Calphalon Cookware

Calphalon Corporation produces some of the most popular lines of cookware in the world. One of the reasons is because Calphalon has designed a wide array of cookware lines that were designed to meet specific needs. From five-star restaurant quality copper core sets to reliable and affordable nonstick pieces for everyday use, odds are Calphalon has created something for you.

Calphalon has two main lines of cookware: Nonstick and Stainless Steel. Within each line are several types and styles designed to perform to specific tasks or to fit a particular budget. Regardless of which one you chose, Calphalon’s reputation for quality and affordability has allowed them to take a huge share of the cookware market. Some of their products are made exclusively for certain retailers, while others are available in most brick-and-mortar department stores and online retailers, from Amazon to Metrokitchen.

Calphalon Nonstick Cookware

Calaphon boasts eight different types of nonstick cookware. That is a lot to choose from, and to tell you the truth, we got lost in trying to figure out which type we’d want and where we could buy them. In order to save you the trouble, we’ve complied a detailed list.

All Calaphon Nonstick Cookware sets share some common characteristics. They are built from hard anodized aluminum, which is durable, lightweight, and heats food evenly. The nonstick coating holds up to normal kitchen use, so it will last years as long as you take care of it properly. The coating is PFOA free and oven safe to at least 400 degrees (depending on the set). And finally, all Calphalon Nonstick cookware pieces have at least a 10-year full warranty.

One of the standouts of Calphalon’s offerings is the Unison line. Not only are these pots and pans are made of a heavy gauge aluminum for maximum durability, they have two nonstick surfaces: Slide and Sear. The Slide surface ensures that food slips right off the surface without leaving a trace. On the other hand, the Sear surface locks in juices and other flavors.

This set is oven safe up to 500 degrees, comes with a full lifetime warranty, and as an added bonus, completely dishwasher safe.

The Contemporary Nonstick line features 3 layers of nonstick, for durability and release of food. These pieces are also made of heavy gauge aluminum, so you can count of them to last for years. They are oven safe to 450 degrees, are dishwasher safe, and come with a full lifetime warranty.

This line is the most widely available online like Amazon and at brick-and-mortar stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond, and Khol’s.

Caphalon’s Easy System Nonstick cookware continues the same quality, though at a lower price. These pieces are made with a medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum. They also have three layers of nonstick protection to ensure that the surface is long lasting. Other features include pour spouts and straining lids that have silicone rims for a tight seal.

The Easy System Nonstick are oven safe to 450 degrees, but are NOT dishwasher safe. However, they are backed with Calphalon’s lifetime warranty.

Made of a medium-gauge aluminum, these Ceramic Nonstick pieces are both PTFE free and PFOA free, so there is never any question of harsh chemicals released into the environment. The only trade off with a ceramic surface is that it doesn’t release food as well as other nonstick surfaces.

Simply Calphalon Ceramic Nonstick pieces are safe in the oven up to 400 degrees. They are NOT dishwasher safe, so always hand wash them. They also come with a 10-year warranty.

Simply Calphalon Nonstick is made of medium gauge hard-anodized aluminum, and has two layers of PFOA-free nonstick for excellent food release. This line is one of Calphalon’s most popular. Not only are these pieces made for everyday use, they are also affordably priced so that you won’t feel guilty getting all that you can out of them.

Simply Calphalon pieces are oven safe up to 400 degrees. When it comes to cleaning, they aren’t dishwasher safe, but they do clean up nicely with soap and water. They also come with a full 10-year warranty.

Calphalon Elite Nonstick are available exclusively from Williams-Sonoma. This particular set of cookware features 3 layers of PFOA-free nonstick, one of which is the Sear layer. The Sear layer has a unique textured surface designed to lock in juices and flavors. This layer is also safe to use with metal utensils (a rare feature indeed).

Calphalon Elite Nonstick pieces are made of a heavy-gauge hard-anodized aluminum. They are oven safe up to 500 degrees, and are dishwasher safe. They also are backed by a full lifetime warranty.

Cooking with Calphalon Nonstick cookware is an economy line that is typically available only at Walmart and Meijer stores. They are made of a medium-gauge aluminum and have two layers of nonstick to help sauces pour freely and eggs slip out with ease. This is a set to choose if you are on a tight budget or starting out on your own.

These pieces are oven safe up to 400 degrees, and have Calphalon’s standard 10-year warranty. Again, these pieces are not designed for the dishwasher. Stick with soap and water to preserve the nonstick coating.

Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware

Calphalon’s stainless steel cookware is available in seven different versions. Some of them are made exclusively for a particular retailer, while others are widely available.

While there are plenty options to choose from, all Calphalon stainless steel cookware pieces have several common characteristics. They have an aluminum core or base that is great for fast heating, they are dishwasher safe, are induction-ready, and are safe for even metal utensils.

Calphalon AccuCore Stainless Steel is the company’s signature line of stainless steel cookware. The pieces from this set have a full copper core that is sandwiched between layers of aluminum, which in turn are covered with layers of heavy-gauge stainless steel. With these five layers, you get quick and even heating throughout each piece. They are also backed by a full lifetime warranty.

Pieces in the Tri-Ply Stainless Steel cookware set are quite similar to the Contemporary Stainless line. The only real difference is that instead of brushed steel, the handles of these pieces are highly polished to a mirror-like finish. They are oven and broiler safe, and have a full lifetime warranty.

Calphalon Contemporary Stainless steel cookware pieces are made from heavy gauge stainless steel with an aluminum core. The core allows for fast heating, while the brushed stainless steel offers durability. All pieces are oven and broiler safe at virtually any temperature, and they come with a full lifetime warranty.

Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel cookware pieces are constructed of a medium-grade stainless steel. They also have an impact bonded aluminum base. Certain pieces, such as the sauce pans, have pour spouts and fill marks, and the lids have stainless steel rims. They are oven and broiler safe and come with Calphalon’s full lifetime warranty.

Simply Calphalon Easy System Stainless pieces are made of a medium-gauge stainless steel that is impact bonded with an aluminum base. The pieces have pour spouts and have fill marks for easy measuring. The straining lids are lined with silicone for a secure seal when draining off liquids. They are oven safe to 450 degrees and have a full lifetime warranty. Available exclusively at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

As with the nonstick line with the similar name, the Cooking with Calphalon Stainless Steel pieces are typically only available at Walmart and Meijer stores. These are made with a medium-gauge stainless steel and have the impact bonded aluminum base. They are oven safe up to 400 degrees, and come with a full 10-year warranty.

Available almost exclusively at Target stores, Calphalon Kitchen Essential Stainless Steel pieces have an impact-bonded aluminum base. The main difference between these and the Cooking with Calphalon series is the shape and design of the silicone grips on the handles. They are oven safe to 400 degrees and come with a full 10-year warranty.