Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Steel 13 Piece Set

CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL CALPHALON TRI PLY STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE!

DO YOU WANT TO COOK WITH IT OR LOOK AT IT?

Calphalon tri ply stainless steel cookware set

When I first sat down to review this Calphalon tri ply stainless steel cookware, I was struck by the description of this set as ‘classically beautiful’.    Really?  As they say in the cooking world, ‘Do you want to cook with it or look at it??  I expect that description to apply to a super model or actress….not really a stainless steel cookware set!

So I had to see for myself what all the excitement was about.

And you know what?  They were right!

This Calphalon cookware set definitely has a WOW factor, with the classic design, polished stainless steel exterior and a satin finished interior.    Also, while some people prefer stainless steel lids, I think the glass domed lids add an extra level of sophistication to the look of this cookware set.

So, satisfied with the good looks, I decided to move on and review other features.  Like:

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The Calphalon tri ply stainless steel is a 13 piece set that includes the following:

  • 8-inch omelette pan
  • 10-inch omelette pan
  • 12-inch omelette pan
  • 1-1/2-quart covered sauce pan
  • 2-1/2-quart covered sauce pan
  • 3-quart covered saute pan
  • 3-quart covered chef’s pan
  • 6-quart covered stock pot

3 omelette pans, 2 saucepans, 1 sauté pan, 1 chef’s pan and 1 stock pot.  5 lids.  13 pieces in all.

WHAT’S WITH ALL THESE OMELETTE PANS?

You’ll notice this Calphalon cookware set has lots of omelette pans.  No skillet or fry pan.  Is there even a difference in all these terms?

A bit of research reveals that while skillet and fry pan are often used interchangeably,  omelette pan (or omelet pan as it is also called) seems to be in a category of its own.  Typically described as a shallow fry pan with sloping  sides and an out-turned lip, making it easy to slide out an omelette when it’s done.

I don’t know about you, but I use my fry pans for just about everything, including omelettes.  So in my humble opinion, an omelette pan would provide the same functionality as any typical fry pan.  So essentially, this set comes with 3 convenient sized pans to cover all your fry pan needs.

WHAT IS IT MADE OF?

The Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware has a three layer design consisting of two layers of stainless steel sandwiching a third layer of heavy gauge aluminium.  This gives you fast, even heating.   The aluminium layer extends all the way up the sides, giving excellent heat distribution to the food.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER FEATURES OF THIS CALPHALON COOKWARE?

  • The handles are triple riveted, making these very sturdy and secure to handle.  Riveted means bolted to the pan and is considered a good feature as there is less chance of a handle falling off vs. a welded one.    Keep in mind though that cleaning around rivets in a pan can be a bit more demanding.
  • Long Cool-V handles so air can flow through and keep the handles cool while you are cooking.
  • Tempered glass lids help trap in heat and moisture while making it easy to check on food at a glance.

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR THIS SET?

Users of these pans have found them easy to clean both in the sink and the dishwasher.

For hand cleaning, all you have to do is let the pans cool after cooking, then let soak in hot soapy water. Most stuck food wipes right off.  Many users recommend Bar Keeper’s Friend to keep them polished and looking new.

Some additional tips:

  • Use medium heat instead of high heat.  These pans don’t require as much heat.
  • When searing meat, don’t force the food to flip.  Meat will stick to the pan but will release when ready.
  • Heat the pan before adding any oil. Make sure the base is covered with a thin film of oil before adding any food.   This will also make the stainless steel non-stick.

CAN YOU USE THIS CALPHALON COOKWARE IN THE OVEN?

These Calphalon stainless steel pots and pans are oven safe up to 500F.  So you can safely move it from the stove to the broiler or oven for the finishing touch to your favorite dishes.

IS IT DISHWASHER SAFE?

Yes this Calphalon Stainless Steel set is dishwasher safe.   The company does however mention that handwashing helps maintain the luster of the stainless steel.  The good thing is, users report it is very easy to clean by hand.

CAN IT BE USED WITH INDUCTION COOKTOPS?

Yes, this Calphalon cookware was redesigned in 2010 so that they could be used on induction cooktops.

DOES IT INCLUDE A WARRANTY

Calphalon offers a lifetime warranty on their stainless steel cookware for any defective material or workmanship when put to normal household use and cared for according to the instructions.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

This is impressive: Calphalon reviews on their own company website show that users have given this cookware set a 5 out of 5 rating!

ARE THERE ANY COMPLAINTS?

No review is complete without mentioning any negatives.   I have to say that I have come across very few complaints about Calphalon. Also, these are relatively minor and don’t seem to reflect on the products ability to perform.    So, here are some of the common complaints.

One complaint is that the glass lids get pretty hot during cooking.   A problem that is easily solved with the use of a potholder.

Similarly, some users have mentioned that even the metal handles can get very hot during use despite the long Cool V arms and require the use of a potholder.

Similarly, some users have mentioned that even the metal handles can get very hot during use despite the long Cool V arms and require the use of a potholder.

Calphalon says not to stack these pots as it could scratch the pots surface.   A simple solution is to get some felt dish separators that are available at most kitchen and home stores and use them to separate the pans.

Lastly, some users feel that this Calphalon cookware set is missing a steamer insert for the 6-quart pot.

HOW MUCH IS IT FOR?

The price on this set varies in a range different online retailers though I find the best price is usually on Amazon.

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.