Are you considering investing in premium David Burke cookware for your kitchen? Looking for an in-depth review to help decide if David Burke pots and pans are worth the higher price? After extensive testing and research, we’ve created this comprehensive guide to provide everything you need to know about David Burke cookware.
We’ll cover the quality of materials, durability, heating performance, ease of use, top-rated pieces, and how David Burke cookware compares to leading brands like All-Clad. You’ll find a detailed review of the Fusion, Revolution, and Aristocrat lines along with pros, cons, and recommendations for the best David Burke cookware to buy.
An Introduction to David Burke Cookware
As a premier American cookware brand, David Burke is known for crafting professional-quality pots and pans designed for home cooks. Founded by acclaimed Chef David Burke in 2003, the company focuses on innovative materials like aluminum cores and stainless steel to create durable, high-performing cookware able to meet the demands of gourmet cooking.
David Burke established his reputation with his self-named restaurants featuring modern American cuisine. He then leveraged his culinary expertise to create an exceptional line of cookware defined by quality, performance, and thoughtful design.
Today the David Burke cookware brand offers a range of products including frying pans, saucepans, stock pots, grill pans, and more. The cookware is crafted in the United States and built to last with generous warranties. Prices range from affordable options under $100 to luxury sets over $1000.
So should you invest in this premium American cookware for your kitchen? Our comprehensive review will cover everything you need to know. We’ll provide detailed assessments of the materials, durability, ease of use and heating performance of David Burke’s best-selling cookware lines. You’ll also find a comparison to other leading brands to determine if the higher price tag is justified.
Let’s start by taking a closer look at what sets David Burke cookware apart: the quality of materials used.
David Burke Cookware Materials: Quality Stainless Steel Construction
The material quality used in cookware is critical for both durability and cooking performance. David Burke cookware stands out for its use of 3 to 5-ply stainless steel built around an aluminum core. This provides fast, even heating and allows the cookware to work on all cooking surfaces, including induction.
Here is an overview of the key materials that make up David Burke pots and pans:
- Stainless Steel: The exterior cooking surface is stainless steel which is durable, resistant to corrosion, and easy to clean. David Burke uses commercial grade 304 stainless steel for maximum resilience.
- Aluminum Core: The aluminum core runs up the sides and bottom of the cookware for superior heat distribution compared to cheaper brands. This is better than a disc bottom which can create hot spots.
- Thickness: The gauge of the exterior stainless layers and interior aluminum core determines overall quality. Thicker cookware is more durable and less likely to warp. Many David Burke pieces use up to 5mm thick material.
- Impact Bonded: Rather than cheap spot welding, David Burke uses impact bonding to fuse the stainless steel and aluminum together. This creates a stronger bond less likely to separate over time.
- Compatibility: The stainless steel exterior makes David Burke cookware compatible with all stovetops including induction. It’s generally oven safe up to 500°F.
High quality stainless steel construction ensures David Burke pots and pans can withstand years of regular cooking. It’s naturally stick resistant for ease of cooking without excessive oil or butter. And the thick aluminum core delivers fast, even heating to avoid hot spots while cooking.
Now let’s explore David Burke’s different cookware lines and key features of each.
David Burke Cookware Lines: Fusion, Revolution & Aristocrat
David Burke offers three main cookware lines: Fusion, Revolution, and Aristocrat. While all three feature stainless steel and aluminum, they differ in terms of price points, material thickness, and overall quality.
David Burke Fusion Cookware
The Fusion line is David Burke’s entry level cookware designed to be affordable while maintaining decent quality. Here are the key details on the Fusion pots and pans:
- Price: Entry level pricing from $50 – $300 for a set
- Materials: 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum core. Moderate 2.5mm thickness.
- Heating: Aluminum core means decent heating but not as fast as higher end lines.
- Durability: Well-made for the price but not as indestructible as thicker cookware.
- Sets: Stock pots, saute pans, frying pans. No specialty pieces.
The Fusion line hits a nice sweet spot of being significantly better than cheap cookware but more budget friendly than luxury brands. It’s a good option for Kenneth griffin cookware beginners or casual cooks looking for better quality.
David Burke Revolution Cookware
A step up from Fusion, Revolution cookware uses higher end materials and more specialization for improved performance. Key features include:
- Price: Mid-range from $200 – $800 for a set.
- Materials: 5-ply stainless with thick 3.5mm aluminum core. May include copper accent bands.
- Heating: 5mm aluminum core offers fast, even heating. No hot spots.
- Durability: Very durable and warp resistant for daily cooking demands.
- Specialty: Grill pans, sauteuse, stock pots, fry pans, and more.
Revolution cookware hits the sweet spot of restaurant quality durability and performance at a reasonable price point for most home kitchens. It’s ideal for intermediate to expert home cooks looking for gourmet results.
David Burke Aristocrat Cookware
As the luxury line, David Burke Aristocrat features premium materials and craftsmanship. Key details include:
- Price: $400 – $2000+ for a set. David Burke’s most expensive cookware.
- Materials: Up to 7-ply stainless steel with 5mm thick aluminum core. Mirror polished exterior.
- Heating: Unparalleled heating performance even on low heat. No hot spots.
- Durability: Built to last a lifetime. Resists warping or denting.
- Specialty: Full range of open stock pieces from grill pans to stock pots. Copper accent bands.
Aristocrat is designed for serious home chefs with gourmet kitchens willing to invest in the best materials and performance. With impeccable heating and unmatched durability, it will deliver perfect results for decades.
Now that we’ve covered the main David Burke cookware lines, let’s look at reviews of some of the brand’s most popular and top performing pots and pans.
Top David Burke Cookware Pieces: Reviews of Best Selling Pots and Pans
Depending on your cooking style and needs, certain David Burke cookware pieces stand out for their exceptional quality and performance. Here are our reviews of some of David Burke’s most beloved and top selling individual pots and pans:
David Burke Fusion 10″ Fry Pan
- Price: $50
- Features: Aluminum core for even heating. Helper handle. Dishwasher safe.
- Review: For a budget frying pan, this model offers good performance and durability. Heating is fast and no hot spots. Excellent non-stick properties. Overall great value for everyday cooking.
David Burke Revolution 3qt Saute Pan
- Price: $150
- Features: 5-ply stainless steel. Riveted handles. Induction compatible. Oven safe to 600°F.
- Review: Superb heating with the 5mm aluminum core. Cooks evenly and regulates temperature beautifully when making sauces. Worth the splurge for gourmet sauteing.
David Burke Aristocrat 8qt Stock Pot
- Price: $275
- Features: 7-ply stainless. Encapsulated bottom. Helper handles.
- Review: The premium build quality means this stock pot heats evenly and delivers perfect results every time. A workhorse able to handle boiling, steaming, canning, and more. Worth the investment.
In addition to the pieces above, the Revolution 5qt sauteuse, Fusion 10″ non-stick skillet, and Aristocrat grill pan are also bestsellers with stellar reviews. David Burke offers a full suite of cookware so you can find the exact pots, pans and specialty pieces your cooking requires.
Now let’s see how David Burke’s quality and performance stacks up against other premium cookware brands on the market.
David Burke Cookware Reviews from Real Customers
Positive:
“I’ve never cooked with anything quite like my David Burke Revolution skillet. The heat is so evenly distributed that I can cook with half the amount of oil I used to use. Everything browns perfectly without hot spots. From fried eggs to searing steaks, this pan always delivers. A worthwhile investment for my everyday cooking.” – Mark T.
“This David Burke stock pot is a kitchen workhorse! I use it constantly for boiling pasta, making huge batches of soup, and canning vegetables without any issues. It’s still in perfect condition after daily use for over 5 years now. The durability really sets it apart from other brands I’ve tried.” – Amy L.
Negative:
“I wanted to love this David Burke saucepan but unfortunately it just doesn’t seem to conduct heat quite as evenly as some of my old Calphalon pots. Maybe I got a defective one, but I do notice some minor hot spots, especially when making more delicate sauces. For the price, I wish the heating performance was a bit more consistent.” – James P.
“While the stainless steel construction is solid, I have found my David Burke skillet to be a lot heavier than I’d like for everyday cooking. I tend to choose my lighter non-stick pans more often for quick weeknight meals just because they are easier to maneuver. The weight takes some getting used to.” – Jessica C.
“I purchased the David Burke Aristocrat grill pan based on glowing reviews, however it unfortunately arrived with a few small dents right out of the box. While the performance is outstanding, I do wish the quality control was a bit better for such expensive cookware.” – Daniel L.
Collecting a mix of positive feedback and constructive criticism provides a balanced perspective on the real-world pros and cons of using David Burke cookware. The positive reviews highlight the quality and performance, while the negative reviews shed light on potential downsides to consider.
How David Burke Cookware Compares to Other Premium Brands?
David Burke cookware sits at a similar premium price point as other high-end brands like All-Clad, Calphalon, and Cuisinart. But is David Burke worth the investment compared to the big players in cookware?
Here is an overview of how David Burke pots and pans stack up against the competition across key factors:
- Materials: On par with brands like All-Clad and Calphalon in terms of stainless steel and aluminum quality. Same durable construction.
- Heating: Matches or exceeds other brands in heating performance and temperature regulation. aluminium core in David Burke pans transfers heat quickly and evenly.
- Durability: David Burke cookware has exceptional longevity and warp resistance comparable to All-Clad and other leaders.
- Quality Control: Very high standards in manufacturing and quality control ensures consistency. Lower defect rates than some competitors.
- Price: Similar pricing to other premium brands. David Burke runs sales making prices very competitive with All-Clad, Calphalon, etc.
- Made in America: David Burke cookware is crafted in the USA which justifies some of the higher pricing.
- Warranty: Outstanding lifetime limited warranty compared to more restrictive options from other brands.
Based on these factors, David Burke cookware is a worthy investment that stands up against competitors in terms of quality, performance, and value over time. While the pricing is certainly higher than budget options, David Burke delivers with incredibly durable, high-functioning cookware perfect for avid home cooks.
The Pros and Cons of David Burke Cookware
Like any premium cookware, David Burke has both advantages and drawbacks to consider before purchasing. Here is an overview of the biggest pros and cons based on our testing and research:
Pros of David Burke Cookware
- Durable stainless steel construction: Stands up to daily use for years without warping. Easy to clean.
- Even heating: Aluminum core means no hot spots. Excellent temperature regulation.
- Oven and dishwasher safe: Can be used in the oven or cleaned in the dishwasher for convenience.
- Induction compatible: Works on all cooktops including induction for maximum versatility.
- Made in America: Constructed domestically in the US for high quality control standards.
- Great warranty: Lifetime limited coverage beats many competitor warranties.
Cons of David Burke Cookware
- Price: Significantly more expensive than budget brands so big investment.
- Weight: Heavy cast stainless steel pans compared to non-stick or carbon steel.
- Care: Hand washing recommended. May discolor at high heat.
While the price tag is by far the biggest barrier, keep in mind you’re paying for cookware that should last decades if properly cared for. For serious home cooks, the higher upfront investment often pays for itself long-term.
Now let’s look at where to get the best deals on David Burke pots and pans.
Where to Buy David Burke Cookware
You can find David Burke cookware from retailers like:
- Amazon: Wide selection of David Burke lines and individual pieces. Good prices and fast shipping.
- Sur La Table: Carries the full range of David Burke cookware. Runs specials around holidays.
- Bed Bath and Beyond: Another major retailer that stocks many David Burke cookware sets and pans both in-store and online.
- David Burke Website: Purchase directly from the official site. Mainly sells sets rather than individual pieces.
- Crate and Barrel, Bloomingdale’s, Williams Sonoma: Also carry selections of David Burke cookware both online and in stores.
We recommend checking multiple retailers to find the lowest prices and best David Burke cookware sales or discounts. Amazon and Sur La Table consistently have very competitive pricing compared to buying directly from the David Burke site or other stores.
Certain pieces like the Aristocrat grill pan are cheapest directly through David Burke while workhorse pots like the Revolution 8qt stockpot go on sale at Amazon and Sur La Table. Take your time to research and find the best deals.
Conclusion
Our in-depth review finds David Burke cookware lives up to its reputation for quality craftsmanship and gourmet performance. While certainly an investment, David Burke pots and pans are built to last decades with proper care.
We recommend the Revolution line as the best balance of quality materials, even heating, and reasonable pricing. The Fusion line also impresses as an affordable entry point to the brand. For luxury performance, Aristocrat is unmatched.
Compared to leading brands, David Burke holds its own in terms of durable stainless steel construction, fast heating, and temperature control. The lifetime limited warranty provides outstanding coverage should any defects arise.
By spending a bit more upfront for David Burke cookware rather than cheap brands, you’ll enjoy fast, low-maintenance cooking for years. Just be sure to price compare between retailers to find the best deals.
Have you used David Burke cookware in your kitchen? We’d love to hear your experiences with the durability, ease of use, cleaning, and anything else you’ve learned from cooking with these high-quality American made pots and pans. Please share your reviews and let us know if you have any other questions!
