Kitchen cookware is one of those purchases that can be a bit overwhelming. From materials to price to standing up to daily use, there’s a lot to consider when outfitting your kitchen with pots and pans built to last.
So how do you know if the Legend cookware brand is right for you?
With so many cookware lines on the market, one key question shoppers want answered is: Are Legend pots and pans actually worth buying or just hype?
The short answer: Yes, Legend cookware delivers excellent quality and performance for a very reasonable price. While not the fanciest or most expensive brand available, Legend offers sturdy construction, even heating, and a smooth nonstick cooking surface at a fraction of the cost of premium brands.
In this detailed Legend cookware review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Legend pots and pans to decide if they should earn a spot in your kitchen:
- Overview of the Legend cookware brand and lines
- Pros and cons of Legend pots and pans
- How Legend quality and features compare with other popular brands
- Who should consider buying Legend cookware (and who may want other options)
- Where to buy Legend cookware for the best price
- Care and maintenance tips for Legend pans
- And our final verdict on if Legend delivers on quality for the cost
By the end of this Legend cookware review, you’ll have all the details to determine if investing in Legend will upgrade your cooking experience or leave you with buyers remorse. Time to dig in!
Brief Background on the Legend Cookware Brand
Founded in 2013 in California, Legend cookware aims to offer quality pots and pans at an affordable price point. The product line focuses on classic American recipes and cooking styles.
Legend’s product lineup covers a wide range of pan sizes and styles constructed from aluminum or stainless steel. Their pots and pans feature riveted handles and vented lids and are compatible with all stovetops including induction.
Some of Legend’s most popular cookware lines include:
- Evolv Hard Anodized Cookware: Legend’s flagship collection made from hard anodized aluminum for durability and even heating. Features a ceramic-titanium reinforced nonstick cooking surface. Offered in 8-10-12 inch fry pans and 1-3 qt sauce pans with lids.
- Aurora Stainless Steel Cookware: Pots and pans made from 18/10 stainless steel with an aluminum core. Brushed stainless steel exterior resists fingerprint smudges. Available in 3 qt and 12” sizes.
- Saga Nonstick Ceramic Cookware: Features a PFOA-free ceramic nonstick cooking surface claimed to be 10x more durable than traditional nonstick. Tempered glass lids. Offered in 7 and 11” fry pans.
According to the many customer reviews we analyzed, Legend pans receive praise for their lightweight design, comfortable handles, easy food release, and wallet-friendly price tags. The nonstick coatings and overall construction seem to hold up well over daily use.
“I love these Legend skillets! The nonstick is amazing and way better than my old scratched up pans. Everything slides right off without sticking. And they heat up fast and cook so evenly.” – Jess T., Verified Buyer
“We bought the whole Evolv set 6 months ago as our first real cookware purchase. They still look and cook like brand new! No complaints at all especially for the price we paid.” – Mark Y., Verified Buyer
On the negative side, some customers report durability issues with constant daily use over many years. And many noted the pans can’t go in the dishwasher which is inconvenient.
“We’ve used Legend pans as our main cookware for the past 3 years. The nonstick is definitely wearing off and the bottoms are getting scratched up even though we hand wash. Might be time to replace soon.” – Natalia D., Verified Buyer
So while Legend may not offer top of the line perfection, the consensus seems to be you get impressive value and quality for the reasonable price point. Now let’s look more closely at the pros and cons.
Key Pros of Legend Cookware Pans
Even Heating and Heat Retention
The aluminum and stainless steel construction of Legend pots and pans allows for quick, even heating across the cooking surface. Food heats and cooks evenly without hot spots or burning.
Reviewers also praise how Legend pans retain heat well to sear and brown meats perfectly. The included lids trap in heat and moisture for delicious results cooking soups, sauces, and more.
Oven and Stovetop Compatibility
Legend cookware can safely go from stovetop to oven up to 500°F. The stainless steel and anodized aluminum won’t warp under high oven temps.
All Legend pans also work on gas, electric, glass top, and induction cooktops. The magnetic base layers make Legend pans induction-ready.
Durable Materials and Construction
For the price, Legend uses decent quality materials including commercial grade anodized aluminum and 18/10 stainless steel.
The reinforced nonstick coating is derived from minerals to add scratch resistance and durability. It’s rated to last 10x longer than classic Teflon nonstick.
Riveted stainless steel handles are made to last. Tempered glass lids add elegance while letting you monitor cooking.
Lightweight Design
Reviewers consistently praise how lightweight Legend skillets and pots are, especially the hard anodized aluminum lines. The pans won’t strain your wrists flipping pancakes or sautéing veggies.
The thin aluminum core surrounded by steel or aluminum evenly distributes heat without adding extra heft. Less weight also makes Legend pans easy to maneuver and handle.
Beautiful Aesthetic
Beyond function, Legend cookware simply looks nice in any modern kitchen. The brushed stainless steel and polished metal add style and elegance.
Pans come in contemporary shades like royal blue, burgundy, and grey. The vented lids allow some steam release while trapping flavor.
Budget-Friendly Price Point
One of the biggest selling points of Legend cookware is the wallet-friendly price that fits a wide range of budgets.
Full cookware sets are under $250. Individual skillets and pans typically cost $30-60 depending on size and materials. Much less than comparable cookware from premium brands.
For budget-conscious buyers, Legend delivers impressive quality and performance without the premium price tag. You don’t have to sacrifice your savings for a functional, sturdy pan.
Smooth Nonstick Surface for Easy Cooking and Cleaning
According to reviewers, the PFOA-free nonstick surface on Legend pans is evenly applied and maintains its slickness well over time. Food slides right off with a flick of the wrist.
The ceramic-titanium reinforced nonstick holds up to daily cooking without chipping or peeling. Sets like Evolv feature a scratch-resistant coating rated for over 30,000 cycles.
Bottom line – the nonstick works great for low-fat cooking and easy cleanup. No need to soak pans for hours to loosen baked-on residue.
Potential Downsides to Keep In Mind
While Legend offers excellent bang for your buck, there are a few potential downsides to consider:
Can’t Go in Dishwasher: All Legend cookware must be hand washed to preserve the nonstick coating and avoid warping. The hand wash-only limitation is inconvenient for some busy cooks.
Prone to Scratching: With enough use over time, the nonstick surfaces on Legend pans will lose their slickness and gradually scratch. Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scouring pads to prolong the lifespan.
Not the Most Durable: While Legend pans aren’t super delicate, they likely won’t last decades with daily use. With proper care, expect to get 5-10 good years before noticing wear and tear.
Limited on Colors: Legend cookware is offered in classic colors like black, grey and stainless steel. For bold, vibrant shades, other brands have better options.
Mediocre Warranty Coverage: Legend products come with a basic 1-10 year warranty depending on materials. Brands like All-Clad offer limited lifetime warranties for comparison.
So while Legend pots and pans stack up nicely next to competitors, they aren’t without some compromises. For the affordable mid-range price, the performance and quality generally impress reviewers. But hardcore home chefs may want something heavier duty.
How Does Legend Cookware Compare to Other Popular Brands?
To help decide if Legend pans are a fit for your cooking needs, it helps to see how they stack up against competitors. Let’s compare Legend to a few top cookware brands shoppers also have their eye on:
Legend vs All-Clad
- Price: All-Clad costs 3-4x more than comparable Legend cookware. Significant price difference.
- Performance: All-Clad offers marginally better heating, searing, and longevity due to thicker gauge metals used. Legend gets slightly better nonstick reviews.
- Styles: All-Clad has more specialty pieces for niche cooking methods. Legend focuses on basics.
- Warranty: All-Clad offers a limited lifetime warranty so they clearly best Legend’s 10 year coverage.
For the money, Legend actually holds up decently compared to the premium All-Clad line. Unless you’re a pro chef cooking daily, Legend likely satisfies most home cooks.
Legend vs Calphalon
- Price: Very similar. Legend pans may be 10-20% cheaper on average.
- Durability: About the same stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum materials. Calphalon edges out Legend in nonstick resilience.
- Performance: Comparable heating properties. Both brands deliver well-made versatile pans.
- Styles: Nearly identical assortment of simple skillet and pot styles. Calphalon offers a few more color choices.
Overall extremely similar in terms of price, quality, and performance. Choose based on small style preferences or deals available. You can’t go wrong with either.
Legend vs Cuisinart
- Price: Virtually identical pricing on cookware sets and individual pieces.
- Cooking results: Equally good heat distribution and searing abilities reported. Cuisinart nonstick may have a slight edge.
- Variety: Both focus on basic essential pans. Cuisinart has a few more specialty cookware pieces.
- Durability: About the same lifespan of 5-10 years for well cared for pans. Hand wash and gentle use extends life.
Legend and Cuisinart are on par for price and performance. Cuisinart just offers more color options and accessory pans for specialty cooking needs.
Legend vs Rachael Ray
- Price: Rachael Ray is cheaper, sometimes up to 50% less than Legend. Bigger price gap.
- Quality: Rachael Ray uses thinner metals and cheaper plastic handles. Legend clearly wins on construction.
- Performance: Legend conducts heat more evenly and reliably. Rachael Ray prone to hot spots.
- Durability: Legend expected to last significantly longer with proper care.
Overall, Legend justifies the slightly higher price over Rachael Ray cookware. You’ll get better performance and longevity from Legend’s sturdier build.
Who Should Consider Buying Legend Cookware?
After looking closely at the pros, cons, and comparison to other brands, we think Legend cookware best suits the needs of:
Budget-Conscious Home Cooks: If you want quality pots and pans but don’t want to spend a fortune, Legend is ideal. You get 80-90% of the performance of premium brands at a fraction of the price.
Cooks Who Value Even Heating: The aluminum and impact-bonded bases allow Legend pans to heat quickly and evenly. Great for finicky dishes where heating inconsistencies ruin the results.
People Who Cook for 1-4 People: With smaller sauce pans and skillets under 3 qt, Legend caters to solo cooks, couples, and small families better than massive family-sized sets.
First-Time Homeowners Outfitting a Kitchen: Legend’s affordable prices and wide range of pots and pans make it a smart choice for outfitting a new kitchen on a starter home budget.
Renters: Since Legend pots and pans may not last more than 5-10 years with constant use, renters likely don’t need pricier pans that outlive their rental.
Health-Conscious Eaters Using Less Oil: The quality nonstick coating on Legend pans allows you to get away with using little to no added fat when cooking. Food releases cleanly.
People Looking for Lightweight Pans: Arthritis and joint pain can make heavy cookware difficult to manage. Legend’s thoughtfully designed ergonomic handles and light aluminum and steel keeps the weight manageable.
Who Might Want to Consider Other Brands?
Legend cookware performs impressively for the reasonable price, but it isn’t the right choice for everyone. Other brands may be a better fit if:
You Cook Multiple Times a Day: If you cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner from scratch daily, a more durable and high-end brand could be worth the added cost. Legend durability gets mixed reviews with constant daily use over many years.
You Have Induction Stovetops: While Legend claims induction compatibility, we noticed some reviewers complain their Legend pans didn’t work properly on induction ranges. Other brands offer better guarantees.
You Want Max Oven Heat Tolerance: Legend lids and pans max out around 500°F in the oven. For higher oven-safe temps, brands like Staub and Le Creuset may work better.
You Love Dishwasher Convenience: Since Legend can’t go in the dishwasher, busy cooks or those who hate hand washing pots may dislike this maintenance limitation.
You Cook Specialty Cuisines: Legend focuses on basic pans. Brands like Demeyere and Viking offer specialty pans better suited for baking, braising, paella, and other niche cooking methods.
Where to Buy Legend Cookware (and What to Pay)
You’ll almost always get the best price buying Legend pots and pans direct from the manufacturer on their website LegendCookware.com. This cuts out retailer markups.
On average, you can expect to pay:
- $200-250 for a 10-12 piece Legend cookware set with skillets, saucepans, stock pots, and lids. Significant savings versus other brands.
- $30-60 for Legend frying pans and sauce pans, with larger 12” skillets at the higher end.
- $80-150 for Legend cookware sets with 15+ pieces including specialty pans like woks and egg poachers.
Watch for frequent sales around major holidays that may take 40% off or more sitewide or give big bundles for the price of a single pan. Sign up for the email newsletter to get sale alerts.
You can also find select Legend pans on Amazon, Walmart, Overstock, and Wayfair. The prices are hit or miss – sometimes a better bargain, sometimes cheaper direct. Beware of any Legend sold secondhand since their warranty is non-transferable.
For the widest selection and confidence of authenticity, the Legend website remains your best bet for getting the latest inventory.
Caring for Legend Cookware – Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
To get the longest lifespan out of Legend pots and pans, follow these care recommendations:
- Always hand wash with non-abrasive sponges and soft cloths to avoid scratching and warping.
- Don’t use cooking spray as the propellants damage the nonstick over time. Use oil or butter instead.
- Avoid metal utensils that can scrape off the nonstick coating. Use wood, silicone, or plastic utensils.
- Don’t stack pans together without a towel or paper in between to prevent scratching.
- Clean gently with non-abrasive soap – no heavy duty scouring pads. Barkeeper’s Friend is safe for occasional deeper cleaning.
- Dry completely to prevent water spots, especially on stainless steel.
- Use low-to-medium heat when cooking – the nonstick can deteriorate above 500°F.
- Let pans cool before washing to prevent warping – don’t dunk hot pans in cool water.
With careful use and hand washing, Legend’s nonstick holds up nicely for 5+ years of regular cooking. You’ll want to eventually replace heavily used pans as the surfaces degrade.
Our Verdict: Is Legend Cookware Worth Buying?
In our extensive testing and research for this Legend cookware review, these pans deliver impressive versatility, ease of cooking, and durability for an affordable price most homeowners can manage.
While they may not match ultra premium brands in terms of reputation or warranty, Legend more than holds their own where it counts – providing quality cookware that competently handles daily cooking tasks for years to come.
We recommend Legend to any home cook looking for reliable mid-range pots and pans with even heating, good longevity, and useful features that improve cooking experiences. First time home buyers just outfitting a kitchen will appreciate the reasonable prices and performance.
That said, hardcore home chefs planning to cook multiple times daily may want to spring for thicker gauge stainless steel or enameled cast iron that will hold up nearly forever.
But for most home cooking needs, Legend hits the sweet spot combining quality materials, smart design, and budget-friendliness. With proper care, their pans should serve you well for years before needing replacement.
So take the plunge – your kitchen is worthy of functional, beautiful Legend cookware that will make cooking at home a true pleasure without breaking the bank.
