Did you know the founder of Calphalon is credited with inventing hard-anodized aluminum cookware? Several companies have since branched into hard-anodized material, but this is the OG. My Calphalon cookware review helps you figure out if the company’s products are worth the cost.
Among the dizzying array of cookware companies vying for your attention, Calphalon stands out as a household name. I’d be surprised if you haven’t seen their products at higher-end malls or online. Here’s the lowdown.
Stainless Steel Calphalon Cookware Review
This particular review covers the Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Steel set. I went for the 13-piece set, mostly because I was curious as I had never before seen a 13-piece cookware set.
As for the “tri-ply” aspect, more on this in a while…
(Before going any further, please note that this article contains affiliate links.)
What do you get in the box?
The following are the full contents of this set:
- 3 omelette pans (8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes)
- 1.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 2.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 3-quart chef’s pan with lid
- 3-quart saute pan with lid
- 6-quart stockpot with lid
Do you need 3 omelet pans? If you don’t have a good answer to that, I can immediately recommend opting for the 10-piece set instead, which just comes with the 10-inch omelette pan.
If you have a use case for 2 extra omelette pans, by all means, grab the 13-piece set. What distinguishes an omelette pan is that it’s shallow with sloping sides so that you can easily roll a cooked omelette from the pan. So perhaps you might use your different sized omelette pans as general frying pans.
With that decision cleared up about whether to opt for the 10-piece or 13-piece set, let’s get to some specific pros and cons of Calpholon Tri-Ply that can help you make the right purchasing decision.
Pros
Image via Mike Mozart on Flickr
✅Beautiful design: there’s no getting around the fact that the brushed stainless steel exterior gives a classy, elegant look to this set.
✅Excellent heat distribution: The Tri Ply construction ensures great heat distribution throughout the pots and pans with no hotspots and rapid heating up.
✅Great durability: stainless steel tends to be highly durable when it’s made well, and this set meets that expectation, thanks again to the smart tri ply construction.
✅Oven-safe: Whether you want to keep your food warm in the oven or finish cooking a thick piece of steak, this set is entirely oven-safe up to a whopping 500-degrees Fahrenheit.
✅Clear lids: many stainless steel sets come with opaque stainless steel lids, which often frustrates me. This Calhpalon set comes with see-through tempered glass lids, meaning you can keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
✅Easy to clean: stainless steel cookware is known for being incredibly easy to clean, and this set is no exception. Not only does food residue wash off rapidly, but the pots and pans are all dishwasher safe.
If you want durability, style, and performance, then this Calphalon tri ply stainless steel set is definitely an investment that will pay dividends in your kitchen.
Good for Thai cooking?
The first thing worth noting is the lack of a wok, so as a total cookware set, it’s lacking an essential component. However, the set is generally pretty decent for Thai food and other Asian cuisines.
The stockpot is useful for making large batches of soup like Tom Yam or some stewed pork leg. The frying pans do a decent job with fried eggs and general Thai stir-fried dishes, although not as good as a dedicated wok.
With its heavy reliance on sticky sauces like oyster sauce and dark soy sauce, cooking Thai food can get quite messy. Here’s where Calphalon and the broader material of stainless steel comes into its own. The ease of cleaning your pots and pans is a Godsend!
What does tri ply steel mean?
It’s worth addressing this tri ply construction specifically. The way it works is that each piece of cookware has an aluminum core surrounded by 2 layers of stainless steel.
The brushed exterior layer gives that classic stainless steel shine and finish. The aluminum core is what gives efficient heat distribution. The stainless steel interior is designed to be easy to clean.
Overall, you’ve got three layers in this Calphalon cookware set that are bonded together for 3 different benefits:
- Durability
- Easy cleaning
- Even heat distribution
The outer layer is hard-anodized, which means even better durability. Another good thing about tri-ply stainless steel cookware is its suitability for induction hobs and many other heat sources. Overall, it’s a very versatile material.
>> Get Calphalon Here <<
Cons
This Calphalon cookware review is not all roses. In terms of cons, there are two main ones that are worth talking about:
✖ Pricy: the set is not the cheapest on the market.
✖ Hot Handles: I find the handles can get quite hot at times on these pots and pans. This is a problem I’ve encountered with stainless steel cookware a lot so it isn’t specific to Calphalon.
The price isn’t a huge drawback. It’s worth noting that this is a premium brand and Calphalon has a lifetime warranty. You know you’re getting good quality when the manufacturer backs it with a warranty like that.
As far as the handle heat goes, again it’s not a game-changer. You won’t scald yourself when gripping the handles. It’s worth mentioning though in case you are surprised.
Is Calphalon Cookware Any Good?
Yes, Calphalon is generally considered to be at the premium end of the spectrum for cookware makers. Within Calphalon’s own product range are different quality levels for different markets.
This particular try-ply stainless steel set falls within the middle portion of that quality level. The company actually began as a supplier to restaurants before selling to customers, so you know you’re dealing with top-quality cooking equipment.
Who Are Calphalon?
The company is a subsidiary of the Newell Company, better known now as Newell Brands. Newell took over Calphalon back in 1998 in a stock swap. The parent company is an American manufacturer that distributes a huge range of consumer goods all over the world.
In addition to pots and pans, Calphalon also sells bakeware and electrical appliances for your kitchen.
Final Verdict on Calphalon Cookware
Check out what this happy customer had to say on Facebook:
My own final verdict for this Calphalon cookware review is that I’d give the company 4.5 out of 5 stars. If you want high-quality stainless steel cookware set from an American company, you should definitely consider Calphalon as a suitable option.
Make sure you check my main resource for cooking equipment for more recommendations and opinions. You’ll find pots and pans, recommended brands, woks, rice cookers, and everything else you need to cook authentic Thai dishes.