Calphalon Cookware -- Not for Everyone
Written: Jan 19 '03
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Pros: Heats quickly, cooks evenly, easy to clean
Cons: Can't use high heat unless boiling water, heavy pan, lid handle very hot to touch!
The Bottom Line: It comes down to personal preference. For me, the pan is heavy, the glass lid steams up, lid handle too hot. Cooks well, but I wouldn't buy another one.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Calphalon Professional Non-Stick II Sauce Pans |
I usually use T-Fal or Farberware cookware. So when a friend raved about Calphalon pots and pans, I decided to try one. I needed a new sauce pan anyway. Calphalon even makes pans with clear glass lids, which is what I wanted. Now was the time to experiment!
What I Purchased
Being an online shopper, I zipped around the internet to check prices. At cooking.com, I found a sale on the Calphalon Professional Nonstick II 2 1/2 Quart Sauce Pan. Normally, this product lists at around $90.00 -- a bit steep for me! However, many online stores offered it for $29.99. With the sale at cooking.com and an online coupon, I only paid $24.99.
Cooking with Calphalon
I've cooked vegetables, pasta, soups and sauces in my Calphalon sauce pan. The pan's sides are straight, so I have no problem with sauces slopping out of the pan while stirring. The pan heats very quickly and evenly with no food sticking to the pan during cooking. However, when using cooking oil, it takes longer for the oil to warm in the pan due to the insulating factor of the nonstick surface. I preheat the pan before cooking. The manufacturer stresses using a lower heat setting than you normally would since the pan heats more quickly than other cookware. I was surprised to read in the literature that came with the pan that high heat is only recommended for boiling water or reducing liquids. So I'm careful to use a low or medium cooking heat. Also, do not use aerosol cooking sprays when using this pan; the spray will leave a residue that is hard to remove.
I'm very disappointed with the glass lid. The lid is slightly curved with a metal handle riveted to the center top. A thin piece of stainless steel bands the outer rim of glass. I like to see what is inside a pan when cooking. This glass lid steams up so that it is difficult to see what is happening inside the pan. The lid handle is also very hot and requires a pot holder to remove it. I've burned my fingers several times when I forgot to use a pot holder. (Immediately stick your fingers under cold water and then smooth aloe vera on the burn. Works well for me!)
The 7-inch long handle on the side is riveted into place and is cool to the touch ... no heat problems with this handle. It is easy to grip and hold. The extra length is a nice feature. I just have to make sure the handle is turned the correct way so that it doesn't overhang the outside edge of the stove where someone might accidently bump into it.
The pan is heavy. I weighed the empty pan with lid on the scale and it came in at 3 1/2 pounds. I would not recommend this pan for an elderly person or anyone with limited arm or hand strength. Once the pan is filled with liquid, it is very heavy and unwieldy to move.
Caring for Calphalon Cookware
For my nonstick sauce pan, I only use plastic, wood or the Pampered Chef silicon Mix 'N Scrapers. Metal or anything with a sharp edge might scratch the nonstick finish on the pan.
This cookware is incredibly easy to clean. I let my sauce pan cool before immersing it in water. To clean the cookware, I use Dawn liquid dishwashing soap and a non-abrasive sponge. This pan cannot be dishwasher cleaned. It's interesting that the manufacturer says not to use baking soda to clean the cookware. I've always considered baking soda a non-invasive cleaner and an environmentally safe alternative to some cleaning solutions. Calphalon says that baking soda (which is listed with abrasive cleaners, automatic dishwasher soap, bleach, etc.) will damage the cookware's surface and void the warranty.
Calphalon Cookware Construction
Calphalon Professional Nonstick II Cookware is constructed of the same heavy-gauge aluminum and hard-anodizing process as their Professional hard-anodized cookware series. The manufacturer guarantees the pan's construction and nonstick coating for "the life of the pan". The lid is constructed from tempered glass with a stainless steel band around the lid edge, and the lid handle is riveted once at both ends to the lid. The 7-inch stainless steel handle on the pan's side is riveted in two places (one rivet on each side of the handle).
According to Calphalon, their pans and lids are oven safe to 450 F. degrees. I have not used my sauce pan in the oven.
The Calphalon Professional Nonstick II 2 1/2 Quart Sauce Pan dimensions are: 8" Diameter, 2 3/4" Deep, 7" Side Handle.
Summary
This is an attractive product with its gray-black pan, glass lid rimmed with stainless steel and stainless steel handle. It cooks very well. However, the pan is heavy. The glass lid steams up so that viewing the pan's contents is virtually impossible. The glass lid handle becomes very hot.
Would I purchase another Calphalon pan? No. I realize that everyone has their own cooking criteria and not everyone likes the same products. For me, I prefer either a T-Fal or Farberware pan.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Product Warranty
This is how the Lifetime Warranty reads:
"Every Calphalon Commercial and Professional cookware item is covered by our Lifetime Warranty. Calphalon will repair or replace any item found defective in material or workmanship when put to normal household use and cared for according to instructions. Minor imperfections, surface markings as a result of shipping, and slight color variations are normal.
This excludes damage from misuse or abuse, such as improper cleaning, overheating, dishwasher use, use of caustic or other unapproved cleaners, neglect, accident, alteration, fire, theft, or use in commercial establishments."
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 24.99
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