric, ceramic, halogen and induction cooktops.

That flexibility matters if you're moving house or planning to switch to induction later.

One thing to know: this is an encapsulated base, not fully clad steel.

The heat-spreading layer sits in the bottom only, so the walls heat up more slowly than on tri-ply cookware.

For boiling, simmering and soups, that's no problem at all.

For sauces that can catch on the sides, it pays to stir and keep the heat moderate.

WMF Diadem Plus design and build quality

The pots are made from Cromargan, which is WMF's name for 18/10 stainless steel.

That's the same grade most premium cookware brands use.

It's rust-free, acid-resistant and doesn't affect the taste of food, so tomato sauces and wine-based dishes are fine.

The outside has a polished, mirror-like finish, and the rims are rolled into a wide pouring edge.

That edge is one of my favorite small details.

Draining pasta water or pouring soup into bowls goes cleaner when the rim is shaped to stop drips.

The lids are tempered glass with a stainless steel rim and knob.

Glass lids are practical for everyday cooking, because you can check on rice or a simmering stew without letting the steam out.

The handles are solid stainless steel and fixed firmly to the body.

They feel sturdy and they'll survive the oven and the dishwasher, but there's a trade-off.

Metal handles conduct heat, and several owners mention that they get hot during longer cooking.

Keep a pair of oven mitts or a towel near the stove, especially with the big pot.

Polished Cromargan steel, wide pouring rims and glass lids with steel rims.

Cooking with the WMF Diadem Plus

This set is built for the kind of cooking most of us do on a weeknight.

Here's how I'd use each piece.

Pasta and boiling

The 24-centimeter pot is the workhorse.

At around 6 liters, it holds enough water for a full pack of pasta, and the pouring rim makes draining less messy.

Bring the water up with the lid on and you'll save a bit of time and energy, especially on induction.

Vegetables and rice

The 16 and 20-centimeter pots are the right size for vegetables, potatoes and rice.

With the glass lid on, you can watch the water level on your rice without lifting the lid and losing steam.

The TransTherm base holds heat well, so you can turn the burner down early and let the pot do the rest.

Soups and stews

Soups are where a good stainless pot earns its keep.

You can brown onions in the bottom, add stock and leave it to simmer for an hour without worrying about a coating.

The lower 20-centimeter casserole is handy for stews and curries, because the wider, shallower shape makes browning and stirring easier.

Sauces

For sauces, the small pot is the one to reach for.

Keep the heat moderate and stir, since the heat comes mostly from the base.

Milk-based sauces and custards need a little care in any stainless steel pot, and this one is no exception.

In the oven

The pots are oven safe, which is useful for finishing a braise or keeping food warm.

WMF's own pages give slightly different temperature limits, though, and the glass lids have a lower limit than the pots.

I'd follow the leaflet in the box and keep the glass lids out of a hot oven.

What it doesn't cover

There's no frying pan in this set.

You'll still want a separate skillet for searing steak, frying eggs or making pancakes.

For many people that's a plus, because they already own a pan they like.

How to stop food sticking in stainless steel

Stainless steel has no coating, so it behaves differently from nonstick.

That's a strength, because nothing can peel or wear off.

But it does mean technique matters.

Stainless steel performs best when you use it the way it's meant to be used.

Preheat the pot on medium heat before you add fat.

Then add enough oil or butter and let it warm up before the food goes in.

A classic test is a few drops of water: when they skitter around as small balls, the pot is hot enough.

Don't move onions or meat too early, either.

Food often releases on its own once it has browned.

And keep the heat moderate.

With a TransTherm base you rarely need full power, and very high heat is the fastest route to burnt-on spots and discoloration.

Cleaning and caring for the set

The whole set is dishwasher safe, which is a big plus for everyday cookware.

WMF still recommends washing by hand to keep the polished finish looking its best.

Warm water, washing-up liquid and a soft sponge handle most of it.

For stuck-on food, soak the pot in warm water first rather than attacking it with a scourer.

Two things are normal with any stainless steel pot.

White, chalky spots are usually limescale or starch from boiling water and pasta.

A splash of vinegar or a little citric acid in warm water clears them quickly.

Rainbow or bluish tints come from high heat.

A stainless steel cleaner removes them, and keeping the heat moderate stops them coming back.

Always dry the pots after washing to prevent water marks.

Look after them like this and the set will still look smart in 10 or 20 years.

Dishwasher safe, but a quick hand wash keeps the polished finish shining.

What owners say about the WMF Diadem Plus

The Diadem Plus has been on sale for years, so there's a large pool of owner feedback.

On Amazon it has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from more than 2,600 ratings, with 78 percent giving it five stars.

Only about 3 percent give it one or two stars.

Reading through reviews from Germany, Spain, the UK and Canada, a few themes come up again and again.

What owners like

Build quality and longevity are the most common praise.

Many buyers say they have used WMF for years or even decades and that the brand has never let them down.

Owners also like the complete, matching look and the glass lids.

Induction users mention that the pots work well on their hobs, and several reviewers point out that the pots handle the dishwasher and scouring without trouble.

What owners complain about

The most common complaint is hot handles.

Some owners also report white spots or heat tints after the first uses.

As explained above, those are normal for stainless steel and usually clean off.

A few buyers questioned whether their set was genuine, mentioning missing country-of-origin markings.

That's worth keeping in mind, because the US listing is often sold by third-party sellers.

Check who the seller is and look at the return policy before you buy.

Is the WMF Diadem Plus worth the money?

The value of this set depends heavily on what you pay.

In European shops, the five-piece set usually sells for around €165, often well below its official list price.

At that level, it's a strong deal for a full set of German-designed 18/10 pots with an induction base.

On Amazon US, the picture is messier.

The set is largely imported and sold by third parties, and the price can jump far above what it's worth.

So don't buy it at any price.

If the price is close to what you'd pay for a comparable American stainless set, it's a good buy.

If it's several times that, wait or look at the alternatives below.

Over the long run, stainless steel is cheap to own.

There's no coating to wear out, so a good set can last for decades, while nonstick pans usually need replacing every few years.

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

WMF Diadem Plus specifications

From WMF's product pages and the Amazon listing.

WMF Diadem Plus vs Function 4 vs Fissler vs Cuisinart

The Diadem Plus sits in the middle of the stainless steel market. Here's how it compares with its most common rivals.

Best WMF Diadem Plus alternatives

If the price on Amazon is too high or the hot handles put you off, there are good alternatives.

The WMF Function 4 is the step-up within WMF.

Its lids have strainer holes and several pouring positions, so you can drain pasta or potatoes without a colander.

The Fissler Original-Profi Collection is the premium German choice.

It's heavier, made in Germany and uses stainless steel lids that survive any oven temperature.

If you're in the US and want the best value, a fully clad tri-ply set such as the Cuisinart MultiClad Pro is easy to find.

It spreads heat up the walls as well as across the base, which helps with sauces.

And if you want a bigger, more complete kitchen in one box, our CAROTE 30-Piece Tri-Ply review covers a set with pans, pots and utensils.

How I scored the WMF Diadem Plus

I based this review on WMF's published specifications, the Amazon listing, thousands of owner ratings and reviews from several countries, and a comparison with rival stainless steel sets.

I scored four things, and each one gets its own subscore.

• Build & design (9.0): materials, finish, lids, pouring rims and how the set looks in a kitchen.
• Heat & cooking (8.4): the TransTherm base, cooktop compatibility and how well the sizes cover everyday cooking.
• Ease of use (8.0): handling, hot handles, cleaning and dishwasher use.
• Value (7.4): price against rivals, with extra weight for the Amazon US price swings.

The overall score of 8.2 is an editorial rating. BrasQ editor-in-chief Ryan Mitchell reviewed the facts and figures before publication.