Cuisinart Mixing Bowl Set, Nesting Bowls, Stainless Steel, 3-Piece

Why it's worth it

This is the plain version of the idea: three well-made stainless bowls in the sizes you'll reach for most, and nothing else. Everything about it is bare metal, so it goes in the dishwasher, the freezer, and over a pot of simmering water.

You get the three sizes that matter and nothing you didn't ask for. The 1.5, 3 and 5-quart bowls handle a dressing, a cake batter and a bread dough in one session without stopping to wash. The steel is solid, the bowls nest, and there's no plastic collar to crack or peel years from now. Plain gets you a long way in a kitchen.

Bare steel all the way around means it works as a double boiler. Set the 5-quart bowl over a 3-quart pot with an inch or two of simmering water and you've got a bain-marie for chocolate, lemon curd or hollandaise. Cooking publications favor stainless for this because it heats quickly and evenly and stays light enough to lift off the pot safely.

From our review of 7 stainless steel mixing bowl sets, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +You get the three sizes that matter and nothing you didn't ask for
• +Bare steel all the way around means it works as a double boiler
• +It's fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe, which is more useful than it sounds

What to know

• –It slides, and you'll notice
• –No lids, no marks, no spout