Customer Reviews

Kitchen Essentials® from Calphalon® Hard Anodized 10-pc. Cookware Set

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

 

 

After much deliberation I bought this set last week, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. This is great cookware! But beware, not all Calphalon is created equal, I checked them all out believe me. The Utility and Styleware lines are cheap junk, don't waste your money or time. On the Cooking with Calphalon and Contemporary lines, the handle shapes are awful; you could sprain a wrist lifting a full pan. And I really don't like the design of the much more expensive Simply Calphalon (this is the line that some reviewers complained about black paint on the lids coming off).

But this hard-anodized set from Target is fantastic. It's sturdy, but not too heavy to lift. The rivoted handles are well shaped. They can get hot if you're boiling water, but stay cool over medium heat, which is all you need most of the time for these pots. They heat quickly and cook evenly. And wash up is a snap. Yes the outside can get scratched, but I use my cookware as tools, not display items. The non-stick interior does require use of wood or plastic tools. As another reviewer suggested, I stack mine in the cupboards, with dishtowels inbetween to protect the teflon surface; its a very simple storage solution. I love the galss lids. I was afreaid that they might fog up, but they work very well.

This set has the smaller 3 qt saute pan and 6 qt stock pot. These may not be big enough if you have a large family. But I have another 12 qt stock pot and 8 qt saute pan that sometimes are just more than I want to handle. The 3 qt saute pan is perfect to brown a pound of meat for tacos or whatever. And the 6 qt is perfect for making a big batch of mac and cheese for a group of kids, or pasta for the 4 of us.

And as a special bonus, this set is made in the USA!!! I don't know if the USA pots are superior to the imports, but I prefer to keep some of our manufacturing jobs in this country.

I use to be more of a gourmet cook. Now I just struggle to make dinner everynight like most Moms. But these pans make cooking more of a pleasure and less of a chore. If you spend alot of time in the kitchen, you deserve a good set of tools. Buy this set, and I promise you won't be disappointed.

As careful as I have been the pans are already warping and the finish on one is ruined. The pots are no longer round so the lids do not fit properly - I cannot even use them to make rice as too much steam is released through the gap between the pot and the lid. I have followed the instructions faithfully but have yet been able to keep the pans from sticking. Frankly, they are not much better than the regular teflon after the coating has started coming off.

The information posted said they were ok for ceramic stoves but I cannot help but wonder if this is the problem as other people seem to think the pans are great.

I do like being able to use metal utensils with them but that's about the only good thing I can say.

Calphalon is premium cookware in every regard. The weight and durability of the set along with the the versatility of the pieces make this an exceptional buy. What differentiates this set from "generic" Calphalon sets you can buy elsewhere is the inclusion of the the tempered glass lids that are normally only available on the the next more expensive Calphalon set. The only down-side is that the handle on the small egg pan is a bit too heavy for the pan itself and will tilt the pan on an electric cooktop without a heavy item (not eggs) in the pan. This would not be a problem on gas cooktops.

I have been very pleased with this product to date. Even heating / cooking. The pans come to temperature quickly and uses less energy (lower gas setting) to get there. The ony downside is that they strongly suggest (voids warrenty) not to put in your dishwasher due to deterioration of and damage to the non stick coating. Most non stick in this range with the exception of Kitchen Aid have similiar warnings. Next time this will be a requirement for me when purchasing cookware.

I was a little sceptical about buying non-stick, as I am a previous stainless steel user, but I really like the hard anodized non-stick surface. It's so much better than other non-stick cookware I've used/seen. It is durable and very easy to clean. I cook on an electric stove, and this set heats up so well and evenly, that I don't really miss a gas stove, and can use a lower temperature because of the way they transfer the heat. I also love that I need little to no butter or oil to cook with, and usually just use them for flavor now. I do wish that the lids for the saucepans fit the omlette/frying pans. I've only had the set for a little over a month, and have not used them in the oven, but so far I am very satisfied with the product.

Bought this set at Target 3 years ago for $200, and during the first few months was seriously impressed by them. They're heavy, cooked things well, and the stainless handles are strong and stay cool. Never once put them in the dishwasher or put any utensil (metal, etc) in them that didn't belong in them. Took care when washing, didn't burn things in them, etc. Somehow the finish still flaked off of both skillets starting at 6 months, and the pots have now also been showing the early signs of retirement. Because I didn't want to pay return shipping or get a replacement set, and the flaking finish was too dangerous for donating, they had to go straight to the trash. Very upsetting that such gorgeous pots and pans had such a short life, with high care and high cost. The 2nd star is because they are beautiful and I cooked every day with these - if you rarely cook and plan to take care of these, they might work for you. For me, stainless steel and cast iron is the way to go. I wouldn't even try another "non-stick finish".

Purchased this set at Target roughly 2 years ago...paid about $250. Much like an earlier reviewer, I was seriously impressed with the initial quality. However, after 2 years of steady use with great care taken to hand wash, never use metal utensils, etc, the finish has flaked off the small skillet, 2 of the pots and is beginning to flake on the medium sized skillet. Cooking quality was great with even heating, etc....but unfortunately, the build quality over the long haul is poor. I could have purchased a cheaper set and had them last this long.... Grrrr.....

The cookset is wonderful. I've seen cooksets like this for more money. The Calphalon set makes cooking much more fun. Working with quality cookware makes great tasting food.

I love them, so EASY to clean, totally nonstick, they are just faboulous

After using a set of stainless steel cookware for 30 years, I bought Calphalon Essentials (purchased at Target) because I wanted no-stick. After only three years, I'm glad I kept my stainless steel sauce pans, as they still look and cook great after all these years of use. My Calphalon pans are stained on the bottom and the non-stick coating is peeling off. I have not used metal utensils or put them in the dishwasher, but do have a ceramic-top stove. A friend gave me a birthday card that said, "Any pan is no-stick if you no-cook in it." That is my experience with Calphalon. High maintenance and short-lived. I'm back in the market for some stainless steel.