Calphalon or Pampered Chef Cookware?

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I am looking to get a double burner griddle and some pieces of cookware. Calphalon and Pampered Chef seem to be pretty close in price on most pieces but I have never used either brand.

Which one is the better of the 2? Anyone have an opinion?

 

[Mi3stooges]

I don't have a griddle, but do own Calphalon. (I love their products very much) I think either one would be fine and both companies back their product 100%. Look to see if one would fit your stove better, or easier to clean or store! Maybe your due for a new stove soon, how would it come in to play??!!!
Good luck!

 

[CherylA]

I vote Calphalon. Their products are great. Pampered Chef pans are okay but overpriced IMHO.

 

[mking624]

I'm personally an All-Clad fan, but if I had to chosoe between the two, I'd definitely pick Calphalon. As much as I love PC products, Calphalon is definitely a higher quality brand.

 

[Hensandchickens]

Pampered Chef Cookware is made by Meyer. Meyer also makes Circulon. I recently bought a really nice Circulon pan at Ross Dress for Less for $10.99. I also see Calphalon (and other good brands) at Ross and TJ Maxx. I would go for Calphalon, unless your getting a really great deal from Pampered Chef. My sister was a consultant for PC and she has had the cookwear for years and it's holding up good. I think Calphalon is better cookware, you see it used on food shows a lot.

 

[staceyfe]

I owned a couple of pc cookware, and I love them. The thing that attracts me is the lifetime guarantee. All I need to do is contact a pc consultant, and it's a no hassle replacement (I've done this before w/ stoneware). But, they may be more expensive than Calphalon. I've recently been looking at Calphalon to add pieces.

 

[disneysteve]

Keep in mind that Calphalon makes several different product lines and they are not all of the same quality. For example, the budget line they sell at Target is not the same as the higher grade they sell at specialty shops like Williams-Sonoma. Also, they make regular anodized aluminum, non-stick aluminum and I think 2 or 3 different lines of stainless steel. For a griddle, I'd recommend the commercial non-stick line. That's what we've got. I don't recall what we paid, though, as we've had it for a number of years. We used to have a regular anodized griddle but it was far too hard to use and clean. For other cookware, we have the tri-ply stainless set and we love it. We got the set at Bed, Bath and Beyond last year for $350.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I purchased the best cookware ever from Costco a couple of years ago. It was on one of their road shows and is Ameriware (made by Volrath). It is totally non-stick...you can melt a piece of cheese in the pan and slide it out with a piece of bread! I have been using them everyday and they still look as good as the day I opened the box (I do handwash them though). If you are a member, they sell the product from time to time, you just have to watch for it.

 

[funnygarcia]

Never tried Pampered Chef but I do like my one Caphalon pan (Target clearance.. Simply Caphalon style). Very even heating, heavy weght and washes up well.. however the cheap versions at Target are not as good (the surface of mine is scratched up after 5 years) and look forward to plunking down money on the commercail non stick.

Amazon has the commerical non stick on sale frequently

 

[oldkeywestfan]

Keep in mind that Calphalon makes several different product lines and they are not all of the same quality. QUOTE]

Very good point. We owned the "basic" set of Calphalon and it was just pretty average. When it was time to replace them we asked our neighbor who is a professional chef what the best product was. He led us to the Calphalon pro series non stick. 7 yrs old now and still like new.

 

[mking624]

Very good point. We owned the "basic" set of Calphalon and it was just pretty average. When it was time to replace them we asked our neighbor who is a professional chef what the best product was. He led us to the Calphalon pro series non stick. 7 yrs old now and still like new.

That's how my All-Clads are. We got the top of the line one (Copper Core) whichis EXPENSIVE (one 8 qt pot was nearly $300), but it's well worth it. Heats and cooks incredibly evenly, but with all my "beating" I give it, it still is like brand new.

 

[T. Lynn]

Wow, I was going to post the same question.

I noticed the Calphalon had different series and was also wondering what is good for Glass Top Stoves? Also, do they contain glass lids so you can see thru them? I had 2 other sets (not Calphalon obviously) from Walmart and both sets ended up pealing on the inside and I'm tired of it.

The Pampered Chef has the new Executive Line which has a lifetime guarantee and I'm hosting a class later this year and didn't know what to get. This set can be purchased for $285, which is the 1/2 prices hostess cost.

Isn't a good Calphalon set much more?

 

[kelleigh1]

I am a PC consultant, so my opinion may not matter to some. But I'll add my 2 cents anyway.

Before I became a consultant, the only cookware I had from Pampered Chef was the double burner griddle. I actually got it for just $25 because of a special they were having for hosts, so I was able to get it so cheaply.

After becoming a consultant, I earned additional pieces and I have to say, I love them! I have had no issues with them. Cleaning is a breeze!

And then there is the lifetime guarantee. My sister purchased her set years ago, and dropped one of her pots several months ago. She returned it and had it replaced with no problem, no questions asked. For that reason, I believe in the Pampered Chef cookware.

They did recently introduce a 3rd line of cookware, which is supposed to be even higher quality than the others. Everything I own is from the middle level line - Professional. Seriously, I do love these pans.

It's been my experience that the cookware special is during January or February each year. But if you host a show (and you qualify), you can actually get a complete set at half-price. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I won't try to sell you anything and I'm guessing that you probably already have a consultant that you'd order through if you do decide to go that route. I'd just be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.

 

[BethR]

Let me ask a question. I have a set of stainless steel/ aluminum clad Farberware that I got when I was married 25 years ago. My mother has the same set (a few different sizes) that she got 48 years ago. Both sets - my mother's and mine - look great even after all of the years. I could buy a similar set now for about $150 - and probably less if spent some time looking. Although they do not have non-stick coatings, I buy a new non-stick frying pan for about $10 every couple of years and toss it out when the coating is shot.

I am just curious, is there a good reason for anyone to spend so much more money on these high end products, if what I have has lasted so long?

 

[kelleigh1]

If you want a quality non-stick pan, you'd want to go with either the high-level Calphalon or Pampered Chef. They will withstand the test of time. If you don't want non-stick, then what you have is fine and I agree, if it were me, I'd probably just stick with that.

None of my Pampered Chef pans have flaked or lost a bit of their non-stick coating, no matter what I've done to them. I've never taken a fork, knife or steel wool to them, but I'm not extra cautious with them either. And seriously, I've never been so happy to clean a pan. A co-worker did mention that she actually has a scratch in the non-stick coating of hers. I told her she could return it because of the lifetime guarantee and she said it's not a problem and it still works great, so she didn't want to return it.

 

[disneysteve]

I have a set of stainless steel/ aluminum clad Farberware that I got when I was married 25 years ago. My mother has the same set (a few different sizes) that she got 48 years ago. Both sets - my mother's and mine - look great even after all of the years. I could buy a similar set now for about $150

I am just curious, is there a good reason for anyone to spend so much more money on these high end products, if what I have has lasted so long?

The set you can buy today for under $150 is most likely not of the same quality as the set you got 25 years ago. Stuff just isn't made as well anymore. At least that's been my experience. Trust me. The Calphalon set we bought in December is at least my 3rd or 4th set since I left home in the late 80's. I never wanted to spend the higher price but we finally realized it was the only way to get something that would really hold up and cook well.

All of that said, it depends on the user. As with most consumer goods, most people really don't need the high end stuff. I have a cheap stereo because I don't notice the difference enough to pay more. But DW and I both love to cook and truly do see the difference between that $100 set and the $400 set of cookware. For the average everyday user, it probably isn't worth the difference.

 

[BethR]

For the average everyday user, it probably isn't worth the difference.

And just WHAT are you trying to say, Steve?

 

[crjack]

The set you can buy today for under $150 is most likely not of the same quality as the set you got 25 years ago. Stuff just isn't made as well anymore. At least that's been my experience. Trust me. The Calphalon set we bought in December is at least my 3rd or 4th set since I left home in the late 80's. I never wanted to spend the higher price but we finally realized it was the only way to get something that would really hold up and cook well.

All of that said, it depends on the user. As with most consumer goods, most people really don't need the high end stuff. I have a cheap stereo because I don't notice the difference enough to pay more. But DW and I both love to cook and truly do see the difference between that $100 set and the $400 set of cookware. For the average everyday user, it probably isn't worth the difference.

I have a set of Faberware that we got as a shower gift 15 years ago. Overall it had held up fine and I also had some non-stick pieces to supplement the set.

We remodeled our kitchen recently, however, and replaced everything including our very old stove. I also love to cook and was thrilled to be using my new appliances but all of a sudden I started to burn more food than ever!

The burners on our new stove are much stronger and the bottom of my pans just can't handle the heat no matter how much adjusting I make.

I am getting a set of Calpholon at BBB or Linens and Things and using the 20% off coupons that they always mail out.

I also bought myself a very nice set of Henkels knives when we got married using an employee discount at a kitchen store where I worked part-time. 15 years later they are still as good a new. Henkels also makes many different grades of knives and although they are good, the ones I see at BJ's, etc. are not the same grade. I picked knives as an "investment piece" starting out because I knew I would always use them. We'll eat off of paper plates as long as the food is good!

 

[T. Lynn]

I've finally found the same set as my MIL. She has a nice set of stainless steel pots/pan on the inside & outside. She's had them for years and they still look brand new.

I was out shopping the other day and found a set while looking to replace my microwave (can you say that I got distracted?). I immediately called her and she told me to "grab them" and tell DH that my set with non-stick are a piece of junk and to toss them. I came home and DH asked me if I got a microwave and I told him that I got pots/pans there instead because his mommy told me so. He said "yeah, blame it on my mom" and laughed but she's since called him and confirmed it was true.

The set is nice and flat on the bottom for cooking on my flat-top stove, have glass lids and soft grips on the lids and handles. I always loved my MIL's set but was never unable to find them. My new set also has a LIFETIME guarantee and it saves me from spending $285 with pampered chef. Now I can't wait to cook something tonight and not have to worry about the non-stick coming off.

PS - Oh, and I did go to Home Depot and found a microwave there.

 

[DisFlan]

I've had a set of the Calphalon "Pro" (heavy, non-stick) for nearly ten years, and we've added several pieces over the years. I LOVE it. The non-stick coating has NOT scratched at all (and lord knows, my DH has tried). They've held up beautifully. They heat up and cook like a dream. I wouldn't trade them for something else.

Both my DIL and my sister have sets of the lighter weight non-stick Calphalon line, and while they aren't QUITE as nice as mine, they're still pretty darned good. They're both very happy with them.

DisFlan