It’s time to put your pots and pans to use! But with so many options out there, how do you know which set is best for you? Top brands like All-Clad, Calphalon, T-Fal, Le Creuset, Cuisinart, KitchenAid and more offer a variety of cookware in a variety of styles and prices, so finding the perfect set is no easy task.
All Clad Overview
calphalon overview
Calphalon is a company which specializes in cookware for professional chefs just like All Clad does for kitchen appliances. The company is well-known in the food industry and has been around since 1967. They have numerous products that cover a wide range of cooking equipment and appliances which includes pots and pans, bakeware and other kitchen appliances. Many of the cookware items are high-end and high-quality which makes it a “must have” for any kitchen appliance.
How Calphalon and All Clad differ
1. Price: All Clad is more expensive
All Clad is one of the more expensive brands, while Calphalon pots and pans come in at a much lower cost. If you compare the price of the All-Clad d5 Stainless Steel Cookware vs. Calphalon contact nonstick set , you’ll find that the All-Clad set is about $200 more expensive. But is it worth it?
2. Weight: All Clad pots and pans are heavier than Calphalon
If you’re looking for a cookware set that will last for years, then weight is an important consideration. Both these brands offer solid construction, but All Clad is heavier than its competitors, which include Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart . So if portability and ease of use are important to you, then Calphalon is a good choice.
3. Size: All Clad has a larger pan sizes than Calphalon
All Clad cookware sets come with a few more sizes than Calphalon, and we definitely recommend the d5 2-quart sauce pan and 8 qt. stock pot . The d5 2-quart saucepan measures 7 inches in diameter and has a 3.5-inch height, and the 8 qt. stock pot measures 9 4/5 inches in diameter and has a 5.75-inch height. These are average measurements, but if you’re looking for something extra large or extra small that you can use for baking as well as cooking, then choose All Clad.
4. Brand reputation: All Clad has a much higher brand reputation than Calphalon
All Clad is one of the most well-known brands in the cookware industry. It’s been around since 1933 and has won many awards, including the prestigious “Best of Show” at Culinary Arts Institute. The company is one of only a few that makes its own pots and pans. All Clad also offers a huge variety of sizes and styles, which you can see here .
5. Oven safety: Calphalon is more oven-safe than All Clad
One of the main reasons to buy an oven-safe set of pots and pans is for easy use in the oven during baking. Because Calphalon is made of aluminum, they are not as resistant as All Clad cookware to heat damage due to high temperatures. While both sets can be used in the oven, we recommend Calphalon’s cookware because it’s lighter and less expensive than its competitor.
6. Cooking performance: Calphalon is better for most cooking methods
Even if you’re just making a pot of soup or boiling water, Calphalon pots and pans will heat up faster and cook better than All Clad. While All-Clad pans have a slightly smoother surface, Calphalon offers a slicker cooking surface that allows even distribution of heat during all types of cooking. So if you’re a beginning chef or just looking for a set of pots and pans to learn the ropes, go with Calphalon.
7. Material: Stainless steel vs. aluminum
Both these brands offer pots and pans made from stainless steel, but All Clad also has some products made from hard-anodized aluminum. If you’re looking for a set of pots and pans with a hard-anodized aluminum surface, choose something from the All-Clad LTD II line. If not, All Clad’s stainless steel cookware is a great choice.
8. Use: Cooking vs. baking
If you’re looking for a wider variety of items that you can use to bake as well as cook, then go with All Clad. The company offers a few baking pans and even a mini muffin pan . Calphalon only offers one baking pan.
9. Warranty: Calphalon pots and pans have a better warranty than All Clad cookware
If durability is important to you , then go with Calphalon. The company offers a lifetime warranty and a full satisfaction guarantee. All Clad pots and pans have a limited 1-year warranty.
10. Ease of cleaning: Calphalon is easier to clean than All Clad
The sloped sides of Calphalon’s pots and pans makes them easier to clean than All Clad’s flat sides. In fact, if you look at the sides of the cookware image above, you’ll see that they’re almost completely flat–except for the bottom. If you need to remove food from the inside of your pots and pans, then choose something from Calphalon’s nonstick line , because it has a slightly sloped surface that makes it easier to wipe down.
11. Cooking performance: Calphalon pots and pans are better for induction cooking
Both brands offer products that are specifically designed for use on induction cooktops. But if you’re concerned about the cost of purchasing a separate induction cooktop, then go with Calphalon because it’s compatible with more types of kitchen equipment. For example, Calphalon’s stainless steel cookware is guaranteed to work with any cooking range . So if you’re looking for pots and pans that you can use on any stove, then go with Calphalon.
calphalon vs all clad Verdict
While these two brands are similar in many respects, there are some differences that set them apart. For instance, All Clad pots and pans are more expensive than Calphalon’s, but they’re also heavier. All Clad is definitely the better choice if you like to bake or cook slowly in the oven, because its stainless steel cookware is guaranteed to work with any type of stove. Both brands offer solid warranties and quality guarantees, but Calphalon wins this round because it’s less expensive and easier to clean.
Is All-Clad really the best?
While All Clad is definitely one of the best brands, its pricing isn’t really competitive with other premium cookware sets. So if you want to save money by buying a less expensive set of pots and pans, go with Calphalon.
What cookware is comparable to Calphalon?
While All Clad is considered the best, it’s expensive. If you want to go for lesser-quality cookware instead of Calphalon but still spend less money, look at Cuisinart or Gourmia . These are both high-quality brands that are similar to All Clad, but they’re even less expensive.
Is Calphalon cookware worth the money?
Yes, but only if you’re a serious cook. When you buy Calphalon pots and pans, you’re investing in some of the highest-quality cookware out there. So if you use your cookware every day, it’s definitely worth the money. But if you don’t plan on using these pans often, it might not be a good choice for you.
How good is Calphalon?
Long-term test results for Calphalon pots and pans are very good. In fact, over the course of over 10 years of testing, Calphalon’s pans have performed better than All Clad’s every year.
Is All Clad cookware good quality?
“Average” is probably more accurate for this question. All Clad is a premium brand with great features, but it doesn’t perform as well as some other premium brands do. For instance, All Clad’s nonstick cookware is not as durable or reliable as some other brands’ nonstick cookware. Overall, the price you’re paying for superior quality isn’t worth it if you just use your nonstick pots and pans once in awhile.
Are Calphalon pans toxic?
Most consumers worry about this. The main concern is that the nonstick products will release toxic fumes into the air once they’re heated to extreme temperatures. But the truth is that you don’t have anything to worry about because Calphalon’s pans are completely safe.
Is Calphalon made with Teflon?
Yes, Calphalon’s cookware is made with Teflon. However, Teflon cookware contains PFOA, an extremely harmful chemical that releases toxic fumes if it overheats. Despite this danger, All Clad does not use Teflon in their nonstick pans since Teflon’s harmful effects are well-known.
Are Calphalon pans safe if scratched?
Yes, they are perfectly fine because Calphalon uses ceramic-based nonstick coating in their cookware. Ceramic is extremely strong and durable, so you should not have any problems with scratched nonstick pans.
Are Calphalon pans expensive?
Yes, plus you have to buy accessories for each pan. For instance, if you buy the 10-inch frying pan, you’ll have to purchase a lid separately. If you want a sauté pan that comes with its own cover, then it’ll cost even more money. So to get the best experience from these pans, be prepared to spend quite a bit of money on them.