[darien87]

Hey Folks,

I just bought a set of Calphalon Signature pans from Amazon.


Wow. I bought this set about a week ago for $302. Then I saw a few days later it was up to $350. Today the set is $599!!! Guess I got a deal.

Anyway I bought this set because I was tired of buying nonstick pans and having the coatings come off after a year or so. I don't wash my pans in the dishwasher. This set supposedly has a lifetime warranty. I tried calling Calphalon customer service to ask questions about what the warranty covered but didn't have much luck, (there was a bit of a language barrier). I asked if the coating was covered and was told yes. I also asked about putting these pans in the oven as I often sear steaks and then finish them in the pan in the oven. This set is supposedly rated to 500 degrees. When I was looking at some similar pans at Williams-Sonoma, the person there said to never put non-stick pans in the oven as that would ruin the coating.

I was thinking of buying a separate stainless steel pan for oven use.

Who is right, Calphalon or the Williams-Sonoma guy? Is the Calphalon set I bought good or should I return it and get something else?

Thanks,
D

 

[darien87]

Sorry. I don't know why the Amazon link doesn't show up.

 

[phatch]

There are a number of non-stick coatings and so it's hard to say who was right without knowing the specifics of the coating and even how it was applied and cured. I won't buy it if it can't go under the broiler--though this is often a handle material limitation. Give me metal stick handles thank you.

High heat can damage the older teflon coatings, but newer ones can be better.

The packaging should indicate it's heat limits. I've started taking pictures of this kind of thing and storing them in evernote for reference. Also forward e-receipts into evernote for warranty purposes, or take a picture of a physical receipt. I tend to download pdf manuals and recycle the paper ones.

 

[phatch]

Sorry. I don't know why the Amazon link doesn't show up.

This is usually about the specific browser you're using. It comes and goes for me with different browser updates.

 

[darien87]

Give me metal stick handles thank you.

High heat can damage the older teflon coatings, but newer ones can be better.

The packaging should indicate it's heat limits.

The set does indeed have long metal handles that seem to stay cool on the stove. Not sure what the coating is. Calphalon just says it's PFOA free. But the box says the pans are metal utensil safe, (doubt it), dishwaser safe, (not doing that) and rated to 500 degrees. I can't see putting them in the oven any higher than 450. Pretty much all of the reviews I saw online were positive of the set.

I did try frying an egg in the omelet pan without oil and it sure as hell didn't slide around in the pan like you see in commercials.

 

[phatch]

For me, I consider non-stick skillets a consumable item. I'll replace them about every three years as the coating gets dinged, and it does become less non-stick over time even without dings. So I usually buy a replacement skillet when I find a good buy and it hangs out in the basement until its turn comes to move upstairs into active use. This is usually about $20 for a 12" aluminum non-stick. If I ever change over to an induction stove, it will get a bit harder to find cheap non-stick deals that work there.

But induction may catch up with me first, as there is technology to induce currents even in aluminum to heat them up. Just not in the mainstream yet.

 

[Underbelly]

Phatch is right. Don't spend a lot of money on non-stick cookware. And don't get a set. How many non-stick pans do you even need at home? It should be for eggs, and maybe very delicate fish. Anything else can be cooked better on something else, if you use the right technique.

I never used to spend more than $15 for a 10" ns pan. From the restaurant supply store. Everything's more expensive now, so maybe the ceiling is more like $40. Look at brands like Volrath and Lincoln. If you use it daily, and take care of it, expect to replace it in a year. If you use it occasionally like I do, you might get a decade out of it.

Do not be fooled by the marketing departments. The lifetime warranties cover the coatings being scraped off. They do not guarantee that the coatings will continue to be non-stick. No one makes a coating that will continue to be nonstick if you use it every day, or if you abuse it ever.

 

[Iceman]

I love Calphalon. I’ve had some for +/- 30-odd years. I abuse the bageebies out of them and they still work just fine. I do use wood tools though. I go through them (the tools) in 6-months. For $3-$4/set ... who cares?!? I put mine in the dishwasher all the time. Don’t believe that noise about “stay-cool” handles. One thing though ... I don’t necessarily treat them like true non-stick. I use lots of oil and butter with many dishes I make. I would do that using stainless too.