Calphalon vs. Anolon?

[Mickey is a gyrl]

Long story short (and also because I'm tired and about to go to bed)- DH and I had put Calphalon pots and pans on our registry before we got married. No one purchased the Calphalon items we registered for, and now we get a discount on our registry items that weren't purchased for us.

In September, Consumer Reports came out with an article about cookware. It rated Anolon cookware at about 3 and 4, while Calphalon was rated around 11-13.

Anolon is cheaper and (supposedly) better quality. It's all my mother uses, and I've only heard good things about it. If we want to purchase Anolon items with our registry discount, it has to be registered before we go into the store. We'd like to see if it weighs more, first, though.

So now the big question- is Anolon lighter or heavier than Calphalon? I suppose we could register for the Anolon, as well, and just purchase it when we get there, but I don't really want to put two sets of pots and pans on our registry. It just feels weird to me.

[ElectricBarbarella]

I will just add this conundrum for you: My mother swears by her calphalon. She has no other pot in her house but Calphalon pots/pans.

I am not familiar with Anolon, but her pots are very heavy. Especially the stock pot and frying pan.

[Banrion]

I am also not familiar with Analon, but I have a few select pieces of Calphalon that I love. I am slowly building that collection a couple pieces at a time. Even my saucepan that is not non-stick, is very easy to clean, and I have not had any sticking issues with it.

[NayShel]

I have a Calphalon roasting pan that I love. And it's not heavy at all. The only thing I don't like about it is that the removable rack isn't non-stick so that part is a bitch to clean but a little soaking in soapy water and elbow grease does the trick.

[CSGirl]

Originally Posted by Banrion

I am also not familiar with Analon, but I have a few select pieces of Calphalon that I love. I am slowly building that collection a couple pieces at a time. Even my saucepan that is not non-stick, is very easy to clean, and I have not had any sticking issues with it.

This is what we're doing, also. We've got about 4 pieces so far. (Small setback when Gizmo knocked a saucepan off the counter and dented it ). My parents have a full set, so it's what I'm used to. I'm not familiar with it either, but I love Calphalon, and I would always go with what I know is good.

Also, I love that stores still let you add to your registry. We bought some furniture at Target after the wedding, added it all to our registry and got a nice discount.

ETA: I don't see the problem with adding both before you go to the store. People probably aren't buying off it anymore, and if you think they are, add it right before you leave, and remove which every one you don't get as soon as you get home. *shrug*

[Banrion]

Originally Posted by CSGirl

This is what we're doing, also. We've got about 4 pieces so far. (Small setback when Gizmo knocked a saucepan off the counter and dented it ). My parents have a full set, so it's what I'm used to. I'm not familiar with it either, but I love Calphalon, and I would always go with what I know is good.

You do know that the Outlet mall in Wrentham has a Calphalon outlet right? You can pick up discontinued items, factory seconds, as well as first run stuff on overstock. Not everything in the store is a bargain, but they can be found.

[CSGirl]

Originally Posted by Banrion

You do know that the Outlet mall in Wrentham has a Calphalon outlet right? You can pick up discontinued items, factory seconds, as well as first run stuff on overstock. Not everything in the store is a bargain, but they can be found.

Yup! When we have the money to buy more (and replace the dented pot lol) that's where we'll be going. Until then, we stay out (we were nearby not long ago, but I can't remember why) because I'm not sure we could go in and look and not buy.

[niner]

I have a set of Calphalon pots & pans that I got back in 2000, I think, and I'm generally happy with them. They're good thick metal and have worked well on both electric and gas stoves (mostly gas, though). Right now, they are showing some pitting in the nonstick coating, but I think that's more due to the shorter lifetime of nonstick coatings. I'm starting to get disillusioned with them, since it seems like nonstick coatings don't seem to be able to make it past a decade, whereas stainless steel is essentially lifetime cookware.

Henry