I’ve scoured the market for the best saucier pan. My top pick? The Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucier Pan.
We like to eat homemade oatmeal on a regular basis. It’s a tasty and healthy grain that can take on a variety of flavors. But making stovetop oatmeal requires the right cooking tools.
I like using a saucier because it helps me avoid the dreaded bits of burnt oatmeal getting stuck in the bottom edges of my straight-sided saucepan. It’s also helpful for whisked pastry cream or even boiling eggs.
That’s why I like the Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Saucier. It takes advantage of the best qualities of aluminum and stainless steel to create a superior pan that performs well and lasts.
But other factors go into choosing the right saucier. Ease of cleaning, price, and weight are just a few of the considerations that might affect your choice.
Which saucier pan is right for you? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
What is a saucier?
A saucier pan, also called a chef’s pan or sauté chef, is a helpful addition to any cookware collection. It looks like a rounded saucepan and is designed for stirring and reducing liquids. A saucier has sloping sides, a wide mouth with a rolled lip, and a long handle. Most sauciers come with a lid, as well.
The Best Saucier: Product Reviews
Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucier Pan: Best Overall
When most people think of Le Creuset, they think of enameled cast iron. But did you know they have a line of stainless steel cookware? This Le Creuset saucier has a capacity of 3.5 quarts (3.31 liters) or 14 liquid cups.
This saucier has three layers, consisting of an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel. The tri-ply stainless steel construction means this saucier heats quickly and evenly. It also means this pan is safe for metal utensils.
The rounded bottom makes for easy cleanup. Of course, food is more likely to adhere to stainless steel, so be sure to use fat or liquid to help reduce sticking. If hand washing isn’t your thing? This pan is dishwasher-safe.
The Le Creuset saucier has an ergonomic long handle, and a helper loop handle that stay cool to the touch. This piece is safe for oven use, up to 500°F (260°C). It’s also compatible with induction cooktops.
Reviewers had success with bechamel, alfredo sauce, marinara, hot fudge sauce, and gravy. They loved the even heat distribution and ease of cleaning.
Pros
- Tri-ply stainless steel construction
- Oven safe up to 500°F (260°C)
- Ergonomic handle & helper handle
- Compatible with all cooktops
- Safe for metal cooking tools
Cons
- More expensive
- Stainless is tougher to clean
All-Clad Copper Core Stainless Steel Saucier Pan: Overall Runner-Up
When it comes to stainless steel cookware, All-Clad has a premium reputation among chefs and home cooks. All of their cookware is made in the U.S.A. with exacting standards.
This All-Clad saucier pan has a 2-quart capacity (1.89 liters), making it a smaller option. However, what it lacks in volume, it makes up for in quality.
The pan is fully clad with five layers of metal. The copper core heats up rapidly, while the two aluminum layers provide even heating. The outer layers of stainless steel give this All-Clad saucier pan extra durability and a shiny finish.
This All-Clad saucier is suitable for all cooktops, including induction. It can also handle high heat. This pan is oven and broiler-safe up to 600°F (316°C).
What makes this pan ideal for preparing sauces is the responsive and precise temperature control it is capable of.
Although this pan is technically dishwasher-safe, All-Clad recommends you wash this pot by hand. This pan is not as easy to clean as one with a nonstick coating, but it will last much longer.
Several customers recommend occasionally using a product like Bar Keepers Friend to keep that beautiful shiny finish. To help avoid sticking, preheat the pan on low or medium heat. Add any oil or butter after preheating.
A lot of people liked how this All-Clad 2-quart saucier handles. It’s heavier than cheaply-made pans, but it’s not so heavy that you can’t lift it. The flared rounded lip makes pouring easy.
Also? The comfortable handle has a stay-cool feature to protect your hands while cooking. Several customers loved how responsive this saucier is to heat.
One complaint customers had was the copper ring on the exterior. It looks beautiful as a decoration, but overheating it can cause discoloration. While this won’t affect your ability to cook with the saucier, it does diminish the attractive appearance.
I’m a big fan of this stainless steel saucier, but it’s not always available. With limited availability, I couldn’t make it my top pick. If you can find it, however, I would suggest getting it.
Pros
- Five-ply construction
- Aluminum, copper, and stainless steel
- Safe for oven & broiler, up to 600°F (316°C)
- Durable, long-lasting
- Responsive, precise temperature control
Cons
- Smaller 2-quart capacity
- More expensive
- Reports of copper accent tarnishing
Tramontina Covered Saucier Enameled Cast Iron: Best Cast Iron Option
This Tramontina saucier is the only one on our list using a cast iron construction. It also features a porcelain enamel coating. It has a pretty blue exterior and a capacity of 3 quarts (2.84 liters), making it suitable for two to three people.
This enameled pot retains heat well and has even heating. Cast iron can be slower to heat, however.
For oven use, this saucier can handle temperatures up to 450°F (232°C). The lid is also oven-safe and snug-fitting. The downside? There is no enamel coating on the rim of the lid. Several users recommended seasoning the rim first to avoid rust or wear.
This pan has a snug-fitting lid with self-basting ridges. That means you can use this pan not only for making sauces but also for tenderizing meats.
Customers were able to cook oatmeal, rice, stews, and sauces. They loved how easy it was to handle. And even though this Tramontina pan is not dishwasher safe, several people still mentioned how easy it was to clean.
Even better: This Tramontina saucier pan is very affordable, so you can cook delicious meals without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Oven-safe up to 450°F (232°C)
- Heats evenly
- Induction compatible
- Helper handle
- Affordable
Cons
- Handwash only
- Slower to heat
- No enamel on the rim of the lid
- Harder to prepare sauces
Mauviel Copper Cookware Saucier with Stainless Steel Lining: Best Splurge Pick
Mauviel is a French-based company that specializes in copper cookware. They’ve been around almost 200 years, making them a trusted brand. It’s not uncommon to find Mauviel cookware in the kitchen of a professional chef.
This Mauviel M’Heritage saucier has a capacity of 1.7 quarts (1.61 liters). It features a copper exterior with a stainless steel lining on the interior. The copper heats up quickly and distributes heat brilliantly.
Copper is highly responsive to heat changes, too, so you have maximum control over the temperature of sauces. Stainless steel retains heat well and helps preserve the taste of the food.
If you have an induction cooktop, you’re out of luck as it isn’t induction-compatible.
It’s safe for oven use, although Mauviel does not list a maximum temperature. Generally, copper pans can handle heat up to 500°F (260°C), but you might want to test it at low temperatures first.
The Mauviel M’Heritage Saucier features a stay-cool cast stainless steel handle that is dual-riveted. Customers loved the weight of this saucier. Even without a helper handle, users commented on the balance of this pan.
They also liked how quickly this pot heats up on the stove. A word of caution, however. You don’t need to crank up the heat on high with this pan. Overheating copper can cause staining.
But there is a drawback. This pan is by far the priciest at the time of writing. By a long way.
Pros
- Copper construction with stainless interior
- Stay-cool handles
- Includes copper lid
- Safe for oven-use
- Made in France
- Good temperature control
Cons
- Quite expensive
- No helper handle
- Not induction compatible
Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Saucier with Lid: Best Budget Pick
This Anolon Nouvelle stainless steel saucier has a capacity of 2.5 quarts (2.37 liters), but they also offer a 3-quart (2.84 liters) and a 4-quart (3.79 liters) option. It comes with a tight-fitting stainless steel lid.
This saucier has a multi-clad copper core bottom with stainless steel sides. The base material means this saucier will work with induction cooktops.
The handles are dual riveted to be extra sturdy. Some reviewers complained, however, that the saucier is out of balance. The thinner walls are lighter than the thick base and handle.
You can safely use this Anolon saucier in the oven at temperatures up to 500°F (260°C). The manufacturer claims this pan is also dishwasher-safe, although I would recommend hand washing to avoid discoloration.
There were some reports of black spots appearing on the cooking surface. Some owners said Bar Keeper’s friend took care of it, but others still had problems.
Are you looking for a stainless steel saucier that is easier on the budget? This Anolon Nouvelle saucier is more affordable than some of the others on the list.
It may not have the features or the long-lasting durability of others, but it is at an accessible price point without sacrificing performance.
Pros
- Five-ply base
- Affordable
- Safe for oven use up to 500°F (260°F)
- Suitable for induction stovetops
Cons
- Not fully clad (just the base)
- No helper handle
- Reports of black spots
- Some complained of an imbalance
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Chef’s Pan with Cover: Budget Runner Up
This Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Saucier pan is labeled as a chef’s pan. It’s a 3-quart saucier (2.84 liters), making it capable of serving approximately three people.
This Cuisinart pan has a stainless steel construction, and the base has an aluminum core sandwiched between stainless steel layers. This aluminum layer helps the pot heat quickly.
The stay-cool handle is contoured for a good grip, and the tapered rim makes for easy pouring. The stainless steel lid fits snugly to seal in flavor and nutrients.
Some customers mentioned they would have liked a glass lid to monitor sauces, but most sauciers have the same material on the lid as they do on the pot itself.
Cuisinart’s saucier is oven-safe up to 500°F (260°C). However, if you have an induction cooktop, you won’t be able to use this pan, as the bottom is not magnetic.
As for cleaning? This saucier is dishwasher-safe. Users said the pan was easy to clean, but several had issues with discoloration and staining. Discoloration won’t affect cooking performance, but it can be a nuisance.
Pros
- Aluminum encapsulated base
- Very affordable
- Oven-safe to 500°F (260°C)
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Not induction compatible
- Reports of stains or discoloration
Buying Guide: Saucier Pans
What’s the difference between a saucier and a saucepan?
A saucier and a saucepan are multi-purpose pieces of cookware, and they are both for stovetop use. There is a difference between them, though.
The major difference is in their shape. A saucepan has straight sides and sharp corners, with a relatively broad cooking surface and a mouth of the same diameter. A saucepan is a versatile cooking tool, but the saucier offers some advantages.
A saucier, however, has a wider mouth and rounded sides. The saucier’s shape makes whisking and stirring easier. It also prevents food from getting stuck in the bottom corners. The wide mouth speeds up evaporation, making it great for reducing sauces.
The material is also more important in a saucier which has to be responsive to temperature changes and heat evenly. Sauciers often include copper which is ideal.
What cooking tasks can a saucier handle?
A saucier pan is ideal for a wide range of sauces and liquid-based dishes. You can use a saucier for making oatmeal, creamy risottos, and pastry cream. Puddings, polenta, and rice are also good choices for a saucier.
Can you fry in a saucier?
While a saucier pan is not designed for frying, you can fry foods in a saucier. It may not be the most efficient piece of cookware for the task, however.
A frying pan has straight sides and a larger surface area for cooking, making it better suited for frying than a saucier. If you decide to try frying foods in a saucier, make sure to use plenty of oil and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Does a saucier need a lid?
The short answer? It really depends on what you plan to cook with your saucier.
Having a lid allows you to cook a wider variety of dishes, but you don’t need a lid for all recipes. Lids reduce the time it takes to bring liquids to a boil, so it’s great for dishes like soups, stews, and some sauces. Lids also keep in moisture and heat, so you need them to cook rice and steam vegetables.
Are you reducing sauces or trying to thicken a sauce? Leave off the lid. Without the lid, the saucier’s wide mouth can speed up evaporation.
What features should I look for in a saucier?
Comfortable Handle
The type of handle is an important factor in choosing the right saucier. A lot of sauces require constant whisking or stirring, which means you have to hold the pan for a while.
While some sauciers have helper handles, most do not. For that reason, the long handle needs to have a comfortable grip.
And the only thing worse than burning the sauce? Burning your hands. Look for stay-cool handles to keep your hands safe without always having to use oven mitts.
Rounded Shape & Wide Opening
Without the sloping sides and rounded edges, you aren’t getting the benefits of a saucier. You’d be better off using a saucepan, in that case. As opposed to a saucepan, a saucier should not have a right angle.
Heat distribution
Even heating is absolutely essential to a good saucier. Hot spots can make cooking a frustrating task, and they can flat-out ruin a good sauce.
After all, nobody wants scrambled bits of egg in their hollandaise sauce.
To ensure even heating, many manufacturers include a layer of aluminum and/or copper in their pans. These highly conductive metals heat much more quickly and evenly than stainless steel.
Not all the pans have the same level of layering, however. The best sauciers are fully clad, meaning they have multiple layers in the relatively broad cooking surface and the walls of the pan.
Others will only have layering in the bottom of the pan. This is better than nothing, but not ideal.
Still, other manufacturers will make the entire saucepan out of copper. Copper is more expensive, however. Other brands use cast iron, which has superbly even heating. But it’s slower to heat.
There are trade-offs with each of these materials, but the common thread among the best sauciers is that they distribute heat evenly throughout the pan.
Last Word: Which is the best saucier?
When it comes to saucier pans, I would go with the Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucier Pan. Its superb cooking performance, durability, and beautiful finish make it one of the best sauciers on the market.
If you want to see more cookware like this, then check out my Le Creuset Cookware Review or my All Clad Copper Core Review.
