The first thing that strikes you when you come across a high quality stainless steel cookware is the stunning look. These are defined as classically beautiful. But then someone cheekily told me sometimes back that cookware are meant for cooking, and not to be admired or looked at.
Classic beauty is what you would expect of models. What if there is a way to make a beautiful cookware that is equally performance tuned. Besides the WOW factor the Calphalon Tri-ply Stainless steel 13 piece cookware set has excellent features, all crafted from the best cookware materials.
Made from three layers of the best material for cooking business, this 13 piece workhorse optimizes heat transfer and cookware durability. The shiny exterior compliments the inner satin nonstick surface that also prevents stains from ruining its immaculate look. But is that all there is to this popular cookware?
CALPHALON TRI-PLY STAINLESS 13 PIECE COOKWARE SET REVIEW
WHAT’S CONTAINED IN THE COOKWARE SET?
For the perfect gourmet results, Calphalon tri-ply stainless 13 piece cookware set is a great option. These makes it easy to prepare mouthwatering meals day in day out. Each of these meals becomes a memorable experience. Here are some of what is included in the package. There are 3 different sized omelet pans. These are 8”, 10”, and 12” pans.
In addition, you get 2 saucepans with their lids. These are 1.5 quart and a 2 quart saucepan. The lids fit perfectly on these, providing a tight seal against flavor loss. Other pieces includes a 3 quart chefs pans and lid, a 3 quart sauté pan with lid, and a 6 quart stockpot with the lid. That makes a total of 13 pieces. All these feature a tri-ply construction.
- Why the Many Omelet Pans?
If you notice, there are 3 omelet pans in this cooking set, which begs the question, why the insistence on omelet pans? There is no mention of either a fry pan or a skillet. A quick research shows that a skillet and a frying pans are often used interchangeably, which then means an omelet pan is in its category.
An omelet pan is a shallow pan with its sides slopping outwards and lips out-turned. This unique design allows for easy flipping of ready omelets. If you ask me, there is no much difference between the three pans. Either way, most of us (me included) use a frying pan to make omelets. So, Calphalon includes three of them to cover all your frying and omelet requirements.
- Excellent Tri-Ply Construction
The Calphalon features a 3-ply construction, consisting of two layers of 18/10 stainless steel sandwiched between an aluminum core. Since the aluminum core extends all the way through the sides of the pots and pans, fast and even heating is made possible. Immediately you lift either a pan or pot, you can feel the craftsmanship put in the design.
The pans and pots are heavy, not excessively heavy to make lifting impossible, but a solid heaviness. By using a hard anodized aluminum for the core, normal stainless steel for the cooking surface and a magnetic stainless steel for the outer layer, a product that works on pretty much any cooktop is created.
More quality works is evident is the strong riveting on the handle joints. These handles are easy to grip and stays cool, so as not to burn you. All the pieces in this set are made from stainless steel with the exception of the glass lids. Even still, the lid rims are lined with stainless steel for a better locking capability. Metallic hoop handles on the lids are fairly easy-grip.
While the definition of stay-cool is relative, the pot and pans handles definitely warm up on a stovetop. It is the lid handles that get the hottest for obvious reasons. So, always have a pot holder close by for grabbing the handles. Again, when used in the oven, everting heats up, so does the handles.
If you use the pots and pans for a while, you notice the essence of having assist handles. You have a long handle on one side, then a shorter handle on the other side for balancing a fully loaded sauce pan. With this set, only the chef’s pan has two handles. The lack of balance is apparent when the pots are either full or half empty.
- Moisture Locking Lids
As I has mentioned, the lids have a stainless steel lining along the edges. In this way, the glass from which the lids are made from do not get in direct contact with the pans and pots. Once the pots are covered, moisture and flavor retention increases a great deal. This feature is essentially useful when simmering. The result is a delicious, concentrated soup and sauce.
At times, recipes tend to dry out during cooking as the moisture escapes when left uncovered. However, with the lids on, you can see the moisture condensating underneath, which are then well contained in the pot. However, you still need to watch out for the cooking temperature and progress. Otherwise the food will burn when left unattended. Temperature doesn’t watch itself.
- Stovetop Flexibility
Most of the time I have used this Calphalon set has been on a gas cooktop range. Since the outer layer is magnetic stainless steel, the set is actually quite versatile in terms of cooktops. Plus, all the pieces can go into the oven up to 4500F. This feat is possible together with their lids. Moreover, all the pieces are broiler safe.
Any standard electric, glass, ceramic, halogen, induction or gas cooktop will comfortably accept the cookware. All these are indicated at the bottom of the pan, for those moments you aren’t sure of the compatibility with your range. For easy cleanups, use your dishwasher, but you will be shortening the effective lifespan of the set. Handwashing is the best way of cleaning them.
CONCLUSION
At its price range, the Calphalon tri ply stainless steel 13 piece cookware set has tons of expectations on it. Fortunately, it is a cookware set that surpasses expectations at all levels. It ticks all the right boxes for a professional classic look cookware set. The only challenge is the lack of assist handles for that well-balanced lift. Otherwise this is a great stainless steel cookware set (But which isn’t?)
Phxcooks! Thank you
