Customer Reviews

Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's heavy and dead-flat. What can you say about a griddle except that it does exactly what you wish a griddle would do. There are no hot-spots, and the handle stays cool. (The Calphalon Contemporary handles are big, and may get in the way occasionally -- but they stay very cool.)

One thing, though -- the non-stick surface is *really* non stick. Make an omlette and it'll spread over just about the whole bottom of the pan in no-time-flat -- which is just great, so long as you like really thin omlettes. Over-easy eggs can be a bit tricky because it's so slippery -- it's not that easy to get the spatula underneath! (Part of that's because plastic and coated spatulas are thicker than metal ones.) One time I almost pushed an egg right off the griddle and onto the stovetop. But anyone who's ever had something stick to a griddle will not complain that nothing can stick.

Cleanup is strange. It just doesn't get dirty. I've only had this awhile, but I've used it twenty times, and the nonstick is not only still in perfect condition, it doesn't even show the "bright spots" that, with high-quality non-stick cookware, indicates some mechanical burnishing. I think this will last forever.

I purchased this griddle In August of 2006 and use it every Sunday. There is alot i like about the pan, but one huge problem is it warped. I know you are not suppose to put a hot pan in cool water because that will cause this to happen, but I did not do that. I have a smooth glass top surface to my stove so a warped pan is not good. I do have to say the heat still conducts though the pan to give me even cooking thoughout.

I have a cheap griddle same size, and now have this Calphalon one. BIG difference. Much better heat distribution, better teflon = easier clean. Handy for bacon (may need to pour of drippings if a lot of bacon), grilled sandwiches, pancakes, eggs.

This pan is the best.....I wish I had bought it sooner.
The handle is weighted perfectly so it does not tip the pan over. It works great on our smooth surface stove top. And as a bonus.....reheats 2 pieces of pizza at once with the most crispy crust.....sometimes better than the pizza was the night before. Can't say enough good about this pan - we use it almost daily.

I received a set of the Calphalon Contemporary as a gift and the only thing I felt I was missing was a griddle, so I had to order this one from Amazon. This griddle pan has been wonderful. I use it for everything! Most times, I just wash it and put it right back on the stove since I know I'll be needing it again right away. I can fit 6-8 pieces of bacon on it at a time, 4 pieces of toast, or 4 rather large pancakes. It's a dream come true if you fix breakfast often. It's the best money I've spent in my kitchen and I would highly recommend it!

as someone who does not fry food but likes to have crispy pancakes or big evenly cooked ones for guests, this griddle is fantastic. I find myself using it all the time and it is a dream to clean. immediately it is washed and hung up. I always have it close at hand

Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle

Our Calphalon griddle was "dead-flat" and worked very well when it was new; I would have rated it at 5 stars.

Unfortunately, after about a year or so, the bottom bulged downward; so much so, that it rocks to and fro on the very center of the griddle on our glass-top electric range. [My wife had always cleaned it in hot water, since we knew putting a hot griddle in cold water could cause this to happen.] It's still usable but most of the griddle's bottom no longer touches the range's glass top.

Click on Customer Images to see the "bulge".

We replaced the Calphalon with a Circulon Elite Nonstick 12" Round Griddle; its bottom doesn't bulge. The Circulon is also aluminum, but has a heavy bonded-on stainless steel bottom plate. The total thickness of the bottom is about 3/8", versus 1/8" for the Calphalon.

I use my Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Griddle to cook just about everything that does not go into a microwave or conventional oven. I have also bought several different Caphalon griddles as gifts. There are differences in whether the griddle is hard anodized (like this one), infused anodized, or just a non-stick surface. If the wrong cleaner or utensil is used, the griddle can get easily damaged, so it is vitally important to follow the cleaning and usage directions for your griddle specifically. You CAN use Comet and Ajax with this particular griddle, but NOT with the others. Using the wrong cleaners, I badly damaged another Calphalon griddle and it left very sticky, uneven surfaces and interfered with whatever I then cooked.

The griddle, when used and treated properly, is superb. The weight and size of the griddle is well balanced and not too heavy. The handle never gets hot. I am always amazed with how flat bacon cooks--no curling. Pancakes form perfectly round circles. The product produces consistently well-cooked meals, regardless of my limited talents as a cook. This truly is an incredible invention, almost dummy-proof.

I have used this griddle for about a year. The surface is now blistering and peeling. I am going to return it directly to the manufacturer and hope that the new one is better performing.

I love the pan, and used it a lot. Great for eggs, sandwiches, etc. Like another reviewer here, I have a glass-topped, electric range. The pan warped significantly- it will no longer lie flat on the range and that makes the heat uneven. After about a year of use, the non-stick finish is wearing off in some spots as well.
So, it can be a nice, functional pan, but be sure to use only medium-high heat under it- especially if you have an electric range. And if you want the non-stick to last, you must be very careful in cleaning it. (Keep it away from teenagers!).