I’m so excited to be sharing my updated review on 360 Waterless Cookware! I have a whole post dedicated to nontoxic cookware and it still remains one of the most popular posts on my website. Of my picks for nontoxic cookware brands, 360 Cookware is my cookware of choice and the brand I reach for most. And that is why I wanted to share all about it! Plus, I have a discount code to help you save when investing in this nontoxic cookware brand, so don’t miss it!
Check out my full Nontoxic Cookware Guide here!
First, I must share that my friend Steph Duford from @stephdufordlifestyle turned me on to the cookware. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to natural living in all its forms! When she recommends a product you know it is going to be so good.
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*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale. This comes at no cost to you, but is paid by the company. I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly. If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.
What is 360 Cookware and Why Is It Different?
360 Cookware is not only one of the best nontoxic cookware options and I think it is the best when it comes to a clean stainless steel cookware option!
One of the reasons why I love 360 so much is that it is made in the USA in West Bend, WI.
This a family business that started with the owner’s father being turned on to waterless cookware after returning from the Vietnam War. He even sold it for over 30 years until the operation got outsourced more and more to Asia. He realized how unique waterless cooking was, from the flavor profile it produced in the food that had been cooked in it, to the nutrients it kept intact. The owner’s son realized he wanted to continue waterless cookware and keep bringing it to the American people, so he created 360 Cookware.
The cool part is that they kept many of the workers that had been laid off from the previous company and hired them to work at 360 Cookware. These trained workers encompassed more than 450 years of experience in the manufacturing of waterless cookware! Since 2004, 360 Cookware has been making waterless cookware that stands the test of time and serves families every day as they use them to feed their families.
I will say I was so moved by the story of 360 Cookware. I love supporting family businesses and people that are truly creating products that are safe for people and the environment!
Check out all of 360 Cookware here and use code: gurlgonegreen25 to save 25% OFF!
What is waterless cookware?
Allow me to explain. Waterless cookware uses a technology called Vapor Technology to cook your food at lower temperatures. Many of us are cooking our food on high heat, however when you cook your food at lower temperatures you are not only increasing the flavors but protecting all the nutrients in the food. And this will yield higher nutrients in your cooked food! Not only does it heat your food at lower temperatures but it also does it quicker! Yes, in this case, you can have the best of both worlds. You are cooking the food in its own juices so you don’t need the added oils, butters, etc like you would with other cookware.
The lids of 360 Cookware are specially designed to create a Vapor Seal that encapsulates the heat and moves it around the food to cook it. Instead of overcooked, low-nutrient food with a bland taste, waterless cooking leaves you with nutrient-dense flavorful food! I can attest to the magic of waterless cookware after using 360 cookware myself- more on that in my full review below. If you prefer to cook as you always have you can still do that with 360 cookware too. You don’t have to use the waterless cookware method but once you learn it you won’t want to go back!
Is stainless steel cookware truly nontoxic?
Now, I’ve always wondered about the safety of stainless steel cookware when it came to leaching metals into food. I wasn’t so sure about it. However, after looking into 360 I’m convinced this is one of the safest options out there when it comes to nontoxic cookware. A 360 cookware pot or pan is made of three primary metals that are bonded together:
- A layer of T-304 Surgical Grade Stainless Steel is the innermost layer that comes in contact with your food.
- Aluminum Alloy is the middle layer- which is what allows even heat conduction throughout the cookware.
- The outside layer is T-400 Series Stainless Steel and is what comes in contact with your stovetop.
Since the aluminum alloy is in the middle it never comes into contact with your food. Many companies are using scrap metal and not stainless steel and calling it stainless steel. The scrap metal could be from anywhere and often is from China. You end up not knowing what your stainless steel actually contains. I also love that it’s surgical-grade stainless steel! My friend Steph brought this to my attention. This is what they use in your body if you were having surgery for something particular- next level that they use the highest quality.
360 is unique because not only is it U.S. made surgical stainless steel, but it’s also manufactured in the U.S. So everything is sourced and made here in the United States- so cool! I love knowing exactly where they’re sourcing the product and how it’s being made. 360 doesn’t spare any detail when making their product- it truly is unlike any other stainless steel cookware!
If you’ve looked into cookware in the past you may have been met with the idea that the more layers the better when dealing with cookware. Unfortunately, this isn’t the truth. More layers isn’t better but the thickness of the layers is what you want to consider. 360 has one of the thickest layers overall at .11″. Ensuring you can feel safe about what you’re cooking your food in!
Even better, no more chemical coatings that bring added toxins. 360 Cookware uses a dry sanding process to create a non-porous surface. This means no more sticking!
One of the best things about 360 Cookware is the fact that it’s cookware you will have for a lifetime – it is definitely heirloom quality cookware. You can literally pass these pots and pans down to your grandchildren. Once you invest in them, you’ll have them forever! They are heirloom quality and made to last. I love this because so often you have to buy so many sets of pots and pans, not with 360 Cookware- they hold up and last. They believe so much in their product that they offer a lifetime warranty- pretty amazing!
As you can see, 360 doesn’t miss details. They’re super into them, which I love!
Related Content: Best Stainless Steel Baking Sheets (Tested + Reviewed)
How To Cook With 360 Waterless Cookware
There is a slight learning curve to cooking with waterless cookware as I mentioned. But once you learn it, it’s so easy! I found the instruction guide that comes with the cookware so helpful and also their how to videos on their website. One of the biggest things is to make sure your pan is pre-heated before adding the food. You don’t need your pan to be hotter than low to medium heat. I find a lot of people turn the heat on high and that is what causes things to burn, and lose flavor and nutrition. You’ll be surprised even with the low heat how quickly your food actually cooks! Once you have your pan set to low/medium for 3-5 minutes then you can test the pan to see if it’s hot enough by dropping some water in the pan. If it splatters it’s not hot enough, but if the drops of water bead up and dance across the pan you know it’s hot enough. Once your pan is hot enough you’ll add your food. Then add your lid and wait for the steam to escape the lid, then you spin the lid to activate the vapor technology. The guide they give you is so helpful in knowing how long to cook things at first and then as you get used to it you will remember how long it takes the next time. There were a few things I added water to when cooking some vegetables and steak but it is very minimal. As with anything the more you use it, the more you learn!
The biggest thing I’ve noticed and my husband has noticed is the flavor profile in all of our food. It has gone way up! Also, how quickly it cooks items and the versatility of the pans. I’m hooked!
You can read all of my tips & tricks to cooking with 360 Waterless Cookware here.
How Do I Clean 360 Cookware?
I use baking soda and warm soapy water to clean my 360 cookware. For food that gets stuck to the pan I like using baking soda as a grit to remove the food. I use a natural scrub pad and it helps to lift off any residual food. If you have foods that are really hard to remove, you can add water to the pan and then heat it to gradually help lift the food. All of these methods have been great for me personally when cleaning the pans. I looked into what 360 Cookware specifically says on how to clean their pots and pans and this is what they say on their website.
“White or light-colored stains are due to mineral deposits from certain foods. Use baking soda or a stainless steel cleaner and make a gritty paste. Work over the area to remove any stuck on stains. All of our items are also dishwasher safe. For stuck on food, you can add soapy water or a mixture of white vinegar & water to your pan and reheat over medium to help loosen any burnt on food.”
360 Waterless Cookware Review
Ok, onto my experience using 360 Cookware. I had never used waterless cookware in the past. This was my first time using this method and being introduced to it. Thanks @stephdufordlifestyle… I’m forever grateful! I’ve never owned such a nice cookware set and I can tell you the difference is like none other.
These pots and pans are so well made! The 360 cookware products I have are the 3.5 Quart Saucepan, the 6 Quart Slow Cooker, and the 8.5 in. Fry Pan. Needless to say after using them I want to add more to my collection!
6 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot Slow Cooker
I love how this stainless steel pot can go from the slow cooker to an oven or on the stove. It’s so versatile! I can cook a whole chicken in this, a roast, a large batch of chili or bean soup and it all comes out wonderful. The flavor of the meat is unlike any other. It’s multi-use function really makes this one of my more loved pieces because it can do all the things. As fall and winter comes I can see myself cooking so many soups in this too! It’s been a game changer for me. It really has actually eliminated other pots that I used to use and created more of a minimalist effect to my cooking- because I only want to use this! I have a family of 5(one being a baby) but this has been perfect for our family. If you have a smaller family you may want to check out the 4 quart and if you have a larger family the 8 quart may be perfect for you! I’ve seared meat in the pot, then added in my veggies and the rest of the ingredients and put it on the slow cooker- trust me when I say you’ll use this!
3.5 Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan
What doesn’t this saucepan do?! But really. I can cook veggies in here, meat of any kind, from ground beef, sausage, chicken legs, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, and steaks. This is a well loved pan. I would say this is a quick way to make dinner fast and tasty! I’ll have some meat that’s been dethawed and then I’ll add it to the pan and within 15 minutes or less I have the tastiest dinner! The flavor of the meat is unreal. Ask my hubs! The chicken flavor is unlike anything I’ve made before and I literally don’t use any oil! It’s just the waterless cookware technology at work. The veggies don’t taste mushy or overdone but so much more fresh and vibrant. I love knowing my foods nutrients aren’t being diluted by water I’ve added. This pan is also great for stir fry’s too! I keep trying new things all the time with it.
8.5 in. Fry Pan
This little guy is perfect for frying eggs, reheating something quick, or if I’m just fixing something for myself or my husband. It’s such a great size and easy to handle. There is a learning curve with frying eggs or scrambled eggs when using it. I learned to heat it on low, around 3, wait a few minutes until it’s well heated. Add a little oil. I prefer avocado oil or ghee, then add the eggs in the oil. The trick really is to not overheat, which you will hear often when reading more about waterless cookware and cooking with it. Slow and steady wins the race- especially when it comes to cooking eggs. As with anything be patient, you’ll get the hang of it!
***Since my original 360 Cookware Review, I have added a few more of the 360 collection products to my kitchen. Here are my thoughts on them:
9×13 Roast Pan
I love this pan for roasting veggies or potatoes or even making rice krispies in it! It does it all. The sturdy handles on the side make it so nice for getting in and out of the oven. It’s also great for casserole dishes. The stainless steel helps to heat the pan evenly so you don’t get random burnt spots.
4 Quart Stock Pot with Cover
I use this so much! From boiling water for noodles, hard boiled eggs, heating up soup, making oatmeal- the list is endless. I love that it’s big enough to reheat something for our family of 6 but also small enough that it doesn’t feel so bulky to just whip out of the drawer. I use this several times a week at least. A must have in anybody’s kitchen!
8 Inch Fry Pan
This was another pan that I got last year and has been well used. It’s great for cooking anything small and quick. It’s so easy to pull out of the drawer. Whether I’m wanting to sauté an onion, fry an egg, reheat a stir fry or anything it does the job so well.
Jelly Roll Pan
This is perfect for cooking bacon in with its sides. As well as making sourdough hamburger buns or rolls. I even use it for cookies too! I like that it has sides that come up, helps avoid anything spilling out.
Large Cookie Sheet
These make the perfect cookies! I love that the larger size can fit a whole batch of paleo cookies on one sheet. Makes it so easy to bake them all at once instead of having to wait for them to come out and then scoop another batch on the cookie sheet. They heat the cookies so evenly so you never get under baked cookies or uneven cookies.
Pie Pan
I LOVE this pie pan. It really makes such a difference using it when baking a pie crust. The crust turns out so evenly. My quiches always turn out so well when I use this. It’s large enough on the sides too so things don’t spill over. Highly recommend it!
Loaf Pan
I didn’t realize there was a difference in loaf pans until I tried 360’s loaf pan! I had a glass loaf pan before my 360 loaf pan and thought it was fine. Then I tried 360’s and realized there is a difference in loaf pans! This cooks bread so much more evenly. No burnt spots. It helps them to rise beautifully. I love the sturdy handles on it too. I’ve never had that before and it makes getting it out of the oven so much easier!
Check out my full Non Toxic Bakeware post here!
Conclusion: Is 360 Cookware Worth It?
I think 360 Cookware is worth it. Not only are you going to be eating more nutrient dense food with the Vapor Technology but it makes your food taste so much better! I also think these are heirloom pieces and will last you a lifetime. No more having to buy new cookware or bakeware every couple years- these you can literally pass down to your kids and grandkids. Classic cookware that lasts the test of time and is nontoxic!
Shop all of 360 here and use the coupon code: gurlgonegreen25 for 25% off!!
What’s your favorite non toxic cookware to use?
If you liked this post, be sure to check out past posts below:
They look pretty good. Would love to try these out, one of my worries about stainless steel cookware is that food tends to stick on its surface. I stopped using our old stainless steel pan when I can’t seem to cook a fried egg without it sticking in the pan.
Yes, it’s all about using low heat. Also, some foods will still require some oil, like eggs.