• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Looking for new cookware?

Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
I was looking at the Calphalon stuff because I've heard it's pretty durable, but I've seen some of their 10 piece sets as high as $600. Is it worth it? What's the best deal I can look for and should I be looking at another brand? Thanks-

-Scar
 
amazon has calphalon sales all the time, unless you are a professional chef the line they sell there is perfect for everyday use.

All Clad is another good brand but they are super expensive and are rarely on sale.
 
we love our calphalon set! wonderful to use for anything! it was definatly worth it! (although we got it as wedding gifts!)
 
Save your pennies for All Clad or buy mid-range stainless/aluminum bottomed stuff like Farberware. IMHO the coated/anodized stuff like Calphalon is a hassle.

Edit: Also, keep in mind what the purpose of each pan is. There is no point in buying an expensive clad or anodized roasting pan for example.
 
I've had Calphalon for a while and when I married my wife brought her stainless steel set (can't remember the brand). Frankly, after a few years, I've started to hate the Calphalon stuff. Primarly because you have to hand-wash it all and I'm a lazy bastid who prefers to use the dishwasher 🙂 If you don't handwash the Calphalon, it will get this white film all over it that looks awful. You can use this stuff called "Dormond cream" to scrub it off but its a pain. Her stainless collection goes in the dishwasher just dandy, so the only Calphalon parts I use any more are the large stockpots when I make homemade soup in the winter time 🙂 So go for the All-Clad if you're gonna spend money, either way go for a stainless steel solution.
 
Originally posted by: LolaWiz
we love our calphalon set! wonderful to use for anything! it was definatly worth it! (although we got it as wedding gifts!)
Click to expand...

I'm hoping we get the Calphalon set we put on our registry 🙂
 
Originally posted by: racolvin
I've had Calphalon for a while and when I married my wife brought her stainless steel set (can't remember the brand). Frankly, after a few years, I've started to hate the Calphalon stuff. Primarly because you have to hand-wash it all and I'm a lazy bastid who prefers to use the dishwasher 🙂 If you don't handwash the Calphalon, it will get this white film all over it that looks awful. You can use this stuff called "Dormond cream" to scrub it off but its a pain. Her stainless collection goes in the dishwasher just dandy, so the only Calphalon parts I use any more are the large stockpots when I make homemade soup in the winter time 🙂 So go for the All-Clad if you're gonna spend money, either way go for a stainless steel solution.
Click to expand...

I prefer stainless sets too. They're easy enough to clean unless you really scorch them, and you never have to worry about scratching the finish with utensils or anything.
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: LolaWiz
we love our calphalon set! wonderful to use for anything! it was definatly worth it! (although we got it as wedding gifts!)
Click to expand...

I'm hoping we get the Calphalon set we put on our registry 🙂
Click to expand...

Don't forget to get your free cookie sheet by going to Calphalon.com and sending them a copy of your registry. As long as you register for over $500 worth of stuff, they send it to you. They also send you something if you get people to buy $500 worth of their stuff.
 
Is the cookware Costco carries good? I see nice looking sets there and wonder if they're the high-quality ones or a lower quality version.
 
We have a Lagostina set or whatever that brand is called. They have a pretty heavy bottom an it's more than sufficient for anything we do with it. Unless you're some super-chef I doubt you'd need anything better.
 
Originally posted by: ggnl
Originally posted by: racolvin
I've had Calphalon for a while and when I married my wife brought her stainless steel set (can't remember the brand). Frankly, after a few years, I've started to hate the Calphalon stuff. Primarly because you have to hand-wash it all and I'm a lazy bastid who prefers to use the dishwasher 🙂 If you don't handwash the Calphalon, it will get this white film all over it that looks awful. You can use this stuff called "Dormond cream" to scrub it off but its a pain. Her stainless collection goes in the dishwasher just dandy, so the only Calphalon parts I use any more are the large stockpots when I make homemade soup in the winter time 🙂 So go for the All-Clad if you're gonna spend money, either way go for a stainless steel solution.
Click to expand...
I prefer stainless sets too. They're easy enough to clean unless you really scorch them, and you never have to worry about scratching the finish with utensils or anything.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm all about the stainless Farberware. It's what my mom had, and it's what I'm use to.

As far as how much to spend, I imagine it's a lot like computer parts... decide what you want to spend, and buy the best you can in that range or decide if spending a little more would be worth it to you.
 
Calphalon makes stainless steel sets....what are you guys on about?
I like my Calphalon much better than the Farberware my parents have. They are heavier and heat more evenly.
Any stainless will discolor when you get soap on it. It's purely cosmetic. You can polish it with barkeeper's friend if it bothers you.
 
Nobody here like Lodge and Cast iron cookware. Yes it is heavy but they are great to cook with and nonstick without the teflon. They don't come in a set but you can get them cheap on amazon and they will last you a lifetime.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Don't forget to get your free cookie sheet by going to Calphalon.com and sending them a copy of your registry. As long as you register for over $500 worth of stuff, they send it to you. They also send you something if you get people to buy $500 worth of their stuff.
Click to expand...

Damn... this ought to be in the Hot Deals forum... I'd do it, but worry that if it does enough cheap a$$ ba$tards (like myself 🙂 ) will do it just to get the free cookie sheet. Gonna have to tell "the boss" about this one tonight when I get home - we were talking about setting "the date" last night - probably sometime in November.
 
Originally posted by: 777php
amazon has calphalon sales all the time, unless you are a professional chef the line they sell there is perfect for everyday use.

All Clad is another good brand but they are super expensive and are rarely on sale.
Click to expand...

indeed, amazon has calphalon stuff cheap regularly, but you dont have to buy something by the set, you can buy different pieces of different brands as long as the quality is good and youre happy with it.

hell, a couple of t-fal non stick pans (id say a 8 and a 10 inch)
a 12 stainless sautee
a and a 12 inch stainless skillet should do you
a 2 or 3 quart saucier if youre into doing sauces of sorts
a stockpot for soup/pasta and
medium and large saucepans...

you could do all that for under 300 easily and still have good cookware that will last you a long long time.
you could start with this 10 pc calphalon set and add a 10 inch stainless skillet and 12 inch stainless sautee to it and have pretty well all you need for under 300 easy.
 
i have t-fal pots and pans, but i don't like them, since the nonstick just wears off after awhile. i've already gone through two pans. i'm still on the same pot thankfully.

if i had money, i'd get stainless steel.
 
Originally posted by: freesia39
i have t-fal pots and pans, but i don't like them, since the nonstick just wears off after awhile. i've already gone through two pans. i'm still on the same pot thankfully.

if i had money, i'd get stainless steel.
Click to expand...

if you know what youre doing, you can keep a nonstick pan for a damn long time. no metal on it, ever. use a plastic spatula of some sort and a decent one like a t-fal will last a long, long time. i have a nonstick pan thats from some wolfgang puck set i was given almost 5 years ago and its still flippin omelettes and sammiches just fine and should stay that way for a while 🙂

but, for browning and cooking or even some shallow braising on most meats and veggies, a stainless pan (or anodized aluminum or...just something metal!) is preferred so you can get some more browning/searing action without having to worry about ruining the surface of a nonstick pan. seared/brownness is delicious and is done much easier on a metal surface. try searing a flank steak or ny strip sometime, even in cast iron....just use a little salt and pepper on each side and sear it for about a minute or minute and a half per side without touching it, itll be crusty, brown and delicious.

Gear for your kitchen by alton brown explains that, and other things pretty clearly, but his other book Im just here for the food also goes into pots and pans and cutlery, its worth just dropping by a B&N or wherever to glance through it before you go shopping....or cooking 🙂
 
Originally posted by: mfbf
Nobody here like Lodge and Cast iron cookware. Yes it is heavy but they are great to cook with and nonstick without the teflon. They don't come in a set but you can get them cheap on amazon and they will last you a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I use cast iron fry pans but stainless sauce pans. Lots of folks don't like cast iron 'cause it can't go in the dishwasher and/or they never learned that you have to season cast iron.
 
Originally posted by: ironwing
Originally posted by: mfbf
Nobody here like Lodge and Cast iron cookware. Yes it is heavy but they are great to cook with and nonstick without the teflon. They don't come in a set but you can get them cheap on amazon and they will last you a lifetime.
Click to expand...

I use cast iron fry pans but stainless sauce pans. Lots of folks don't like cast iron 'cause it can't go in the dishwasher and/or they never learned that you have to season cast iron.
Click to expand...

cast iron is great for alot of things, but generally not used when theres alot of water called for with a dish, like braising or making a pan sauce with alot of wine or stock. i love it for hot sandwhiches, steaks and burger, and cast iron grill pans, while not giving a grilling flavor, can be used if you want the sear of a grill on veggies and things and dont have a grill, or the weather is lousy.

i love my lodge cast iron pan, cleaning is easy (try some kosher salt and a couple of paper towels while its still warm) and its heavy enough to use as the top of a sandwhich press 😀

or beat someone senseless, should the need arrive.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: LolaWiz
we love our calphalon set! wonderful to use for anything! it was definatly worth it! (although we got it as wedding gifts!)
Click to expand...

I'm hoping we get the Calphalon set we put on our registry 🙂
Click to expand...

Don't forget to get your free cookie sheet by going to Calphalon.com and sending them a copy of your registry. As long as you register for over $500 worth of stuff, they send it to you. They also send you something if you get people to buy $500 worth of their stuff.
Click to expand...

Awesome, will do! 😀
 
Originally posted by: mfbf
Nobody here like Lodge and Cast iron cookware. Yes it is heavy but they are great to cook with and nonstick without the teflon. They don't come in a set but you can get them cheap on amazon and they will last you a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Oh boy .. now there is one I love. I have a few old cast iron pieces that I dearly love. Mainly one my grandma had .. talk about seasoned .. makes awesome cornbread 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top