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Calphalon Review

Thursday, January 23rd

2025 Cookware Set Reviews

Calphalon Review 2.5 Star Rating

Calphalon

2.5 Star Rating
  • Prices from $36 to $729
  • Save up to 25% off with email and text signup
  • 117 cookware options
  • Free shipping on orders over $100
  • 60-day return policy
  • Lifetime warranty on most cookware products

Calphalon is a major producer of cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and appliances. The company was founded in 1963 by Ronald M. Kasperzak under the name Commercial Aluminum Cookware. Calphalon first supplied the restaurant industry and other professional food services before expanding to products for the home chef. Like some rival companies, Calphalon claims to have invented hard-anodized aluminum cookware in 1968 using a process from the aerospace industry that makes cookware more durable and resistant to corrosion. Kasperzak called this invention "Calphalon”, hence the new name of the company as of 1992.

Sort through 117 choices

The cookware collection from Calphalon includes 117 options. Some of these are sold as individual pieces, others have between 2 and 15 pieces in a set. Customers can sort the options by material, type, ratings, special features (stackable, induction-compatible, metal utensil safe, oil-infused, silicon handles, no boil-over inserts), price, set size, capacity, handle material, and use and care.

Sign up for emails and save

Calphalon provides customers with a 20% off coupon for their first purchase of a 10% off code for a future purchase when you sign up for their email list. If you also give your phone number, you'll get 25% off your first purchase. Not bad! The least expensive thing you can buy from Calphalon is a hard-anodized non-stick 8-inch fry pan for $36.99 and the most expensive is a signature 10-piece non-stick set with two frying pans, two covered saucepans, a saute pan, and a stockpot for $729.99. This particular set has been featured by Good Housekeeping as the best overall non-stick cookware.

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Well-liked stainless steel options

We like that all the products from Calphalon have customer reviews. Interestingly, the most expensive signature 10-piece set doesn't have great reviews, so even though it was featured by a popular media outlet, quite a few people are disappointed that the non-stick surface seems to wear off quickly even with wooden or plastic utensils and non-stick spray. Their best-selling cookware sets actually aren't made of Calphalon's "revolutionary” non-stick coatings. Rather, they are all made of stainless steel. There's a popular 10- and 13-piece set, and a space-saving set of 10 where all the fry pans, sauce pans, saute pan, and stock pot nicely stack on each other.

60-day return policy

Customers will get free standard shipping if they spend over $100 at Calphalon. Some companies offer free shipping on purchases worth much less than this, but if you're getting a full cookware set here, you should be able to meet this benchmark. Plus, you could always add on some bakeware or kitchen and cutlery tools from Calphalon as well. If you need to return anything you purchased (as long as it's unused), you can send it back within 60 days for a full refund, less shipping and handling.

10-year and lifetime warranties

All cookware purchased from Calphalon comes with a lifetime warranty, except the Select by Calphalon and Calphalon Simply line, which instead has a 10-year warranty. You can submit a warranty claim on Calphalon's website or give them a call. You'll need proof of purchase for your product and will be asked to upload photos of the issues you're submitting a claim about. The warranty on Calphalon products only covers manufacturing defects, not problems related to consumer misuse.

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Less than ideal customer ratings

The Better Business Bureau doesn't have a listing for Calphalon, so they aren't rated at all. Again, we would heavily rely on what customers say about individual products listed on the website when choosing a cookware set here. However, some third-party sites have opinions from buyers who are mostly disgruntled with Calphalon. Some say that the quality is poor and even after gentle care, the pans scratch and quickly show wear. Some people have had major issues trying to return their products and even warranty claims were denied when they shouldn't have been. The overall feedback from customers about Calphalon is concerning.

Not a top contender

When we take the product reviews and third-party customer reviews into account, Calphalon doesn't stack up against their competition. They don't have sky high reviews or a long list of happy customers who repeatedly buy from this company. This is a red flag for us, so Calphalon-brand cookware sets aren't ones we can recommend.

What Brand Makes the Best Cookware Sets?

Whether you're moving out on your own for the first time and need your own kitchen supplies, or you've run your cookware into the ground and are ready for a refresh, there are plenty of options online. When it comes down to it, though, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when you buy a cookware set.

You'll want to think about the look and style, how many pieces it comes with, the price, the sizes, and especially the material it's made out of. With new technology and ways of cooking, there are a surprising amount of materials you can choose from when you're buying cookware. Non-stick cookware is popular because it makes it much less messy to cook high protein-containing foods like eggs, meat, and cheese.

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Cookware Set FAQ

A cookware set is simply a few items of cookware that are purchased as a bundle. They usually include all the basic types of pans you need to do any type of cooking on a stovetop or in the oven. These would be things like a stockpot, saucepan, frying pan, saute pan, and sometimes a dutch oven. The idea is that all the pieces match one another and you save money by buying cookware in a group rather than piece by piece.
There are nearly 15 types of materials that cookware is commonly made out of. The materials used are based on the temperature you're cooking at, how easy you want cleanup to be, and what types of food you're working with. Most often, cookware is made out of either stainless steel, ceramic, teflon, aluminum, glass, cast iron, or copper. Each conducts heat differently and has reasons why they might be the best choice for someone.
The amount of pieces in your cookware set depends entirely on what your needs are. Most sets come with at least 3 pieces, but some have as many as 12 or 15. A single college student may need a basic 3-piece set with just a skillet, saucepan, and stockpot, while a mother of 5 who makes most meals from home might want to go big and get the 15-piece set. If you have more pots and pans, you can be making multiple dishes and side-dishes at a time. You also have backups if some are in the dishwasher or (let's be real here) "soaking” in the sink waiting to be washed.
If you want a full variety of cookware sets with a range of colors, sizes, and materials, online is by far the best place to look. You might find a cookware set at your local big box store, but it may be a 5-piece when you really wanted a 7-piece, or they will have limited colors in stock. You just don't easily find a wide variety at a brick-and-mortar store like you can on the internet. Plus, you'll find the best prices online and be able to compare with other brands.
Cookware is one of the most frequently used items in some people's homes, so there's a need to replace it every so often. If your pans get loose handles, this is a major hazard and you should discontinue use of them immediately. If the layers start to separate or the non-stick layer of a pan begins to peel, this is an indication that parts of the pan are getting into your food and that's bad on many levels. If your pans are discolored or showing signs of rust, it's time to say goodbye. Don't take risks with the food you're cooking and putting into your body by using old, damaged cookware.
Most brands allow for returns of their cookware anywhere between 30 and 90 days of purchase for a full refund. These return policies usually state that the products need to be in new, unused condition. If the cookware starts falling apart right away or you run into another quality issue, this would fall under the warranty. Be sure to check the warranty on your cookware set before purchase so you know what it covers.
If you shop around a major holiday, you'll likely find good deals on cookware sets. You might get a certain percentage off your total purchase or free shipping. You should also check out the sale pages of every brand you're interested in just to see if they have anything that would fit your needs at a discounted price.
Most cookware brands take pride in making a certain type of pan or skillet. Some might be best for non-stick cooking while others have a wide array of stainless steel sets. A few brands make high quality, aesthetically pleasing cookware in a range of colors. They are meant not only to make cooking clean and easy, but also to add color and charm to your kitchen in the meantime. These days, cookware isn't just about function. It can be about appearance too.
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Continued from above...

You often don't need to use a non-stick spray and the cleanup is easy-peasy. However, as new knowledge is coming to light about health concerns from teflon coatings on non-stick pans and their inability to handle extremely high temperatures, people are looking for alternative types of cookware like stainless steel. There are lots of pros and cons with all types, so it's good to explore your options.

Most cookware sets come with anywhere between 3 and 12 pieces, so depending on how avid of a home chef you are, you can find a set that fits your needs. For most people, you'll at least want to find a good saucepan, skillet, and stockpot. If you're cooking for a big family or like to make multiple dishes at once, you'll likely be looking for a few saucepans and skillets in different sizes with lids for some or all of the pans. Buying cookware in a set rather than individually saves you money and also ensures that all your cookware matches (for your perfect kitchen TikTok!).

Browsing cookware sets online gives you the ability to compare the prices of similar items between brands, read customer reviews, and see all your options without having to go store-to-store. We also recommend taking the following things into consideration when you're buying cookware sets online:

  • Selection. Does the company have a good variation of cookware sets with different amounts of pieces, materials, colors, and sizes? Are you able to easily browse the website and compare all your options quickly?
  • Pricing. How do the prices of cookware sets from one brand compare to another? Is it easy to identify key features of the pots and pans that help you know why they are priced the way they are? Does the brand run any major sales, offer discounts, or provide free shipping?
  • Return policy. If your cookware set arrives and you change your mind about it, can you send it back for a full refund? What if your non-stick pan doesn't work well or scratches easily? Check if the brand has a satisfaction guarantee and stands behind the quality of their products.

Being able to easily cook food is important, so getting new cookware is exciting and refreshing. There is a wide variety of cookware sets available online today. Some are so pretty you'll want to leave them out as a decoration. We hope this information from our experts at Top Consumer Reviews helps you find exactly what you're looking for, so that you can get to work on your next delicious cuisine creation.

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