Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Set

calphalon tri ply stainless cookware set

Any chef will tell you that nothing beats a good set of cookware for your kitchen.

If you’re in the market for a set, this review looks at the Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless-Steel 13-Piece Cookware Set collection.

This Calphalon Tri-Ply cookware represents just about every pot and pan you need in the kitchen including two omelet pans, three different sized sauce pans, a sauté pan and a stockpot.

Be aware at the outset, however, that buying any set of cookware is an investment.

Retail for this set is about $800.00. But we found them on sale at Amazon for less than $400.00.

Tri-Ply Pros

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The layering of stainless steel and aluminum in this set is the key to strong, durable, and even-tempered cookware.

This Calphalon set not only has a aluminum core on the bottom, but also along the sides of the pan. This helps spread the heat evenly and will quickly respond to temperature changes.

You shouldn’t experience any “hot spots” with these pans.

Clear lids that are heat tempered to resist shattering, let you monitor the cooking process easily without letting out any heat (meaning you’re saving energy). The flared rim construction on each and every pan is also a very intelligent design that keeps pouring easier and cleaner.

Many home cooks will love the fact that the pans are dishwasher safe, but if you love the shine of stainless – wash them by hand. It’s worth it!

The Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless Steel set is certainly a good sized assortment to get a kitchen up and running!

Tri Ply Stainless Cons

I’m not sure I really need two omelet pans in a set of cookware. I think it might have been nice to swap one out for something a little different – perhaps a wok or other pan in the Calphalon line.

People who are accustom to non-stick surfaces probably won’t want to launch right into this set of pans. Stainless requires more clean-up time, and cooks in a very different way. Be prepared to make some changes in your overall cooking methods if you switch to this set.

Customer Reviews

From the professional side of the isle, the Calphalon Tri Ply Stainless steel 13-piece cookware collection seems to please even a discerning chef. They report excellent performance, solid construction, easy monitoring for the cooking process, easy pouring, and lids that seal well. In short, the chefs that use them seem to love them.

Home culinarians didn’t seem quite so excited. While they liked the finish visually, they found the pans difficult to clean up, and reported that the “stay cool” handles didn’t perform very well. Additionally the heft of the pots seemed to deter some (but many cooks would consider weight a positive feature).

What's Included in the Calphalon Set

1- 8 inch omelet pan
1- 10 inch omelet pan
1- 1-1/2 quart saucepan with lid
1- 2-1/2 quart saucepan with lid
1- 4-1/2 quart saucepan with lid
1- 3 quart saute pan with lid
1- 6 quart stockpot with lid and pasta insert

Features

18/10 stainless steel exterior
Aluminum base for even heating
Tempered glass lids for monitoring food
Oven safe to 500 degrees
Dishwasher safe: But hand washing will maintain the like-new appearance
Lifetime warranty
Stay-cool V shaped handles
Flared rims for easy pouring

Other Things You Should Know

Wash in warm soapy water before using the first time

Never put a hot pan in cold water, because it can warp

These pans are not Refrigerator or Freezer Safe

Summary

It may be that the design of this set is more suited to serious or professional cooks from the various reports I’ve read. Considering the price tag, it may be worth finding someone who owns them and doesn’t mind you trying out a few of the Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless steel pieces first hand.

Alternatively watch for a demonstration at a nearby kitchen store. You’ll want to know you’ll be happy before investing yourself in a complete line of cookware.