Choosing cookware is always a super exciting affair for any home cook given the many amazing options out there. But, if you know anything about cookware, you should understand why it is always crucial to buy something from a top brand.
Buying from top brands like Anolon and Calphalon almost guarantees you that you will end up with cookware built to last for at least a decade. However, for many people, the problem comes in when they have to pick between the two as both have almost the same product quality.
But, in this piece, we have done the hard job for you as we compare these two top brands side by side and also show you the pros and cons of buying either.
Anolon Overview
Photo: thekitchen.site
Anolon has been around for more than a century, and so you can be confident that they have seen it all as cookware designs and materials change over the years.
Having been in business for that long, they know everything there is to know about cookware, and so you can expect nothing short of the best quality from them.
Most of their products nowadays are made from hard-anodized aluminum which besides being a super tough material also helps to ensure excellent heat distribution. But, they will also use cast iron and stainless steel to make some of their products.
They currently make products in three categories which are cookware, bakeware and the utensils and knives category. Also, they will have different product options in these categories as they try to meet the needs of all kinds of users from professionals to newbie home cooks.
To keep up with the changing cooking technologies, some of their products will also include some cookware with stainless steel and copper at the base for induction top cooking. But when compared to Calphalon, this is a relatively pricier brand.
Pros:
- Wide product range
- Safe and long-lasting nonstick coating
- Comfortable rubber-coated stainless steel handles
Cons:
- Relatively pricier
Calphalon Overview
Photo: Calphalon
Calphalon is an American company that has also been making cookware for quite some time (since 1963) and like Analon, they are more into the manufacture of hard-anodized aluminum cookware.
They currently make a wide range of cookwares that is meant to cater to different kinds of users. And besides the hard anodized cookware, they also have stainless steel and ceramic ranges of products.
While their cookware is the most popular of all their products, Calphalon also makes products in three other categories which are utensils, appliances, and bakeware.
Despite their original cookware being quite heavy to use, over the years they have managed to bring the weight down to make them more manageable. You can also now find their products on different styles such as Contemporary, Elite and the highly popular Space-Saving which is a famous line of more stackable cookware.
Some of their product still use low-quality PTFE for the nonstick surface which might not go down well with some users as this material has safety issues.
Pros:
- Only uses high-quality materials
- More affordable cookware options
- Higher heat tolerances
- Cookware is often more stackable to save space
Cons:
- Ceramic range of cookware is not very good
- Some products have a low-quality nonstick coating
Comparison Table
Note: Below we use information and data from the nonstick cookware (hard anodized aluminum) from the two brands for comparison purposes.
| Anolon | Calphalon |
|---|---|---|
Style and Appearance | Brush bronze | Black coat finish |
Heat Tolerance | 400°F | 450°F |
Non-Stick Coating | DuPont PTFE | Brand-specific PTFE-based |
Handles | Incredibly comfortable | Comfortable enough |
Induction Cook Compatibility | Most cookware is compatible | Not compatible |
Ease of Cleaning | Many products are not dishwasher safe | Mostly dishwasher safe |
Average Prices (per 10-piece nonstick set) | $200 to $250 | $150 to $200 |
Anolon vs. Calphalon
Both Anolon and Calphalon offer some top-notch quality products and this means whichever brand you choose, you can be certain of ending up with some of the finest cookware on the market. But to ensure you do not have a difficult time choosing between the two, here is how they differ.
1.Style and Appearance
No one wants to end up with some ugly looking cookware no matter how good it might cook or how durable it might be as it will create an unsightly look in the kitchen.
However, when buying from top brands like Anolon and Calphalon, the look should hardly be a worry because the two companies are known for making some sleek and stylish products with a timeless look that will add some glamour to your kitchen.
But, the look is one of the easiest ways to tell apart products from the two brands as they will come in different styles and appearances.
Anolon seems to favor a brushed bronze finish while Calphalon will offer a black coat finish. Both brands still offer a few other color options depending on what you are buying. But, when it comes to the looks, many people seem to like the brushed bronze finish more.
2. Heat Tolerance
Heat tolerance determines how and where you can use the cookware and is hence also a crucial factor to take into account when choosing between these two brands.
Luckily, both make products with a higher heat tolerance than the average cookware from the cheaper generic brands.
However, when it comes to heat tolerance, Calphalon seems to have a slight edge as their cookware will withstand up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit which is 50 degrees more than what the Anolon cookware can take.
But, it is also important to note that the heat tolerance will depend on the particular product you buy because both still have some stainless steel cookware which might not be as popular as the anodized aluminum types but can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Non-Stick Coating
One of the common things between these two brands is that they both love non-stick coatings, and they will hence hardly make any product that is not nonstick. However, the technology they used to achieve this differs.
Anolon makes use of different kinds of DuPont PTFE which is the brand name for Teflon on most of their cooking pots. While there is no doubt that it is a highly effective non-stick coating given that Teflon is one of the pioneers of the technology, some users will probably not like this given the obvious health risks.
Calphalon, on the other hand, uses their brand-based PTFE, but what they use has been tested and proven to be PFOA-free which should give users that are skeptical with these coatings some confidence.
It is also worth noting that with both brands, their 100% stainless steel cookware will not have any coatings. Hence, when it comes to the nonstick coating, there is no clear winner here.
4. Handles
While both brands will mainly use stainless steel handles, there is more to them than this because the handle design will often differ significantly.
Anolon
With Anolon, you will get a stainless steel handle coated with silicon, and they are more famous for providing a nice non-slip grip which will also remain cool to touch.
However, the silicon handles have a downside which is that they reduce the heat tolerance of the cookware as there is a chance the handle will melt at high temperatures.
Calphalon
Calphalon, on the other hand, will make their products with pure stainless steel which means they can handle temperatures well as the rest of the pan or pot.
Despite the absence of a silicon coating on most of their handles, they are still comfortable enough but not as comfortable as what you get on Anolon.
The stainless handles might be oven and broiler safe, but they get super-hot, and so extra precaution is required when handling one. It is also not uncommon to find some Calphalon pans with a silicone coated handle to make them more comfortable and easier to handle when hot.
5. Induction Cook Compatibility
Induction cooktops are slowly becoming more and more common in many homes as home cooks search for a more efficient and modern cooking solution. But, the only drawback with this cooking method is that it will not work with just any cookware.
Of the two brands, Anolon is the one that seems to have realized more people are now using induction cooktops, and so a huge chunk of their recent cookware will include a copper-base suitable for this cooking method.
Calphalon seems to lag in this feature as you will hardly find any of their cookware that can work with an induction cooker without having to buy the copper base separately.
Read More: The Best Induction Cookwares
6. Ease of Cleaning
As much as you might hate it, doing dishes is part of cooking, and you cannot skip it if you want to keep your cookware clean. But, you can at least make things easier for you by choosing pots and pans that are easy to clean.
Since the surface will be nonstick regardless of which of the two brands you choose, you can be confident that cleanup will be much easy.
But while both Anolon and Calphalon will have products that are not dishwasher-safe, most of the cookware you get from the latter are dishwasher-safe which means they will be easier to clean. Hence, for the ease of cleaning, Calphalon is the better brand.
7. Average Prices
Anolon and Calphalon are mid to high-end brands which means their products will generally cost more than what you pay for many other brands out there.
However, Anolon seems to be the pricier of the two brands because at the time of writing this piece their 11-piece hard anodized cookware set was retailing for at least $30 more than what you would pay for the 10-piece hard anodized cookware set from Calphalon.
For the other cookware set including the stainless steel ones, Analon is still relatively pricier, but what you pay for either brand will depend on various factors including the color of the cookware.
Conclusion
If you want a cookware set that will last at least a decade, one of the best things you can do is to buy from top brands like Anolon and Calphalon. And regardless of which you choose, you can be sure of top-notch quality products.
When you have to choose between the two, things should also be less confusing now as our overview and comparison above make the differences between them clear.
For anyone looking for a brand that offers a wider product range, comes with some more comfortable cookware handles and can also work on an induction cooktop, Anolon is perfect.
But, if you are looking for a premium-quality brand that offers relatively affordable cookware that is dishwasher safe for easier cleanup and with higher heat tolerance, go for Calphalon.