A frying pan. Sounds like an easy purchase - not terribly difficult. If you had this thought as I did before embarking on this purchase you, too, have not been in a housewares department in the last few years. It's exhausting just lifting those pans up and down. No longer can one simply decide if they want copper bottom or aluminum bottom. It should be so easy.

Journey with me, if you will, into the (cue music) Cookware Zone...a journey not of sight or sound but mind....okay - it's more sight and feel but you get the idea.

Bia Who?
In a wall of Calphalon I stumbled upon Bialetti. Really, I could have sued Target for the way I stumbled thanks to stock that was not yet tucked away. I generally avoid brands which, to me, are unknown. Yet I was disappointed with what I found in my price range until I grabbed at this pan. Here's what I like:

Handle - this one has a relatively soft grip with a curve under the handle just right for stretched out fingers. It's a comfortable handle that just felt right in my hand - something I was missing in the other pans I "test held" in the store.

A Good Bottom - is worth its weight in teflon. This one had an interesting "machined" bottom which translates into an almost waffle weave look and is created to diffuse heat more evenly than traditional cookware. In addition the bottom is called a "hi-base" referring to the fact that there is a fractional amount of height from the base to the actual bottom of the cooking surface. This further assists in even cooking.

Coating - this one is Teflon coated, sure that's fairly common, but this one has something new called Teflon Platinum created to assist in non-stick, clean up, and durability. Or so the manufacturer claims.

Yeah, but how's the scrambled eggs in this thing?
All of this is fine and good, but if the grilled cheese does not brown evenly and the scrambled eggs stay runny it's worthless. The results after test driving this one?

Cooking is as even as I've ever experienced. I have cooked utilizing standard Revereware, copper-bottom Revere, and Calphalon (the middle of the road version). I am impressed with the coating in that I do not always think in advance and often grab any ol' spatula to turn items. So far, it retains its impeccable coat with nary a scratch. The handle is comfortable and conducts absolutely no heat. Great grilled cheese, perfect scrambled eggs, and, yes, even All-American American fries.

What's left to say?
Some boring details -

- Dishwasher safe though the company recommends hand washing. Mine has gone into the dishwasher with no problems though the width and general size can be challenging to fit into some dishwashers.

- Weight may be bothersome to some cooks. I'll estimate it around seven pounds thanks in large part to the base - both the heavy gauge bottom and the fact that it's a "hi-base".

- Storage is aided by an opening on the handle for hanging from a pot rack.

Finally, Bialetti has been in business since 1933. It's no longer generic-looking to this cook. It is manufactured in Italy, distributed in the U.S. via one firm.

Nice quality, the feel was superior to the other offerings, and in the price range I was happily surprised at the quality I received for my money. A good buy.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 22.99