Discount Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Stockpot with Cover

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List Price: $80.00
Sale Price: $42.49
Today's Bonus: 47% Off

I recently purchased this 12qt stockpot with a pasta insert and cover, and I couldn't be more pleased. The pot is beautifully made, with very confortable handles (another reviewer noted the finger grips -a nice touch) and the lid fits perfectly.

I used it for the first time to cook 2 chickens and make stock. Both chickens fit easily in the pot, yet allowed enough space for adequate water. It was very easy to bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to a very slow simmer, just a bubble or two breaking the surface. I used the simmer burner on my gas stove, and for the first time was able to maintain a simmer with the lid tightly on. With my old stockpot (large enough for only one chicken) even with the simmer burner at the lowest setting I could not maintain a simmer with the lid tightly on the pot.

The pasta insert made it a breeze to remove the chickens when they were cooked, and reduce the stock while I picked the meat off the bones and returned the bones to the pot in the insert to cook longer, more fully flavoring the broth. Removing the insert removed the bones and other parts, making straining the stock a simple one-step process. This same process with the pasta insert will make blanching vegetables from the garden MUCH easier and faster, and I'm looking forward to freezing the veggies from next summer's garden.

The pot is weighty and solid, yet With a full pot of water I can still lift and carry it, which I could never manage with an All-Clad 12qt stockpot.

I like this pot so much I just today ordered the Chef's Classic 7 piece set with bonus 2 1/2 qt sautee pan. I can hardly wait to have a lobster feed and sacrifice some of Maine's finest lobsters in this pot, served with sides cooked up in pots from my new set. I highly reccomend this stockpot and this cookware line.

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No I don't need the huge several gallon type pot that I use to use when my family was at home, but this is just the right size to fit and boil corn, asparagus, and the chicken for soup or stew.

The handles are very comfortable and they really DON'T get hot. It, along with my other very small Cuisinart Chef pot are the only items I can ever recall that got a comment from my husband saying.. Whatever you paid for this it was worth it.

And he doesn't cook.. just puts the food away.

Cleans up well and I don't have to worry about scratching some coating or other.

I like it. It is very functional and nice looking..can't beat that.

Best Deals for Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Stockpot with Cover

This review is very similar to one I wrote for another item in the Classic line, because the flaws I mention are endemic to the design of this particular series.

These pots come with a cover that seals if desired (using steam to form the seal). That's a plus, for further cooking process while the burner is off.

Another plus is that it heats evenly, and stays very warm even after sitting away from the burner for a while. (Five stars for this feature.)

The quality of the material is great and the pot is easy to clean in that it is made of stainless steel.

I do definitely like the weight of these Cuisinart pots; regardless of which line they're from. The Classic line is a bit heavier than the Everyday line. The Classic has a thicker bottom. (Another five star feature.)

But, it does have its flaws. The negatives have to do with the rivets, which are large to the point of absurdity. The rivets on a one and a half-quart saucepan, are the same size as those on this eight-quart stockpot. I was raised with riveted pots, and the rivets were never an intrusion back then. They were flatter and smaller, and they held just fine.

A very large, sturdy rivet makes sense with cookware that is designed to hold extreme weight. This pot simply isn't that big.

The rivets on the cover make it more difficult to clean because they stick up. The way they're attached on the outside of the cover is sloppy, and unnecessarily bulky. The outer fasteners holding the cover's rivets, catch on sponges and cloths, and irritate me no end.

In the case of this pot, one of the rivets leaks. Not only is it annoying, but it raises questions in my mind regarding sanitation. If it can leak, it means that small amounts of liquidy foods can plant themselves between the rivets and the interior side of the pot. That's not good.

Unless the level you're filling the pot is to be fairly low, the ingredients will probably have contact with the rivets. In the case of a stockpot, boiling at some point is usual, and contact is then, most likely inevitable.

I rarely use this pot. It doesn't hold a candle to the five quart Cuisinart stockpot I bought here. THAT pot is a dream. See the next paragraph for my rave (between the asterisks) about it.

This is not a cruel and unusual complaint, but a statement of fact. I am surprised that a company like Cuisinart would be so careless in design. *Another item, from a different line of theirs, the Everyday line, is the best pot I've ever owned, and that includes my Le Creuset ware. * See my review of that item for comparison, if desired.

Knowing what I do about this item, I would not buy it again. I got it here on special for under $30.00. A bargain price to be sure. But it sits in a cupboard untouched, because I simply hate the way it's made.

The handles get very hot. The handles on both the saucepot of this line, and the stockpot of the Everyday line DO NOT get hot.

I'm a cook of the old school. I always use potholders, no matter what kind of handles there are on cookware. Just a habit of mine, but it's a good one to cultivate.

There is one case where I will/do use this pot, and that is for making thick, dried bean recipes. It's very well made in terms of material weight/thickness, and the composition of the bottom, which is almost as good as cast iron, such as you, have with Le Cruset. For the purpose of slow cooking as with many dried bean recipes, it's fine.

If this pot were available in the Cuisinart Everyday line, I'd jump on it like greased lightning, and give this one to the Salvation Army thrift store.

As a postscript to this comment, I must say that these pots are covered by a good warranty, and if it were not so much of a hassle for me to return the pot that leaks, I'm sure I'd get another one from Cuisinart with no problem. If I had paid more for it than I did, I would go to the trouble of returning it. I do perceive Cuisinart to be a very reputable company.

Honest reviews on Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Stockpot with Cover

You can spend easily $200.00 and more for a pot this size, but why do that if you can buy this Cuisinart for less than one fifth of that. It has the same 18/10 stainless, the same bolted handles, the same tight fitting covers, but not the same price. The encapsulated aluminum disc bottom does the trick. Heat rises from the bottom of the pan to the top which means this type of pan will heat up just as fast and just as well as the competitors $200.00 pan will and at a fraction of the price. The Cuisinart was top rated in the leading consumer magazine just a short time ago and they take no ads and answer to no one.

If you have money to waste, spend $200.00 or more on the leading competition's pot, but if you's rather not blow the extra $150.00 then buy the Cuisinart.

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As the others have said, this is a well made and attractive piece of cookware. The aluminum disc in the bottom provides for very even heat distribution. The heavy stainless steel construction helps to retain heat in the pot rather than sending it out into the room. I was able to maintain a low simmer for over six hours with my electric stove near its lowest possible setting. I'm very pleased with the performance of this pot.

If you happen to get a defective one like one of the other reviewers, you should be able to return it to any reputable store that sells this item, even if you don't have a receipt. The pamphlet that came with it specifically mentioned that you could do this in California and I can't help but think the big chains that carry Cuisinart would do the same thing no matter where you are.

Cheap Camp Chef True Seasoned Aebleskiver Cast Iron Pan

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List Price: $22.50
Sale Price: $22.49
Today's Bonus: $0.01 Off

This is an awesome Aebleskiver pan. Very solid, and non-stick starting with the very first batch. The pan distributes heat very evenly, resulting in perfectly round golden balls which are delicious I used some of the recipes which came with the pan, and added various fillings in the middle (chocolate chips, finely chopped apples, Japanese red bean paste...etc). Great value for a pan which will last forever.

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I saw aebleskivers made on an episode of Diner's Drive-Ins and Dives and they looked really good and like a fun breakfast idea for the kids. I Watched several Youtube videos on the subject to see what style of pan I should get since there are several out there to choose from. This style looked best and was well-reviewed on Amazon so I ordered it. The price was very good for the quality and the pan was well-packed and arrived quickly. The fact that it came preseasoned allowed me to use it right away. I bought a bamboo "stick" to turn them but it definately is NOT as easy as it looks on the videos I saw. Forget about trying to turn them 4 times! I add a bit of butter to the each depression and then quickly add the batter before the butter gets too hot and burns. Once they start to cook you have to wait until just the right minute to try and turn them. Too soon and you'll just poke holes through them. Too late and they will be burned but I've found that it takes longer than it seems like is should before they are just right and ready to be turned. I could try a hotter pan to reduce the cooking time but that would increase the rick of burning. When the one side has cooked enough they easily come away from the edges of the pan. Rather than try to turn them 4 times I turn them completely over just once. They still come out round and it is MUCH less of a hassle. I've experimented with adding apples which was delicious and blueberries which was also good. I sprinkle them with powdered sugar when I put them on the plate and then dip them in syrup as I eat them. I've also seen people sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. The whole family loves them. I've been using Krusteze pancake mix to make them and it works great. Actually tastes different than a pancake made with the same mix. Overall, this is a great pan and makes a really neat breakfast dish to impress your family and friends. Just remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to getting them "just right".

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Although my family on my Mom's side is Danish, and I spent a lot of time on the farms in Iowa as a kid, I had never had an Æbleskiver until about 3 years ago, at a family reunion. My cousin, who was doing most of the organizing of the trip, had said we would have to have Æbleskivers and Medisterpolse. I didn't have a clue as to what she was talking about. She said she would buy me a pan, so I could make some too. Well, I was game for that.

Anyhow, to make a long story short, I got the pan, learned out to make those delicious little pancake balls and have enjoyed them ever since. Making up for all those lost years. Unfortunately, I lost the pan. I don't know how. I don't know where, but I lost the pan.

So, on to my favorite on-line store, Amazon.com. And I found this pan. I just got it today, and it is perfect. Just like the one my cousin gave me. It is pre-seasoned, so it's ready to go. Some of the other pans I saw, the little holes didn't look deep enough, and some of the pics showed rather flat looking "balls". Æbleskivers are supposed to be ball shaped, not flying saucer shaped. This one will do the trick. The holes are deep and when you flip these things, they are going to come out the way they're supposed to. I also read of some being small, and so I compared the size, and some did look to be small. This one is a perfect fit over my gas stove.

Unfortunately, I'll not be cooking any until at least next weekend, but I am certainly looking forward to more Æbleskivers in my new pan.

Recommended purchase. Oh, yeah, I'd recommend Æbleskiver and More: A Sampling of Danish Recipes to go a long with it. If you're going to pay shipping on a $22.50 pan, you might as well get something for it, and that book has a lot of neat recipes in it.

Honest reviews on Camp Chef True Seasoned Aebleskiver Cast Iron Pan

I purchased this pan because I wanted a cast iron aebleskiver pan that featured the skirt around the bottom of the pan to help trap the heat from a gas stove. I could not find the country of origin on this listing or on the Sante company's website (Camp Chef). I gambled and bought it, hoping that it would be of U.S. manufacture.

Unfortunately, this pan is made in China. Since Chinese manufacturers find a way to adulterate just about everything they make from children's toys (lead), to food (carcinogens & chemicals), to drywall (noxious odors), to hardware (poor materials and casting), I am not willing potentially to gamble my health by cooking on this pan. I don't know if cast iron itself can be adulterated in a manner that would cause it to be unhealthy, but if there is a way, some Chinese manufacturers would do it if it lowered production costs. Certainly the coating used for the factory "pre-seasoning" could. Even if there are no health issues, if poor quality cast iron is used, a pan may heat less evenly and consistently than it would with high-grade cast iron. Moreover, cast iron made in China and sold under Paula Dean's name was recalled because it was cracking or shattering when exposed to heat.

In any event, the pan was returned. I purchased in its stead a reasonably priced 1950's-era Griswold brand pan at an online auction which is well-made (in the US) and has a much smoother surface which makes it easier to season. It also has some character as well. The Lodge Pro cast iron Aebleskiver Pan is Made in the USA Lodge Pro-Logic Cast-Iron Aebleskiver Pan, but the casting is, in my opinion, very rough much rougher than the cast iron in the 1950's Griswold pan. The Aunt Else Cast Iron Pan is also Made in the USA Aunt Else's Aebleskiver Pan & Mix, but I have not seen one and thus cannot speak to its quality.

For those not deterred by the Made in China label, the casting on the Sante pan seems consistent and the finish of the product is without metal burrs. The pan is relatively heavy, which is a plus from the heat retention standpoint. The actual pan dimensions are not listed in this Amazon page or on the Sante company's website (Camp Chef), so I list them here for those wishing to compare pan sizes as: 9 1/4 inches in diameter, 1 1/2 inches tall with aebleskiver "indents" or depressions that are 2 1/8 inches in diameter and about 1 1/4 inches deep in the middle.

Lastly, if you want to make Aebleskiver the proper way where the result is a round, puffy ball rather than a slightly puffed, patty shape, do an internet search for an online video made by the Solvang Restaurant which will walk you through the process. In essence, it consists of making four, partial turns of the Aebleskiver. as the Aebleskiver is lifted a bit and turned partially, the batter flows down to make that part of the ball. Ignore the rest of the videos out there that shown a single flip of the Aebleskiver unless you want a non-traditional, flatter, slightly denser product or you want to use a filling that would run out into the cup or mold with multiple, partial turns.

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I priced pans locally and on-line and this one had the best price for the size and quality. We've used it several times and it heats up well and evenly---even on my electric cooktop. It came seasoned and ready to go. You'll want to purchase the handle hot pad.

Review of Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 13-1/4-Quart Round French

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List Price: $490.00
Sale Price: $435.95
Today's Bonus: 11% Off

La Crueset enameled cast iron pots are expensive, but durable and nonstick. This pot looks beautiful, and a few of my friends have admired it. I've used it half a dozen times with excellent results. Crucial to success is familiarity with cast iron heat control. Heat the pot first at medium, not higher. Put your oil or butter and wait till it's hot, then put whatever you're cooking. Stir only with nonmetal implements, not to scratch the enamel. After adding braising or stewing liquid, be it soup, wine or tomatoe sauce, you can raise the heat above medium. Once it boils, lower the heat to low and braise. The results are excellent and predictable. I haven't been disappointed once. This is my second La Crueset pot. Once again, heat control is key to enjoying these pots. It's different from the regular pots and pans in that regard.

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I couldn't live without this dutch oven. I use it almost everyday and for almost everything I cook: soups, casseroles, stews, braising large cuts of meat. Even if I'm cooking a smaller amount of something that doesn't necessarily require such a large size pot it is wonderful because it allows for experimentation and adding additional ingredients without worrying about having to change to a larger pot. Recently I was making bread and broke my clay Romertof and used the Le Creuset to bake the bread. It was the best loaf I've ever baked, perhaps because the heavy lid seals so well. Just be sure to change out to the higher temp lid knob for high-heat oven use. The only drawback, as another reviewer mentioned, is that the diameter is larger than most stove top burners and that causes crowding on the stove top with other pots. However, you won't have a heat distribution problem with the Le Crueset, even if the bottom extends farther than the ring of the range burner, provided you bring the pot up to temp slowly, and as recommended.

Best Deals for Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 13-1/4-Quart Round French

Where do I start, maybe the price, got such a deal on a "used" Le Creuset. The oven was brand new, except the box was a little bent but who cares about the box! Saved almost 50% off the "new" price.

Cooked with it the first day we received it, the braised oxtail browned perfectly and braised for 4 hours. Yummy.

Already thinking of other dishes to make with the new French oven.

A bit on the heavy side but this will last forever if we take care of it. Thank goodness I have a farmer's sink so there is no problem fitting in the sink.

Will always look at the "used" items now before paying full price.

Honest reviews on Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 13-1/4-Quart Round French

Le Creuset is amazing (I have four of these) but make sure you know how big this thing is. ITS HUGE! We have a conventional cooktop and this guy just barely fits on the cooktop with smaller pans around it.

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No regret I got this size, this is what I need for big cooking. Our family is big and when we gather for a get together, I will not think twice to double my recipe.

I always wanted to have this french oven, I just enjoy slow cooking and surely this casserole is great deal!

Discount Wallace Dark Walnut Single Drawer Chest, 14.7 Inches

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List Price: $90.00
Sale Price: $63.79
Today's Bonus: 29% Off

I looked at a lot of other chests before deciding on this one and am so glad that I did. I think it's a beautiful chest at a bargain price. A lot of the others I looked at were basically the same exact thing for twice the price.

The finish however is a little different looking than the photo; in the picture it looks very very dark, almost black like a wenge finish, but it's a very dark brown with a very small hint of a cherry-like finish to it. Still very nice looking though.

*Note* Amazon has updated this photo, so it's now an accurate picture of the finish/color of the chest. At the time I purchased and wrote this review, it was a different/inaccurate photo.*

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This silverware chest is sturdy, nice, and fits the silverware well. My butter knives were big and bulky but fit fine in the butterknife slots. The finish is just nice too. The drawer slides well. Would reccomend. Worth the $47 I paid.

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I ordered this chest to store my antique silver flatware in. The picture does not correctly depict the chest I received. The finish on the chest is much lighter than pictured and it is cheap looking. The appliances/hardware on the chest is not what is in the picture either; they are cheap and very rough with corrosion of some sort. The inside of the chest is decent in size and adequate for the most part -but the rest of the issues make it not worth the price. If your wanting something of good quality, this is not it. I will be returning it.

Honest reviews on Wallace Dark Walnut Single Drawer Chest, 14.7 Inches

Excellent buy for the price. Fits flatware for 12 comfortably. Room in the lid for knives, room in the base for dinner forks and spoons and the drawer has room for small forks and tea spoons. There would still be room left for a hostess set also.

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I contacted many of our local furniture and jewelry stores trying to find a silverware chest for my grandmother's silverware that was recently passed down to me. I had no success until I tried Amazon. There were dozens available. This chest is just beautiful, very well made with a high quality finish. The lining is plush and grandma's silverware fits perfectly. And the cost is very reasonable. I would highly recommend this silverware chest.

Best Demeyere Atlantis 4.2-Quart Sauté Pan with Lid Deals

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This is the third pan I have in this line. Very responsive ready to go to the races. First thing cooked in it came out great. Added the oil to the pan when it was cold. Cleanup was easy.

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worth the price-it is very heavy, but you can tell it will last a lifetime. nice storage cloth to store as well.

Cheap Anolon Ultra Clad Stainless Steel 12" Covered Deep Skillet

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List Price: $130.00
Sale Price: $100.48
Today's Bonus: 23% Off

I was looking for months at cookware. Been to many stores (W&S, Sur La Table, etc). I knew I wanted fully clad cookware. My options came down to All Clad, Henkels, and some others. However, what I really needed was just a deep skillet, and I could find only 2, a Caphalon non-stick, and this Anolon. I chose the Anolon because it was clad stainless steel.

One thing I really like about this pan is the handle. Very comfortable curve and silicone grip. The domed top also is convenient.

However, the black ribbon on the outside, while kinda cool looking, I think Anolon just put it there to save money on the stainless steel.

The pan was not as heavy as I thought it would be, at least compared to a similarly sized/spec'd All Clad pan. What this tells me is that the aluminum core is very thin. Which is obvious if you compare it to an actual All Clad pan. The All Clad (I'm talking Stainless or LTD) is much thicker and heftier. Now, all this could be rendered moot if the performance was great.....

The performance is not great. For starters, after the VERY FIRST time I used it, there were burn marks on the bottom. I have one of those glass cook tops and I set it to medium, and when I was cleaning the pan, I noticed several burn marks on the bottom. Continuing, after searing some steaks, and washing the pan, it left an outline of the steaks. I scrubbed as much as I could, but it wouldn't go away. However, since then, and cooking many other things, either the outline went away, or there were so many other outlines that it is just one hazy mess. Lastly, heat retention is not great. Just yesterday, I was searing some small hunks of beef to make a pasta sauce. The hunks were about 1 inch cubes, or so. The first couple sizzled when I put them on, but as I put more on, they stopped sizzling. The meat was room temp. None of the pieces were seared very well. They browned, but I couldn't get that crusty sear I was going for. Plus, when I was making the sauce, the sides didn't seem very hot. I was able to see my sauce bubbling, but only at the center. Maybe my expectations were too high. I was expecting to see the entire pan bubbling because of heat radiating from the sides.

Overall, while the shape is exactly what I am looking for, I would not recommend this pan to anyone. If you want the same shape (a hybrid of a skillet and saute pan) and you want stainless, this is really your only option. However (I've used the word a lot in this review) if you don't need that particular shape, look somewhere else. I bought a small saucepan from Henkels, and that also has a great handle, and is much thicker, clad, stainless, and performs well. For the price (about 80% as much as an All Clad 12" saute, but more expensive than a Henkels 12" saute) you lose performance. However, the All Clads are made in the USA, and the Henkels are made in China. You pay for made in USA, though (and I hate, Hate, HATE the All Clad handles). If you want to really splurge, go for some Vikings or Demeyers.

Out of all the options, I think Henkels gives you the best value for your money, if you are looking for clad, stainless cookware.

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Heavy yes, cooks evenly yes, pricey yes, quality very good, clean up easy, would I purchase again? Absolutely! Amazon has not let me down in over 2 years including a easy return policy.

Short review but honest.

Review of All-Clad E9077964AMZ Pasta Pot with Mesh Insert and Stainless

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List Price: $220.00
Sale Price: $171.02
Today's Bonus: 22% Off

For what it is, it is way over priced. My husband knowing I prefer All Clad stainless cookware bought this for me from the Williams-Sonoma website for $112.00, but sad to say, the quality, fit and finish are of much lessor quality than my older All Clad pots and pans that were all manufactured in the USA.

My friend has a 4 piece set of the Excelsteel 8 Quart, 18/10 Stainless Steel brand that she paid less than $35.00 for and it is made in China, and her brand and my All Clad brand have the same quality, weight, and finish.

The All Clad brand for me now is just another cheap Chinese made piece of deficient cookware that has finally followed all of the other, what used to be USA manufactured, top quality kitchenware, into the abyss of junk.

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I have used many pasta pots and found this pot to be of the best quality yet. The Pot has a heavy clad bottom for perfect distribution of heat with the remainder consisting of high quality stainless steel and heavy duty handles. The insert is also high quality stainless steel mesh supported by stainless steel framework. This mesh is considerably easier to clean than those inserts which are made by a series of holes. I have already used this pot for pasta and soups many times and just love it. The ladle is also heavy duty polished stainless steel and which is also of great quality.

Reviews of Simply Calphalon Nonstick 12" Jumbo Fryer

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List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $33.99
Today's Bonus: 32% Off

for those of you with glass or ceramic stove tops: this pan does not stay flat! It is fine when cold, but once heated (even to medium), it starts warping. Still fries fine, but the heat will not be distributed as evenly as one would wish...

Otherwise nice looking pan and seems like a nice non-stick surface.

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I never thought I would be writing a review for a frying pan, but this pan has inspired me to do so. We needed something in our kitchen that could be at home on the stove or in the oven and clean easily. This pan fits the bill and then some. I have been using it now for about 3 weeks and so far it has perfectly cooked anything I have put in it. Pork Chops? NO problem and NO sticking. Turkey Legs? Tender, juicy and again, NO STICKING at all. I have not had to use ANY oil or grease to aide in browning. The lid fits like a glove and let's you see the food on the other side. This pan is deep enough to trap all the meats natural juices and using the cover you can get a good self basting action out of it as well.

The only thing so far that surprised me is how HOT the handles get. This is only true of oven use, but bear in mind the handles STAY HOT long after the pan itself has cooled and you need to handle them with a pot holder, or two as was the case for me. I also am not attempting to clean the pan until it has fully cooled off so ensure no warping or buckling of the metal or premature flaking of the non stick surface. Speaking of cleaning, what used to take me 5 minutes of heavy scrubbing or much longer with other pans, is now a non issue! This beauty cleans in less than one minute and looks brand new afterwards.

So is this worth the asking price (currently 50 dollars) ? You bet it is! I consider it a bargain and if this skillet lasts more than a few years then I will have got my money's worth many times over. HIGHLY recommended!

REVIEW UPDATE 11-21-2010: After using this pan for more than a month I am still 100% satisfied! I have cooked whole roast chickens to perfection in this with enough room to use the lid. The non stick coating remains perfectly intact with no damage to the finish from heavy oven use and cleans up with just soap and water and a soft dish cloth. A truly fine piece of kitchen equipment.....

ANOTHER UPDATE 8-3-2011: One last progress report. This pan has held up beyond my expectations to constant and sometimes extreme use. It has been in the oven repeatedly for hours on end, cooking chops, potatoes, full chickens and even a turkey. The non stick surface has not worn off one little bit. It still comes perfectly clean each time with little to no effort and looks 99% new except for a very slight baked on grease discoloration on the handle. No warping of any kind and the handle grip looks and feels the same as the day we purchased it. Honestly, this really is a great piece of cookware and I am planning to add more Calphalon pots and pans to my kitchen.

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This is the pan that you can cook anything in. Great for cooking stir fry or pan fry dumplings. The non-stick coating is excellent. Easy to wash and clean. Well-made hinges. Good quality pot. Love that it comes with lid. The pot is not as heavy as I thought, which makes it easier to wash in the sink.

The only con I have is that the smaller handle still gets a little hot and the rubber grip on that handle seems like it might come off one day if not careful. Other than that, we use this pot very frequently (several times a week) and enjoy it very much. If using this pot, I highly recommend cooking with bamboo or wood utensils so you won't scratch up the non-stick coating. I would recommend this pot to others and would buy again.

Honest reviews on Simply Calphalon Nonstick 12" Jumbo Fryer

I'm actually doing research to replace this pan,and was surprised to see it got such high reviews. I've had it for three years and as all the other reviewers said, it is awesome for function and nonstick-ness in the beginning. I love it and use it at least once every other day. However I feel it didn't last very long at all for the last 6 months it has been performing poorly and is no longer nonstick. Not peeling, just the layer of coating is very thin, discolored and sticks horribly. I never put it in the dishwasher, don't use abrasive pads/cleaners, never use anything but plastic/wood/silicone utensils but the coating just didn't last. I don't see anything else out there that seems to perform better so I may just buy this pan again and consider it is the price to pay for 2 years worth of use. Just wanted to add this review as someone who's had it for a while. It is the exact same "Simply Calphalon" but I bought it from Bed Bath and Beyond.

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I'm from China and I use this to cook Chinese dishes. It is fantastic with glass top ranges.

Normally, the problem with most fry pans is that they are not deep enough for cooking chinese food. When you stir, the food comes out. On the other hand, the pans that 'tall' enough for real chinese cooking are normally have a very large and flat bottom. That's not good because the sauce does not contact the material well (in most chinese dishes, you start with just a little sauce by mixing vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt etc. it's not that much to cover those gigantic flat bottoms). Don't get me wrong. This has flat bottom too. But it's not that large. It also has a decent thickness for heat conduction.

Overall, this is the best choice I can find under one benjamin. Certainly gas range with *round* bottom fryer/pan is the best for chinese cooking. however, since not everyone here has gas range (i have never seen a non-gas range in China), we have to settle for this, don't we?

Crestware 10.375-Inch Teflon Platinum Pro Fry Pan with Molded Review

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List Price: $33.99
Sale Price: $31.67
Today's Bonus: 7% Off

I used to be a chef, have experience but use pans like this everyday at home. Good price and great product. Can't touch other pans for this price. I had another one that last 9 years with pretty much daily use.

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Discount Sistema Microwave Steamer, Rectangular, Red

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List Price: $16.00
Sale Price: $14.96
Today's Bonus: 7% Off

After searching extensively for a BPA-free steamer, I stumbled across this one made in New Zealand. Though I would have preferred a ceramic steamer, those are impossible to find in a convenient size (this would be a great business idea for someone).

The delivery was in reasonable time. There are no instructions for steaming but I found that adding about 8 ounces of water and using the vegetables option in the microwave does the trick. For those who do not have it, try steaming for about 3-4 minutes. Layer firmer vegetables in the center and softer ones on the periphery.

I portion my vegetables before putting it in the fridge and wash and steam it at mealtime. It is quick and convenient and great for people on diets (I think vegetables should be a part of any balanced meal).

I am going to order the smaller version for work and travelling.

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Received my steamer yesterday and was very pleased; serving approximately 4 to 5 people. It can easily handle a whole head of cauliflower to give you an idea of size. The base of the steamer is like that of Rubbermaid bowls (I don't think it will easily crack if dropped on a hard surface). The vegetable colander has holes around the top rim and slits around the inside perimeter making the steaming process more efficient. There is also a spike handle inside for easy lifting of vegetable colander. After microwaving, I would make sure you push in the pressure release value located on top of the lid to avoid the steam. In addition, it has this great locking system on all four sides with lift-off tabs molded at the corners making the lid easy to remove from the base. Dishwasher safe/freezer safe/made from lead-free materials -what could be better!

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I decided to go on the Cabbage Soup Diet, which uses a lot of vegetables. Unfortunately, I am not not a cook and not very patient. So, I bought the large steamer from Ebay, because it was BPA free. It is incredibly easy. I use frozen and fresh vegetables, add a little water and microwave.

I just bought a second large steamer from Amazon, after noticing that they are stackable. BTW, the Amazon was much less expensive for the same article. Now I can cook separate dishes.

They are made in New Zealand and are very durable. The only problem is that there are no directions. I just emailed the company and asked them to put directions on the website.

Honest reviews on Sistema Microwave Steamer, Rectangular, Red

I absolutely love this steamer. I've had them all and this is finally the one I've always hoped I'd find. I got the Medium size which is perfect for one person who wants to cook for more than one meal, saving the second portion.

I usually put about a half cup of water in the container. Potatoes take about 6 minutes, corn about 4 minutes, asparagus about 3 minutes or less. I like my veggies a bit cooked so judge accordingly. No cooking instructions come with the item and their web site doesn't have any either so it's a matter of learning on your own. Just start with a couple of minutes on high and go from there.

The basket is not too hot to lift easily from the container with a bare hand, though I don't know why. Cleanup is a snap.

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Just used for the first time. OMG! I put a whole box of rock hard frozen spinich in for 8 min. Opened and spread it out a little and returned to microwave for 2 more minutes. Just wonderful! Still a beautiful green. Tastes like fresh. This will be used almost daily by me. A few instructions would help people who don't cook very much.

Cheap All-Clad Stainless 6-Quart Saute Pot with Lid

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List Price: $260.00
Sale Price: $189.95
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It would get a 5 except it's a little big for a standard size stove. I make it work and it is fine. Lay your pasta in without breaking and all underwater. Cook a large stew, or even brown up large amounts. It's a beauty and if you like large get it. And of course it is All Clad well worth the investment, made in USA.

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A great size for soups, deep-frying (there is a fry basket accessory that fits inside) as well as stock and a multitude of other things. This pan is the same circumference as the 3 qt sauté pan, but with taller sides. It provides lots of surface to sauté things when you are starting a soup or other large dish. You can purchase the deep fry insert separately. I use it when making stock so I can easily lift the carcass and veggies out of the liquid at the end (it hooks on the side of the pan for draining the food). I greatly prefer the long handle on this pot to the small handles of the other stock pots since it stays cool and makes it easier to handle. Another advantage is that when frying chicken or other activity that makes spatters, the tall sides contain them pretty well and therefore keep the stovetop much cleaner. I don't have a lot of storage for pots and highly value the ones that serve multiple purposes. The price offered as of this writing is a great deal. Highly recommended.

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This pan is a great deal at the discounted $165 price. I have used it for vegetables, prime rib roast in an oven, pasta, cranberry sauce, seared meat dishes, and just about anything I can throw at it. The pan itself is USA made, but the lid is made in China.

The large drawback is the weight and size. If you are of a smaller build and lacking strength, then this pan will be very cumbersome and problematic to move, especially when weighed down with the items, liquid, etc., being cooked. Also, if you cook small portions, for 1-2 people regularly, then this pan is also awkward to wash and clean.

However for families, holiday cooking, etc., this is a perfect everyday pan and will offer many years of service.

Honest reviews on All-Clad Stainless 6-Quart Saute Pot with Lid

This is a great pot. When I decided to move away from non-stick pans, I tried this All Clad pot as well as a Tramontina 3-Ply (made in china from Walmart 12 in frying pan), and a Calphalon 3-ply (also made in China 12 inch frying pan from Bed Bath & Beyond). The reason was that all got great reviews, but upon trial, I discovered that inspite of the seemingly same type of 3-ply construction, the All Clads are functionally different. The other brands stick, don't clean very well and don't heat as evenly by comparison. So, even though the Tramontina stainless and the Calphalon stainless were theoretically the "same," they didn't work the same. The All Clad is worth the money, and I've rejected the cheap Tramontina and Calphalons. Though the Tramontina & Caphalon were cheap, they were a waste of money. I've since purchased another All Clad 13" French Skillet. Love that too!

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Cook a lot, or know someone who does? If so, than this hulking, six-quart All-Clad Saute pot is worth the money. Yes, it's ridiculously expensive, and ridiculously overbuilt, until you get it and start using it, and realize that it cooks evenly, cleans up easily, looks great, and can probably be used every single day of the rest of your life and your children's and grandchildren's without breaking a sweat. It's nice just owning something built this well. You could say it's built like a tank, except they probably don't really make tanks this solidly. I bought this for someone special, and we both use it to cook wonderful food for us, literally almost every day, so clearly it was a great investment for us (mmmmm!)

Don't think it's just pretty though -this cookware is in all ways *practical.* I worried that it would be much harder to clean up than non-stick, but it's not. We recently made a sausage, beans, and rice dish that requires *deliberately* making a sticky goo (or 'rue') on the bottom of the pan, and then leaving the whole thing to simmer for at least 30 minutes. It cleaned up in less than five minutes in the sink, after browning the sausage better than Teflon ever could. Yes, we hand-wash to protect the finish, but it's not a hassle, and this particular pan wouldn't go easily into any dishwasher anyway.

We also like All-Clad because some (careful, not all) of their cookware can be used on induction cooktops, which is something we hope to have at some point in the future. This one is good to go with a ferrous (iron-based) bottom. As they say, if a magnet will stick to the bottom, the pan will work with induction.

If you don't cook much, or aren't sure you need a large pot like this, consider something else. But if you touch your cookware nearly every day, and want something that looks and functions beautifully, time after time after time, it makes sense to have cookware this good.

Discount Pillivuyt 2-Cup Porcelain Lion's Head Tureen with Lid

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This tureen and lid survived an extended tumble down a long, steep, brick driveway, and emerged in perfect condition. Surely a lower quality piece whose ears and pedestal were not 'built in' to the main bowl would not have made it.

Most footed bowls seem unstable or awkward to me, but the heft of the pedestal keeps this one balanced so it seems to be glued to the table, rather than waiting for an opportunity to topple.

The detailing is precise. True to Pillivuyt's claims, these can definitely mingle on the table with fine china as long as your china is nice enough to stand with this functional porcelain; some of my vintage pieces are definitively out shined.

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I bought this lidded lion's head tureen as a gift for my mother so that I can continue to send her additional ones to add to a collection for her. Since I had it shipped to her address, I have to assume it arrived in good condition.

Buy Paderno Black Carbon Steel 11 Inch Chestnut Pan with Oversized

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Good quality pan, as advertised. Can be used for grill roasting other things in a fireplace (e.g. a handful of shrimp tossed with some oil). Fun accessory

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Just received my chestnut roaster very impressed with the quality and general appearance of the roaster it looks great hanging from my hearth giving my fireplace a look of old fashioned utility. I can't wait to roast some chestnuts over an open fire.

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This is a great thing to have. With a chestnut tree a few blocks away, it's quite nice to have the option of roasting them the old fashioned way (and with some novello). With the long handle, you can use it over a real open fire or you can use it on a stovetop or grill, although you'll have to prop up the handle in that case.

It's a great pan looks nice and of good quality.

The only thing I don't completely love is the handle. Although strong enough, it is long and thin and I just don't like how it looks as much as the rest of the pan. It's sort of shiny black with some lighter spots. Really not a deal breaker, but I'm just pointing it out. Now, what would really be awesome is if it had an easily interchangeable short handle so you could really use this perfectly on any occasion. But it is riveted on very sturdily (which is a positive under most circumstances).