I’m no stranger to the world of stainless-steel cookware — in fact, I’ve accumulated a fair few pieces over the years.
The key difference between my oil-splotched regulars and the newest arrival in my culinary line-up is simple: the old ones were plucked from the discount shelf at TK Maxx, and the latest is from Stellar.
The Stellar Profile Draining Saucepan makes a strong first impression without resorting to gimmicks.
It’s all clean lines, solid construction, and a lid that locks into place with a satisfying finality — no wobble, no drama. There’s something refreshing about a pan that doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is. No silicone handles, no neon heat indicators, no clever-but-fragile pour spouts. Just steel, symmetry, and function.
This means it performs exactly as you’d hope - evenly, reliably, and without requiring a pre-cook pep talk. It’s weighty enough to feel deliberate, but not so heavy that you start lamenting your upper-body strength. It goes from hob to dishwasher without protest and doesn’t retain the ghost of last night’s sauce.
For those of us whose cooking habits oscillate between weeknight pragmatism and bursts of enthusiastic faffing, this pan hits a sweet spot. It’s not flashy, but it does quietly raise the bar — and if you’re used to your cookware being a bit of an afterthought, this one has a way of making you reconsider what you put on the stove.
As for the TK Maxx collection? Let’s just say one of them has already been retired to the back of the cupboard with “decorative use only” status.
Stellar saucepan key specifications
Design
There’s an appealing honesty to the Stellar Profile Draining Saucepan. No showboating, no token silicone trim, no half-hearted nods to Scandinavian minimalism - just clean lines, good proportions, and materials that feel like they’ll still be around long after the rest of your kitchen kit has given up.
The stainless steel is unfussy but smart, with a polished rim and a glass lid that allows you to monitor the situation inside. The handle has a reassuringly solid feel, with a shape that sits naturally in the hand. It doesn’t shout about its design, but that’s the appeal. You get the sense it was made by someone who, you know, actually cooks.
Functionality
To put it through its paces, I caramelised a few shallots. It’s a basic test, but one that tends to reveal any unevenness in heat distribution. The results were excellent: a fast heat-up time, steady and even cooking, and no cold patches to contend with.
Yes, there were a few dark marks at the bottom once the onions had finished doing their thing, but they came off easily in the sink. No overnight soak, no scrubbing glove. A brief wash, and it was spotless again.
Later, I used it to cook and drain pasta. The integrated pouring spouts and lock-in lid worked exactly as advertised - no slip, no splash, and absolutely no colander in sight. The pan has a decent weight to it, but it’s still manageable one-handed. Even when full, it didn’t feel like a bicep workout.
Favourite features
The internal measurements are genuinely useful, not just decorative, and save time when it comes to measuring broths or sauces. But the MVP is the draining system. It makes you wonder why it isn’t a standard feature on all saucepans.
Bonus points for the hole in the handle, which — whether intentional or not — fits the handle of a wooden spoon just snugly enough to serve as an impromptu rest. It’s a small, slightly absurd joy, but a joy nonetheless.
This is a reliable, well-made saucepan that does exactly what it promises. It’s not revolutionary, but then, it doesn’t need to be. This is the kind of cookware that earns its place on the front burner by subtly outperforming everything else. And while my older pans will still loiter in the cupboard for emergencies, they’ve officially lost their spot in the first string. The Stellar, quite simply, does the job better.
Verdict
Stellar Profile 18cm Draining Saucepan, 2.3L
The Stellar Profile Draining Saucepan is a stainless steel kitchen workhorse with a streamlined design and clever, genuinely useful features.
Its standout is a dual-sided draining lid that locks securely into place, making pasta strainers entirely optional. Clear internal measurements, easy-pour spouts, and a thick base for even heat distribution round out the details. Suitable for all hob types (including induction) and dishwasher-safe, it’s practical without being clunky.
Weighty enough to feel substantial, but still manageable one-handed, this is everyday cookware that earns its space — whether you’re simmering sauces or just reheating soup.
Buy now £49.94, Amazon
