Circulon Cookware Reviews

Circulon Symmetry 10-Piece Set

Design:

Each of the pots and pans in this set is deep and slightly rounded, offering a generous capacity. The frying pans and saucepans have insulated handles that are held in place with thick rivets. The loop handles on the stock pot and glass lids are set with a high arch and also offer insulated grips, which come in the same deep mahogany color as the cookware's exterior.

Materials:

This set is composed of the heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum material that Circulon is known for. It's durable and reliable, offering excellent heat retention and distribution.

The nonstick material features a triple layer and is metal-utensil safe. As for the handles, they're made of stainless steel with a silicone coating that's oven safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Usability:

Circulon's nonstick coating is one of the company's hallmarks, and it doesn't disappoint. The surface is designed with raised circles that greatly increase the pan's nonstick capabilities. Not only does it release the ingredients rapidly and efficiently, it cleans up well (see below) and allows for even browning. There's no need to use butter or oil, either, even for potentially problematic recipes like fried eggs.

The silicone layer on the handles allows users to get a decent grip on the pans, which comes in handy when transferring them from oven to stovetop. The oversized rivets keep the pans stable throughout all kinds of cooking applications, from pan-roasting to stir-frying. Note that the company offers a hassle-free lifetime guarantee with the purchase of this set.

Cleaning:

Because the nonstick surface does such a great job releasing the ingredients, the pots and pans in the Symmetry 10-Piece set can be easily washed by hand. However, the set is also dishwasher safe, so feel free to use as many of these pieces as you need when entertaining.

The set contains:

Circulon Premier Professional 13-Piece Set

Design:

With the exception of the French skillets—which feature gently sloping sides for sauteing—the pans in the Premier Professional set have a straight-edged design. Taupe in color, with silicone heatproof handles and glass lids, the pieces are both elegant and eye-catching in an understated way.

Materials:

Circulon uses a heavy-duty hard-anodized aluminum construction for the pots and pans in this set. The glass lids are shatter-resistant and come with stainless steel rims. The handles are also made of stainless steel, with a silicone coating to keep hands cool during cooking. Nonstick surfaces are PFOA-free and feature the same raised circles as the Symmetry series.

Usability:

Like the Symmetry pieces, these are induction-ready, and can be used on all other types of cooking range as well. The nonstick surfaces are suitable for all types of ingredients, but they're especially effective when it comes to stir-frys or egg dishes like omelets.

All of the materials, including the silicone coating, are oven-safe to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While that's not hot enough to make deep-dish pizza or flatbread, these pieces aren't really equipped for those recipes anyway. For all intents and purposes, this is a highly versatile set of cookware.

Cleaning:

This set is entirely dishwasher safe, which is good news for busy chefs. If possible, however, we would advise washing and drying them by hand. The dishwasher won't do them any harm, but we prefer to give them the royal treatment before putting them back in the cupboard.

The set contains:

Circulon Acclaim 13-Piece Set

Design:

The Acclaim 13-Piece set offers pots and pans that are black with silver accents, featuring handles that resemble long top hats. They're heavy enough to be durable, but not enough so to make them difficult to handle. The domed glass lids come with knob-style handles for easy gripping.

Materials:

Hard-anodized aluminum makes up the base of the saucepans, stock pot, and frying pans in this set. The stainless steel handles come with a rubber coating that remains cool to the touch and provides comfort while cooking. There are also stainless steel rims around the edges of the tempered glass lids, which prevent heat and moisture loss.

Usability:

Like most of Circulon's pots and pans, these are equipped with dual-riveted handles that give them an extra degree of strength. The rubber coating is also a nice touch, and it's oven-safe to 400 degrees.

The hard-anodized aluminum holds its heat well, which comes in handy for low-and-slow cooking applications like stewing and braising. Glass lids allow chefs to keep a close eye on the ingredients while keeping the heat and flavors right where they're supposed to be. Circulon offers a lifetime guarantee with purchase of the Acclaim cookware set.

Cleaning:

Unlike many of the nonstick pots and pans in the Circulon lineup, these are not dishwasher safe. Fortunately, they can be easily washed by hand, even if ingredients happen to spill over during cooking. That's because the exteriors resist sticking nearly as well as the raised interior surfaces, allowing food particles to slide right off.

The set contains:

Circulon Contempo 10-Piece Set

Design:

The Contempo set offers the same black-and-silver color scheme as the Acclaim pieces, and the long handles have a similar design. The handles on the domed glass lids, meanwhile, have a vague saddle shape with black grips and smaller silver attachments. The pots and pans have straight edges, except for the two skillets, which offer a flared design.

Materials:

Circulon uses its famed hard-anodized aluminum construction for this set, along with stainless steel handles and shatter-resistant glass lids. The handles come with a rubberized coating, and the ends have fold-out rings that allow them to be hung on hooks if necessary.

Usability:

The PFOA-free nonstick coating is compatible with metal utensils, a nice perk when it comes to this type of surface. The raised circles release ingredients easily, even when no fat is used in the cooking application. Thanks to the heavy-duty aluminum construction, the pots and pans hold their heat well, whether the temperature is set to low or high.

We should point out that the biggest pot in this set has a 5-quart capacity, which may not be large enough for some home chefs. However, for couples and smaller families, these pieces should be just the right size.

Cleaning:

The Contempo pieces can be washed easily enough by hand, but they're not dishwasher safe. For best results, they should be cleaned as soon as possible in a hot, soapy sink. If that's a concern, we would recommend investing in another one of Circulon's fine cookware sets instead.

The set contains:

Circulon Genesis 10-Piece Set

Design:

The Genesis set offers a stainless steel finish and straight-edged design, with nonstick black surfaces on the frying pans. The two-tone appearance gives the pieces a classic elegance, and the glass lids come with sturdy rectangular loop handles. The handles on the saucepans and frying pans are extra long and dual-riveted for added strength.

Materials:

Impact-bonded aluminum bases combine with the stainless steel finish to give these pots and pans durability in addition to eye appeal. The glass lids are shatter-resistant, and steel rims offer great heat retention. As with all of Circulon's nonstick surfaces, these are PFOA-free, with raised circles to help release the ingredients.

Usability:

Several aspects set the Genesis set apart from its brethren. First of all, the pieces are oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, giving them a welcome boost in the versatility department. The stainless steel finish is another nice touch, combining the health benefits of nonstick surfaces with an elegant, timeless design.

Though the glass is advertised as shatter-resistant, the lids aren't likely to break in any case, thanks to the broad stainless steel handles. Likewise, the dual-riveted handles on the saucepans are long and sturdy enough to allow for easy stovetop-to-oven transfers.

Cleaning:

All of Circulon's stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe, including the 10 pieces in the Genesis set. To help maintain the shiny finish, we would advise drying the pots and pans with a microfiber cloth as soon as they're removed from the dishwasher. They also clean up quickly when washed by hand under hot running water.

The set contains:

Circulon Elementum 10-Piece Set

Design:

These pieces have a stout appearance and are light gray in color, with the exception of the black nonstick surfaces. Raised loop handles with gray silicone grips are affixed to the glass lids, and the pans and stock pot have a straight-edged design. The skillets, meanwhile, have flared edges to make stirring easier.

Materials:

The pots and pans in the Elementum set are constructed of durable hard-anodized aluminum with PFOA-free nonstick surfaces. Dual-riveted stainless steel handles are affixed to every piece, including the shatter-resistant tempered glass lids. The handles also feature a heat-resistant silicone coating. In addition, the lids for the saucepans come with straining inserts for making steamed vegetables and pasta.

Usability:

In addition to the straining lids, the 1-and 2-quart saucepans are designed with pouring spouts to make it easier to transfer sauces from the pot to the plate. Combined with the nonstick coating, this is an excellent feature. Even the gray exteriors are nonstick, making cleanup duties go that much faster (see below).

The Elementum set is suitable for gas, electric, and ceramic cooktops. Note that the pieces are not induction compatible, so it's best to look at another Circulon set if this presents a roadblock.

Cleaning:

These pots and pans must be washed by hand in order to preserve the integrity of the nonstick surfaces. Fortunately, these qualities also make the pieces easier to wash. If butter or oil are used on the raised circles, a little extra elbow grease may be required to ensure a thorough cleaning.

The set contains: