Pioneer Woman Cookware Set Review

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If you think stainless steel cookware just isn’t stylish enough for your kitchen or is a hassle to clean up, then you would be happy to find enameled porcelain pots and pans to be different in style and use. There are a few popular brands in the market for this category including Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. Now, there is another player in the market and the Pioneer Woman Cookware Set review below will allow us to take a closer look at this later entrant.

Pioneer Woman Cookware Set Review : 10-Piece Set

Pioneer Woman Cookware Set

While there are individual pieces for sale for the Pioneer Woman cookware, the 10-piece set is also a popular option due the savings you can get. There are also 20 and 27-piece sets available. However, not everyone will have a need for all of these items which are bundled together to make up the numbers for these large sets. Hence, the 10-piece set is still the most practical and the items included are:

  • 8-inch pre-seasoned cast iron frying pan
  • 9.5-inch frying pan
  • 1.1-quart saucepan with lid
  • 2.5-quart saucepan with lid
  • 5.5-quart Dutch oven with lid
  • 4.2 -quart jumbo cooker with lid

==> Check Price For Pioneer Woman

This is available in a few colors including black, linen, red and turquoise with a vintage speckle design. The 20 and 27-piece sets will have additional items like baking pan, cookie sheet, bowls and utensils.

The main difference between the 10-piece Pioneer Woman cookware set and its competitors is the inclusion of a cast iron frying pan. You won’t find this with the Rachael Ray Cucina or Paula Deen Savannah cookware sets.

Apart from the cast iron pan, the rest of the cookware pieces have a nonstick interior. The external coating is porcelain enamel. The construction is aluminum which is common for these type of cookware. You want it to be lightweight and conduct heat well for less hot spots and a faster heat up time.

The silicone handles are riveted with stainless steel brackets. Silicone handles are heat resistant for a cooler touch while cooking. The lids are made of tempered glass. The cookware is dishwasher and oven safe up to 400°F. However, it is not designed for induction cooktops.

Pioneer Woman vs Rachael Ray Cookware

rachael ray cucina cookware set

==> Check Price For Rachael Ray

If we are to take the Pioneer Woman Vintage Speckle 10-piece set and the Rachael Ray Cucina 12-piece set as comparison, which will give us better value for money.

 Pioneer WomanRachael Ray
Cast Iron Fry Pan8-inchX
Small Fry PanX8.5-inch
Big Fry Pan9.5-inch10-inch
Small Saucepan1.1-quart1-quart
Big Saucepan2.5-quart3-quart
Saute PanX3.5-quart
Jumbo Cooker4.2-quartX
StockpotX6-quart
Dutch Oven5.5-quartX
UtensilsXSlotted Turner, Spoon

Basically, both are constructed of aluminum with porcelain enamel exterior coating and nonstick properties for its interior cooking surface. Both are not metal utensil safe which means the coating quality is more or less the same rather than reinforced for stronger abrasion resistant capability.

Both also enjoy similar rating on Amazon with compliments outweighing brickbats. However, Rachael Ray cookware has been in the market far longer and the number of customer reviews are also much higher. It has been able to maintain its high rating thus far which, perhaps, gives greater comfort compared to Pioneer Woman which is a later entrant to the cookware market.

In terms of performance, design and even weight, they are very similar. They also have their fair share of durability complaints. So, given their similarity, Pioneer Woman vs Rachael Ray cookware boils down to the price and what is on offer. If you are buying a set and have a specific need for certain pots and pans, then the decision is pretty clear. You choose the one that suits your needs best. If not, get the set which will give you better value for money.

At the time of writing, the Rachael Ray cookware set is cheaper by about $10 or so. However, it also has 2 additional pieces thrown in with certain items having a larger capacity. Even their frying pans are retailing at a lower price compared to Pioneer Woman. For some individual items, the price differential can be as large as 30% to 40%.

Should You Buy The Pioneer Woman Cookware

Pros
  1. Cast iron pan – This is a unique inclusion in a set of nonstick cookware. The good thing is it adds variety to the type of cookware that you have in your kitchen. We have not come across any other nonstick or ceramic cookware set with a cast iron pan thrown into the mix.
  2. Looks beautiful – This is typical of porcelain enamel cookware. The Pioneer Woman pots and pans are no different. They will look beautiful in your kitchen with a few colors to choose from to match your decor.
  3. Nothing sticks – The nonstick coating does its job well and food like eggs will not stick to the pan. It will be very easy to use and clean when the cookware is new. The problem lies in the durability of the coating which is what many users tend to complain about.
  4. Easy to lift – The handles stay cool under on the stove and they are comfortable to hold. The nonstick pots and pans are also lightweight which makes it ideal for daily use.
Cons
  1. Surface gets scratched – There have been quite a number of complaints that the cooking surface gets scratched easily although only wooden and silicone utensils are used. If you want a longer lasting nonstick surface, the Circulon Elite seems like a better bet with a stronger 3-layer coating.
  2. Color fades – Some buyers have colors fading on their pans and the bottom having burnt marks after a few uses.
  3. Tendency to warp – Because the pieces are light, the cookware is on the thin side. As such, the tendency to warp is also higher compared to solid stainless steel cookware.

To us, a porcelain enamel cookware is only good for the looks. The durability is always a concern. If you are interested in nonstick cookware, there are many cheaper options like T Fal Metallics or WearEver Pure Living with its ceramic coating. In fact, many ceramic cookware now also has a colorful look that are comparable to porcelain enamel.

So, for this Pioneer Woman cookware review, we are not too keen to recommend a buy. The cast iron pan is a nice addition but you can also buy a Lodge cast iron skillet for less than $20. In terms of Pioneer Woman vs Lodge cast iron cookware, the place of manufacture will already sway many to buy Lodge as it is American made cookware. Thus, we think it is better to give the Pioneer Woman cookware a miss for now until the price is a little bit cheaper to compensate for the durability risk.

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Comments

  1. Shelia laws says

    Rachel Rays cook ware is the worst ever!! Will never purchase again. Color fades extremely back. And paint will peel off.

    • I dropped the Dutch oven from Rachael ray, and the side bent and now the lid does not fit burn marks and color fade.

  2. Rosa P Ortiz says

    I think your products are beautiful and purchased several pieces and your crackle cooking set for my daughter last Christmas I was very disappointed when I visited her this last February and noticed her pans were very worn I asked what happened to her pots & pans she said that what happens with her electric stove. So I again was very disappointed with your product, would love to continue to add to her set but feel like I will be going back to stainl steel it’s more durable with electric stoves.

  3. M ary Cofield says

    I purchase the Pioneer Woman’s 10 piece cookware February 1, 2017 and already there are bubbles popping up in the bottom of the pan. I would not buy anymore of the cookware. I thought that I was getting a good brand but it is not well made.

  4. I was very disappointed with the Pioneer Women’s tea pot. It leaks all around the spout and water pours on counter. Guess it will just be a look at tea pot on my stove. Was last one in the store.

  5. Charles Elliott says

    I bought pioneer women cookware at wal mart and it did not even last a year
    Do not recommend any of her cook ware .

    • I recieved a set for thanksgiving and the outsides are burnt you cant even spill liquid cause itll burn. And my eggs didnt “slide” off the pan.glad it was a gift cause i would not buy again.i was so excited too cause i watch her all the time.disappointed for sure.

  6. While the Pioneer Woman pans scratch very easily on the inside it doesn’t affect the performance of the nonstick surface. We’ve had a 24 piece set since May 2017 and while any of pieces used have swirl marks or scratches we have never had any issues with food sticking. The worst Pan is the 12” skillet which is used all the time. It’s truly impressive for a pan set that is $100.00. I haven’t used Rachel Rays pans but I’d still probably buy the Pioneer Woman pans if I had the choice.

  7. Dianne Clewien says

    I’ve had my Pioneer Woman cookware less than a month and there are scratch/crack looking marks in my skillet. No metal has been used in this skillet nor has it been subjected to high heat. It is my opinion that the workmanship is not all it’s cracked up to be. Would I recommend this cookware? No I would not. Will I purchase Pioneer Woman replacements? No, I’ll go with another brand. I believe this is a case of you get what you paid for. I will however keep watching The Pioneer Woman on Food Network.

  8. Pioneer Cookware has decent handles and lids, THAT’S ALL that is decent about this line. The bottoms scratch up immediately and the food ALWAYS sticks, no matter how diligent I am, I’m sick of ruining my beautiful, fresh grains and vegetables, and wasting money and TIME. (I eat plant based and take loads of care preparing with what I cook) I am trashing this junk! My six dollar, Dollar Store pans work better! I have pictures of ruined dishes and scratched up pans, but there is no place to post them here. Don’t buy this mess!

  9. Jennifer Yanulis says

    My boyfriend bought a set of pioneer woman cookware. The set is about a year old. Bottom of pans started peeling. Because of the peeling it damaged the stovetop. Expensive doesn’t mean better.

  10. Both me and my Mom reiwed a set of the Enamel pots and they are already getting scratched. We are very disappointed in these pots.

  11. I bought Pioneer Woman cookware set from Wal-Mart, they are the worst set of cookware i have ever purchased. Save your money!

  12. Tammy Goodrich says

    I just opened and wash before using. I made some green beans in the stock pot. and first time use notice the color was already coming off the bottom. ☹☹

  13. Do not like Pioneer Woman pans, they don’t hold up, color fades quickly and are impossible to clean the outside.

  14. christy prell says

    what does the limited warranty mean , we bought our enamel non-stick in Nov. 2016, and the surface is scratched, we use only nylon spoons, etc. is this pan still under warranty and can I return it for a refund?

    • It’s best to contact the manufacturer or retailer for clarification. However, usually, the buyer will have to fork out the shipping and handling fees to send back the old pan if they agree to a replacement. You will have to consider if these charges are worth it compared to buying a completely new pan.

  15. Sheryl Meyer says

    I love pioneer products… So much I have her cookware set, her casserole set, mixing bowl set, paper towel roll, rolling pin, can opener, measuring spoons, measuring cups, all hand appliances such as mixing spoons and serving spoons, place mates, butter dish, salt &pepper shaker, her place mats, glass ware and few other odds and ends.
    I bragged about her products.. well after having a frying pan warp(the 10inch), a the small pan have something stuck on it and don’t know what it is, looks like something burned bad and won’t come out. Same with the medium and the smallest pot. Now Mrs. Pioneer woman I love your nostalgic kitchen ware but absolutely will not by your crappy cookware set again!!!!!!

  16. Michael Egli says

    Bought the 10 piece set for my wife. Looks very nice however, the frying pans have both scorched and are not that easy to clean when this happens. Was there anything that was suppose to be done before using them other that washing before use?

  17. I bought a pretty pioneer woman Dutch oven .what a nightmare first I used it to bake bread in my oven ,paint blistered. Next I used it to cook chicken and rice on top of my stove medium high heat ,and my dinner was absolutely ruined! every grain of rice was stuck to the bottom of the pan. What a total waste of money!
    I would definitely say” Buyer Beware”

  18. I recieved the pioneer set in light green as a gift on thanksgiving and the pan has all ready discolored, my eggs dont just “slide” out.i was very careful too because i was so excited! I love the show but i must have got a dud batch because theyre not holding up to all the hype.so bummed. I have a walmart special thats lasted longer. 💔

  19. Amy morris says

    Waste of money. Pots pans and there lids all wrapped. What the hell. Now I got to spend even more money on new ones. Walmart will not take them

  20. I bought the Pioneer Woman Dutch oven and made stuffed peppers on the stove. The tomato sauce stuck to the bottom and I cannot get it off. The pot is ruined! Anyone have any idea how to clean it? I have been soaking it for three days!

  21. You must be really rough on cookware . I have 2 sets of Pioneer Woman cookware and they are great. No cracks, no scratches and definitely no bubbles! They are the best cooking pots ever; and cleaning them is as simple as wiping them out. Food doesn’t stick to them at all. I have her dishes, knives, measuring spoons, as well as other products, and I’m more than happy with the quality of it all.

  22. linda itinger hubert says

    the rivets on the handle of my skillet pioneer woman is coming loose. is there anyway to tighten it be fore it comes off

  23. I purchased Pioneer Womans 10 piece cookware and the skillet sticks, would not recommend.

  24. Very disappointed with this cookware. I do not recommend and will be buying different cookwear. I have only had it a few months, but it is not holding up well and hard to get clean.

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