Customer Reviews

Magnalite Classic 8-Piece Aluminum Cookware Set

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My mom got this as a wedding present in the early 1940's. She was never a good cook, so I have been using it since the '60's. I stole some of her pieces when I married, but returned them when I found them for sale again. I purchased my first piece, a chicken frier, for about $25.00 in 1970, which was a huge price back then, and couldn't wait to get my hands on more. I bought a starter set of 8 pieces a few years later when I finally saw it again, and it forms the basis of my extensive cookware collection. I have been called the "Greatest cooker on earth" by many men, and I attribute some of the praise to this cookware.

This is heavy cast aluminum, with the same heat dispersal properties of cast iron, except that it can be washed and scrubbed. I polish mine from time to time, and it still looks new! It can be placed in the dishwasher, unlike cast iron. The cooking qualities are exceptional. Heat is disbursed over the entire bottom and sides of the pans, allowing a lower heat setting, and giving a more consistent heat to all the food within. There are no hot spots, which scorch the food and cause uneven browning or burning. The lids are heavy enough to seal the steam in the pots, which forms a mini-pressure cooker, cutting down on the cooking time a bit. They will not warp if overheated, which is important if you use electric heat. I mean, who hasn't lost track of time and let a pot burn now and then? It happens in a busy kitchen. But this isn't a catastrophe as it would be with cheaper cookware. I have added a few smaller pots as my family size has been reduced, but I cannnot conceive why anyone would want some of this designer/celebrity cookware with the raised rings that could never be scrubbed clean in a thousand hours! Just be sure you season the cookware in a slow oven first. (Wipe with cooking oil inside, including the lids, and bake all of it in a 225 degree oven for about 8 hours.) Reseason as necessary. Buy as much of it as you can afford, and add to it as the time and money allow. I use the heavy cast aluminum teflon skillets, and have gone through dozens of sets of those! YOu can't beat the Magnalite for delicate sauces, rice, and stews, or anything fried!

The originals were made in USA - I almost bought a new set intil I realized these are not the same materials or sizes.

Peter Pike, President of American Culinary Corp., states he purchased the Magnalite and Wagner brands and original molds, and is the only source for parts that fit the original Magnalite pans. We are anxiously waiting for manufactured pans and parts to become readily available once again.

There apparently exists a dispute between American Culinary and World Kitchen (formerly Corningware) regarding the use of the Magnalite brand name. World Kitchen has been manufacturing some cast aluminum pans in China under the brand name of Magnalite ( which look like the original Magnalite but are of different materials and sizes). These are currently available at many WalMart, Sam's Club and Corning factory outlet stores at discount prices. Also available directly from World Kitchen at full price.

Magnalite parts from World Kitchen do NOT fit the original Magnalite made in the USA.

My mother has used Magnalite professional for 20+ years now and it's still as good as the day she got it. Magnalite classic is completely different, and apparently fussy to care for.

If you read comments and do your research, you'll find that this is *not* the original Magnalite formula. The way I understand it, one company (World Kitchen) owns the name "Magnalite", and a separate company (American Culinary) owns the formula to both the classic and professional materials. This "Magnalite Classic" is manufactured in China, and doesn't live up to many of its claims.

I was excited to receive this set as a wedding gift because my mother's set of Magnalite Pro is decades old and fantastic. Nothing has ever stuck to her pots and pans, and it's convenient to be able to wash them in the dishwasher. I noticed this was different because it was heavier, but a glance at the care guide didn't seem to indicate anything odd. It was interesting that the instructions claimed I *might* have to season it if food stuck to it. Boy, did it ever. I tried frying some breakfast sausage and had to scrape the patties off of the skillet; it's still got round stains where each sausage laid. My wife decided maybe I did something wrong and cooked some soup in the saucepan; now the entire saucepan is stained from the soup.

Nowhere in the care instructions was it mentioned *how* you should season the cookware. Nowhere on the manufacturer's web site does it explain how you should season the cookware. I immediately emailed the manufacturer about my negative experience and asked for instructions for seasoning the cookware. That was a year ago, and I never heard back. I'm about to try seasoning it like a cast iron skillet; if it damages it I won't be any worse off than I already am. I see a reviewer has left instructions to use a low heat for 8 hours; should I have to turn to Amazon.com for instructions? Can I trust this reviewer?

I'm sure the cast aluminum is really good; our apartment stove is cruddy and the elements are uneven. This heavy cookware would do wonders for us if food didn't stick to it like gum to shoes. I am unable to use it because the manufacturer does not include adequate care instructions and obviously has no desire to resolve issues with customers.

I'd strongly recommend looking for American Culinary's professional line if you're looking for cookware like this. It seems comparable in price, and looks exactly like my mother's Magnalite professional (down to the lids.) I would not recommend this Magnalite Classic to anyone, unless somehow the manufacturer decides to bless us with information about how to properly care for it.

My mother used Magnalite cookware for many, many years and I always wanted my own set. I have been using odds and end pieces I have acquired over the years. This cookware will never wear out and it cooks your food so well. I wouldn't cook with anything else.

This product is made in China. But side by side with the original Magnalite, they look the same. Really great to be able to add to my original set, which I have been using for 40 years!

My mother always used Guardian Service cookware, bought back in the early 1950's, which was the ultimate in cookware then, also being cast aluminum. I inherited her cookware (which they no longer make) but not until I had already purchased the Magnalite set, which is the closest match to the Guardian Service. It is true waterless cooking. Easy clean up. I never had to "season" mine first (that's usually only done with cast iron cookware) and I've had mine for 30 years. A 15lb turkey fits in the 15" roaster and I get raves every Thanksgiving . . . the roaster practically makes it's own dark, rich gravy and the turkey meat is so moist! To me, as a devoted family "chef", nothing on the market can beat Magnalite.

In 1976 my 1st husband bought me a 'starter set' of the Dutch Oven, 10" pan, and 1 qt pot. I couldn't even boil water back then! We had been using some cheap 'supermarket' pots & pans - which made my lack of skill worse. Once I got my Magnalite and a few recipes, I couldn't lose! He used to call me from the office to say he'd be bringing home 2 or 3 buddies for dinner, and I'd make up a big pot of Chicken cacciatore and those guys thought I was the greatest. But it was the pots! With the right attention & proper heat settings, they're pretty much non-stick. And even if you're brother-in-law manages to burn the heck out of one of them, it will clean up quite well. I'm on my third husband - but I still have my Magnalite. I've been given sets of other brands (who will remain un-named here) and they would warp, burn, stain, scratch, dent - whatever - until I couldn't look at them anymore! They only permanent supplements I've added are the 18/10 stainless by Princess House. I love the PH cookware - but no one but me can fry an egg in them without it sticking. The Magnalite are easier to learn to cook with. Thirty years ago, that first purchase was over $100 - which was an incredible sum for us. My husband already knew about Magnalite and he promised me that these were pots I'd have the rest of my life - and its looking like he was right. I do sometimes put mine in the dishwasher, which dulls the finish. But a quick scrub with Brillo (it has polishing agents) and they look brand new again. I also use stainless polish that Princess House makes and that does a nice job on them too. If the insides get off color (usually from cooking at high heat for long periods and/or with salt) Brillo also gets that looking nice & new again.

BUY THESE POTS! You won't regret it!

This is a rip off of the original Magnalite cookware set. The original was made in regon and not China. The set was a terrible product that qwent black within a few weeks of using the product. strongly recomend NOT buyign the made in China set!

This set is strong and sturdy, but stains and changes color after your first use.

This is a great price for what you receive. My family has been replacing all of our lost cookware and my mother recently purchased this same item from a retail store for slightly over $100.00.

Update. At the time I wrote this review, I had purchased this item for $50. At $150, it probably isn't worth it.