Best Calphalon Cookware Sets

Buying guide for Best Calphalon cookware sets

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

• Best of the Best: Calphalon 10-Piece Pots and Pans Set
• Best Bang for the Buck: Calphalon Select AquaShield Cookware
• Trusted Brand: Calphalon 10-Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set
• Best for Baking: Calphalon 10-Piece Nonstick Bakeware Set
• Most Comprehensive: Calphalon Premier Hard-Anodized Cookware

Whether you're a gourmet chef who spends hours experimenting in the kitchen or someone whose idea of haute cuisine is pasta and jarred marinara, you're going to need a cookware set. If you're in the market for quality pots and pans that will stand the test of time, a Calphalon cookware set is an excellent option.

Unless you're a cookware expert, picking a set of pots and pans that best fills your needs can be a challenge. What exactly can you expect to find in a Calphalon cookware set? The simple answer: whatever you need. We found sets ranging from 2 to 15 pieces and containing a range of pots, pans, and lids. You must also decide which material your set should be made of and which collection to choose from. Only then can you go about finding your perfect Calphalon pans and pots.

While nonstick pans are popular, some users worry about health risks associated with the chemical compounds found in nonstick coating. You can find alternative nonstick materials, such as ceramic, that aren’t thought to pose health risks.

The benefits of Calphalon

You can find cookware sets from hundreds of different manufacturers, so why opt for Calphalon cookware?

• Calphalon is a trusted brand that has been manufacturing cookware since 1963.
• While Calphalon cookware sets might not be the cheapest on the market, they have long lifespans and offer good value.
• You can choose from a wide range of Calphalon cookware sets in a variety of sizes and materials. Many sets also have nonstick cooking surfaces.
• Many sets include tempered glass lids that are durable and provide a reliable fit on the corresponding pots and pans.

Cookware that’s highly conductive heats quickly, distributes heat evenly, and cooks evenly. Aluminum and copper are two highly conductive materials that Calphalon uses to make its pots and pans.

Calphalon cookware set materials

You can find Calphalon cookware sets in a range of materials, all of which have pros and cons.

Nonstick

Nonstick cookware sets have a coating that prevents food from sticking and burning onto the pan, making food release and cleanup easy. Pans with nonstick coatings can, however, get scratched by sharp utensils, so they tend not to be as long-lasting as cookware made from other materials.

Stainless steel

You can find a wide range of stainless steel cookware sets from Calphalon. Free from any controversial chemicals, able to handle high temperatures, and suitable for most cooktops, stainless steel is an excellent choice for cookware material. Many cooks use a good glug of oil in stainless steel pans to prevent sticking, so they're not ideal for low-fat cooking. The best stainless steel cookware by the brand boasts three layers that are often referred to as tri-ply.

Anodized aluminum

Anodized aluminum cookware sets are also available by this popular brand. With heavy-gauge aluminum construction and aluminum bases, this type of cookware distributes heat evenly. The pots and pans have durable coatings that resist corrosion and sealed cores that prevent aluminum from leaching into food. They also resist warping. Hard-anodized nonstick cookware sets have multiple layers for added strength. Although it’s best to hand wash anodized aluminum pieces, some sets by Calphalon are dishwasher safe.

Ceramic

Calphalon produces a variety of ceramic cookware sets. Ceramic pans are made from aluminum lined with a layer of ceramic, which is PFOA- and PTFE-free. This ceramic layer is nonstick, although most users find it's not quite as effective as the nonstick coatings in the classic and contemporary collections. Ceramic, however, doesn't scratch and is very durable as long as you don't leave it on a hot burner without anything inside; this could cause the ceramic to crack or chip.

Copper

Calphalon produces a range of cookware made from tri-ply copper with an aluminum core and a stainless-steel interior. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, and copper cookware has an attractive vintage look. However, pure copper pans can impart a metallic taste into certain foods. Calphalon copper cookware sets offer the best of both worlds: a copper exterior for even heat transmission and a stainless-steel interior to prevent leaching.

Calphalon cookware collections

You can find a range of Calphalon cookware collections, all fulfilling different needs and offering certain benefits.

For instance, some are meant for the home cook, and others are designed for professional results.

Calphalon Classic Cookware

Cookware sets in the classic collection are built to last and available in stainless steel, nonstick, and ceramic. Some pieces offer time-saving features.

Calphalon Contemporary Cookware

This collection offers both stainless steel and nonstick cookware sets with a modern appearance. Nonstick pans in this range have a durable PFOA-free coating.

Calphalon Space-Saving Cookware

Calphalon's new Space-Saving collection features pans designed to neatly fit into one another for storage. Because the pieces are stackable, they’re perfect if you have a compact kitchen.

Calphalon Elite Cookware

Pans in the Elite collection are made from a utensil-safe nonstick metal that’s extra-durable and long-lasting.

Simply Calphalon Cookware

This collection features affordable sets designed for everyday cooking with nonstick, stainless-steel, and ceramic options.

Calphalon Unison Cookware

The Unison set includes slide nonstick and sear nonstick pans for professional results.

Calphalon Signature Collection

Calphalon’s Signature Collection offers high-end cookware sets designed for professional-level chefs.

Although all Calphalon nonstick cookware can be safely used in the oven, not all pieces are safe for the broiler. Consult the product literature or the Calphalon website before placing a Calphalon cooking piece in the broiler to make sure it is safe to do so.

Calphalon cookware set prices

What should you expect to pay for a Calphalon cookware set, and what will you get for your money?

$50 to $300

Small Calphalon cookware sets featuring two to five pieces fall in this price range. The specific cost depends on the size of the set and the collection it belongs to.

$150 to $500

Medium Calphalon cookware sets featuring 8 or 10 pieces fall in this price range. Those in the Signature collection hit the higher end of the range; those in the Simply Calphalon and Classic collections sit at the low end.

$600 to $700

Large cooking sets from higher-end Calphalon collections tend to fall in this price range.

Tips

• If you have an induction stove, make sure the cookware set you are considering for purchase is compatible with it.
• Cookware with quality rivets holding the handles in place generally lasts longer than cookware with screw-fastened handles.
• Make sure you read the care instructions for your chosen Calphalon cookware set and only cook with utensils made from the recommended materials to avoid damaging your pans.
• Never clean nonstick pans with steel wool or scouring pads, as this could damage the coating.

The most expensive Calphalon cookware sets aren't necessarily the best for everyone. Choose a set that suits your cooking style. For instance, cookware from the Simply or Classic collections may suit an everyday home cook better than a Signature cookware set.

FAQ

Q. What size pans do I need in my Calphalon cookware set?

A. Different Calphalon cookware sets contain different pan sizes. The size you need depends on how many people you tend to cook for. If you usually only cook for one or two, smaller pans are better. If you regularly cook for a crowd, you'll want your pans to be as large as possible. Most cookware sets contain pans of a variety of sizes, all of which should be useful for various tasks and occasions.

Q. How many pieces do I need in my Calphalon cookware set?

A. The number of pieces you'll need in your cookware set depends on your cooking style and individual requirements. If you're the kind of cook who creates elaborate meals using several pans at once, you may find you need a couple of fry pans, a range of saucepans of varying sizes, a large stock pot, and a Dutch oven to keep you going. On the other hand, if you mostly cook one-pot meals, you might only require a fry pan and one or two saucepans.

Q. What type of warranty is offered on Calphalon cookware sets?

A. Many Calphalon cookware sets carry a lifetime warranty, so they will be replaced if anything goes wrong due to a manufacturing fault. You may have to register your purchase to validate the warranty, and conditions may apply.