Calphalon Unison Nonstick Saute Pan
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Great Saute Pan ! !
As with all the Calphalon Unison products, this is a well made and fine saute pan. I thoroughly enjoy the Unison Nonstick line.
February 24, 2012
Happy so far
I bought this pan to replace a 3 quart Emril non-stick suate pan that was used on avearge 3-4 times a week for the past five or six years. I have been very satisfied with the Emirl pan, but the non-stick properties were begining to fade.
My reasons for using non-stick are ease of food release, the reduced chance of burnng, and the ease of clean-up. The Caphalon performs well in these areas. Caphalon's representations as to the Pan's searing ability is not all hype. For a non-stick pan it does a pretty fair job. (Better I think than my Emril) I and will give it especially high marks on fish, which can be seared to the desired surface crispness in a minumum of oil and still release intact.
Don't expect the pan to sear and produce fond quite as well as stainless or cast-iron or other traditional alternatives. It won't. I I suspect this is asking too much of a non-stick surface. There is also the controversy over the health issues with non-stick. I personally turn to something other than non-stick if I want to cook at or near the smoking point of most cooking oil, but some people don't trust non-stick at even low tempertures.
As a non-stick pan which I plan to use regularly so far I am satisfied that Calphon has been a good choice to replace my old tried and true Emril. I like that fact that it is made in the USA, it sears well for a non-stick and it releases food and cleans up easily, I also like the anodized surface of on the outside of the pan, which helps the pan slide on the porcelain cooking grids on my stove. Non-anodized aluminum does not slide well on my stove-top.
I paid $99 on sale for the 3 quart which is a qreat price for its overall quality. I will note that the 3 quart my not be large enough for more than a couple, or a couple with one or two young children. It has a smaller diameter and higher sides than some other 3 quart saute pans so the cooking surface is slightly smaller. Four chicken thighs will sear OK or maybe five, add one more and your will steaming the chicken, not browning it.
I have been using this pan for about one month. What I don't know is how well it will hold up. Scan-pans are suppose to hold up to metal utensils, but the Caphalon is not advertised that way. I don't know if this reflects an acutal difference in durability, or is just cautionary on Caphalons part.
I have a couple of nit-picks. I don't like glass lids. Since I have accumulated an assortment of lids over the years I assumed I would have something that fit. I was wrong. The diameter of this pan seems to be sometthing an of an oddity. It is between a 24cm and 26cm Euorpean, and a 10" and 11" American. Be prepared to use the glass lid that comes with it. The helper handle is unnecessary on a 3 quart pan, and it can be in the way when there are other pans in use on the stove top.
Overall quite happy with the purchase.
November 2, 2011
I can't stop using it!
This Unison coating is the real deal. I sauted some fresh perch in butter and lemon the other day. It came out perfect brown but not over cooked. My only grip is that I did not purchase a larger pan.
May 17, 2011
Surprisingly effective
This is the first nonstick pan I have used which actually develops nice fond, but still cleans easily. It is therefore proved to be surprisingly useful. I haven't had it long enough, however, to know if it will hold up for a decent length of time -- a problem I have had with other nonstick pans.
December 24, 2010
easy clean up
I got this for my son for Xmas - he loves the non-stick, easy clean up.
December 12, 2010
great skillet
This skillet is certainly worth the price.
The weight is not too heavy or light, very well constructed, cleans easily and cooks evenly.
I will certainly buy other pieces when I can.
September 17, 2010
The Perfect Saute Pan
Deep enough to saute without splatters. Holds heat well. Great for simmering long cooked sauces like home-made marinaras. Very easy clean up and is truly non-stick. I have had my Calphalon for well over 20 years now and it still looks good and cooks great.
January 18, 2010