Are you considering investing in a Royal Prestige cookware set for your kitchen? With its eye-catching design and claims of superior performance, Royal Prestige certainly makes a compelling case. But is it truly worth the steep price tag?
After analyzing countless Royal Prestige reviews and evaluating the cookware’s key features, the answer largely depends on your budget and cooking needs. Keep reading for an in-depth look at what Royal Prestige cookware offers, its advantages and downsides according to owners, and how it stacks up against competitor brands.
A Brief History of Royal Prestige Cookware
Royal Prestige has a long history spanning over 60 years in the cookware industry. The company was actually founded by Peter O. Johnson in 1959 as Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC, based in Madison, Wisconsin.
The company was started by Peter O. Johnson who began selling cookware sets door-to-door. The cookware itself was manufactured under the Royal Prestige brand.
Contrary to previous information, there’s no record of Royal Prestige being sold to Corning Glass Works or being acquired by RexAM Corporation. It remains a brand owned by Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC.
Over the decades, Royal Prestige has expanded its product lines to include stainless steel and aluminum cookware, cutlery, and kitchen tools. They are best known for their precision designed pots and pans. Let’s look at some of the key cookware lines.
Royal Prestige’s Main Cookware Collections
Royal Prestige offers two primary cookware lines: the Royal Prestige 10-piece set and the Royal Prestige 12-piece set. Here’s an overview of each collection:
Royal Prestige 10-Piece Set
This collection features the company’s classic tri-ply stainless steel cookware with an aluminum core. It includes:
- 10″ and 12″ fry pans
- 1.5qt and 3qt saucepans with lids
- 5.5qt Dutch oven with lid
- Steamer insert
The set combines the durability and cooking performance of stainless steel with the heat conductivity of the aluminum core. It’s safe for induction stovetops as well.
Royal Prestige 12-Piece Set
This expanded collection includes Royal Prestige’s enameled cast aluminum cookware with a non-stick cooking surface. The additional pieces are:
- 7″ fry pan
- 2qt saucepan with lid
- 4qt casserole pan with lid
The cast aluminum construction offers responsive, even heating. And the PFOA-free ceramic coating provides effortless food release.
Both sets include tempered glass lids, stainless steel handles, and are protected by a lifetime warranty. Now let’s see how these features really measure up according to owners.
What Reviewers Say About Royal Prestige Cookware
Digging into first-hand Royal Prestige cookware reviews reveals plenty of insights on the pros and cons owners experience. Here is what current users highlight in their ratings:
“I absolutely love these pots and pans. Everything cooks evenly without any annoying hot spots. The fried eggs just slide right off the pan without oil. They work perfectly on my induction stove too.”
“These are without a doubt the most expensive pots and pans I’ve ever purchased. But years later, I have no regrets. They still look and work like new even with heavy use.”
“The non-stick held up well for the first year or two. But now it’s wearing off and I have to scrub food debris at times. Wish they lasted longer for the price.”
“My one dislike is that they can’t be put in the dishwasher. It’s just not practical to hand wash them all the time with a busy family.”
“They are much heavier than my old Calphalon set. I have arthritis so I struggle to lift the Dutch oven when it’s full of food.”
“I cook on my Royal Prestige pans almost daily and they distribute heat perfectly. My foods come out cooked through without any burning.”
As you can see from these quotes, owners agree that Royal Prestige offers excellent cooking performance leading to evenly cooked meals. But the cost and care requirements receive more mixed feedback.
To better summarize the experiences reported across reviews, here are the key pros and cons of Royal Prestige cookware:
Pros
- Tri-ply and tri-wall construction prevents hot spots for even cooking
- Durable stainless steel and thick aluminum materials
- Tempered glass lids make monitoring food easy
- Non-stick surface provides easy food release when new
- Suitable for all stovetops including induction
- Lifetime warranty provides peace of mind
Cons
- Extremely expensive, especially for entire cookware sets
- Hand wash requirement is inconvenient for many owners
- Heavy pans may be difficult to maneuver
- Non-stick coating wears off over time with daily use
- Only available through independent distributors
Clearly there are several tradeoffs to bear in mind with Royal Prestige. So how does it compare to other leading cookware brands on the market? Let’s explore some alternatives.
Royal Prestige vs. All-Clad, Calphalon, and Others
Royal Prestige sits at the highest end of the cookware price spectrum. For similar or better performance at a lower cost, here are some alternative brands to consider:
All-Clad
All-Clad is the pioneer of bringing tri-ply construction mainstream. Their Bonded cookware line matches Royal Prestige with a 3-layer metal combination of stainless steel, aluminum core, and more stainless steel. It offers comparable heating responsiveness and control.
The main advantages of All-Clad are the lower prices for similar cooking quality and being fully dishwasher safe. The lack of a non-stick surface option could be a downside for some though.
Calphalon
For budget-conscious shoppers, Calphalon provides excellent quality at affordable prices. Their Premier Space Saving Nonstick set has durable hard-anodized aluminum construction and PFOA-free non-stick interiors.
The non-stick holds up well over time and the flat, stacked pot and pan design is ideal for saving cabinet space. One tradeoff is slightly less even heating than a tri-ply design.
Cuisinart Multiclad Pro
The Cuisinart Multiclad Pro line is widely praised by both experts and home cooks. The tri-ply construction matches Royal Prestige and All-Clad but at a more affordable cost. And the brushed stainless exterior resists scratches.
The flip side is Cuisinart only offers a lifetime warranty on their tri-ply cookware rather than non-stick. But it’s a compelling lower-priced alternative.
Scanpan
For die-hard non-stick cooking, Scanpan is hard to beat. Their Stratanium ceramic-titanium coating rivals the best Teflon non-stick and lasts significantly longer. Plus the Danish company uses recycled aluminum and stainless steel.
On the other hand, the unique Scanpan handles may need some getting used. And the sets don’t have the tri-ply heat distribution that defines Royal Prestige.
Key Considerations Before Buying Royal Prestige
Clearly Royal Prestige provides high-performing cookware. But a few factors to weigh before investing include:
- Your budget – Costs run extremely high, so decide how much you can spend. Can you get 80% of the quality for half the price?
- Dishwasher needs – If you want to regularly use the dishwasher, then Royal Prestige isn’t the best match.
- Cooking habits – Do you deeply value responsive, even heating? Or is very non-stick most important? Match key strengths to your needs.
- Local distributors – Locate authorized sellers and see if you can try a set hands-on before buying given the cost.
At the end of the day, your cookware should make meal prep as enjoyable as possible. And you can find high performing pots and pans at every price level. But Royal Prestige certainly delivers for those wanting top-tier results…if you can stomach the steep investment.
Where to Buy Royal Prestige Cookware
Royal Prestige cookware is only sold through the company’s network of independent distributors. You can browse online, but will need to connect with your local seller to see products in person.
Here are some tips for finding local options:
- Check the Royal Prestige website for your nearest distributor
- Search for Royal Prestige representatives in your city or state
- Consider attending a Royal Prestige cooking show to see the cookware live
- Ask friends and family if they purchased through a local seller
Once you connect with an authorized dealer, you’ll be able to get the full sales pitch, inspect choices like the 10 or 12-piece set, and negotiate pricing. Keep the key buyer considerations above in mind as you evaluate your options.
Caring for Your Royal Prestige Cookware
To get the longest lifespan from your Royal Prestige cookware, proper care and cleaning are essential. Here are some usage and maintenance tips:
- Hand wash only – No dishwashers which can damage the finish. Wash by hand with mild soap and water.
- Use low to medium heat – High heat can degrade the non-stick coating and cause warping over time.
- Avoid metal utensils – Use wood, silicone, or plastic utensils to prevent scratching.
- Clean after each use – Don’t let food residue sit in the pans too long. It can bake on.
- Use plastic trivets – Place hot Royal Prestige pans on plastic trivets, not directly on countertops.
- Store carefully – Avoid stacking pans directly inside one another. Use provided pans separators.
- Remove stubborn residue – If needed, fill pan with water and bring to a low simmer to loosen debris.
With the proper care, your Royal Prestige cookware can deliver delicious evenly cooked meals for decades to come.
Conclusion
Royal Prestige has built a reputation for superb performing cookware. But is it the best choice for your kitchen? Weight the benefits and drawbacks carefully given the lofty costs. For many buyers, they can find nearly equivalent cooking power from more affordable brands like All-Clad, Calphalon, and Cuisinart.
Your preference for stainless, non-stick, or combination cookware should factor into the decision too. Be sure to inspect Royal Prestige cookware up close through a local distributor before purchasing. Getting hands-on will give you the best sense of quality, comfort, and if it’s worth the splurge.
Whichever cookware you select, choose what gets you excited to whip up everything from family favorites to new gourmet recipes. With the right pots and pans, the joy of cooking will heat up in your kitchen for years to come!
