This is our Starfrit The Rock review, where I will be covering everything you need to know about this cookware set.
I’m a chef with over a decade of experience, and I’ve been working with many different cookware brands. This Starfrit The Rock cookware is different from what I’ve been testing and reviewing.
It’s hard for cookware manufacturers to come up with something new or innovative. However, Starfrit came up with a brilliant solution. They made non-stick cookware exceptionally durable, which also performs well when cooking.
Go ahead and read our full review, where I will be covering every feature and every flaw this Starfrit The Rock cookware has. Non or less, I have to say; it’s excellent cookware set without any major flaws.
Starfrit The Rock Review: 10-Piece Cookware Set
- Material: Aluminum
- Oven safe: Yes
- Nonstick: Yes
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
- Induction compatible: No
- Come with lids: Yes
- Set Includes: 1.5 Qt saucepan, 3 Qt saucepan with lid, 5 Qt stockpot with lid, 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan with lid.
I was amazed at how good this Starfrit The Rock 10-Piece Cookware Set was in our review. It performed well both in our durability and performance test. But let’s dive deeper into the details.
This cookware set is made of a lightweight aluminum construction which is one of the best heat conductors. It responds to temperature changes quicker than stainless steel cookware does.
Another great advantage is that aluminum construction is lightweight. You can feel it when you take this cookware set out of the box. It’s easy to handle and hold with one hand. Let’s compare two stock pots side by side. One is Stafrit and another is Anolon stainless steel stockpot. Anolon stainless steel pot is far heavier making it not as easy to hold with one hand.
Pots and pans in this set have an extra thick heavy gauge aluminum base. To make cookware even more durable and impact-resistant, Starfrit reinforced rims. It helps protect the pan and pots from warping. It is great because most non-stick cookware tends to warp after two or three years of heavy use.
The build quality of this Starfrit The Rock 10-Piece Cookware Set is premium. Oven-safe riveted handles feel comfortable and solid. I’m only concerned about the paint on the bottom of the 10-inch pan starting to bubble. I’m afraid it’s going to peel off. I know it’s not going to affect the performance of the pan however, it would be nice if that didn’t happen.
I’m not too fond of the glass lids. Even though they use tempered glass and have stainless steel rims around, they still shatter easily. In general, glass lids are not as durable as stainless steel lids. If they break after the warranty ends, you don’t get a replacement. I’ve already read a few reviews online of customers complaining about it.
I have to say the pots and pans in this set perform exceptionally well. Heat distribution, thanks to the aluminum is excellent. Food cooks evenly, and cookware responds to temperature changes instantly.
The Nonstick surface is excellent. Nothing sticks. Food releases well. The handles are comfortable to hold and toss food around. Most cookware handles tend to get hot, but not on this one. I cook on a gas stove most of the time, and the handles stay warm but not too hot.
When talking about handles, they don’t have any small gaps where your fingers can get stuck. They are large, sturdy, and most importantly, comfortable to hold.
For the best non-stick performance, apply a small amount of oil before cooking. Spread it out evenly throughout the entire surface.
Lids are pretty heavy; therefore they create a good seal. They also come with steam vents to let the vapor out. It’s helpful if you like to cook stews, so the vegetables don’t get too soggy.
When it comes to maintenance, this cookware set is easy to clean. Since the food doesn’t stick, you can use a paper towel to clean it (depending on what you’re cooking). However, please don’t use the dishwasher to wash it. Even though it’s dishwasher safe, spend an extra five minutes cleaning it by hand because it’ll be much better for your cookware. Dishwashers can be too harsh for the non-stick surface, which can result in damaging it.
All in all, this Starfrit The Rock 10-Piece Cookware Set is excellent. If you’re looking to replace your old cookware, this is it. The non-stick surface is a joy to cook on. It performs great even when cooking foods that tend to stick easily. Build quality is impressive, especially considering how much this cookware costs. It’s an excellent value for the money and probably the most durable cookware in this price range.
Pros
- Amazing non-stick properties
- Build quality
- Non-reactive cookware
- The durable non-stick interior surface
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Large and comfortable handles
- Great heat conductivity
Cons
- Not compatible with induction stovetop
- The paint on the bottom of the pan is bubbling
Guide To Buying Cookware Set For Your Kitchen
Please take a look at our cookware buying guide. I’ll show you what you need to look for when buying cookware.
Heat Conductivity
Heat conductivity is critical since it determines how well your cookware performs. For example, stainless steel is not the best material when it comes to heat conductivity. It results in poor heat distribution and uneven cooking. It takes longer for cookware to heat up and cool down.
Here’s a table explaining how different materials used in cookware react to heat.
| Metal | Thermal Conductivity [BTU/(hr·ft⋅°F)] |
| Copper | 223 |
| Aluminum | 118 |
| Brass | 64 |
| Steel | 17 |
| Bronze | 15 |
When it comes to Starfrit The Rock cookware, it has a thick forged aluminum base. It helps with excellent heat distribution and even cooking.
Durability
Durability depends a lot on a cookware brand and the manufacturing process. Some brands have poor quality control, which can also result in defective pots and pans.
However, if you’re looking for the most durable material used in cookware, you should pick stainless steel.
Aluminum and non-stick cookware are not as durable as stainless steel or cast iron. It has a shorter lifespan. If you take good care of your non-stick cookware, you’ll get around five to six years at most of the good use.
Some cookware brands come with glass lids that can shatter easily. Unfortunately, Starfrit The Rock pans and pots set in this review come with glass lids as well.
Maintenance
Maintenance depends a lot on the material used in cookware. For example, cast iron and ceramic require seasoning. It’s also more difficult to wash as you can’t use any dishwashing soap or dishwasher. Read these two articles to get more familiar with how to take care of cast iron and ceramic cookware.
When it comes to non-stick cookware, it’s easy to maintain. This Starfrit The Rock cookware set doesn’t require seasoning. You can use a paper towel to wipe off excess food and give it a rinse under warm water with a dash of dishwashing soap.
If you’re a home cook who prefers convenience over anything else, perhaps non-stick cookware is your best option.
What Is Included In the Set
Since you’re looking to buy a set, make sure it includes all the essentials like a stockpot, frying pan, and saucepan.
Thankfully both the 8-piece and the 10-piece Starfrit The Rock cookware Sets include all the essential pans and pots.
Oven-Safe
Since so many home cooks are trying to utilize their cookware in different ways, the oven-safe feature became a necessity in cookware.
The Starfrti cookware set we reviewed in this article is oven-safe up to 450F/230C.
Warranty
Warranty differs from brand to brand. Some cookware brands have a lifetime warranty which gives you more confidence in their product.
However, it’s hard to expect a lifetime warranty from non-stick cookware. Starfrit offers a 3-year warranty with proof of purchase which is not too bad.
Reactivity
Cookware made from aluminum, copper, and non-stainless steel is considered to be reactive materials. When acidic foods come into contact with these cookware materials, it releases metal into food.
Most non-stick coatings are not reactive, meaning you can cook using acidic foods like citrus juice, wine, brown sugar, or tomatoes.
Starfrit cookware is also non-reactive. It means you can use any ingredients for cooking food.
Compatibility With Stove Tops
It’s great to have a versatile cookware set that works on all stovetops. However, most home cooks use their cookware either on gas or electric stovetops. So having one that is not induction compatible is not much of a problem.
This Starfrit The Rock 10-piece is not compatible with induction. They have other cookware sets in their lineup that are compatible with induction stovetops.
FAQ
Here’re the most frequently asked questions about Starfrit’s The Rock cookware.
Is Starfrit The Rock Oven-Safe?
Yes, it’s oven safe up to 350F / 176C.
Is Starfrit The Rock Dishwasher Safe?
Yes, this cookware is advertised as dishwasher safe however, I would still wash it by hand. The dishwasher environment is too harsh for cookware. It can cause discoloration or even damage the non-stick cookware surface.
The non-stick surface is effortless to clean, so you might as well wash it by hand since it will prolong the lifespan of your cookware.
Can Starfrit Withstand High Temperatures?
Yes, Starfrit The Rock cookware is safe to use at high temperatures. However, as a chef, I recommend cooking on low to medium heat. Unless your pan or pot is full, turn the heat up to medium-high.
If you want to sear foods that require high temperatures like steaks and mushrooms, start with low heat and gradually let the pan heat up.
Is Starfrit The Rock Safe to Use?
Yes, it’s entirely safe for use. It’s made of a non-reactive coating which means you can cook all kinds of food. It’s PFOA-free which means it can also withstand high temperatures.
Is Starfrit Induction Compatible?
Unfortunately, this particular set that we reviewed is not compatible with the induction stovetop. However, you can buy another cookware set from Starfrit that is induction compatible.
Why Should You Buy Starfrit The Rock Cookware?
This cookware set is truly unique because of its cooking surface. It’s not like any other cookware I’ve tested. It has a rough rock-like interior surface. Starfrit calls this technology Rock.Tec.
What Starfrit is doing to manufacture these pots and pans is shooting tiny steel pellets against the cookware surface. It creates little dimples all over the cooking surface. These tiny holes create lots of small air pockets, which prevent food from sticking.
So yes, the non-stick surface does not come from a non-stick coating. It’s made by using entirely different methods. And while speaking about non-stick coating, I have to mention that this set is also PFOA-free.
To answer why you should buy this cookware well because it’s one of the best value for the money cookware you can get. The high-quality non-stick surface on this cookware is exceptionally durable. Even though they claim it’s scratch-resistant, I would still not use metal utensils. I’m sure this surface is more than capable of handling metal utensils, but a question is for how long.
Our Verdict
If you’re looking to replace your old cookware, don’t hesitate and go with this Starfrit The Rock 10-Piece Cookware Set. It performs great when cooking. It’s one of the most durable cookware in this price range.
To top it off, it also looks great. If looking for more cookware reviews, click on this link to find more.
