Calphalon Cookware Reviews: Picking Only The Best for 2024

Designed for daily usage, this heavy-gauged cookware set is fit to serve a busy kitchen. It can withstand use, overuse, and abuse while still looking fabulous on top of your kitchen stove.

Set pieces:

The Contemporary Calphalon Line is a cookware set that varies from 8 to 12 pieces with the following:

• 8” and 10” omelet pans
• 1.5 qt and 2.5 qt saucepans with Lid
• 8 qt stock pot with lid

This set is known as the Contemporary line because of its modern design featuring tulip-shaped pots. The shape of the cookware is not just for aesthetics - they are designed specifically to provide better circulation. The shape allows the food to move freely within the pot and reduce manual mixing time.

The cookware set has tempered see-through glass, allowing you to have a clear view of your food while cooking for your convenience. The lids have tall, stainless steel handles that give you a wider wiggle room for your fingers. This is also great for those with large hands.

Surface Material:

Every household finds the need to have at least one non-stick cookware for safety and the Contemporary Calphalon line has got that covered since it is a cookware set that comes with non-PFOA non-stick coating. Each set piece has a multi-layered non-stick coating which makes the outer surface twice as tough and even dishwasher safe.

What’s great about this set is that the pots and pans are created using heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum. As compared to typical hard-anodized aluminum, heavy-gauged sets are thicker and more durable. They are less likely to warp even in extreme temperatures.

The hard-anodized aluminum promotes even heating throughout the pots and pans. Unlike other Calphalon sets, this set is made purely of anodized aluminum as opposed to aluminum discs at the bottom of the pots and pans.

Special features:

Looking at the stunning tulip curved design, the feature is more appealing to the eyes since it creates a swirling effect within your cooking (especially for soups and stews). The curved design is believed to speed up cooking because you would spend less time opening the lid to mix the food. In this regard, the swirling effect caused by the curve will improve the quality of the cooked food because it ensures even cooking. It also reduces scorching at the bottom of your set.

The curved design also aids you in pouring directly from the pot and prevent spills. Some cookware add a spout at the lip of the pot, but this clever design controls the food pouring out giving you a smooth transfer of food directly off the pot. It is then much easier and less messy.

Recommended care:

Though the set is dishwasher safe, I highly recommend that you use non-abrasive soaps since some metals and chemicals react differently to abrasive soaps. Gentle dishwashing liquid or organic washing soap is highly preferred when dealing with non-stick dishwasher safe surfaces. After washing, it is best to store the pans in cool and dry places rather than keep them stored inside your dishwasher.

Overall:

The Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware is an ideal set for gas stove and everyday use. Strong and durable pots and pans that's suitable for electric stoves are always needed for a busy kitchen; especially, for the home cook who just loves to experiment. The strength of this set is highly praised and it comes with a safe coating that keeps your food’s integrity from start to finish.

Designed for the impatient cook, this set is made to heat and cook food fast. It is light and easy to control and handle when cooking various recipes.

Set pieces:

The Classic Stainless Steel Set comes with a 10-piece and 14-piece set containing the following:

• 8” and 10” fry pans
• 1.5 qt and 2.5 qt saucepans with Lid
• 3 qt saute pan with lid
• 6 qt stock pot with lid

For the 14-piece the following kitchenwares are added:

• 12” omelet pan with lid
• 3.5 qt saucepan with lid

This set is made of pure metal designed purposely to be efficient and highly versatile. It is made for the purpose of reducing the number of kitchen tools and equipment in cooking. The set is carefully designed to be used in any cooking method from the broiler to the oven, all the way to open pit fire. This set is made to last and function to perfection no matter how or where you use it.

Surface Material:

The pots and pans are manufactured through 'cladding'. The bottom layers of the kitchen wares use heavy-gauge aluminum. They are then cladded with a surface layer of brush-polished stainless steel. The aluminum provides quick and easy heating. This allows you to finish cooking with your pots and pans as quickly as possible.

Since the surface material is made of brushed stainless steel, it has a semi-nonstick effect. You don’t have to season it in the first few uses. In other words, this set is a great kitchen set made for many beginner cooks.

Special features:

What’s great about this cookware set is that it offers such an efficient way of cooking because of its time-saving feature that allows you to have a shorter cooking time while ensuring easy clean-up. The pots come with measuring lines which are perfect for slow-cooked meals, soups, stocks, broths, and more. The measurement lines use quarts and cc as the measuring units.

Other safety features include the spout and the lid strainer. This way, you don’t have to use a colander to drain the liquid inside the pot. The spout makes it easy to transfer food directly from the pot to a serving plate, bowl or container.

Aside from these safety features, the reason why the Classic Steel set is unique because of its handling. The pots and pans are easy to control because of their well-balanced weight. Although they are relatively heavy, the balance created by the wide sides and the long handles make the pots and pans easy to handle when cooking.  They also won’t be difficult to handle using one hand, especially if you are cooking various dishes all at once.

Recommended care:

Since the surface of the pots and pans use only brushed steel, it is prone to scratching. This will not pose any danger to your food but it does affect the non-stick qualities of the pan which would require you to season them after the first few uses.

You should also use gentle soap and never use steel wool or scouring pad on your kitchenware. Leave your pots and pans to soak if there is heavy residue or there is food stuck at the bottom of your pots and pans.

Once you wash your cookware using the dishwasher, it is best to store them in a cool dry place and not keep them inside the dishwasher. The moist atmosphere of a dishwasher will breakdown the cookware material which could cause them to rust.

Overall:

Not everyone can cook but you can be a better cook if you use something that can help simplify the cooking process. With added safety and simplified cooking features, this set surely is very efficient for anyone looking for a high quality cookware set under 300. Whether you are a professional who wants to save time or a home cook who's looking for pots and pans for glass top stoves, this set would be great for your cooking needs.

If you are looking for a long-lasting cookware set, then this is the one to beat. With strength, durability, and versatility in cooking, the Calphalon Tri-ply Cookware set has everything you need.

Set pieces:

The tri-ply stainless steel has a variety of sets but the most complete of all and one of the most preferred sets for this series would be the 13-piece set. This 13-piece set includes the following:

• 8”, 10” and 12” omelet pan
• 1.5 qt and 2.5 qt saucepan with lid
• 3 qt chef's with Lid
• 3 qt sauté pan with lid
• 6 qt stock pot with lid

The set offers the basic necessities that allow you to cook technically any recipe you can think of.

Surface Material:

The tri-ply stainless steel cookware set features a heavy-gauge aluminum core sandwiched by two layers of stainless steel. The pure aluminum core promotes equal heating throughout the pot or pan from the core to the lip. This prevents any burning or scorching since it allows you to cook your food quickly and evenly.

The surface material is brushed on a stainless steel layer, making the pots and pans non-stick. The pans are perfect for searing, browning, and sauteing food; and, you can cook with ease without having to season the pans. What’s great about a stainless steel surface is that it allows you to use various utensils for cooking. Even if you use metal spoons and ladles, it will barely scratch or cause any damage to your cookware.

Special features:

The set is made of heavy-gauge aluminum core. This means that it only has a thin layer of stainless steel, making the set lighter than the rest of the Calphalon cookware. The set makes cooking much easier while also being highly adaptable to various cooking methods. You can use this set on an open fire, in the broiler, in various types of ovens, and even on an induction stove which makes it one of the best cookware sets for induction cooktops to use.

This set is the result of Calphalon’s drive for better and safer cookware. You don’t have to ponder about whether or not to buy non-stick cookware because the satin polish on the stainless steel set is non-reactive. The food you would be cooking using the set would be healthy and safe.

Recommended care:

The set only requires low maintenance since it is highly durable and non-reactive. The satin polish will eventually rub off after prolonged and frequent usage but would still allow you to cook great meals. To retain the non-stick feature of the pan, you can opt to season it from time to time as this will prolong the satin finish.

Though the pan is resistant to scratching from utensils, it is still best to soak your pots and pans in water before cleaning off the residue. I also strongly recommend not to use the pan in defrosting any food before cooking. The tri-ply metal clad may end up warping due to sudden changes in temperature.

Overall:

This is a set that is made to last and made to be used by everyone in the family (whether or not you know how to cook). Since this is a type of low-maintenance cookware, this is a great investment in your home kitchen despite it being a bit costly.

Getting premium-grade cookware doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. Calphalon created a set choice for anyone to be able to have great quality cookware, even on a tight budget. However, if you are looking for a high quality set under $200 then read my "Best Cookware Set Under 200" guide.

Set pieces:

The Simple Calphalon Cookware is a 10-piece set with the following:

• 8” and 10” fry pans
• 1.5 qt and 2.5 qt saucepans with Lid
• 3 qt saute pan with lid
• 6 qt stock pot with lid

This set has the basic cookware pieces designed for home kitchen use while being durable and versatile.

Surface Material:

'Simply' Calphalon gives their clients the choice of whether to choose a Simply Hard-Anodized Set or a Simply Stainless Steel Set. The cookware series manufactured two different sets at a cost that everyone can afford.

• The 'Simply' stainless steel is made of three layers of a light-gauge aluminum core sandwiched between fresh layers of polished stainless steel. This creates a more fortified yet lighter set of pots and pans.
• The Hard-Anodized Set is a single layer of heavy-gauge aluminum with a dual layer of non-stick coating throughout the entire surface of the set.

Special features:

• The stainless steel set layers of aluminum provide superb temperature control allowing you to cook temperature control for safety (TCS) foods like:
  • Crustaceans
  • Shellfish
  • Fish
  • Poultry and Mutton
  • Milk and soy protein

• The hard-anodized set features the signature heavy-gauge aluminum core and double-coated with PFOA-free non-stick layer making this set ideal for cooking general recipes and a wide array of special cuisine. The double coating allows both cookwares to be versatile when it comes to cooking methods.

These two sets are the original recipes for Calphalon’ stainless steel and aluminum cookware. And for over 50 years, these two have become the brand labels of Calphalon. Creating a history of well-adored cookware.

Recommended care:

The non-stick version requires more care and attention since it only has two layers of non-stick coating. But both sets of cookware have practically the same manner of care. You must not use a scouring pad in washing the cookware. They are not dishwasher safe either.

The best way to care for these cookware sets would be to hand wash them using a gentle soap. In stacking them up, use a paper towel in between the pots and pans to prevent scratching in-between the surfaces.

Overall:

Though this set is made as a cheaper alternative for the different Calphalon cookware sets, it offers more than just a tad cheaper than the rest. It has premium qualities that you are going to love to have in your kitchen. They are designed specifically for daily usage in the kitchen. You also have the freedom of choosing between the non-stick set or the stainless steel set.