Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set Review: Do These Pretty Pans Live Up to the Hype?
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Is it worth buying a full set of Drew Barrymore Cookware? Let's put this set to the test.
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As someone who has worked as a chef, food writer and recipe developer for 20 years, I’m normally wary of celebrity-branded cookware. When I found out Drew Barrymore—who is an actress, not a chef—was lending her name to Walmart-exclusive cookware, I had the lowest possible expectations.
Imagine my surprise when I was called upon to test and review the Drew Barrymore Hero Pan and ended up falling in love! That single pan not only impressed me but continues to get regular use in my home kitchen. I was curious to see whether or not a cheaper Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set would also pass the test.
What is Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware?
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is a collaboration between Drew Barrymore and kitchenware manufacturer Made by Gather. In addition to cookware, the Beautiful line also includes small appliances like stand mixers and frozen drink makers, furniture and home goods. All Drew Barrymore products are exclusively sold at Walmart.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware
This cookware set is made with non-toxic, healthy ceramic non-stick coating that is impeccably crafted with a sleek design that's compatible with all stovetops.
There are many different types of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware like cast iron Dutch ovens and stock pots. This set includes five essential pieces for day-to-day cooking: two frying pans, a saute pan, a saucepan and a small Dutch oven. It also comes with four foam cookware protectors to prevent scratches when stacking pans for storage. These pans are lightweight and come in four different colors, making them ideal for beginner or novice cooks.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Features
The first thing you’ll notice when taking your Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set out of the box is that it’s, well, beautiful. This 12-piece cookware set values looks just as much as it values performance. It is available in four colorways: White Icing, Sage Green, Black Sesame and Ceramic Gray.
There are two frying pans (8-inches and 10-inches), and three pans with die-cast metal lids: a 3-quart high-sided saute pan, a 2-quart saucepan and a 5-quart Dutch oven. The handles on both the pans and lids are made of gold die-cast metal, so this cookware is oven-safe up to 500 degrees. Then pans are made from light-cast aluminum, which is highly durable and excellent at both conducting and retaining heat. The aluminum construction also makes these pans suitable for use on gas, electric and induction cooktops.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is fully nonstick while also being nontoxic. All five pans are coated with nonstick ceramic, which is 100% free of “forever chemicals” like PTFE, PFOA and PFOS. Though that coating is durable enough not to chip and relatively scratch-resistant, this cookware set also includes four cookware protectors so you can stack the pans for storage.
The nonstick coating doesn’t only make it easier to cook—it makes it easier to do dishes as well! Though it’s safe to put these pans in the dishwasher, hand-washing is recommended, and honestly? It’s easier. It rarely takes more than a soapy sponge and a quick rinse to get these pans perfectly clean.
How We Tested It
To test this set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware, I used them as my family’s everyday pans for two months. This meant that in addition to me, a former professional chef and current professional food writer, they were also being used (and abused) by my two teenage sons who are just learning to cook for themselves.
Testing the Skillets
Of all five pieces, it was the nonstick skillets that got the most use. We eat a lot of eggs in our house, as they’re something that goes from the pan to the plate in almost no time at all—perfect for those weekdays when I’m overworked, overtired and in no mood to cook dinner. (Yes, even we professionals get sick of cooking sometimes!) Also, eggs are easy, meaning my boys can whip up an omelet or a fried egg sandwich whenever they’re hungry without relying on my assistance.
As egg pans, both skillets worked great! The 8-inch skillet is ideal when cooking for one, and is the perfect size for making omelets and crepes. But the most important attribute an egg pan can have is a nonstick surface that never fails, and these Drew Barrymore frying pans did not let me down. Our eggs continued to come out perfectly and slide out of the pan easily, as long as we remember to grease them with butter or cooking spray first. When we’ve forgotten to grease the pan (hey, it happens—especially when we’re groggy first thing in the morning!), any bits of egg that have clung to the pan comes right off with soap, water and a gentle sponge.
Testing the Saucepan
The saucepan has done a fine job in the two months we’ve been using it. My boys regularly use it for making themselves boxed mac and cheese and instant ramen, and then throw it in the dishwasher as they refuse to hand-wash pans. So far, the saucepan still looks brand new and does its job well.
Testing the Saute Pan and Dutch Oven
The saute pan and Dutch oven are both serviceable, but neither impressed me, especially when compared to some of the other pans I cook with, including the Drew Barrymore Hero Pan. Both pots are made from thin aluminum which conducts heat like a dream but does a terrible job of letting you control that heat. Food cooked in the saute pan frequently burned; to prevent this, I had to continually remove the pan from the heat for a minute to let it cool down before putting it back on the stove. I should note that I have an electric stove, so those who cook with gas might have a slightly different experience, but likely not by much.
A good Dutch oven should be made of a heavy metal that can conduct and retain heat, like cast iron. The version in the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set is made of the same aluminum as the rest of the set, so while it’s fine at heat conduction, it’s not as good at heat retention. For recipes that call for a Dutch oven, like breads and braises, I prefer my Great Jones Dutch oven. As for this pan, I would consider it more of a large saucepan or small stockpot. In the context of a complete cookware set, this is the pan you need for boiling pasta water or making brothy soups. I wouldn’t recommend it for typical Dutch oven dishes like stews or braises, as it suffers from the same heat-regulation issues as the saute pan.
Size and Cleanup
Another important thing to consider is the size of the pans. The skillets and small saucepan are good everyday pans for easy solo cooking (like grilled cheese sandwiches) and making side dishes. The skillet and Dutch oven can make enough food for singles, couples or families with young children who don’t eat that much. However, if you have a large family, older kids or like to end up with leftovers after you cook, these pans are too small to be of much use.
Cleaning my pans right after cooking is very easy with Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware. The nonstick ceramic coating is truly nonstick; once I’m done dishing up dinner, a rinse under hot running water clears almost everything out of the pan. Next, I give it a light rum with a soapy sponge, rinse again, and that’s all! Clean pans in under 30 seconds, no dishwasher required!
Pros
- True to the name, this cookware is beautiful
- Free from PFOAs/Forever Chemicals
- Lightweight
- Die-cast lids and handles
- Oven safe up to 500 degrees
- Easy to clean
- Great for beginners
- Would make a great gift for recent grads, newlyweds or anyone setting up their first kitchen
Cons
- Size of the pans makes this set best for couples or solo cooks
- Thin aluminum construction makes it difficult to regulate heat
- Not flimsy but not built to last more than a few years
FAQ
Are Drew Barrymore pots and pans safe?
Yes! All Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is free from PFAs, or “Forever Chemicals.” The nonstick coating on these pans features nontoxic ceramic that’s PFOA-, PTFE- and PFOS-free.
Can Drew Barrymore cookware go in the oven?
With the exception of the cookware protectors, every single piece is oven-safe up to 500 degrees, including the pot lids.
How do you clean Drew Barrymore pans?
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore pans are as easy to clean as they are to cook with. They are dishwasher-safe, though we recommend hand-washing. Fortunately, hand-washing these pans might actually be easier than putting them in the dishwasher! Thanks to their nonstick ceramic interiors, these pans nearly always come clean with a quick wipe of a soapy sponge. For anything that doesn’t come off right away, a short soak in soapy water should finish the job.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Satisfied Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Walmart customer Cat says this set is a great investment for the everyday cook. “These pots/pans are wonderful!” she writes. “They completely met my expectations for nonstick cookware. I am so happy I took my time to do research and to compare against other popular pans (like the really overpriced ones). Very sleek and durable. Highly recommend.”
“Obsessed with these pans and this brand!” raves five-star reviewer Laura. “Not only do the pans live up to their name and look amazing—cooking with them is a dream (nonstick and lightweight), and cleaning is simple! This pan’s materials are healthier and don’t contain forever chemicals, so I feel better using this pan for my family.”
Five-star reviewer Jassie says her set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware is “a keeper,” writing, “She named these perfectly. They cook really well. I’ve fried in them, sauteed with them and even made rice crispy treats so far and I’m going to do plenty more. When cleaning these pots/pans you should be using a cloth towel to wash and dry to avoid scratching the pans and don’t air dry at all with nonstick pans. I’ve had the set for about two months, I’m a culinary student so I’m always cooking I have no problems with paint chipping, and none of my pans have burnt marks or stains.”
Final Verdict
While these pretty pans have held up decently for the past two months, they won’t last forever, and at their value price point, I don’t expect them to. This set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is best for beginners who are setting up their first kitchen. The cookware is also great for singles and couples who prefer to whip up simple, easy meals. More serious home cooks or families with older children should consider Caraway cookware.
Where to Buy Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware
The cookware heats up fast, cooks evenly and is oven-safe to 500 degrees, including the die-cast lids.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is available exclusively at Walmart. This complete set of cookware currently retails for $149 but is frequently on sale, so keep your eyes peeled!
Originally Published: October 18, 2023
