Heritage Steel HSC-17308 vs Tramontina 80116/249DS
Tramontina 80116/249DS
The short answer
Heritage Steel HSC-17308 comes out ahead overall with 8.4/10 against 8.2/10 for the Tramontina 80116/249DS. Heritage Steel HSC-17308 is stronger on cooking performance, build quality and durability, health and materials and set composition. Tramontina 80116/249DS is stronger on ease of use and cleaning and value. At current verified prices, the Tramontina 80116/249DS costs about $600.00 less.
- Choose the Heritage Steel HSC-17308 if: Health-focused cooks who want the strongest written non-toxic disclosure, a US-made 316Ti-surfaced 5-ply set, and a 12-inch skillet, and who will buy direct.
- Choose the Tramontina 80116/249DS if: Most households that want a complete, fully clad, uncoated stainless set at about $300 from Amazon.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Heritage Steel HSC-17308 | Tramontina 80116/249DS |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking performance | 8.6ATK Highly Recommended; heavy 5-ply pans heat evenly. | 8.2Wirecutter and CNN top pick (from a post and a snippet); Reviewed and Food Network tests found even heating. |
| Build quality and durability | 9.05-ply, 316Ti surface, US-made, repair-or-replace lifetime warranty. | 8.3Fully clad, NSF certified, lifetime warranty; handles can rotate and it may discolor. |
| Health and materials | 9.5Most explicit PFAS, coating and heavy-metal disclosure in the pool; nickel still present. | 8.5Uncoated 18/10 interior, enclosed core, stainless lids; NSF certified; made in Brazil. |
| Ease of use and cleaning | 6.8Heavy; handles can rotate in a pot holder (ATK). | 7.5Comfortable wide handles (Reviewed); needs preheating and oil. |
| Set composition | 9.0Five useful pans including 10.5-inch and 12-inch skillets, a 4 qt sauté and an 8 qt pot. | 7.88 qt stockpot and 5 qt deep sauté; 10-inch largest skillet. |
| Value | 6.2$899.95 for five pans. | 8.8About $300 from Amazon for a Wirecutter top pick. |
Specifications
| Spec | Heritage Steel HSC-17308 | Tramontina 80116/249DS |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Fully clad 5-ply | Fully clad tri-ply |
| Ply count | 5 layers | 3 layers |
| Cooking surface material | 316Ti stainless steel | 18/10 stainless steel |
| Core material | Three aluminum layers | Aluminum |
| Manufacturer states PFAS-free | Yes | No |
| Lid material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Piece count (incl. lids) | 8 pieces | 12 pieces |
| Largest skillet | 12 in | 10 in |
| Largest pot | 8 qt | 8 qt |
| Oven-safe to | 800 °F | 500 °F |
| Induction compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Made in | USA (Clarksville, TN; clad steel from South Korea) | Brazil |
Heritage Steel HSC-17308
Pros
- Written PFAS-free statement and no chemical coatings
- Includes a 12-inch skillet and 8 qt stockpot
- 5-ply build rated Highly Recommended by ATK
- Made in the USA with lifetime repair-or-replace warranty
- Oven-safe to 800°F and induction compatible
Cons
- Premium price for five pans
- Heavy
- Short, smooth handles can rotate in a pot holder (ATK)
- Sold direct from the manufacturer only
The best fit for a non-toxic focus: documented materials, strong build and a useful lineup of pans. It costs a lot, but buyers who care about disclosure get the most here.
Full Heritage Steel HSC-17308 review →Tramontina 80116/249DS
Pros
- Fully clad tri-ply with an 18/10 interior
- NSF certified, with a lifetime warranty
- Sold directly by Amazon at a mid-range price
- Stainless lids, induction compatible, oven-safe to 500°F
- Wide, comfortable handles
Cons
- Largest skillet is 10 inches
- Contents vary by retailer
- Handles can rotate in the hand (ATK, on the 9-piece version)
- May discolor over time and needs preheating and oil to prevent sticking
The best choice for most households. It gives you a full uncoated set at a fraction of the premium brands' prices, with solid independent backing.
Full Tramontina 80116/249DS review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Non-Toxic Stainless Steel Cookware Sets of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.