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Induction cookware review: long post

craig00
13 years ago

For those of you looking for induction cookware here's what we bought to replace 13 of our 18 pieces (not counting lids). We have multiples of some as we use them all.

Headings and brands are listed alphabetically with regular price (price paid), and website.

I then give opinions and a grade based on our expectations of how they should perform for practical purposes. We're good home cooks and just want cookware to do the job. Looks don't matter a whole lot but it's nice to have range-to-table ability. Your priorities may differ.

COOKWARE SET

Calphalon Cookware, Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 13 Piece Set

$399.99 @ Macy's ($240 Last one in stock + Macy's credit card discount)

BONUS 6-piece mixed utensil set and crock

BONUS 5-qt. Dutch oven set but not induction compatible

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=468730&CategoryID=7709#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D19

Calphalon Tri-ply is terrific and a phenomenal value. For the price I'd take these over All Clad 5 ply hands down. They even look the same down to the lip and descriptive printing on the bottom. The glass lids have an unwelded seam around the metal edge but we've had no problem with the seam separating.

Grade: B+

DUTCH OVENS

Le Creuset Round Red Dutch Oven, 7 1/4-Qt.

$285.00 (Gift)

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/le-creuset-signature-7-quart-round-dutch-oven/?pkey=cdutch-ovens-braisers:ckwdutdut

LE Creuset Cast Iron 6.75-qt. Dijon Oval Dutch Oven (B+)

$270 ($99 @ Williams Sonoma sale table)

Both of these pieces are examples of why Le Creuset is heirloom quality. A joy to use and behold when new or with a years-old patina. The only downside is the plastic handle which gets hot and others report is prone to crack or break. I've never used Staub which I hear is equally good but less expensive.

Grade: B+

FRY PANS

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 9-Inch Skillet with Iron Handle, Red

$104.95 (gift)

http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Enameled-Cast-Iron-9-Inch-Skillet/dp/B00005QFSO/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1303128523&sr=1-6

Even though eggs tend to stick to it I've used this skillet daily for years until the Lodge. It's been used to grill steaks at screamingly high temps and is a workhorse in the truest sense. After over five years I'm starting from scratch trying to season it but it's downgraded because food sticks to it.

Grade: B-

Lodge 6102933 Round Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle 10-1/2" (B)

$14.87 ($11 @ TJ Maxx)

http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L9OG3-Pre-Seasoned-2-Inch-Griddle/dp/B00008GKDN

Heavy and with a lip is limited in what it can do. Takes a great seasoning and now I know why people like Lodge so much.

Grade: B

ROASTING PANS

Mystery pan

Cheap and thin but does the job

Grade: C

Sur La Table Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan, 16" x 12" (B+)

149.95 ($100 promotional)

http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-516385/Sur-La-Table-Tri-Ply-Stainless-Steel-Roasting-Pan

Excellent roasting pan that's right up there with Calphalon tri-ply and All Clad stainless. Substantial weight and does fine at high temps on the range-top for deglazing. The only downside is it doesn'et come with a rack.

Grade: B+

SAUTE' PANS

All-Clad d5 Stainless Steel Saute Pan 6 qt.

$285.00 @ 20% off $228.00 ($30 after gift certificate)

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-stainless-steel-saute-pan/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad:ckwallssd

We've had All Clad in the past and it's the best. We'd never pay full-price, but on a few occasions we've used a gift card or got a piece at very deep discount at closeout.

Grade: A

TOOLS OF THE TRADE BASICS - STAINLESS STEEL 12 INCH 5 QUART DEEP DISH FRYING PAN (B)

$29.99 ($15 on sale)

http://www.amazon.com/TOOLS-TRADE-BASICS-STAINLESS-FRYING/dp/B000TYDBO4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1303124673&sr=1-2

Long story short I bought this instead of a $130 All Clad fry pan w/lid or an $80 Calphalon tri-ply saute. Utilitarian and works just fine. Takes an inconsequential minute or so longer to heat than the others.

Grade: B-

STOCK POTS

American Kitchen Commercial Stockpot, 20qt Exclusive to Williams Sonoma.

$180.00 $56 delivered ebay

These are available with a glass lid for $114 on Amazon

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/american-kitchen-20-quart-commercial-stockpot/?pkey=cstock-soup-multi-pots:ckwssmstk

Excellent, substantial weight and tight fitting lid. Has handy volume markers inside.

Grade A

Wolfgang Puck Bistro Elite 10qt Stockpot with Lid (we bought two) (B)

HSN Price: $59.90 $35 @ TJ Maxx

http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/wolfgang-puck-bistro-elite-10qt-stockpot-with-lid_p-6232280_xp.aspx

Great for soups and stocks. Thick bottoms and good value. The glass lids have metal seams which aren't welded but are holding up so far.

Here is a link that might be useful: Calphalon Tri-Ply induction set

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