Sales Rank: 2629; Release Date: 01 July, 2003


Features:

Oven-safe up to 450 degrees F; wash by hand; lifetime warranty

Set includes 1-1/2- and 2-1/2-quart saucepans, 3-quart saute pan, 8-quart stockpot (all with lids)

Also includes 8- and 10-inch omelet pans

Hard-anodized outside, nonstick inside for durability and performance and quick cleanup

Stainless-steel stay-cool handles; glass covers to monitor cooking; full capacity line helps prevent over-filling

Average Rating:
Rating: - I love cooking with these!
I got this cookware set as a wedding gift and have been nothing but happy with them since the first time I used them. The nonstick interior is wonderful. I have cooked a few different things including ground beef, pasta sauces, pasta, and mac and cheese. The meat browned nicely and never stuck to the pan (unlike my old aluminum pans where it would burn to the bottom). I even think the water boils faster...maybe it is just in my head, but I believe the pans distribute heat more evenly and the water boils faster.

I like the glass lids so I can see inside the pan. I can tell if the contents are boiling or simmering (whichever is called for in the recipe).

I forgot about the pasta sauce in the pan overnight and it cleaned out easily the next morning...just a quick rinse and it was clean. The cheese from the mac and cheese wasn't even a problem. I let that sit, too (I'm not exactly the quickest at cleaning up), but it came right off with no extra effort. So far, they have been the easiest pans to clean that I have ever owned. I used to hate washing my cookware, but since I got these, I am happy to clean them since it is so easy!

I highly recommend this cookware set to anyone who wants an easy-clean product that looks nice and cooks well.

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Rating: - Pretty but not functional
These pots and pans are pretty, no question, but they just don't work that well. The long handles get in the way and are heavy enough to make the pans tilt on the burner unless there's a fair amount in them. There's a black band on the underside of the lids that's just PAINT. Who would put paint on a pan lid? Anyway, it peels off when heated. They're not dishwasher safe, and you need to buy a special calphalon anodized cleaner to clean the outsides. Burn anything in these pots and you're stuck, it sticks on, and you can't scrub it off without ruining the nonstick surface. There's no pouring lip on the saucepans, and no steam vent in the lids, so when you boil, you'll have dribbles down the side. These pots are made in China, which always makes me suspicious. For the price, there are much better pots; if you must have Calphalon, I'd go for the stainless interiors if you want a long-lasting pot, but you can get substantially better pots than these for a fraction of the cost; check out the new revere stainless line with the colander lids; dishwasher and oven safe, unlike these.

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Rating: - Customer Service is Excellent!
I have purchased several individual pieces of the Calphalon Contemporary series. Out of the 8 pieces, that I have purchased individually, I have had two that had the "paint" defect on the lid. Both times I called Calphalon customer service first thing in the morning at about 8:00AM EST. Both times I waited less than 5 minutes to speak with a representative. Both times they simply took my name and address and asked me which lid I needed. Both times they immediately sent me a replacement lid which did not have the defect. Both times they did not require me to send anything back. Both times it required no effort on my part except to verbally tell them that the lid was defective.
I totally commend their customer service and will continue buy Calphalon products. It seems that some of you must be living on some other planet or something. I can not figure out why you seem to be having so many problems.