CALPHALON PAN REVIEWS – ARE THEY THE BEST FRYING PANS ON THE MARKET?

Calphalon Classic Ceramic Nonstick Pan

Design:

This 10-inch omelette pan is equipped with gently sloping sides that are tall enough to hold in the eggs until they've set. The pan is sturdy, yet relatively lightweight for its size.

While the outside retains the natural steel-gray of the metal, the nonstick interior is painted white, giving it a classic elegance. A glass lid with built-in handle is also included.

Materials:

The Classic Ceramic Pan is constructed of hard-anodized aluminum for durability, while the PFOA-free ceramic interior is designed to release ingredients quickly and easily. A cast stainless steel handle will stay cool when the pan is used on the stovetop.

We especially appreciate the tempered glass lid, as it allows us to keep a closer eye on the cooking process. This pan can be safely used on gas and electric stovetops—even on ranges with glass surfaces.

Usability:

The flared edges on this pan make it the perfect tool for creating picture-perfect omelets. We've found that the nonstick coating is also ideal when it comes to browning potatoes for home fries. For recipes that call for the pan to be moved from the stovetop to the oven, the pan is oven-safe to temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another product to avoid when using this pan? Cooking spray. Since the coating is already designed to keep food from sticking, this step is unnecessary anyway. If a recipe calls for cooking spray, a small amount of butter or oil should be added instead.

Although we enjoy using this pan for sautéing veggies and pan-searing fish as well, it's particularly well-suited for omelets. Not only do the eggs release easily from the sides of the pan, we don't have to worry about the cheese burning and sticking to the bottom.

Cleaning:

The bad news? Because of the delicate ceramic nonstick interior, we wouldn't recommend putting this pan in the dishwasher. Fortunately, this same quality makes it an exceptionally good candidate for washing by hand.

Just remember that the same rules about non-abrasive materials apply to the cleaning process. Avoid steel wool or other supplies that might damage the finish.

Calphalon Signature Stainless Steel Pan

Design:

This 12-inch stainless steel pan has a generous cooking surface and high, sloping sides and a flat bottom, making it a great fit for sautéed dishes. It's outfitted with a long, traditional handle on one side and a grip-style handle on the other for added stability.

While the pan is exceptionally sturdy and heavier than it looks, these dual handles make it easier to manage.

Materials:

Calphalon constructs this product using five layers of metal—a triple layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. This contributes to the pan's durability and overall efficiency. Both the long and short handles are composed of brushed stainless steel, designed to stay cool on the stovetop.

Speaking of which, it can be used on any type of surface, including induction cooktops. The pan is also completely dishwasher safe, making cleanup chores a snap.

Usability:

The five-layer construction allows this pan to heat evenly and to retain that heat throughout the cooking process, while the flat bottom gives it stability. It can be transferred from the stovetop to the oven with ease, thanks to the dual handles. We especially appreciate the fact that it's broiler safe, which boosts its overall versatility.

In fact, we would feel comfortable recommending its use for any type of fried food, from fish-and-chips to vegetable tempura.

Also worthy of mention is the uniform construction, which should keep the pan from showing its age even after years of frequent use. Although it's built to last, we would recommend using only silicone or wooden utensils with this pan, as they'll keep the surface from becoming scratched and worn-looking.

Cleaning:

Thanks to the stainless steel exterior, this unit is entirely dishwasher safe. Simply scrape off any stubborn bits and place it in the dishwasher alongside the rest of the cookware. When we do opt to wash it by hand, we use gentle dishwashing liquid and a green scrubbing pad—never steel wool, as it could mar the exterior.

Calphalon Classic Nonstick 2-Piece Frying Pan Set

Design

This two-pan set consists of an 8-inch and 10-inch model, identical in every respect except for size. The pans are heavy but well-balanced, with broad handles for easy gripping.

A charcoal finish on the exterior helps to hide the effects of long exposure to high heat, and the black nonstick interior provides a near-perfect match. The edges are slightly rounded, making them a good fit for frittatas or other fancy egg dishes.

Materials

A hard-anodized aluminum construction allows for even heating, while the cast stainless steel handles are designed to remain cool during stovetop use.

The dual-layer nonstick interior allows ingredients to be easily released from the pans, along with aiding in the eventual cleanup. The coating is free of PFOA but it does contain PTFE so you might wanna choose a ceramic or stainless steel option if you are worried about that. They can be used on any type of stovetop, even glass.

Usability

Although both pans in this set are advertised as being oven-proof at temperatures up to 450 degrees, we think they work best at low to medium temperatures. The 10-inch model in particular is ideal for melted cheese dishes, such as queso fundido. The nonstick coating allows the cheese to be scooped up easily with chips or warm tortillas, with no crispy burnt bits left behind.

Fortunately, the balance and construction of the pans allows us to perform the switch with no difficulty.

The handles on these pans are on the shorter side, but they're also broad and easy to grip. Be advised that they can get uncomfortably hot at the base, where it meets the business end of the pan. Use an oven mitt during high-heat cooking applications, and always when removing the pans from the oven.

Finally, the nonstick coating means that metal utensils are off-limits. Stick to wooden spoons and silicone spatulas for these units.

Cleaning

It's better to wash the pans by hand, as this will help to protect the finish. We would also recommend washing them as soon as possible after cooking. Any grease or residue will release more quickly when the pans are warm.

The set contains:

Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Griddle

Design:

This is a flat griddle offering 11 square inches of cooking space on a black nonstick surface. It's also equipped with a brushed stainless steel handle, which is attached to the griddle by a pair of rivets. Because of the low-profile surface, this unit packs easily for travel.

Materials:

The heavy-gauge aluminum griddle is finished with a triple layer of nonstick coating to allow for easy cleanup. The stainless steel handle is long enough to stay cool during cooking.

Usability:

Hard-anodized aluminum is a sturdy material that heats quickly and evenly, making this griddle an excellent choice for breakfast foods. We think the lip could be slightly higher, especially when we're preparing foods that release a lot of fat, such as bacon and pork sausage.

Fortunately, the nonstick surface makes it easy to pour off any accumulated grease in between batches. It's also large enough to accommodate both eggs and bacon at once, and it's ideal for pancakes and French toast.

The slender lip makes this griddle a better fit for flat cooking surfaces—old-fashioned electric ranges might be too uneven, which could lead to dangerous spills. Also, remember to use silicone or rubber tools to avoid scratching the nonstick surface.

Cleaning:

Wash the griddle in plenty of hot, soapy water, using a non-abrasive sponge or brush. We wouldn't recommend putting it in the dishwasher, but the surface cleans up easily, especially when it's still warm.

Calphalon Classic All Purpose Pan with Lid

Design:

This well-balanced, rounded 12-inch pan is outfitted with two stainless steel loop handles and a glass lid. Gray in color, it's finished with a dual-layer nonstick coating and is fairly lightweight for a pan this size.

Materials:

Like many of Calphalon's offerings, this pan features a hard-anodized aluminum construction with a nonstick finish. The stainless steel loop handles are affixed to the pan by two sets of rivets. The glass lid also features a steel handle, along with a steel loop around the edge to give it a tighter fit.

Usability:

The Calphalon Classic is suitable across a range of cooking techniques, from melting butter to boiling water. It requires a bit of time to warm up, but once it does, the surface conducts an even, predictable heat.

The pan is lightweight yet durable, with a generous cooking surface. Because it's so well-balanced, it can be used on any stovetop. Remember to take care with the nonstick coating, and steer clear of metal tongs or utensils.

Cleaning:

This pan is dishwasher safe, but we would recommend washing it by hand whenever possible to help preserve the integrity of the materials. Note that it doesn't apply to the glass lid, which can easily go into the dishwasher.