Calphalon Cookware Reviews

Calphalon Premier Hard Anodized 8-Piece Set

Design:

The pieces in this set are heavy, but not overly so, giving them a nice balance. The pots and pans have a matte black finish, with long silver Y-shaped handles. Loop-style handles with a square, boxy shape are affixed to the glass lids. All of the pieces, including the stock pot, feature a slight curve at the base.

Materials:

As the name suggests, these pieces offer a hard anodized aluminum construction. The interiors are equipped with a hardy 3-layer nonstick coating that's strong enough to withstand metal utensils. The handles are made of stainless steel and are capable of remaining cool when placed on a hot stovetop. The lids are made from tempered glass, which allows chefs to keep an eye on their progress.

Usability:

Each piece in the set is oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. While this isn't particularly high, it's suitable for casseroles and many other stovetop-to-oven recipes. The nonstick surface is designed to be 40 percent more durable than some of Calphalon's other offerings, so it's possible to use wire whisks or electric beaters without worrying about damaging the coating.

Our favorite aspect of this set is the curved-base design. Whereas most stock pots and saute pans have straight edges, these have gently sloping sides that allow spatulas to scrape up every last drop. This feature comes in particularly handy when using the skillet and frying pans, but it's a nice perk for the other pieces as well.

Cleaning:

All eight pieces in this set are dishwasher safe, including the tempered glass lids. The sloped edges make them easy enough to wash by hand, but they can handle repeated exposure to the dishwasher thanks to their heavy-duty construction. Be aware that the matte finish might be prone to discoloration over time, so make sure to pay close attention to the exterior when washing by hand.

The set contains:

Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set

Design:

These pieces have a vibrant stainless steel finish that can be spotted from across the room. The stock pot and saucepans are tall and narrow, with straight edges. While the saucepans and frying pans have long riveted handles, the lids and stock pot offer loop-style handles. Each piece is fairly heavy for its size, but still light enough to be lifted in one hand.

Materials:

Calphalon uses an impact-bonded aluminum base surrounded by a layer of stainless steel on either side. This allows for rapid, even heat distribution. The steel handles are designed to remain cool unless the pan is transferred to the oven. The lids are made of sturdy tempered glass, which can accompany the pans into the oven (see Usability, below).

Usability:

Because these pieces are oven safe to temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, they can be transferred from the stovetop to the oven with ease. Speaking of stovetops, they're also induction-ready, which improves their versatility. They're also compatible with glass, electric, and gas cooking ranges.

One more welcome feature that you won't find on most cookware sets: These pieces come with built-in measuring marks, straining covers, and pouring spouts. Novices and professional chefs alike are sure to appreciate this attention to detail, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of complicated dishes.

Cleaning:

Although these pieces are labeled as dishwasher safe, it's usually best to wash the pots and pans by hand. They'll clean up well enough in the dishwasher, but stainless steel has a tendency to hold on to stubborn bits. The tempered glass lids, meanwhile, are perfect candidates for the dishwasher.

The set contains:

Simply Calphalon Nonstick 10-Piece Set

Design:

This set has a matte black finish similar to that of the Premier Hard Anodized 8-Piece set. However, the pans have straight edges instead of the trademark curved bottom that distinguishes that series. The Y-shaped handles are slightly rounded at the ends, and the loop-style handles on the lids and stock pot offer a black heatproof coating.

Materials:

This is another Calphalon set composed of hard-anodized aluminum, which is corrosion- and warp-resistant. There's also a dual-layer nonstick interior to make cleanup duties easier.

The coating on the stainless steel loop handles is made of silicone, which lessens the risk of burns when making the stovetop-to-oven transfer. Steel rims encircle the tempered glass lids to help them form a tight seal during cooking.

Usability:

Calphalon backs this set with a 10-year warranty, but they're built to last even longer than that. The pieces are oven safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, halogen, and electric coil stovetops. Note that the material is not broiler safe, so be sure to read any recipes carefully before deciding to use one of these pieces.

We think it's best to reserve the frying pans for dishes that include sticky ingredients, such as stir-fries and scrambled eggs. While the surfaces heat evenly, they aren't particularly well-suited for browning or searing. On the plus side, they do allow for easy pouring of liquid ingredients.

Cleaning:

Be forewarned that this set must be washed by hand. We would suggest cleaning the pieces in a hot soapy sink and drying them thoroughly before the first use.

To wash the interiors, use a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and a non-abrasive sponge. For the exteriors, it's suitable to use a more powerful cleanser, but be sure not to scrub the surface too hard. Damaging the nonstick surface may void the warranty.

The set contains:

Calphalon Premier Space-Saving 15-Piece Set

Design:

This 15-piece set offers pieces that can be nestled within each other, thereby saving valuable cabinet space. The bottoms are slightly rounded to make stacking easier. All of the pots and pans are black in color, with riveted silver handles. The lids are made of glass and have a flattened shape, which also helps them stack better.

Materials:

For this set, Calphalon uses a triple layer of hard anodized aluminum with a sturdy nonstick coating. The tempered glass lids offer thick steel rims that seal moisture and flavor inside and provide a convenient nesting spot when the pieces are stacked.

The handles on the frying pans and saucepans are Y-shaped and stout, with a slight taper at the ends. The larger pieces offer thick square loop handles that are matched by the ones on the corresponding glass lids, which is a thoughtful touch.

Usability:

The sheer number of pieces in this set makes it one of the most versatile ones listed here. We especially like the 5-quart "Sauteuse" piece, which makes an excellent fondue pot.

The nonstick coating on these pieces is particularly impressive, releasing ingredients easily even when no oil or butter is used. It's also hardy enough to take a beating from metal utensils, so there's no need to worry about damaging the finish during fast-paced cooking sessions.

Unlike some nonstick surfaces, these can be used to accommodate a myriad of cooking applications. The frying pans can be used for anything from fried eggs to filet mignon. Be aware that nonstick surfaces aren't really suitable for pan sauces, so if that's part of the recipe, it would be better to choose another pan. Otherwise, this set should cover all the bases.

Cleaning:

Feel free to put these pieces in the dishwasher after each use. They won't be damaged by the exposure, and the nonstick coating will clean up beautifully. When putting the dishes away, note that they can be stacked in any order as long as the pieces are of the same diameter.

The set contains:

Calphalon Signature 10-Piece Set

Design:

The Signature set offers pots and pans that are black in color, with silver handles and accents. The stock pot, saute pan, and saucepans are tall and narrow with straight edges, while the omelette pans have gently sloping sides.

Materials:

These pots and pans offer a hard-anodized aluminum construction that makes them surprisingly heavy. The nonstick coating is PFOA-free and features a triple layer that's metal-utensil safe. There are wide stainless steel bands around the tempered glass lids, and the handles are made of stainless steel as well.

Usability:

The Signature set's claim to fame is its ability to withstand high temperatures. The pieces are oven-safe to 500 degrees, which is hot enough to make pizza and flatbread. It also means the saute pan could pull double duty as a biscuit pan if need be. These pieces can be used on glass, electric, gas, or halogen cook tops, but they're not induction-ready.

The stock pot has an 8-quart capacity, so it can hold a vast quantity of ingredients to make a full-flavored stock. The narrow base makes it less suitable for other uses, but for home chefs who like to prepare their soup from scratch, that's not likely to be a deal-breaker.

Cleaning:

All the pieces in the set, including the tempered glass lids, are dishwasher safe. The nonstick surfaces are sturdy enough for us to recommend this course of action whenever possible. However, it's also perfectly acceptable to wash them by hand. Try to dry the pieces as soon as possible in order to preserve the integrity of the materials.

The set contains:

Calphalon Classic 10-Piece Set

Design:

"Classic" is the perfect word to describe the pieces in this set, which have elegant silhouettes and timeless eye appeal. The dark matte gray exteriors are offset by black nonstick interiors, and Y-shaped silver handles offer impressive balance. High loop handles are affixed to the tempered glass lids. The set also includes a pair of strainer-like inserts that prevent the pots from boiling over.

Materials:

Calphalon's Classic set is made of the same hard-anodized aluminum that characterizes so many of their pieces. Other hallmarks include the stainless steel handles and tempered glass lids. The nonstick coating contains dual layers and is PFOA-free. As for the "No Boil-Over" inserts, these are crafted of BPA-free silicone.

Usability:

While these pots and pans aren't induction compatible, they can be used on nearly every other type of stovetop, including halogen. They're also oven safe to 450 degrees, which puts them on par with most of Calphalon's other premium cookware sets.

Like the pieces in the Classic Stainless Steel set, these have measuring markers and pouring spouts for stress-free cooking. There are strainer inserts built into the steel rims on the tempered glass lids as well. Combined with the silicone inserts, this feature makes the set our go-to choice for boiling potatoes, rice, beans, or pasta.

Note that Calphalon offers a limited lifetime warranty for these pieces. In our opinion, that's enough to justify the price tag.

Cleaning:

The silicone "No Boil-Over" inserts are only pieces in this set that are dishwasher safe, and even those are top-rack only. The pots, pans, and lids must be washed by hand. Fortunately, they clean up easily with the aid of warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge.

The set contains: