Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Cook and Pour Saucepan with Cover Review

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I use this pan mainly for chai and I've found it to be just right for this. To make it you need to boil water and milk together. A common problem in this is that some milk tends to stick on at the bottom of pan if it's too thin--especially with stainless. This pan however has a 3-ply reinforced bottom that's actually quite substantial (more than other pans I have with this feature), which ensures even heating and minimized this sticking effect, making cleanup easy. Further, since it's all metal (no bakelite handles), you can conveniently throw it in the dishwasher with no problems.

The pouring spout works well. Riveted handle is a sturdy feature. Glass lid with tall lip has 2 straining sides which adds versatility, and you can seal off steam escape at the spout completely by just turning the lid.

One word about another reviewer's comment on the thin sides... This isn't a Le Creuset pot or an All-Clad full 3-ply sauce pan--but it's not intended to be. This isn't a product flaw. Bottom line, consider what you want to use a pan for before buying. This pan does not have reinforced sides, but has a very well-reinforced bottom. These features might be good for some applications but not for others. If the sides on this pan seem to be thinner than on any other typical stainless steel pan, it's because the edge cuts off flush and doesn't have the ubiquitous rolled lip, which gives an illusion of greater thickness than is actually there. I think they do this because the flush cut makes the pan more drip-free for pouring, as liquid does not tend to cling to the rolled lip and drip back down the edge of the pot.

... I've found this is also a great pan for making rice.

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I have owned both the 2-quart and 3-quart versions.

I bought them for cooking pasta, mainly.

I like that they're stainless steel, and they are easy to clean except for a little protuding metal screwhead (or something) which sticks out into the pot. This takes a little extra work to ensure it's clean (compared with easy-to-scrub flat stainless steel), especially if you cook or pour something which makes contact with it.

Despite that little annoyance, the 2-quart works well for cooking and draining a small amount of pasta, for two people. It holds heat evenly.

However, I found the 3-quart is kind of heavy when it has a lot of water and pasta inside. Draining something using the lid requires quite a lot of time in which you have to tilt and shake it. Getting the last bit of water out requires you to hold it upside down. The pot is probably too heavy for many people to lift and tilt and shake to the degree you need to in order to drain pasta from the relatively small draining spout.

For this reason, I would use a strainer with the 3-quart model, defeating the purpose of the straining lid.

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I love this pan. We cook a lot of pasta and there's no need for a separate colander with the built-in pour spout and straining holes in the side of the lid. It's a good size and I use it for other foods also. I have a smooth top electric stove, and don't have the concerns the gas stove users report. I have only good things to say about this pan.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Cook and Pour Saucepan with Cover

I love this pan. It heats evenly and quickly. I made the most perfect gravy I have ever made in the pan. I also use it for custards and other types of sauces. As good as a professional saucier. Incredible value. Cover is a nice addition. It also fits my 4 1/2 qt. sauce pan as well. Great value, great pan, what's not to like!

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This pot is terrific! I use it so much more than I ever thought I would. It is large enough to cook ample amounts of pasta, yet is still small enough to be able to hold and drain with one hand. I love the pour spout and straining lid. No more need to dirty a collander!