Which is better the hard anodized original or the hard anodized II? What is the difference other than the II is dishwasher safe?
1298156
I have both. The II appears to be holding up better, remaining dark and shiny.
1298157
I like the original hard anodized if you can find it. the handle is rubber verses hard plastic.. plus who puts the pans like that in the dishwasher ..good luck
1298158
I don't think there is a difference all I know I is like Rachael s pot s and pans, also her bake wear. I would recommend that everyone buy them. I have had a lot of different sets of pots and pans but I would her s anytime.
435996
One has a porcelain cook well $50.99 this is the one I purchased. Clean up is easy and I think cleans up as easily as the stainless steel cook well. This would be a matter of personal choice the stainless steel cook well will probably last longer if you intend to use it a lot. I will use it occasionally and so I went with the less expensive one.
320251
I don't believe it is, because it's dishwasher-safe. When I had this pan for a short time, it seemed to be "painted" not anodized.
904702
Our set is about 20 years old so it is not the hard anodized type, just regular stainless. We love ours still.
233785
I was walking through WalMart the other day and found a very good anodized cookware separate pieces and sets. I was surprised but after looking at the pieces found the quality very similar to the set I purchased as a set. Also, of course, Amazon associates may have seperates as well. Good luck!
857330
It's not ceramic and it is far better than any "teflon" like surface. I can't swear it is hard-anodized aluminum but I think it is. The description here on the product shows Hard Anodized and they would not risk false advertising, so I am certain it really is. I only know it is excellent. Not quite as slick as ceramic products, but still, excellent.
149167
Both. Hard-anodized aluminum with a ceramic surface. Handles are stainless steel I believe. I have had these pans for years and they have held up well. The cooking surface is intact - no dings, no scrapes, no peeling, no residue after 4 years of use.
1912864
I hear cast iron is good but I am not a fan of them. I love the Calphalon non stick anodized. Cooks evenly and is a great product!
1850875
Yes these are hard anodized so they don't stick. I use them and love them and never have any issues
379504
I'm not sure. It says it's hard anodize which I think is another compound. I would check with All- Clad for the answer
531577
I've had some Calphalon commercial anodized for years, and cast iron too from Lodge and Wagner. Calphalon says to keep their pans clean for best performance, so seasoning is not recommended. And in any case it doesn't take seasoning like a cast iron does. But, the anodized does seem to "break in" over time. When new the finish feels almost velvety, not soft but it has some texture to it; after several uses and scrubbings that seems to polish away and it feels slicker and "harder." As it breaks in food releases easier, too; the regular anodized never gets to anything like nonstick but once "broken in" food releases and fond deglazes very well. Overall I recommend these pans highly for searing & deglazing, braising etc especially if you will be making an acidic sauce, as unlike cast iron they are nonreactive. The downsides are two: the dark finish makes it harder to see butter, garlic, and etc change color than with a stainless interior, and the wide, flat sautes tend to warp when used on high heat. I've had no issues with warping with the curved-side pans like the omelette and everyday pans.
778424
Buyer Beware, the version sold by "THE SAME DAY SHIPPING COMPANY" (they also go by names such as ****BLACK FRIDAY DEALS**** or ****CYBER MONDAY DEALS**** and are currently called ****Santa Special Buy*****) is NOT the hard-anodized only version of the set. They sell the non-stick version, item # 730384 (available @ Costco for $199 + tax) Make sure you are receiving item # 1800607!
935433
Use and care instruction say not to, but I have been putting my Anolon pot an pans in the dishwasher for 2 years. Still look and work like when I first got them.
1272220
I usually hand wash but if I'm very busy or there's a lot of foodstuff on the rim and exterior, then I'll put in the bottom rack of the dishwasher with the tines down so that they don't rub the surface.I get a little water marking with the washer, but otherwise OK. I'll hand wash 75% of the time with all my teflon or anodized.
191537
You'll definitely scratch the pan. Anodized aluminum is harder than regular aluminum, but not as hard as steel. In general, you should treat it the same way as a non-stick pan (i.e. use rubber or plastic utensils when possible).
1455560
Matt, Thanks for your informative comments. I'd like to ask an experienced Calphalon commercial anodized user if you are aware of any issues with the pans currently being make in China. Lead pollution is so widespread in that unregulated manufacturing environment...I've become wary, if not paranoid. Any thoughts on this?
670652
I'm not sure how the copper hard anodized will hold up because I've only had them a short time. However, I bought them to replace another set of comparable (though non-copper bottomed) Analon non-stick pots and pans and they held up _great_ for eight years of hard use. (I only replaced them because they went with the ex!) I anticipate the same for these.