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Korkmaz Proline Cookware Set Review: Pride of Local Manufacturing
Korkmaz Proline 9-piece stainless steel cookware set detailed review. 18/10 stainless steel, encapsulated base, induction compatibility, and comparison with competitors.
Author: KitchenDeener•
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Korkmaz, Turkey's most established kitchenware brand, has been manufacturing since 1970. The Proline series is the brand's flagship in the professional segment. So can local manufacturing compete with imported rivals?
In this review, we tested the Korkmaz Proline 9-piece stainless steel cookware set over 8 months of daily use.
Product Features
Local Manufacturing Champion-21%Korkmaz
Korkmaz Proline 9-Piece Cookware Set
4.6 (1523 reviews)
- •18/10 stainless steel body
- •Encapsulated sandwich base (steel-aluminum-steel)
- •Compatible with all stovetop types (including induction)
- •Scaled interior surface
$149$189
View on AmazonSet Contents
- 14 cm Milk Pot (1.5L) - Sauces and small portions
- 16 cm Pot (2L) - Rice, pasta (2 servings)
- 18 cm Pot (3L) - Rice, soup (3-4 servings)
- 20 cm Pot (4L) - Main dishes, meat (4-5 servings)
- 24 cm Deep Pot (6L) - Large portions
- 24 cm Short Pot (4L) - Saute, casserole
- 24 cm Pan - Frying, sauteing
- 16 cm Lid - Glass
- 20 cm Lid - Glass
Lid Situation
The set doesn't include lids for 18 cm and 24 cm pots. The 16 cm lid is a bit small for 18 cm. You might consider purchasing separate lids.
Material and Manufacturing Quality
18/10 Stainless Steel
Korkmaz Proline uses food-grade 18/10 stainless steel:
| Element | Ratio | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 18% | Rust resistance, shine |
| Nickel (Ni) | 10% | Corrosion resistance, durability |
| Iron (Fe) | ~70% | Main structure |
| Carbon (C) | Below 0.08% | Hardness |
Why is 18/10 important?
- Safe reaction with food
- Resistant to acidic foods (tomato, lemon)
- No metallic taste transfer
- Long-lasting shine
Encapsulated Base Technology
Proline's most important feature is its encapsulated sandwich base:
[Stainless Steel Inner Surface]
↓
[Aluminum Heat Distribution Layer - 4mm]
↓
[Magnetic Stainless Steel Base]
Why Encapsulated Base?
Stainless steel conducts heat poorly (16 W/mK). Aluminum conducts excellently (205 W/mK). The encapsulated base combines aluminum's heat distribution with steel's durability. Result: Even cooking, no hot spots.
Base Thickness Test
Values measured with caliper:
| Pot | Base Thickness | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 24 cm Deep | 6.2 mm | Excellent |
| 24 cm Short | 6.0 mm | Excellent |
| 20 cm | 5.8 mm | Very good |
| 18 cm | 5.5 mm | Very good |
| 16 cm | 5.3 mm | Good |
| 14 cm Milk Pot | 4.8 mm | Adequate |
| 24 cm Pan | 5.5 mm | Very good |
Comparison: Budget sets have 2-3 mm base. Premium imported brands (WMF, Fissler) have 6-7 mm. Korkmaz Proline is in the premium segment in this regard.
Heat Distribution Tests
Flour Test
We coated the base with a thin layer of flour and heated on medium heat:
Result:
| Pot | Heat Distribution | Hot Spot |
|---|---|---|
| 24 cm Deep | Homogeneous | None |
| 20 cm | Homogeneous | None |
| 18 cm | 95% homogeneous | Minimal center |
| 24 cm Pan | Homogeneous | None |
The encapsulated base does its job - nearly perfect heat distribution.
Water Boiling Test
2 liters cold water (20C) in 20 cm pot:
| Stovetop Type | Boiling Time | Energy Consumption |
|---|---|---|
| Gas (medium heat) | 8 min 30 sec | Medium |
| Electric (2000W) | 9 min 45 sec | High |
| Induction (2000W) | 5 min 15 sec | Low |
Induction Performance
Korkmaz Proline is faster than competitors on induction. Magnetic base optimization is well done. If you have an induction stovetop, this set is ideal.
Cooking Performance
Rice Test
2 cups rice in 18 cm pot:
1
Wash the Rice
Rinse rice several times to remove starch.
2
Toast
Toast rice in 1 tablespoon butter for 3-4 minutes. Pot held heat excellently, no burning.
3
Add Water
Add 2.5 cups hot water. Bring to boil.
4
Cook on Low Heat
Low heat with lid on for 15 minutes. Thanks to glass lid, we could check without opening.
5
Rest
Turn off heat and rest for 10 minutes. Encapsulated base retained heat.
Result: Fluffy, non-sticky rice. No burning or sticking even on bottom. 5/5
Meat Browning Test
500g beef cubes in 24 cm short pot:
| Criterion | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Heating speed | 4/5 | Cooking temperature in 2 minutes |
| Meat searing | 5/5 | Nice crust, didn't release juices |
| Heat retention | 5/5 | Temperature didn't drop after meat added |
| Non-stick | 4/5 | May stick without oil, small amount of oil needed |
| Cleaning | 5/5 | Came off easily in hot water |
Sauce Making Test
Bechamel in 14 cm milk pot:
- Heat control: Excellent. Even distribution at low heat.
- Stirring: Rounded edges make stirring easy.
- Sticking: Minimal. No sticking with constant stirring.
- Cleaning: Soaking + sponge sufficient.
Frying (Pan) Test
Eggs and fish in 24 cm pan:
| Food | Oil Amount | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Egg | 1 teaspoon | Edges stuck, flipping difficult |
| Fish (salmon) | 1 tablespoon | Nice searing, crispy skin |
| Potatoes | 2 tablespoons | Even browning |
Non-Stick Warning
Stainless steel pan is not non-stick like coated pans. Adequate oil and correct temperature (water droplet test) are required. We recommend coated pan for eggs.
Lid and Accessory Evaluation
Glass Lids
Pros:
- Watch cooking without opening
- Steam vent prevents boiling over
- Oven safe (up to 175C)
- Stainless steel rim, heat resistant
Cons:
- No lids for 18 cm and 24 cm
- Risk of breaking if dropped
- Heavy (24 cm lid ~400g)
Handles
- Material: Stainless steel, riveted mount
- Ergonomics: Comfortable grip, four fingers fit
- Heat: Gets hot after 5+ minutes on stove - use pot holder
- Durability: No loosening or wobbling
Maintenance and Cleaning
Daily Cleaning
1
Wait for Cooling
Don't put hot pot under cold water - thermal shock can cause warping.
2
Soak
Fill with warm water and wait 10-15 minutes. Stuck food loosens.
3
Wash with Soft Sponge
Don't use steel wool - causes scratches. Soft sponge and dish soap sufficient.
4
Dry
Dry immediately to avoid water spots or air dry.
Stains and Discoloration
Water spots: Wipe with vinegar + water mixture.
Rainbow stains: Oxide layer formed at high heat. Removes with Barkeeper's Friend or stainless steel cleaner.
Burnt residue:
- Water + 2 tablespoons baking soda
- Boil, wait 15 minutes
- Scrape with wooden spatula
- Normal wash
Shine Tip
Once a month, wipe entire surface with white vinegar and rinse. Factory shine returns.
Dishwasher
Korkmaz Proline is dishwasher safe. However:
- Detergent spots may remain
- Long-term shine may decrease
- Handles may become matte over time
Recommendation: Hand washing gives better results, but dishwasher can be used for emergencies.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent price-performance ratio
- Thick encapsulated base, even heat distribution
- 18/10 quality stainless steel
- Full compatibility with all stovetop types
- 25-year official warranty
- Turkish manufacturing, easy spare parts
- Practical scaled interior surface
- Professional appearance
Cons
- No lids for 18 cm and 24 cm
- Pan is not non-stick, eggs difficult
- Handles get hot during long cooking
- Glass lids are heavy
- No matte finish option
- Milk pot is a bit small (1.5L)
Competitor Comparison
| Feature | Our Pick Korkmaz Proline 9-Piece $149 |  Tefal Intuition 10-Piece $199 |  WMF Provence Plus 9-Piece $449 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 18/10 Steel | 18/10 Steel | Cromargan 18/10 |
| Base | Encapsulated 5-6mm | Encapsulated 4-5mm | TransTherm 6mm |
| Induction | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 25 years | 10 years | Lifetime |
| Manufacturing | Turkey | China | Germany |
| Lids | Glass (incomplete) | Glass (all) | Glass (all) |
| See Price | See Price | See Price |
Assessment
Korkmaz vs Tefal: Tefal is more expensive but has all lids. Base thickness is better in Korkmaz. Both have strong service networks. Korkmaz if budget-limited, Tefal if you want complete set.
Korkmaz vs WMF: WMF is 3x more expensive. German quality and lifetime warranty are nice but daily use difference from Korkmaz is minimal. WMF if money doesn't matter, Korkmaz for smart shopping.
Long-Term Durability
After 8 Months of Use
| Criterion | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base flatness | No issues | No warping |
| Shine | 90% | Minimal dulling |
| Handle tightness | Tight | No loosening |
| Lid seal | No issues | - |
| Stains | Minimal | 2 rainbow stains (cleaned) |
Projection: At this rate, we expect 15-20 years of trouble-free use.
Who Is It For?
Ideal User Profile
- Newlyweds buying their first quality cookware set
- Those looking for budget-friendly premium
- Induction stovetop users
- Those preferring local products
- Those wanting long warranty period
- 3-5 person families
Not Suitable For
- Those looking for non-stick surface
- Those wanting complete lid set
- 1-2 person households (set too big)
- Those preferring lightweight cookware
- German/Italian brand enthusiasts
Conclusion and Rating
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Material Quality | 5/5 |
| Heat Distribution | 5/5 |
| Cooking Performance | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Ergonomics | 4/5 |
| Set Completeness | 3/5 |
| Price-Performance | 5/5 |
| OVERALL | 4.4/5 |
Korkmaz Proline is proof of how far the Turkish kitchenware industry has advanced. Premium segment material quality combines with budget-friendly price.
Missing lids and non-stick pan are disadvantages, but it's hard to find this quality at this price elsewhere. Bonus points for those wanting to support local manufacturing.
Conclusion: If you're looking for a quality cookware set with around $150 budget, Korkmaz Proline is the most sensible choice.
Korkmaz Proline 9-Piece Cookware Set
Local manufacturing, 25-year warranty
$149
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Korkmaz Proline be used in oven?
Yes, up to 175C. Glass lids are also oven safe. However, if there's no plastic handle, handles get very hot - oven mitts essential.
Eggs stick, what should I do?
Stainless steel pan is not ideal for eggs. Two solutions:
- Heat pot well, add oil, when oil ripples put egg in
- Use coated pan for eggs
What does 25-year warranty cover?
Manufacturing defects, material flaws, warping under normal use. User-caused damage (dropping, dry burning) not covered.
Which spatula should I use?
Silicone, wooden or nylon spatula is best. Metal spatula causes scratches over time but doesn't affect function - just aesthetic issue.
What's the difference from Korkmaz's other series?
- Proline: Premium segment, thick base, professional
- Granita: Granite coated, non-stick
- A1: Entry level, thin base
- Gastro: Professional kitchen, extra thick
Proline is the best Korkmaz series for those looking for stainless steel cookware.
Author
KitchenDeener
Expert content team specialized in kitchen appliances.
