Calphalon and All-Clad are masters in creating divine sets of cookware and bakeware for all types of cooks. But it’s a real struggle to figure out just which brand to go with. I compiled a complete comparison of some of the best cookware brands to give you an idea of which brand is a better choice for your needs.
Calphalon: Engineering of Works of Arts
Known as the pioneer that started the use of hard-anodized aluminum, Calphalon has long since been a household name. Anodizing aluminum is a treating process that makes this light metal stronger and sturdier. Even with a thin layer of metal, you have a durable layer of highly conductive metal making it a perfect material for creating cookware. See "Calphalon Cookware Reviews" for more in-depth information about the best cookware sets of this brand.
All-Clad: Reinventing Ways to Craft Cookware
All-Clad has built a name when it patented its unique methods in fabricating cookware. When All-Clad’s makers started bonding stainless steel with aluminum, they found that the bonded alloy created this strong, durable, and non-toxic metal surface that is ideal for cooking food. This trademark launched All-Clad as one of the most loved and sought after premium cookware in the market. See "All-Clad Cookware Reviews" for more in-depth information about the best cookware sets of this brand.
Calphalon vs. All-Clad: Comparing the Best Cookware Brands
Calphalon and All-Clad lived up to their reputation in fabricating beautiful metalworks for our stovetops. Though these brands are quite similar, they have notable differences and features apart from each other that will surely suit your needs and preferences. Let’s break these two brands down.
Material
Both brands have nonstick and stainless steel selections and both use the same types of surfaces for cooking. However, the main difference lies in their specialties.
All Clad’s Multiclad body
All-Clad specializes in bonding different metals to create a formidable alloy designed to strengthen and improve the performance of the cookware. Aside from bonding aluminum and stainless steel, they also have cookware that uses copper. This strong bond makes the body highly durable and very adaptive to different types of cooking environments from light irregular use to daily abuse in the kitchen.
Calphalon’s hard-anodized material
Calphalon is highly known for its robust core. All of its cookware features a hard-anodized aluminum core. This stronger aluminum layer makes the cookware lighter but definitely more durable. It can easily withstand heavy-duty cooking for long hours.
Conclusion
Both brands are built for heavy-duty use. The strong body and core make their cookware sets formidable equipment to use in a busy kitchen. They guarantee years of amazing performance.
Quality performance
Since both brands use high-grade metals, Calphalon and All-Clad offer superior cooking performance. They use the same formula in crafting their nonstick surfaces incorporating PTFE and a lining of hard-anodized aluminum hence both have the same quality performance.
Their stainless steel cookware sets quite differ. Though both have 3-ply and 5-ply sets, All-Clad surpasses the cooking prowess of Calphalon mainly because of the bonded core. That makes it more efficient to retain heat throughout the surface.
Heat distribution
Both brands offer superior heating. However, heat distribution is not just about how well heat spreads throughout the pots and pans. It also refers to how quickly they heat up and how well they retain the heat.
Here, the bonded core shows the difference. Calphalon’s layered stainless steel body heats up well but does not retain heat just as efficiently as All-Clad can. The bonded core holds on to heat much better making it more efficient in cooking your food without any cold spots. It also makes the pots and pans heat up faster by a fraction. This can lead to better energy efficiency as well.
Design
Although the similarities between both cookware brands are striking, they have differences in designs that are intended for specific functions.
Shape
All-Clad cookware sets are considerably shallower than Calphalon. This is to compensate for the heavier weight of the metal body. The edges of All-Clad cookware are often inclined. This makes it easier to pour or slide your dish off the pot or pan. In addition, the sloping edges of the pans and most of their pots make it easier to stack the cookware and store them together. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to cook more food in your pot or pan because of the heavyweight and the shallow edge of the cookware.
Calphalon, on the other hand, prefers a straight edge for its cookware. It is also much deeper than All-Clad cookware allowing it to accommodate more food. It also makes it easier for each cookware to be more versatile in cooking various dishes or recipes using a single cookware. On the downside, it makes it more difficult to pour food onto a bowl or plate.
The priorities of both Calphalon and All-Clad are different when it comes to design. While Calphalon centralizes on the amount of food it can contain, All-Clad focuses more on the efficiency of each cookware.
Handles
Unfortunately for both brands, they don’t usually add any stay-cool hand grips. However, both have very distinct designs to keep the handles stay cool to the touch while cooking.
All-Clad features a thin handle with a thumb grip to improve better handling. Since the handles are thinner, they are lifted to keep them cool to the touch. Calphalon, on the other hand, has thicker handles. The smooth bolster-type handles remain cool while offering a comfortable grip for easy handling.
Cost
Notably, All-Clad is definitely carrying a heftier price tag than Calphalon. Calphalon is targeting to sell more affordable cookware that anyone can afford. While All-Clad offers its cookware at a higher price mainly due to the quality of its products.
Is All-Clad worth buying?
Honestly, you bet it is. Compared to Calphalon that eventually starts to expire in about 5 years, All-Clad offers a lifetime guarantee in each of their cookware. Plus, All-Clad is the type of cookware you can pass down to generations mainly because of the incredible durability. Calphalon, on the other hand, is significantly more affordable.
Heat Tolerance
Nonstick pots and pans have a lower heat tolerance compared to full stainless steel cookware. However, in both types of cookware, the heat tolerance of All-Clad cookware selections is higher ranging between 500-600 degrees while Calphalon is between 400-500 degrees.
Maintenance
Both brands are dishwasher safe in general, however, they recommend that their cookware be hand-washed. All of their cookware sets have lowkey maintenance making them easier to take care of. They are also tolerant in the use of abrasive dishwashing soap, however, it’s still best to stay away from intense dishwashing soaps.
Handling
Handling is vital for everyone, especially for beginners. The overall design of the cookware affects the way we use and control each pot or pan. In this regard, Calphalon offers better handling because of its lighter weight. Hard-anodized aluminum uses durable aluminum that is thin and light. The thicker handle also offers better support and less chances of heating up.
All-Clad, on the other hand, offers great balance but the heavier and thicker design makes it difficult to grasp and use especially for a neophyte. Flipping pancakes would be a little more difficult but certainly not impossible. To improve better handling, All-Clad incorporated the use of thin grips with a thumb groove granting easier control. Some of their cookware sets especially for the nonstick selections have thicker handles.
Compatibility
All-Clad and Calphalon are surely some of the best cookware brands you can find since both of them are highly compatible with all types of stovetops and even outdoor cooking. They are also oven safe and broiler safe at relatively higher temperatures compared to other brands.
Cover or Lid
Seemingly of less importance, this is a great factor to consider when buying versatile cookware. Aside from helping speed the process of cooking, a good lid helps prevent much of the moisture from your food to evaporate leaving your food dry and unsavory. Calphalon features a glass lid while All-Clad offers a full stainless steel lid.
Both types of lids offer different pros and cons. Glass lids allow easy viewing allowing you to check in on your food without having to lift the lid and release some of the what inside the pot or pan.
All-Clad vs Calphalon Reviews: Comparing the best cookware sets
To further understand what both brands offer, here are some of the highest-end cookware selections from both brands.
Calphalon AccuCore Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Set Includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10-inch fry pan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saute pan with lid
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
Prime features:
Giving 5 layers of high-performance metal, this copper core cookware set gives you a highly durable and versatile cooking set designed for heavy-duty cooking. The copper core stretches all the way to the ends of the cookware giving you quick-heating action.
The interior and exterior stainless steel has a brushed polish to make the pots and pans easier to clean and maintain. This makes the entire cooking set dishwasher proof and tolerant of harsh cleaning chemicals.
Handling:
This is Calphalon’s heaviest cookware set however it does not compromise the way you handle it. To improve better control, the long handles are thicker and more rounder to offer a better grip.
Bonus features:
The Accucore construction improves the heat distribution and tolerance of this cookware enabling it to withstand up to 500 degrees of heat in the oven. You will also love the stunning tempered glass tech that is furnished to completely seal the cookware and trap heat and moisture preventing your food from drying up and also speed up the cooking process.
PROS
CONS
Overall
This set is a great solution for those who are looking for long-lasting cooking sets that suit all kinds of cooking needs. What’s great about it is that you can learn and improve your cooking without having to worry about the cookware warping and getting damaged from intense cooking.
All-Clad Copper Core Cookware Set
Set Includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10-inch fry pan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart covered sauté pan
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
Prime features:
Sport a stunning new cookware set in your kitchen with this Copper Core All-Clad collection. This set features a layer construction with a copper core bonded with aluminum and stainless steel. This offers superb heating and long heat retention allowing you to keep your food warm even after taking it off the stove.
This multi clad set is very durable and can handle intense cooking demands. What’s great about this is that it can withstand immediate temperature changes, constant heat, and pressure yet still retain its pristine condition. This set is also great for outdoor cooking over an open flame or on the grill.
Handling:
Though much heavier, the cunning fabrication of the stainless steel pots and pans provide a great balance. The handles of this collection are thin with large thumb grooves to give you a better grip and improve better control over the cookware.
Bonus features:
The minimalistic design is stunning with a copper lining around the base of the pots and pans, this is a beautiful cookware set that you will definitely love having in your kitchen. You’ll love that it can handle the intense heat of as much as 600 degrees with its stainless steel lids on.
PROS
CONS
Overall
This Copper Core collection really shows just how great All-Clad is in providing our kitchen with top of the mill cookware for induction cooktops. From durability to versatility and superb cooking performance, this set really does not disappoint. From professionals to beginners, breathe life into your cooking with a cookware set that can match all of your demands and needs.
All-Clad Ha1 Cookware Set
Set Includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10-inch fry pan
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saucepan with lid
- 4-quart sauté pan with lid
- 8-quart stockpot with lid
Prime features:
All-Clad features a bonded hard-anodized aluminum core designed for quick and even heating throughout the pan. The surface uses a non-PFOA nonstick surface to help retain the integrity of your food.
The nonstick surface allows you to support your healthy lifestyle with fatless recipes. With its scratch-resistant PFOA surface, you can freely use any utensil with this cookware without having to worry about chipping the nonstick surface off.
Handling:
Made to be lighter and designed for both beginners and professional home cooks, this set is a great selection to complete your kitchen. The thick bolster-type and smooth grip provide better support. This makes it easier for you to move your way around the kitchen with ease.
The see-through glass lid allows you to constantly have a look at the food you’re cooking. The lid also provides a tight seal locking in the moisture in the food.
Bonus features:
Aside from the superb balance and superior cooking exterior, this set is one of the nonstick collections that can handle high temperatures and sudden temperature changes without warping or getting dented. Its 500-degree heat tolerance makes it compatible with baking and broiling allowing you to simply use this set for all types of recipes over the stove or in the oven.
PROS
CONS
Overall
This HA1 Nonstick Cookware set presents a superior selection of pots and pans for gas stoves which is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. This cookware set gives you the delight of having durable cookware that will surely last for years to come. What I love about this cookware set is that it gives ease and comfort as you cook allowing you to master new recipes in a short period.
Calphalon Simply Pots and Pans Set
Set Includes:
- 8-inch fry pan
- 10-inch fry pan
- 1-quart saucepan with lid
- 2-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart saute pan with lid
- 6-quart stockpot with lid
Prime features:
This cookware set features a 2-ply nonstick exterior designed for oil-free cooking. The non-toxic surface prevents any reactive chemicals from contaminating your food as you cook. All the pots and pans are warp- and dent-resistant. The sturdy body prevents any form of external damage giving you durable yet non toxic cookware for years to last.
Handling:
Calphalon is known to offer lightweight cookware and this is no exception. The smooth surface makes it easy to slide your food along to and from the cookware giving you an easy healthier way of cooking. Since this cookware set features a silicone grip handle, you don’t have to worry about heating handles rendering better control of your cookware.
Bonus features:
This Classic nonstick collection provides you with a strong body and tempered lid that can withstand up to 400 degrees in the oven. This makes it highly versatile allowing you to try new recipes from your cookbook.
PROS
CONS
Overall
Designed for great control, this nonstick cookware set under 200 is indeed a superb collection to cook with whatever you want. From stovetop to oven and over the grill, the Calphalon Simply set surely makes it easy for all users especially beginners to explore the kitchen.
The Final Verdict
Personally, I think that both the Calphalon and All-Clad Nonstick cookware sets are equally matched. Both are easy to handle and both have superb nonstick surfaces. They both use hard-anodized aluminum providing you with great heat distribution.
However, regarding the 5-ply copper core, the All-Clad is definitely the best cookware set you can find. It offers better strength and cooking prowess giving all types of cooks the upper hand in making superb recipes.
In the end, both cookware brands provide you with great durability and amazing cooking performance assuring you of great cookware for your electric stove that will really last you a lifetime. Though All-Clad is on a higher-end and pricier choice, it’s well worth the price.