If you are looking for a stainless steel cookware set which is durable enough to be used by anyone, with any utensils, then look no further than this offering from Calphalon. The Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set is specifically engineered with a brushed stainless steel interior that allows you to use any type of utensil without scratching the cooking surface.
In addition, it comes with a stylish design featuring striking glass lids and handles which are cool to the touch. Here we’ll be taking you through a close look at this set from Calphalon, pointing out the pros, cons and showing you what makes it one a competitive cookware set.
With three set sizes (8, 10 and 13 piece), superior stainless steel composition and durability among the best out there, these cookware sets from Calphalon are truly feature-packed.
Included in the 13-piece set:
- 8-inch omelette pan
- 10-inch omelette pan
- 12-inch omelette pan
- 1 1/2-quart sauce pan with lid
- 2 1/2-quart sauce pan with lid
- 3-quart chef’s pan with lid
- 3-quart sauté pan with lid
- 6-quart stock pot with lid
The lids are tempered glass and the handles on the pans are stainless steel. The lids from some of the large pans fit the 8 and 10 inch omelette pans – although not perfectly. There is not a lid that fits the 12-inch omelette pan.
Features
- Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Composition
- Polished Stainless Steel Exterior with Satin Interior
- Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel Alloy
- Oven Safe Up to 500°F
- Dishwasher Safe
- Tempered Glass Lids
- 8, 10, and 13 Piece Set Available
Advantages
Calphalon cookware is extremely reliable and a pleasure to cook with. You are rewarded with many advantages when opting for their tri-ply, premium quality pots and pans. Here is a look at your benefits, should you select this set.
- Everything Needed to Sear, Simmer and Boil
- Brushed Stainless Steel Interior Makes Cleaning Easy
- Great Heat Retention
- Even Heat Distribution
- Free from Hotspots
- Full Lifetime Warranty
Disadvantages
Hot handles are listed as a con because they can reach a temperature which requires gloves after a very long time of cooking. There is not much to complain about when assessing this set from Calphalon.
- Handles Get Hot After Prolonged Simmering or Boiling
- 12-Inch Pot Needs Separate Lid
Summary
The range of pots and pans included in this set truly gives even the most hardened cook everything needed to cook up a storm. From the large pot perfect for soups or stews, to the stock pots and sauté pan, Calphalon has you covered. The eight piece is functional, but when opting for the 13 piece you really have a complete collection. It’s clear that this is a set designed to last, with even the handles being triple welded for enhanced durability.
Two layers of durable stainless steel with a nickel content of between 8% and 10% encapsulates the aluminum core. The heat distribution is fantastic, as is the heat retention. The quality engineering awards you with a set of cookware which is a pleasure to use. A hefty weight conveys the reliability and great style from the get-go, while the firm fitting lids and elegant polished silver is known to hold its veneer through prolonged frequent use.
While some prefer steel, the glass lids add an extra touch of elegance to this already excellent set. They fit perfectly and seal in all the heat and moisture. You will find that even when leaving your lid ajar, your pots and pans still maintain a stable heat.
Even though the handles stay relatively cool to the touch through most bouts of cooking, the rims of these pots and pans are known to get quite hot. This is the only area which has any variation in heat and it has no effect on your meal.
Calphalon has created an alloy which could not be easier to clean. Should you happen to find yourself left with anything stuck, soaking the pot or pan in warm water is usually enough to make the leftover food wipe away with ease. Even though the set is rated as dishwasher safe, it is generally easier and safer to wash your pots and pans by hand. The surface cleans exceptionally well.
Comparison
Unlike many other competing cookware sets, this collection from Calphalon makes no high pitched sound when used on induction cooking surfaces. There is no tone emitted, no matter the age of the person listening. Many cheaper cookware sets use a multiple ply construction which creates an irregular acoustic tone due to the leeway for vibration between the composites.
Calphalon has utilized superior bonding technology to grant a completely encapsulated core. The temperature regulation is fantastic at both high and low temperatures, while the cookware heats up very quickly on an electric stove as well.
The price difference between all clad induction cookware and this set from Calphalon does not appear to warrant the performance difference. Their tri-ply design is a near match in both heat retention and heating time, to all clad cookware, while an all clad set of matching quantity can cost up to twice as much.
Verdict
When used in combination with an induction cooktop, this stainless steel cookware truly excels. With no abrasions thanks to the highly polished surface and the direct, even transfer of heat, your pots and pans are sure to last through years of use.
Calphalon backs their product with a lifetime warranty, replacing any cookware that degrades due to a manufacturer defect. Add a steamer insert or two, a pressure cooker, and cast iron cookware and you will have a great culinary collection.
If you need cookware which gives high temperature cooking better than gas, and temperature control that is far better than electric, then use the Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set with an induction cooktop.
However, those using other cookers will still find great value and performance premier quality cookware set. Due to the highly polished exterior, Calphalon does not recommends stacking these pots.