
List Price: $140.00
Sale Price: $72.66
Today's Bonus: 48% Off

Without a doubt, this is the most versatile piece of cookware I have ever owned.
Let's start with the basic form and shape. This is a deep, steep-sided pan, but rather than being just a simple cylinder like a stock pot, the sides curve upward. The depth allows it to be used as a stock pot (and thanks to the copper core, water boils in it much more quickly than in my stainless steel pots of equivalent size), but the curved sides allow it to be used as a wok or even as a skillet (as long as you don't have to flip things like pancakes). Browning meat for a sauce or soup, sauteing vegetables, or boiling water for pasta all work equally well. Ever since I bought this pan, I've made very little use of my stainless steel pots for anything other than steaming. The lid fits well (and makes a great lid for a 12" skillet too). An added bonus is that this pan isn't so large that it crowds out the adjacent burner.
Fit and finish? As good as it gets. On most pans, the rivet heads inside the pan collect grunge, and if they are coated the coating wears away. However, this pan's rivets are smoothly blended into the inner surface, and are coated with the same nonstick material as the rest of the pan. You have to look hard to even see where they are. The handles are nicely shaped, and the rivets are extremely tight; there's not a trace of wobble or looseness. The domed lid has a mirror-like finish that wipes clean (even if something is cooked right onto it).
Heating performance? Outstanding! I don't have a gas range (pity me!), and have to make do with an ordinary electric cooktop. However, heating is very rapid and uniform even with a craptastic electric burner. The handles don't get too hot (unlike my Calphalon skillets, which seem to be determined to burn my hands), and the bottom (being stainless steel) doesn't get ugly discoloration.
Non-stick surface? Again, excellent. Even after two years of hard use, there's no sign of scratching. I can't say the same for my Calphalon skillet. Mind you, I don't use steel spatulas on -anynonstick surface, but I have no fear about using steel spoons, and I certainly have no worries about anything that could happen inside a dishwasher or incidental contact with silverware. I clean this pan with Scotch Brite kitchen sponges, and it wipes clean without a hint of wear. A little soapy water, a few swipes with the sponge inside and out, rinse it, towel it... 30 seconds from "that tomato sauce is never coming out" to hanging on the hook. Suits my aversion to doing the dishes just fine! I beat the heck out of my cookware, but this pot has held up like a champ.
Value? I certainly got my money's worth. It's a little spendy for casual cooks and for people just getting started in premium cookery, but the versatility and great physical quality more than make up for it. I'm thinking of getting a second one. Anyone want to buy some slightly-used Sur La Table stainless gear cheap?
Try as I might, I can't think of a single negative thing to say about this pan. I'm planning on replacing my other cookware with pots and pans from this series. If they're anything like this pot, it will be the last cookware I ever buy. This is the kind of thing you pass along to your grandchildren.
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This pot is perfect for my portable induction cooktop. I will use this pot mainly for rice and stew recipes. The sloping sides of the saucier make it so easy to turn rice over and to stir stews without any spillages. I wouldn't use metal utensils on it although it's been treated with a tough non-stick interior to withstand that abuse.
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