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Review by midwestfarmgirl:

I purchased a two pack of the 8 and 10" skillets from Macy's this past summer. All my pans work great. I find they are a bit like cast iron. Once they heat up (on medium), they retain their heat and cook evenly. I use medium heat, and can often get by with med-low. No warping or flaking yet. (The key is to not use any more heat than necessary - excessive high heat can ruin most skillets) I also got a griddle which is the Calphalon One Infused Anodized - their top line. I love it as well, and would purchase either again. I went mostly with the Contemporary line due to lower price. Be sure to read the packaging to see what line you are getting, as they have several lines out there. There is the 'infused anodized' and the 'hard anodized', nonstick and without the nonstick, etc.

Check out their website for more information.

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Review by BeagleGrin:

These pans have excellent heavy bottoms. I don't have too many gripes, except it would have been nice if the handles were welded to the outside instead of being bolted in. Stuff will stick to the bolts.

I just cook neater and avoid the bolts, and I'm fine.

We use these pans for literally EVERYTHING that can be cooked on a stovetop!

SHIPPING was SUPER FAST!!!

*** UPDATE *** September 10, 2008

Excellent product UNTIL we had guests who "helped us" clean up and put them in our super heavy duty dishwasher... After that, the finish was never the same. I have ALWAYS hand washed my non stick pans. I'm afraid the trip through the dishwasher killed them. Now, our dishwasher is brutal, much more harsh than the average dishwasher, i have to admit.

We still use them, I'm a fan of the heavy bottoms and even distribution of heat. But now, I have to use cooking spray to keep food particles from sticking

Review by Joseph Wyckoff:

I got this set for what I consider a steal. The price has been fluctuating a bit, and if you hit it at the right time you can get them for an outstanding price. Just like all the other hard annodized cookware I have bought from amazon, I LOVE these pans! I have now converted nearly all of my cookware to this line, and highly reccommend it to anyone who wants to become a better cook. If you read other reviews, people complain about sticking. YES, food does adhere to the pans while cooking, but when it is done, the food releases from the surface. If you burn the food, do like Emeril says, and use the knobs on your stove. It does take some time and patience to rid yourself of the habits of teflon pans, but the food is so much tastier - I have never made better gravy in my life than since I switched cookware. This is a great starter set, and has most of the pans that you'll need. I would say that the average cook could get around 75% of their cooking done with this set. Have some patience, and I am sure you'll be pleased with the results.

Review by Steve P. Cotter:

First, I would like to say to watch the price of these after you buy them - the price varies a lot and you might be able to improve your deal with a refund. Anyway, these are great! They conduct heat much better than any other pot/pan I have used. There is some adjustment if you are used to Teflon - they do stick a bit more. With that said, they don't give you cancer as many now suspect Teflon does, they are oven safe, and you can use metal utensils. A scotch-brite pad is safe to use (according to manufacturer's instructions) and will restore the pans to their new condition with little effort. There are some other tips for minimizing stick included in the instructions. Machine washing is not recommended. Also, remember that since the tops for these pans are metal, they may get very hot and require a potholder for removal. The handles on the pans themselves, however, generally stay cool enough to touch.

Review by Chrissy:

I was looking for quality when I purchased this set, and I got it! I read the instructions that followed it. I hand wash, use only plastic and wood utensils, and no non-stick cook spray. I couldn't be happier with them. Nothing sticks, the handles don't get hot, it's a pleasure cooking with them! (I have not tried them in the oven yet, but they are oven safe to a degree!)

Review by K. L. Estepp:

We purchased this set from another venue.

When you first open the box and see the new set you are thrilled. Especially if your old set that you just replaced was horrible.

BUT after you have had it a while you start to realize that owning this set of cookware requires a LOT of effort on your part to keep it looking nice.

The bottoms darken easily and need constant attention to make them look good.

On our particular set, the largest saucepan interior was "bubbled". Well....we are NOT everyday cooks in this house and it only took a few months for the interior finish to begin chipping off the pan.

We had to go out and buy all new utensils and special scrubbers etc. to clean these pans. Most things we had in our drawer just didn't work well with this set. Stick a metal fork in it once and IT'S DONE!

Remember....NO dishwashers, NO metal utensils, NO harsh chemicals, NO abrasive scrubbers, NO cooking spray, NO stacking of pans, NO contact with other surfaces or the exterior WILL scratch!

In short....these pans take your full attention but when you buy anything worth having, you are willing to expend the extra energy and time to take good care of it.

If it weren't for the interior surface chips, I would have to give this set an "ALMOST PERFECT" score!!!!!

Review by Steven Dennis:

I've owned this pan for about two years ... it's simply wonderful. The Calphalon Commercial line is the top of the line, just like the Professional, but with stay-cool handles. The thick, sturdy aluminum heats up quickly and evenly, and goes from the stovetop to the oven up to any temperature. My favorite dish to make with this pan is a large omelette for two to four people. You saute the onions, etc., until carmelized, then add the whipped eggs, top it with diced tomatoes, basil, oregano and cheeses, then broil at about 450 for a couple minutes until browned. Simply wonderful!I also cook stir frys, poach fish, bake casseroles, and brown meats in this truly Everyday Pan.Now, for the issues: As with all true Calphalon products, you can not put hard-anodized aluminum into the dishwasher. It will damage the surface, leading to pits and discolorations, and void the lifetime warranty to boot! Second, this is not a nonstick pan. If you want nonstick, buy Calphalon Commercial Nonstick, the best ever made (The Commercial nonstick line has the more advanced LRS3 coating versus the much less effective LRS coating on the cheaper Professional Nonstick II line).To clean, simply buy a Dobie pad or its equivalent. For the tough stuff, I find a little Bon Ami or Dormond cleaner does the trick without too much effort.Enjoy!

Review by notaprofessional:

The Calphalon Commercial line is ideal for those who want quality cookware that's guaranteed for life and pretty much indestructible. My absent-minded-bachelor kitchen contains nothing that cannot withstand all manner of accidents, falls, and spills. The Calphalon Commercial line enables me to cook like a pro without endangering my cookware--and to clean like a fiend when I've cooked like a pyro by accident.

You can clean these pans with abrasive cleansers like Comet. I used to sell them in a boutiquey store where they'd have come back in droves if we'd misinformed people on this point. Another reviewer expresses appropriate caution regarding putting them in the dishwasher--it's for dishes, silly, not knives of pots--but I do this on occasion and it would take regular dishwashing with powdered (sandblasted in there) detergent and lotsa stuff to bang the pans to really do a number on them. Discoloration is not the stuff of diminished utility. Aside from the line being the most practical stove top option bar none, the pan is a dream. Not so shallow as an omelette pan, nor so deep as a wok, it does the range from stir-fry to saute, to bake and roast. I'd recommend this pan to anyone who maybe wants to start a cookware collection--it's so many pans in one. I used to sell this stuff (not on commission, mind you) to students with their first apartment. Moms and dads would express concern that the kids would ruin it--au contraire: you get a ten dollar pan and it'll be beaten to bits in a matter of weeks by the likes of careless ol' me, but you get a heavy, solid pan like this, they'd have to be trying to break it. Cautions:
-Lower the heat if you're used to inferior pans. If you get this pan and find yourself saying, "It burns everything," you're conveniently forgetting who chose the heat on that burner.
-It's not non stick--and they *do* sell the best non stick--but it is highly stick resistant, especially if you LOWER THE HEAT.
-The handles can get HOT so be sure you're armed with a potholder of any sort.

Review by Alvin English:

I have upgraded my rating after using the pan every day for a month. I am giving it five stars because it is a tremendous value. I was too critical in my initial review.This is my first Calphalon pan. I purchased it primarily to use as an egg and breakfast fare pan. I wanted a good non-stick pan, because most of my other pans are stainless steel. I consider it a very good buy for the price. It has a very attractive design and the interior non-stick cooking surface appears to be very durable. However, the pan is slightly heavy and slow to reach the proper temperature compared to stainless steel. The manufacturer's enclosed brochure says the slow warm-up is due to the non-stick surface (true of most non-stick pans). Once it arrives at the required temperature, it performs very well. This aluminum pan is the equivalent of a permanently seasoned cast iron griddle. It produces foolproof omelets and the food never sticks. I use it to warmup chicken breasts and make grilled sandwiches too. It is the most used pan in the house, because of my passion for eggs. This product, like a few other Calphalon products I have examined, slipped past the quality control inspector. On my pan there is an interior area, smaller than a grain of rice, that was not sprayed with the non-stick coating. It is high enough on the pan where no one will ever cook on that spot, but it is there in plain sight. The lack of quality control may have something to do with the Calphalon pans being manufactured in third world countries - no offense intended. This pan is made in China. You would probably not have any trouble forgiving the stray blemish. Especially, when you consider this pan's beauty, functionality, and price.Here is my list of PROS and CONS for this purchase.PROS:
- Good price.
- Excellent non-stick surface - appears to be very durable too.
- Excellent stain resistant exterior.
- Cool & comfortable handle.
- Attractive appearance.
- Lifetime warranty.CONS:
- Slow to warm up, because of the non-stick surface.
- Fairly heavy pan - you won't flip anything without a spatula - think griddle.
- Quality control at Calphalon could be better.
- The handle is beautiful, but the finish on the handle and rivets are not as refined as some of the more expensive cookware brands. However, it has no impact on the cooking.Conclusion: Excellent pan for the price.

Review by K. Parry:

I picked up this Commercial Nonstick skillet along with several other pieces of Calphalon's open stock collection, and I have been impressed with every piece I've gotten. This is great for burgers as well as omeletes and pancakes. About the only "problem" with it is that I'm not accustomed quite yet to the high quality found in Calphalon, and I didn't expect the burgers to brown on a non-stick surface as quickly as they did, so I wound up with two rather rare burgers as a result of fearing that I would burn them. Now that I see how Calphalon's nonstick line cooks, I have had more success, and now I have beautifully cooked hamburgers every time.
This is nonstick, so you do have to treat it with kid gloves, but as long as you use nylon or wooden utensils, do not overheat the pan, and don't run it through the dishwasher, this pan should last you a lifetime. I'm so glad I bought this, because I know that Calphalon's line of Collector's Edition products are only available for a limited time each year. I'm glad I didn't miss out on this beauty before it was gone forever!

Review by Reviewer Mary:

I don't have much luck with non stick products as the non stick finish never seems to last. I purchased several sets because the price was cheap enough that I figure that I would just throw them away after the finish wears off. It came in just in time for all the holiday baking and so far it's been working great but then again it's only been a month! The bakeware is a little lighter than I expected.

Review by Monet L. Humphries:

This bakeware was a gift to my daughter who has taken culinary classes. She absolutely loves this set and has done so much baking since they arrived.

Review by Scott Anderson:

As a professional chef I run across all sorts of products that are supposed to be the next best thing since sliced bread. However, this pan just so happens to be the next best thing, and I picked it up at my local Le Gourmet Chef in Hagerstown, MD.

Simply put the ultra smooth non-stick surface is smoother than glass; thus cooking requires little if no oil and clean up is a breeze with a simple rinse and wipe. As long as you stay away from aerosol sprays you will have an enjoyable experience with this cookware or any cookware for that matter. If you must spray in your oil then I suggest you buy an oil mister because spraying from a can simply adds residue that ruins pans and takes away from the flavor of your food after buildup occurs. The best feature for all you home chefs is that this pan is 100% DISHWASHER SAFE! It's also oven safe to 500 degrees.

The clear glass cover rounds out the entire package deal and is equally easy to clean. It's nice to be able to cover your pan while cooking and still see what is happening inside without lifting the lid and loosing heat or worse causing a steam burn. Last but not least, the cookware is guaranteed for life, so what are you waiting for, go get one and start something new and exciting in the kitchen!

Review by T. Fisher:

The difference between my old nonstick cookware (Culinary Essentials brand purchased at Costco over 10 years ago) and this Calphalon Unison cookware is like night and day. The food cooks evenly and absolutely does not stick. The pan is weighty without being too heavy and the handles stay cool. The glass lids are also nice. This Unison cookware is one of the few choices that is dishwasher safe and guaranteed for life, a selling point for me. So far,though, I've hand washed it. A few seconds is all it takes to come clean.

Review by E. Hornaday:

This is the best pot, bar none, for its size that I have ever used or tried. I love to cook, so I have many different models and brands, including earlier Calphalon models, of this sized pot but had never been completely satisfied.

What's so extraordinary about the Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick, is the unique design which enables a versatility unmatched by all others.

The shape, which tappers gracefully upward, allows you to saute, simmer, steam, stew or even fry with ease. As a result, the volume it safely holds is much truer to its specifications than other 2 1/2 quart models. From gentle sauces to fried chicken, NOTHING is beyond its capability for producing consistently excellent results.

In addition, the nonstick surface is exactly that: nonstick. It is not just easy release, but genuinely nonstick, while still allowing you to brown foods for flavor as desired. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, ensuring the nonstick properties will last.

It is also much lighter in weight than traditional anodized pots, which I appreciate because I suffer from joint problems.

The glass lid allows you to see the food cooking, unless obscured by steam, while the pot's handle is not only beautiful, but does stay cool during the cooking process.

I have also put this pot into the oven (which is safe up to 450 degrees F), and achieved the same consistently superb results.

The special introductory price for this incredible cooking vessel makes it an unbelievable bargain. At such a reduced price, everyone will be able to try it without investing their life's savings.

As a result of using this pot, I look forward to buying other Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick pans of different sizes. This product is a true joy to cook with and is HIGHLY recommended.

For me, Calphalon has truly gotten it right with this latest line of its cookware. My search for the perfect pots and pans finally ends here! Bravo.

Review by :

This is a wonderful pot. It's a bit wider than a large saucepan. The base is just a bit smaller than the larger burners on my stove, and it is wider at the top. It's just the right size and shape to make a generous portion of pasta sauce for two, including sauteeing the meat. Calphalon's Contemporary line is the best looking of all their pots. The handle is a bit long, but feels great in your hand, smooth, and stays cool. I like the glass lids to be able to see in the pots, though I worry a bit about dropping one. They have a ribbon of stainless around the edge, which might prevent breakage though. If you don't have the cash to buy a full set of these, start with this pot, it's a bargain.

Review by Rian Deurenberg:

for those of you with glass or ceramic stove tops: this pan does not stay flat! It is fine when cold, but once heated (even to medium), it starts warping. Still fries fine, but the heat will not be distributed as evenly as one would wish...

Otherwise nice looking pan and seems like a nice non-stick surface.

Review by E. Xie:

This is the pan that you can cook anything in. Great for cooking stir fry or pan fry dumplings. The non-stick coating is excellent. Easy to wash and clean. Well-made hinges. Good quality pot. Love that it comes with lid. The pot is not as heavy as I thought, which makes it easier to wash in the sink.

The only con I have is that the smaller handle still gets a little hot and the rubber grip on that handle seems like it might come off one day if not careful. Other than that, we use this pot very frequently (several times a week) and enjoy it very much. If using this pot, I highly recommend cooking with bamboo or wood utensils so you won't scratch up the non-stick coating. I would recommend this pot to others and would buy again.

Review by judgecissy:

I think Calphalon has missed a bet in attaching the label "chili" to this versatile pot, because it suggests that its best use is limited to making chili. But mine is well-loved and used almost daily for cooking virtually everything -- chili, yes, but also soup, sauteed fresh veggies, simmer-all-day pasta sauce, pot roast, ETC. I also use it when I need a high-sided skillet. The heating is very even, making it a lovely choice for carmelizing onions and other vegetables, as well as meat. I love this pot so much that I have given a number of them as gifts.

Calphalon calls another pan, sort of a flat-bottomed wok, its "everyday pan." I have that one, too, but it has drifted to the bottom of the stack because I DON'T use it everyday. They should have applied that label to this pot instead instead of the "chili" label.

Review by Badotz:

After years of everyday use, I wore out my Calphalon 8785 pot - despite my best efforts, the interior became scratched, and the exterior lost its anodized look. I'll keep it for backup, but it is officially retired.

I prefer the steel lid of the old pot because the handle is part of the lid; the new pot affixes the handle to the glass lid with big rivets. Structurally sound, no doubt, but a weak spot.

I don't see any real benefit to a glass lid; I don't watch the food cook, and if I do, I'm busy stirring a roux or sautéing, so the lid is off. Not a selling point for me.

Functionally, the pots are similar. The non-stick surface releases foods, but I cannot use metal utensils to stir or scrape. I use olive wood utensils out of habit, but the other members of my family are not always so conscientious.

The price is right, and this is a fine product. I have no idea why it is labeled "chili pot" - it is too small for chili made in my kitchen.

I look forward to another decade of daily use with my new Calphalon pan.