The Best Nesting Pots and Pans for a Small Kitchen

Short on space but big on appetite? These top nesting pots and pans are here to turn your small kitchen into a high-end restaurant.

As someone who has a tiny kitchen, an RV, or a boat, you know finding room for everything can be a challenge. But what if we told you that you can have pots and pans that stack, yet still heat evenly and cook food perfectly? It’s like a dream come true, right?

With nesting pots and pans, you can have the best of both worlds. Yup, you can have your cake and eat it too. No more having to choose between cramped cabinets and poorly-cooked meals. These sets are designed to save space and still deliver delicious, evenly-cooked food every time.

But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right set for you?

We’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the Internet and rounded up the absolute best nesting pots and pans for small spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out on your culinary journey, these pots and pans are bound to become your new go-to’s.

So go ahead, clear out some cabinet space, and get ready to cook up a storm with your new nesting pots and pans!

Best Cookware Sets for Small Spaces

The Denmark Tools 7-Piece Stax Set is a game-changer for anyone with a small kitchen, a van or RV, or a boat. This cookware set takes up about as much space as a single pasta pot, yet it includes everything you need to cook a variety of dishes.

The set consists of three pots — a 1.5-quart covered Dutch oven, 3-quart covered Dutch oven, and 5.5-quart covered Dutch oven — and 10-inch sauté Pan, as well as two 16.5-inch protectors.

Each cooking vessel is made of cast aluminum with a non-stick (Polytetrafluoroethylene/PTFE) coating on the inside, ensuring that your food won’t stick to the pan and will cook evenly. The lids are made from tempered glass, allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks. And with silicone handles for a good grip and oven-safe up to 350°F (176°C), these vessels are as practical and versatile as they are space-saving.

But the real star of this set, and why it made it on our list, is the stackability. The pots and pans nest together and come with 2 pan protectors, so you don’t have to worry about them scratching when you store them.

Customers love the Denmark Tools 7-Piece Stax Set for its compact size and versatility. One customer even mentioned using it in their RV, and others praised its durability and the variety of pan sizes included in the set. This set truly has it all, and it works great with gas, electric coil, and glass ceramic cooktops.

So if you’re in need of a cookware set that won’t take up all your storage space, the Denmark Tools 7-Piece Stax Set is worth checking out.

If you’re looking for nesting cookware that will last you a lifetime and perform beautifully, the Camco Premium 7-Piece Cookware Set might be for you. With its tri-ply construction of 18/10 stainless steel and a thick aluminum core, this set is not only compact and highly durable, but highly performant.

In this set, you’ll get a dome lid, a stepped lid, a 2-quart saucepan, a 3-quart saute pan, a 5-quart stock pot, a handle, and a storage strap. The stepped lid works with all pieces in the set, and the handle is detachable, making it easy to store. Plus, this set is oven-safe, dishwasher-friendly, and virtually indestructible if you use and care for it well.

One customer says they purchased this set for their parents to use in their RV camper, and they found it great. Another says this set is thicker and heavier than they expected, which means it’s even less likely to warp. Plus, the steel body ensures excellent compatibility with induction cooktops.

While the Camco Premium 7-Piece Cookware Set is a bit pricier than our top pick, it’s worth the investment for those who want cookware that will stand the test of time, or who want superior performance on induction tops.

Just keep in mind that it is bare steel, so it can be a bit sticky. You can counteract that by preheating the pans and pots and cooking with oil, but if you prefer pans and pots with easy release, you may want to opt for our top pick, which has a non-stick coating.

Best Frypans for Small Spaces

If you’re someone who loves the rustic charm of a cast iron pan, but also has limited space in your kitchen, then the Lodge 12-Inch Pan is the perfect pick for you.

This versatile cast iron pan is perfect for searing meats, sauteing veggies, and even baking bread. Plus, with its compact size, it’s perfect for those with tiny kitchens or those who love to cook on the go in an RV or boat.

But what really sets this pan apart is its durability. Made of bare cast iron, this pan is built to last and can handle all types of stoves, including induction. And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even take it outside and use it on the grill or over a campfire.

This pan is pre-seasoned in the Lodge factory — so all you have to do is give it a quick rinse and drying before you get cooking. While the weight may surprise you (it’s heavier than you may think), it’s worth it as long as you’re fine with hauling a big hunk of iron around. Avoid cooking acidic foods in it, as the acid can cause the bare metal to leach iron into your food, ruining the seasoning and imparting a metallic aftertaste.

So if you’re ready to up your cooking game with a cast iron pan, but also don’t want to sacrifice space in your kitchen, the Lodge 12-Inch Pan is definitely worth considering.

Starved on space? Looking for a compact frying pan that doesn’t compromise on durability and performance? Look no further than the Great Cove 7-Inch Titanium Frying Pan.

This pan is made entirely of non-coated, non-anodized titanium, making it both lightweight and incredibly durable. It has a 4-cup capacity and is 1.75 inches high and 7 inches wide, making it perfect for cooking small meals in tight spaces. It even comes with a mesh bag with a drawstring for easy storage.

One of the standout features of this pan is its fold-out 4 inch handle, which allows you to keep the pan in the heat and your hands far away. It’s also worth noting that this pan is not compatible with induction cooktops.

So if you’re on the market for a compact frying pan that won’t let you down, the Great Cove 7-Inch Titanium Frying Pan is the way to go.

How We Picked

Storage in a small living space can be a struggle. That’s why we looked for stackable cookware sets that take up as little space as possible in our roundup.

We also wanted to make sure the sets we chose had all the necessary pieces for a well-equipped kitchen. That’s why we included one sauté pan for searing, sautéing, and frying, as well as three pots for boiling, braising, and stewing.

In addition to space-saving features, we also wanted to offer options for cooks with different preferences. So we included the Denmark Tools 7-Piece Stax Set with a non-stick coating with an easy-release cooking surface. Just keep in mind that the non-stick coating can only last for a few years before needing to be replaced.

We also included the Camco Premium 7-Piece Cookware Set made of uncoated stainless steel. The construction is clad, with an aluminum core for performance between two layers of stainless steel for durability. It’s prone to sticking, but stainless steel can last forever with proper use and care.

No matter which set you choose, we’re confident that it will be the perfect addition to your small kitchen, RV, or boat. We also included two standalone pans in our roundup that are perfect for those with limited space.

First, we included the Lodge 12-Inch Pan. This pan is great for the adventurous outdoor cook who wants to prepare food over a campfire. It’s also the best choice if you own an induction cooktop and want to sear meats and bake breads in a cooking vessel with superior heat retention.

If you don’t cook on an induction top and you have very little space, then the Great Cove 7-Inch Titanium Frying Pan is the way to go. It’s originally intended for camp cooks, but it will work just as well in a tiny kitchen or on a boat.