Customer Reviews

Calphalon Classic Hard Anodized 12-Quart Stockpot with Glass Lid

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beautiful as well as functional, this is one of the most useful pots I've ever used. I bought it with a 12 quart, hard anodized pasta insert, which makes it even more useful. I've owned it for almost three years and have used it at least twice each week during that time. Originally, I intended to use it mainly for large batches of pasta. It is great for that, with the pasta insert lifting out so nicely -- no need for any other sort of strainer.

I don't have that many pots and pans and try to get the most use out of the ones that I do own. So, I started using this pot with its insert to cook things like corn-on-the-cob, potatoes, simmered whole chicken -- anything that needs simmering and straining. All you have to do is lift the insert- no more dumping hot water and food into a strainer.

This stockpot is made to prepare large batches of stock. The pot easily holds all items for any stock with room to spare. The same thing is true for big batches of spaghetti sauce or chili. One of the best features of this pot is that it DOES NOT STAIN, even when I cook things with tomatoes. Highly acidic foods have stained other cookware that I own, but not so with this stockpot.

Another thing that I really appreciate is that it HEATS SO EVENLY, really helpful when cooking things for a long time.

This pot is beautiful with it's dark color and smooth finish. Even when a person loves to cook, it's nice to have pots and pans that look good. It has sturdy, shiny handles that make lifting the pan easy and add to the pan's good looks. The pot cleans up very easily. This is such a sturdy stockpot that I'll never need to buy another one.

Until I learn how to be a "real cook" like 'Porkchops', I guess the Calphalon lines will work for me. 'Porkchops' takes great care of his/her pans, still lets them get into the dishwasher, uses steel wool, fires them up on the stove so high that they warp. Hmmmmm. All you have to do is follow the instructions. I guess some people have habits that are destructive to pans, and need to stick to cast iron or something. I never have trouble with sticking (and I stir fry a great deal). Things clean fine, I generally don't even use the green Scotchbrite, a dishrag or the blue Scotchbrites are sufficient most of the time. If I do need to scour a bit, I use Barkeeper's Helper. You can use Ajax on the commerical line, however I have never needed that. I can turn the heat up just as high as I need it, and have experienced no problems. I know what goes through my dishwasher, sort of like knowing where my cats are, etc. I can't imagine why anyone would need steel wool, excecpt to clean outdoor cooking pots. My experience with Calphalon's Warranty, I received one stock pot insert that was out of round at the top, in a combo insert/stock pot package. They not only replaced the insert, but also sent me another stockpot. They paid shipping both ways. I have a zillion Calphalon Pans, way too many, I really like all of them.

I wish I'd picked one of these up years ago. The even cooking, easy cleaning, and the essential beauty of this pot make it the best choice for family cooking. Or, if like me, you feed friends and neighbors too, this is a wonderful pot.

I have owned a set of Calphalon Commercial pots and pans for several years. They went through a house fire, the house was totaled, I got my pots out of the fire and have been using them. It took me many years to learn the importance of having a good set of pots and pans. Now the I have them I cook more and enjoy it because cleanup is so easy. I have had my set for about 7 years. My granddaughter says her pots are not that clean. My daughter will be graduating college this year and she will be staring off her adult life with a set of these pots and pans. There my be better sets but for me I'm sold.

I am pleased with this Stockpot. It heats up quickly and cleans easily. Heat spreads fairly easily but I generally use it for slow cooking soups, chili, etc so that is not a big concern. The glass lid is very nice b\c it lets me see how the food is cooking. The handles stay cool even while on the stove.

Overall, a good pot at a good price.

Why would anyone want pots that can't be used on high heat, can't be washed in the dishwasher or can't be scoured for fear of removing their anodized finish. My Calphalon professional pots were very expensive and it makes me sick that they have preformed so poorly. I have noticed that many of the positive reviews were by people who haven't owned these pots for long

I am a real cook and use my pots several times a day, I need them to work, not just look good and this cookware is ridiculously tempermental. After leaving them on the heat too long, just once, they warp. Food sticks easily to them and they are very hard to clean because you can't use steelwool or abrasive pads. After a guest put one in a dishwasher by mistake, the pot finish was ruined, and I had aluminum coming off on my food. I am someone who takes good care of my things, and it is impossible to clean these well without removing the finish. I had taken some comfort in the "lifetime" warrantee, I tried to return them, but the warrantee, like this cookware is absolutely useless!