When requested to test cookware sets, I mentally prepared. That prep included thinking about my cookware usage, and I was surprised to find that I use the Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware set all the time!
I Follow a Mediterranean Diet & This Is My Favorite Stainless Steel Cookware Set
After receiving the request to evaluate cookware sets, I mentally prepared myself. During that preparation, I gave some thought to the cookware that I use, and I was startled to discover that I use the Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware set on a regular basis.
Meant every item.
A Mediterranean diet and 26 days of cooking at home mean I utilize every pot, pan, and lid. I use roughly six pots and pans to cook grain bowls, seared fish, steamed vegetables, and pasta, especially if I don’t clean them. The small surplus lets me skip dishwashing for one meal and rest. Then I restart.
I didn’t suggest the Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel Cookware Set despite liking its parts. I had to cook with it, wash it, and (don’t laugh) carry it around to decide if it was the “Best Stainless Steel Cookware Set.”
Unexpected Benefits of Textured Handles
It may seem simple, but watching rice, grains, and soups cook is quite helpful. Stainless lids make it hard to observe the color of vegetables being steamed, and removing the lid to monitor progress slows the process.
My second favorite was the gently textured grips. Most Mediterranean diet recipes call for olive oil, which I can’t resist. The handles’ brushed steel texture simplifies pan juggling.
Thoughtful design of the Calphalon set reduces kitchen work and additional tools. Each saucepan, stockpot, and lid has pour and drain spouts, making two functions easier and eliminating the need for a funnel and colander in some cases.
Clear measurement indications on the saucepans’ interior allow direct and accurate filling without a measuring cup. I wanted a lid for each skillet and a sauté pan helper handle. However, the range of pan and pot sizes made cooking for one easy some evenings.
I Got High Heat Results Without High Heat.
I tested different Calphalon pans in tasks appropriate for their size and purpose to evaluate their performance. Interesting, these pans’ directions match those for nonstick pans—cooking temperatures should not surpass medium for long durations.
I usually went medium-high for everything, but I followed the guidelines and was surprised! I got high-heat outcomes without that heat. My impact-bonded stainless steel base with aluminum core conducts heat well and worked well with my induction range.
See more: Fall Mediterranean Diet Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less (Weekly Plan & Shopping List!)
First, I checked evenness, browning, and sticking in the 10-inch skillet. The medium setting sears and crisps the skin of two skin-on salmon fillets, and the pan browns the top when I flip them. I used a metal fish spatula without scratching, which is great.
To test hot spots and the spouts’ usefulness, I browned butter in the 1.5-quart saucepan. Even heating across the base of the pot and straightforward pouring made browning the butter easy, even with the lid on to retain steam. The salmon and cooked asparagus tasted great with the browned butter sauce.
The last culinary challenge, Seven Spice Jollof Rice, a classic West African dish, tested the pan for staining and stuck-on rice. This rich, spicy tomato stew is best cooked in a 3-quart sauté pan. When I fried tomato paste and herbs during testing, a fond formed on the pan.
Cleaning Was Easier Than Hoped
This set is dishwasher-safe, but I hand-washed the pans to test it. My larger pans, even dishwasher-safe ones, sometimes end up in the sink and hand-washed to fit more tableware in the machine. These pans looked virtually new with warm, soapy water, a light sponge, and no elbow grease.
The Verdict
Is a stainless steel cookware set better than separate pieces? Absolutely. This is a deal at $200 per set, $20 per component. Buying each component separately would be much more expensive, and being able to cook numerous meals between washings is great.
As a Mediterranean dieter, this stainless steel set was ideal for making tasty lentils (2.5-quart saucepan), robust pasta (6-quart stock pot), and quick-cooking oats.