Cookware Reviews

This was my first major cookware purchase. the price looked right, the reviews were great and I was ready to try something good. I couldn't wait for my package to arrive and to try the cookware out. When I opened my set, the pots and pans looked beautiful with their mirror finish both on the outside and inside. The set seemed well made and heavy enough. The base was flat and would be stable in on all kinds of stoves. Then came the actual test, the cooking!.

I tried making some gravy and began with stir-frying the onions. The pan did heat up fast and evenly. It food cooked well but can't say the same for the what the pan looked after I was done with the cooking. I was hoping cleaning would restore the pan to its former brilliance. But that was not to be. The brown color stain refused to go. I tried SOS (as another reviewer mentioned) and it did help. But it also scratched the surface. I thought I was mentally prepared for the fact that the pans would lose their mirror finish eventually, but wasn't prepared for it to happen so soon. I am going to be more careful in using the pans from now on.

I cannot recommend this starter set enough. It covers all the basics you need in your kitchen, and at an unbeatable price. It has the famous copper sandwich bottom, heating the pan evenly therefore avoiding the burn spots you get from lesser pans.

In order to get the best use out of this set you need to make sure you clean it thoroughly. I recommend using the rough side of a SOS sponge. Be emotionally prepared to lose the mirror finish on the inside of the pans, but don't worry, they are not essential to the cooking process. Also, metal utensils will scratch the inside. Again, this doesn't really matter, but stick to plastic or wood if you want to avoid this.

With proper care, this set can last forever. In fact, it gets better with time. At this price, there is no way you can go wrong.

I recently purchased the Cuisinart everyday 5 piece set along with the 3.5 quart saute pan thrown in as a gift. The seven pieces were offered at the time for $59.95. Oh my, what a price! I honestly thought it may be a mistake, but no!

The cookware, in my opinion, is wonderful. I must tell you that I am not a professional chef, and this is the first experience I have had with better cookware. So far, these are my remarks: The outside finish of the cookware is bright, and honestly, I find myself polishing my finger prints from the covers and handles, as I hate to see the shine blemished. Nothing I have prepared has stuck or burned,,,cleanup is simple,,,just hot water, common dish soap, thats it. The two covers fit all three large pans. I know that might be silly to state, but really, I didn't know if the saute pan was the same diameter as the frypan or the soup pot. I am delighted that they are,,,and the covers work for all three. I find that the pan and lid handles stay comfortable to the touch during use. Some other reviews stated otherwise. I have an electric stove, they may have gas.

I am delighted with this cookware, and for the price, give it a try!

We have a 4 qt. saucepan of a similar description. The inside bottom of the pan is pitted and chalky. Calphalon has not responded to our request for explanation.

I always think I don't need another saucepan. This one is the exception! You NEED this pan. It is handsome to look at with a classic design like those cheap aluminum pans my mother still has in her kitchen but with a durability that can't be beat. Great for reducing sauces quickly and easily. Easy to stir from the bottom and lovely to look at. My 91 year old mother wants one and she never could cook! This cleans up like all the other Calphalon, easily and quickly. If you have trouble keeping Calphalon clean, invest in some of the cleaner Durabond or whatever the name is. I bought some in our local expensive department store (they didn't have it in the basement, they were too busy selling wedding gowns) at half price..It's worth every penny, even at retail, cleans to like new in no time at all. I love it!

I have become such a fan on Calphalon cookware that I pre-ordered this pan even before it became available! After using it a few times I can testify that it is of the same great quality as all my other Calphalon products. The design and shape of the pan is perfect for reducing or boiling liquids. Another feature I love about this pan is its size. At 3.5 quarts, this pan is quite roomy enough to make enough portions to easily feed four or more people, whether that entails simmering a respectable amount of sauce, blanching a large amount of fresh green beans, or preparing my favorite... glazed baby carrots! For everyone who loves or needs to cook, I highly recommend this product for its high quality and fair price.

These are better than the T-Fal set we purchased for a lot more $$$. I've had this set since August 2003 (it's April 2004) and I have to say I'm still pretty pleased with this set. I don't wash them in the dishwasher that often, and I only use wooden or plastic utensils on them, so they're not scratched.

My only concerns with them are that the bolts that connect the handle to the pot in the inside of the pot often trap food (especially tomato sauce) and are hard to get 100% clean and the large skillet is nice, but a little smaller than what I'm used to.

Otherwise, it's held up quite nicely for a set that's so cheap! I'd buy it again!

I needed to replace some nonstick pans. I have a Farberware classic set that I really like but they are not nonstick. I bought this set based on reviews here and the price. I love the glass lids that I can use with other pots as well. After five months these are the pots and pans I use more than any others. They are thick aluminum, cook evenly, heat up quickly, fit my electric coil burners perfectly, and have a good weight with riveted handles. They are so easy to clean I rarely use the dishwasher. I am completely satisfied with my purchase. I hope I can get this set again in a few years since I will wear them out with constant use.

I'm from Provo, UT, married college student capital of the world, and I am poor. As my (now) wife and I were registering for our wedding, we had trouble finding a non-stick cookware set low-priced enough that anyone we knew would get it for us. Just because I was curious, I did a bit of looking on Amazon and could not believe the price on this set! Everything else was in the $$$$ to $$$ range for anything like this. I quickly e-mailed everyone I knew and told them this would make a perfect wedding present. Fortunately, somebody did end up buying them for us, and they have been absolutely wonderful.

First off, they do an excellent job. So far, everything we have cooked in them has turned out great. Not only do they heat evenly and quickly, cleaning is an absolute cinch. Even without soap, they just rinse right off and are ready to re-use. We got some Bon Ami to clean them, but haven't had to use it yet.

Second of all, they have a simple, no-nonsense design and sturdy structure. They're easy to handle, they fit into a small location in our cramped kitchen, the handles don't heat up, the lids are easy to deal with (three lids to fit five pans), and they look nice.

Finally, you really cannot beat the price. There is nothing cheapo about these pots. They're every bit as good as any $$$ set you could find out there. If you're getting married, moving out on your own, or just need to upgrade to some new cookware, there is nothing even close to this set from Farberware.

I got the chrome version and for the price it's a no brainer. A similar rack from Caphalon or the Pottery Barn would be over...I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars because I paid so little there must be some reason why the better name brand pot racks cost so much more. I've looked at the build of the better named brands in the stores and off hand I can't see much difference in quality. I'm happy enough with this one so I wont bother buying one of the more expensive ones to find out what makes them better. I live in an apartment and so there isn't much space in the kitchen so this rack just fit without looking too obtrusive. It's also a reasonable weight so I was able to mount it into normal drywall using heavy duty plastic anchors. It's lightweight (feels about 20 lbs) but its by no means flimsy. It looks and feels solid and professional. I suppose if you're a fine metal crafstman you could critique some of the fit. The assembly instructions aren't the best, and one part was screwed on backwards. I just unscrewed the part and put it back on the right way. No big deal. I then hooked up about 20 lbs of pots and pans, with no worry of this tearing out of the dry wall. I've probably got more weight loaded on some neighboring bookshelves so this doesn't bother me. Realistically, though you probably wont want get much more than 20 lbs worth though because then it starts to look aesthetically too cluttered. If you want less clutter, then you need a larger rack and larger kitchen. The other nice feature of this rack is that it has that chrome grill on the bottom to hang things on as well as store things like lids.

I bought this item to replace a round ceiling-mounted pot rack. I couldn't be more pleased with this wall rack. It is much more stable than my previous rack and it takes up less space. I'm confused by the reviewer's statement that the rack only holds 3-4 pans. I have around 2 dozen pots hanging on mine! I am using all the hooks included with this rack as well as some from my previous pot rack. I could actually hang a couple more, but I'm concerned that the wall may not be able to hold too much more weight. The only problem I had with this rack is assembly. I assembled it alone but I recommend having a helper as it's nearly impossible to hold all the slats in the correct curved position without assistance.

I inslalled this in my little studio apartment in the dead space on the wall above my kitchen sink. It is of good quality construction and takes verry little space. I have 3 pots, 10" and 8" skillet, 2 cast iron skillets, a grill and oven mitts hanging from it with room for more stuff. The shelf is a great place to store the lids.

I, too, bought this cooker at Target believing it was a fryer and was disappointed that the instructions noted it was NOT a fryer. Unable to find anything I liked better (the plastic machines seem flimsy and clunky), I took the advice of the last reviewer and tried it as a deep-fryer for tofu and eggrolls. It works! The thermostat seems reliable, and it heats up quickly enough. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe and nonstick. The only disappointments include the fry-basket, which isn't optimum for draining oil and is awkward to handle with a removable pinch-handle-- but I improvised with tongs. And it would be nice to have an airtight lid to store the oil-- but the glass one does just fine if you change the oil occasionally. As someone who usually avoids frying foods for health reasons, this little pot allows me to cook the few fried goods I'd normally go out for as well, or even better, than how I'd get them at a restaurant-- and it makes my "it-ain't-good-unless-it's-fried" husband feel like he's got a place in the kitchen.

I have been using a Fry Daddy for a few years and wanted something that would go into the dishwasher. This is a great multi-cooker. I have the older version of the same appliance so I am using this one strictly as a deep fat fryer. The instructions said NOT to deep fry in it but it works just fine. I live alone and don't need something big and this is just the right size for me. It would be nice to have a plastic cover for it but I like the clear glass lid. The basket is okay also. I can use it in the older model as well. Cooking dried beans in it takes less time and electricity. Thanks, Presto!

I dont want to say too much, but it is really great!

This is a great pan. I have had mine for about 8 years and continue to buy more Circulon product. I have never had a problem with food sticking. I bought some for my mother as well, and she did have a slight problem with food sticking, but we found out she was not cleaning the pan with hot soapy water. Once she did that, the pans have worked great for her.

I have never been excited about a skillet or any pan for that matter but this Circulon Classic 12 inch skillet is the best! Food does not stick even due to the fact that you don't need to use oil or spray. You don't even need to cook on high. The pan attracts the heat so well that lower temperatures are perfect. All you have to do to clean it is rinse and wipe dry. Odors from the last food you cooked do not stick to it. I love it and want more pans like it. It is also very sturdy and heavy. Nothing cheap about this pan.

I've had a set of Circulon for about ten years and continue to buy new pieces from time to time. All my pans are still in good shape, except for a small stockpot I accidentally boiled dry (not the pan's fault!) and two grill pans I used to cook meat at high temperatures. These three pans are still usable, but the nonstick coating has lost its oomph.

My conclusion is that dry cooking at high temperatures will kill the nonstick surface on these. And there's a vicious circle where the nonstick gets worse, so food starts sticking, so you start using scrub brushes and pads, which further damages the coating, so the food sticks more, so...

If you want to sear meat, get a cast iron pan. But for everything else - from soupmaking to sauteeing - these are the pans to get. Mine are still going strong. I still cook eggs in the first Circulon pan I ever bought. I don't use a brush to clean them, or even a scrubbie, unless absolutely necessary - just a sponge and a brief soak if need be. (Usually it isn't.)

This open skillet is one of my most recent pieces of Circulon. Very nice for things like cooking vegetables in a little butter, or reducing a sauce, or cooking a large portion of eggs. I also use it as a griddle.

Buyer beware. These may say "calphalon", but they are far lower quality than the real thing. The pans are relatively thin, and the nonstick surface is not nearly as durable as Calphalon Commercial Nonstick (the best nonstick on the market).

Try out the commercial line first. You can get excellent special deals on the Calphalon Commercial Nonstick 10" anniversary omelette pan, the best ever made, or on the 12" omelette.

Significantly, the commercial line has a lifetime warranty (they stand by it!) and stay-cool metal handles that are oven-safe.

These cheaper lines are an attempt by Calphalon to capitalize on its name, and are only acceptable for bachelors straight out of college or families on a tight budget, in my opinion.

In addition to Calphalon Commercial, Emerilware has an excellent anodized aluminum 10-piece set on a great sale... I highly recommend it over this set.

Remember, a good set of pans will last you 20, 30, 40+ years. You will be cooking tens of thousands of dollars worth of food in that time. Isn't it worth the modest investment in high quality cookware?

Also note that these pans are made in China, while real Calphalon is made in Toledo, Ohio...

I bought this cookset 1 year ago and they work great. I cook with them about 5 times a week and haven't had any problems with the teflan peeling. One thing though, the hard anodized exterior does tend to get scratched a bit. I would recommend these to anyone.

I like this set a lot. It's a great buy for the money. I keep them hanging on a pot rack, however, because any pots and pans you stack will eventually get chips and scratches. These are no different. They heat evenly and have a nice weight to them. They are not flimsy at all and are easy to clean.

This is a nice set for the money considering that it is made by All-Clad and carries their lifetime guarantee. However, it is not the same construction as an original All-Clad pot or pan. Original All-Clad is triple ply throughout (sides and bottom), constructed with aluminum "clad" by stainless steel inside and out. That construction distributes the weight of the pan evenly and you can feel the balance when you move the pan around as you toss your food around when you cook/saute. On the Emerilware, the bottom of the pan is the only area you will find this type of construction. The sides are a thin, single stainless steel layer and and will have the tendency to bend easily if you aren't careful. And because all the weight is on the bottom, the pan is bottom heavy, which means you don't have all the finesse of tossing food around as easily. But the pans do heat evenly and do a good job cooking overall. Also, the lid handles do become hot, so use caution.

The Emerilware Stainless is great cookware for the price. I really wish people would understand that pots and pans that are NOT non-stick can not be treated as if they were nonstick.

First of all, you must preheat the pans and use some type of oil, fat, etc.

Second, do not overheat these pans. A little over "medium" is about all you need unless you're just boiling water. Anything hotter than that will often cause the metal to look blueish until it is properly cleaned. This is true of all stainless cookware I've used.

Also, the copper on the pot will tarnish because, IT IS COPPER. That's going to happen. So if you want the cookware to look nice and pretty then don't use them. If you actually plan to cook, this is some decent cookware at a decent price. (BTW, the copper cleans easily with Bar Keeper's Friend, or a common household solution such as lemon juice and salt).

That said, I prefer All-Clad. (I plan on becoming a chef, and I'm insistent on having the best)

I just bought these pans yesterday because I watched 20/20 the other night and was horrified at how bad Teflon pans are for your health!!! I had ALL Teflon pans and now they're trash. I LOVE the price for how much you get, love the Emeril name and love the All-Clad name. I'm impressed with their weight. One person noted that the weight isn't even, but it's something you get used to and adjust your ways. I just cooked bacon and eggs in the two frying pans. Nothing stuck to the pans. Of course the bacon pan was quite dirty, but after I let it cool off, I soaked it for only a few minutes and it came clean w/ my nylon scrub brush and I didn't have to put any elbow grease into it at all. I know some people gave it a lesser review because it's a slightly cheaper construction than the original All-Clad, but I personally am very happy that they made a 'slightly' cheaper set of pots and pans for those of us who can't afford the real deal. They're still a great set of pots and pans and much better than most of the other brands.

I bought this a couple of weeks ago. This is my first piece of Calphalon, but after my experience with this, I hope to own more pieces in the future (and get rid of my almost new Revere Ware which I do not like). It heats very evenly, making for perfect pancakes and grilled cheese sandwiches. I like it so well, I keep trying to think of other foods I can cook on it. Compared to the similiarly priced griddles I looked at in local stores, this is an absolute steal. The quality is excellent.

A few people have mentioned that the handle gets hot on this particular griddle. I have only had a problem after having it on medium-hot heat for more than 15-20 minutes. At this point, it is a bit uncomfortable, but I don't think it would actually burn my hand. All in all, I am very happy with my purchase.

I own several Calphalon pieces but didn't have a griddle. I can't believe I lived this long without one. I love to cook french toast & quesidillas on it. It's so super heat conductive, you only have to cook on medium. When I make my french toast, I use a little cooking spray and a calaphon spatula. When hubby cooks pancakes, he doesn't use any oil and uses a metal spatula. Needless to say, I freaked but the metal spatula didn't cause any nicks or marks and the pancakes didn't stick. Clean up is a breeze, you can just wipe with a damp paper towel. For the price, you just can't beat it!

I bought this griddle for my parents to make pancakes. Was an awesome buy!!! I recently found that they use the pan for much more; bacon, sausage, chicken, etc. To catch the spatter, they use an aluminum folder. They love this pan.

I've been looking for something useful and long-lasting as cookware for a long time. Many companies sell a lot of kinds of cookware-set, but some of them are usually just useless or charging a lot of money. Even I find something I like, I don't think I would use all of the sets in the future. Some of pots or pans are too small or too large, e.t.c. This Farberware Millennium Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set has all sorts of sizes and usefulness. I think I can use all of this set all the time for cooking because of good designs and qualities. I like non-stick pans or pots,too, but I still like stainless pans or pots a lot because I know they last for a very long time. I really recommend everybody to try this set. I believe this would be one of good investments as a great chef at home.

I bought this as a Christmas present to myself and LOVE IT!! I used to be stuck on non-stick cookware until I got this! Food cooks evenly, and I no longer have to worry about what utensils I use to stir food! Clean up is a breeze, because I can scrub off the stuck-on food and then slip the pans into the dishwasher! Great price too!

These may not be the greatest cookware but they are the best value. The PBS show America's Test Kitchen, which seems to be associated with Cook's Illustrated magazine, rated the the Millennium skillet the best under $50. It's heavy with an aluminum core to distribute heat and it's well made. The handle's do work to keep them cool enough most of the time. You can spend more and maybe get a better set but you may not notice the difference...