MAXAM WATERLESS COOKWARE REVIEW
Categories: Maxam Waterless Cookware
Tags: maxam cookware. waterless cookware maxam waterless cookware
Maxam waterless cookware has been around for many years, and has been sold at fares, TV demonstrations, and over the internet. Here’s one set that can be sold over the internet, so it is widely available.
The KT17 Ultra is the top of the line for Maxam. It’s a heavy set and has the 7-ply bottom with carbon steel between the stainless steel layers. This allows the pans to be used on any type of cooktop, including induction burners.
The sets are produced in China according to the manufacturer’s specifications. They seem well constructed and come with a limited lifetime warranty. The handles and knobs don’t carry the lifetime warranty, but the cost of replacement is very reasonable, each $15 or under (plus shipping).
In our opinion it is more cost effective to get a good set like Maxam and not opt for the very expensive sets of waterless cookware that includes lifetime warranty on all parts. The cost difference is probably about $2500 for a basic set. That would be a mountain of handles and knobs!
The top of the like Maxam Ultra 17 piece set can run from $325 to $500, some retailers have free shipping.
Here’s one cautionary note. You can buy Maxam just about anywhere online, including Ebay. HOWEVER we would advise making sure you purchase from a retailer that has good “contact us” information online. Try to find a retailer you can talk to, ask questions about their return policies, and will be there is a problem should arise.
Be sure and keep the warranty information you get with your Maxam waterless cookware set. It will have the information you need if you ever have to correspond with them.
These sets can certainly last a lifetime. They are heavy stainless steel and capable of withstanding repeated usage for a long time. Waterless cooking is meant to be done at lower temperatures. With the Maxam just like the others, start with medium temperature, and when the pot begins to whistle, close the valve on the knob and turn down the temp to low. You’ll get a good deal for the money.
I couldn't agree more with the review by Mary Binette about Maxam waterless cookware. I bought my set of waterless cookware online from RealCook.com about a year ago. I particularly agreed with Mary's cautionary note. The review said that you can buy Maxam just about anywhere online including Ebay, but the writer advised us to make sure we purchase from a retailer that has good contact information, and to try and find a company that you can actually talk to. I guess that's why I decided on RealCook.com, they are the first company to answer their phone when I was trying to call one of the companies to ask questions. It seems that most companies online do not realize how important customer service still is to a lot of people.
One thing about Mary's review, the set she was speaking of is not actually the "Maxam" brand, it's called the Steam Control System World's Finest Cookware. I know this because I really did a lot of research before I bought my set, and Mary said the set has 7 plies, that means that it's not the Maxam brand but the Steam Control System's brand. The Maxam brand has 9 plies instead of 7, but both sets are made by the same company.
Sincerely, Linda E.
Quaker Farms, Connecticut
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Waterless cooking has become more and more popular as we become more health conscious in our cooking habits. This comment by Marie Binett about the Maxam
waterless cookware set is right to the point. These cookware sets are a great value and truly affordable when we take in consideration the life time warranty, the fact that their going to last "a life time", and the health advantage of waterless cooking. Just try eating some vegetables cook the "traditional" way (boiled in water) compared with the same vegetables cooked the waterless way: they're not just better for you health wise, the taste a lot better also.Add some Extra Virgin Olive Oil over them and they are deliciously great!!
The KT17 ULTRA Cookware set is now manufactured in America a under the brand name World's Finest™ 7-Ply Steam Control™ 17pc Surgical Stainless Steel Cookware Set and you can find it at http://www.cookinglikechefs.com at a great price with free shipping. This site also offers FREE recipes to cook delicious meals, including waterless cooking.
Excellent blog Mary, congratulations!!
Admin Response:
We did check out where KT17 Ultra is being produced by contacting the US distributor. They are still being manufactured in China, though there is quality control oversight by US personnel to make sure the design specifications are being met.
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Could someone tell me where to buy a few of the extra plastic parts for "just in case" events. I love my KT17 Ultra set. It is amazing you can cook with such low energies (power). My source (ebay) did not know where to get parts.
Thanks for the help. Bill
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I am not sure what parts you are referring to. If you mean handles and knobs, then they can be obtained from www.cookwaresplus.com. You need to call and talk to them about what parts you are looking for. If the set it relatively new it should not be a problem to get handles and knobs.
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I am considering purchasing and marketing the Maxam K-17 set on my website. However, I have read three reviews on Amazon concerning problems with the steam valve insert falling out of the cover and in some case into the food being cooked. One of the reviews stated that the defective part was returned and replaced. However, in a matter of a month, the same problem recurred. This is a serious issue. Can someone comment?
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We have been selling this product for over 4 years, and have not had this happen, so I do not think this is a serious or frequent problem. We have found customer need replacement knobs for a couple of reasons. (1) They are old, and have had them wear out (2) Misuse--putting them in the oven at high heat than recommended. (3) Forgetting an empty pot on the stove when the heat is on.
We have never had a request for knob replacement for the reasons stated in our experience. We do always recommend taking care of the pots and pans and washing carefully by hand. I personally do not put our pieces in the dishwasher. I do not know how the steam valve can fall into the food. That could only happen if the valve was broken, the cover was lifted and the broken valve fell in the food when the cover was lifted. There is no "hole" for a broken valve to fall through when the cover is on the pot. There is only a small valve opening for steam to go through and hit the steam valve--I don't see how it can fall through such a small opening.
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Who is the importer/manufacturer of the KT17 Ultra waterless cookware? I would like to contact them for information concerning this product.
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B&F Systems out of Dallas, Texas is the distributor. They do not sell to the general public, only to independent business owners. You can find them at bnfusa.com
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I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often
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I love the concept of waterless cooking but have one question. How do you know when the food has finished cooking since the vapor lock is lost when you lift the lid?
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Thanks for the question.
Several cookware sets do come with books that give you a general guide as to how long various food will take. However, you are right, there will come a time when you want to look at the food to determine if it's cooked. It is fine to do that, and if it isn't quite ready, just put the lid back on, open up the steam vent on the lid (if your set has one), increase the heat slightly and wait for the whistle. When you hear the whistle ( or if your set has no whistle watch for the time the lid spins freely), then close the steam vent again and turn the heat back down to low. It will continue to cook under the low heat until you take the lid off again.
With practice you probably will learn how long it takes to cook something.
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With reference to Kay's query re: when does a cook know if food is done should the vapor-seal be disrupted? I believe it fair to say all cooks take a peek now & then. I think it's also fair to note that waterless cooking occurs in a steamed environment that is far more resilient than some of the information in cyber-space would suggest.
Having used Chef's Secret (with the thermo-knob) for 10 years, I can safely vouch for the sanctity of peeking. So little is lost of nutrients from lifting the lid & poking the broccoli with a fork. Over time, looking & poking subsides & one's internal clock takes over.
The joys of waterless cookware (especially the quality of Maxam in all is various brands) is the versatility of these fine utensils. There isn't much that can go wrong when heat settings remain below medium stove top and most of the cooking is done on low.
I feel spoiled by these wonderful pots and pans.
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Hi Steve,
I agree with your comments. I do peek at times and unless I leave the lid off too long I usually don't have to crank up the heat temporarily to build the steam back up. Good point!
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As a follow-up to whistling knobs and peeking under the lid, I prefer thermo-knobs (Chef's Secret and HealthSmart brands for example). Non-vented thermo-knob covers 'pssst' at the rim or well of the utensil when a vapor-seal forms. Whistle or 'pssst' simply sounds an alert; time to turn the heat down (or off, depending on the item being cooked).
The added benefit of a thermo-knob is the ability to monitor internal utensil temperature which removes the guess work from any cooking equation = time, heat & moisture.
But beyond the vapor-seal lids, and beyond the 5-ply (or better) #304 surgical stainless steel fabrication, beyond the various heat-conductive metals ('elements') compressed between stainless plies to optimize cooking performance--beyond these unique Maxam characteristics resides the truer secret to honest waterless cooking. Steam.
Or more aptly, food-friendly, health-friendly, nutrient-friendly low heat steam.
A generation or two of Americans have grown up using Teflon's single-ply cookware: 1) cheap & toxic materials requiring high-heat to perform; 2) destroying much of the nutrient value of fresh foods in the process; 3) with the added dole of oils, fats, grease or sprays to better manage the hot conflagration.
Teflon cookware, I suppose, is ideal for modern boxed or canned processed foods. But these foods aren't wholesome, and high heat isn't cooking. Isn't that the truer failure of Teflon, to have misguided a generation of adults into believing they're cooking?
For me, cooking is a healthy family practice, and peeks under the lid are a curiosity amiably accepted. Peeks or no, low-heat waterless cookware preserves and retains twice the vital nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants & enzymes) of other cookwares or cooking methods. Self-contained steam is the honest secret under the lid, and only quality stainless steel waterless pots and pans have the right stuff to do it.
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This Chef's Secret set is really a nice one. It has several different sized pots, a skillet and several other nice pieces. Go sign up for the cookwares set. Who knows--you might win!
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Just started shopping for waterless cookware. This blog sure helps. Maybe I will just win won! That would be a great Christmas gift to me, and a wonderful benefit to my family!!!!
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Thanks to Karen and lots of folks who participated in the Health Cooking Holiday GIVE AWAY sponsored by the WaterlessCookwareBlog and Chef Leslie Newton at LalaCooks. The winner will be announced shortly (today)! Visit the blog and wish the delighted winner some good cheer.
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What are the differences between the Vapo-Seal 17 piece set and the Maxam KT 17 Ultra cookware sets. Thanks.
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There are two differences between the Maxam KT 17 and the VapoSeal sets.
1. Maxam has the steam control valve you can open and close. It tells you when to turn down the heat. The VapoSeal sets have no steam control valve. You don't really need it, since the way to tell if it is time to turn down the temperature is to see if the lid spins freely. When it does, just turn down the heat to low.
2. The Maxam sets are induction ready and work on the new induction cooktops, VapoSeal sets do not. In the US the induction cooktops are just now gaining in popularity. They have been around in Europe longer.
Both sets are otherwise similar, heavy T304 stainless steel cookware sets with the 7 ply plates on the bottom. Either set will do you well.
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One follow-up on the patented steam control value common to Maxam cookware.
On occasion, when heat is reduced, the lid will 'lock' because a vacuum has been created as the utensil slowly cools. The Maxam Steam Control system easily releases this vacuum by simply opening the valve. Without the valve, it may be necessary to turn up the heat until pressure builds and the lid releases.
It's a small feature but very cook-friendly. I've used older sets without the control valve & have tired of the locked lids.
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Very good point, Steve. Interestingly enough, I have seen other cookware sets have the lid "lock" that was not waterless (a Regalware pan). It's a good point to remember that if that happens, just warm the pan a bit and it "unlocks"
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I do love my KT17 Ultra set. Since I moved several times, I lost the 2.5qt saucepan lid cover, could someone tell me where I can buy it?
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It is very difficult to find just the lid. Contact cookwaresplus.com and they will try to find if their supplier has just lids. You may have to replace the pot and lid, we are not sure.
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Contact the importer, B & F System, USA at http://bnfusa.com. They might be able to help.
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Where can I obtain Maxam "Steam Control" knobs (with the red, open-closed feature) ?
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Here is a link the ordering the knobs at CookWaresPlus: http://www.cookwaresplus.com/site/1581661/product/PAKNOB
Mary does like to talk to customers before you place an order, since there are so many different models. You can call 800-745-8821 as well.
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Does the Maxin KT17 plys extend up the sides of the pan or just on the bottom. And is this really important? I just attended a Saladmaster dinner and loved the product and was shocked at the price. Also, they are claiming you can put frozen meat in their pans and that it will cook just great. Any feedback? They also claim you can store food in the pans in the fridge and it will not spoil or change flavor for 2 weeks. (not that I would do that). Thank for any feedback.
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The heavy plate on the bottom of the pan has all of the ply. The KT 17 Ultra has 7 ply. There is an inner and outer layer of T304 surgical stainless steel with an inner core of several elements, enough to transfer heat evenly and completely all through the rest of the pan (up the sides, etc) for even heating and stack cooking if you like. It does the job perfectly well, and cooks the food the waterless way.
If you are concerned about whether or not it works well you can always start off by purchasing one of the stainless steel stock pots. The 5.5 quart is a good sized pot for doing a roast with vegetables, soup, or cooking chicken (for example). It's got a steam control knob on the top. I use this particular pot more often than any other sized stock pot, but this also depends on the size of your family. If you cook for 5 or six it may not be big enough.
Yes, you could put frozen meat in the pot, but I don't. I often brown the meat to lock in flavor. When it browns meat will release from the bottom of the pan. Then you can put in veggies and potatoes, put the top on, turn down the heat to low, and cook the rest of the way in one pot. Cooking frozen meat would take longer, and you would probably do the vegetables in a separate pot.
I don't store meat in my stock pot just because it is too big to fit in the fridge. But, yes, I guess you could since stainless steel in non-reactive.
Maxam 17 piece is a good buy and works well.
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Jut would like to know if theres any recipies for the 11.5 round griddle(i got one for hostinga townecraft dinner party)I looked online and they are the same pans except for the extra cost(which only seem to include a better warranty on knobs and handles. also i would like to know if its possible to switch out the control knob with the townecraft or saladmaster electric oil skillet for maxams?
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I do not have any recipe book for the round griddle, sorry. I don't think you can switch out the knobs. These knobs have precision ground holes in which to fit the knobs and tighten. They tend to vary in set by size. If you have saladmaster, they should provide you replacement knobs and handles free of charge.
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thanks for the quick reply; when i was talking about knobs i meant the cord since they(townecraft and salad master and the others have a digital dial on their electric skillet)
any way im really intrested in the maxim ultra(worlds finest steam control)
does it have the recipie of how tio make a cake on the stovetop
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The Maxam 17 pc set that is the 9 element set comes with a small cookbook. I don't know if a cake recipe is included, but maybe so. It would not be hard to get one for you.
Here is the link for the Maxam Set: http://www.cookwaresplus.com/site/1581661/product/KT17
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I've read through all of this. I have an older "glass top" electric stove. I would like to know which is the best set. My mother has the 7-ply (element?) Would getting the 9-(element) (is this 9-ply?) set be better ? Thanks in advance.
JohnnyO (confused)
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You need at least 5 ply for good even heating with waterless cookware. 7 ply is about as many as you can get. A "ply" is not the same as an element. Several elements may be mixed together to make up one element.
I too have an "older" glass top stove. The waterless cookware works just fine on it. I have pieces of both the 7 ply and 9 element (about 5 ply), and they both cook about the same. I really can't tell much difference.
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