Simply Calphalon vs Calphalon Classic (2021): Which Nonstick Cookware Set Is Better?

Finding nonstick cookware that actually works can be a challenge. If you don’t know where to start, then looking at more reliable brands is always a good idea. Calphalon, for instance, is one of the more premium cookware manufacturers today. A household name for decades, the company’s lineup of hard-anodized nonstick cookware has already gained a solid reputation among many users.

In this review, we compare two of the brand’s best-selling nonstick cookware sets: the Simply Calphalon and the Calphalon Classic. Which 10-piece set is better? Read our comparison below to find out.

Simply Calphalon vs Calphalon Classic Comparison Chart

Design and Construction

The Simply Calphalon and Calphalon Classic are premium nonstick cookware sets.

Simply Calphalon and Calphalon Classic are both beautifully-crafted cookware that includes saucepans, sauté pans, and stockpots. Although these wares are only available in one color, it’s hard to complain. The black exterior of both collections lends the pots and pans a strong industrial feel. They look premium and feel premium, too. Where the Classic does have an edge over the Simply is in the availability of a stainless steel variant.

Another thing the respective sets have in common is their mode of construction. The Simply Calphalon and Calphalon Classic cookware are made of hard-anodized aluminum. The process of making this material is quite complex. But in layman’s terms, anodized aluminum is simply aluminum that has been refined through the use of electrolysis. This is the primary reason why these Calphalon pots and pans are durable and corrosion-resistant.

When it comes to the cooking surface, both collections again share the same two-layer nonstick interior. The coating is also PFOA-Free, which ensures no harmful chemicals are produced as you cook. Both nonstick cookware sets come with tempered glass lids, too. A key difference between the two, however, is in their handles. The Simply Calphalon collection sports a silicone handle that stays cool. Meanwhile, the Calphalon Classic lineup uses brushed stainless steel.

Cookware Set

The 10-piece set from the Simply and Classic collections are among the best-sellers.

Although you can buy the Simply Calphalon and Classic Calphalon as individual pieces, they are best bought as a set. The Simply Calphalon is available in 8-piece and 10-piece packages. The latter option, however, is its best-seller.

Meanwhile, the Classic Calphalon is only available as a 10-piece set. But you can opt for bundles that include bakeware, utensils, or even an additional pan. Just like with the Simply collection, Calphalon’s Classic 10-piece set is its best rated.

The Simply Calphalon 10-piece set includes an 8-inch and 10-inch fry pan, a 1-quart saucepan with cover, and a 2-quart saucepan with cover. You also get 3-quart sauté pan with a cover, as well as a 6-quart stockpot with a lid. The Classic Calphalon, on the other hand, has more or less the same cookware pieces but in different sizes. It also ditches one of the saucepans in favor of the brand’s No-Boil-Over inserts.

Calphalon’s Classic 10-piece set includes the standard 8-inch and 10-inch fry pan. A 2.5-quart saucepan with cover and No-Boil-Over insert is also part of the set. Lastly, users also get a 3-quart sauté pan with cover and a 6-quart stockpot with cover and No-Boil-Over insert.

Performance

The Classic Calphalon has better heat resistance although the Simply Calphalon is easier to handle.

When it comes to cooking, the Simply Calphalon and Classic Calphalon cookware sets deliver. The nonstick surface on their respective pots and pans actually works. Food rarely adheres to the bottom, making cleanup a breeze. Thanks to the aluminum exterior and two-layer nonstick interior, heat conduction are remarkable, too. The pans from both collections heat consistently that you’ll be hard-pressed to look for hotspots.

If you like to prepare rice, soups, and pasta, you’ll probably like the Classic lineup more. Calphalon’s tried-and-tested collection includes No-Boil-Over inserts that help prevent messy spills from your boiling pots. The inserts themselves have a center opening for additional stirring. When it comes to sauces, however, the Simply offers more options thanks to the two sizes of saucepans you get. The cookware under the Simply lineup weighs lighter, too, making them easier to handle even when they’re full of ingredients.

Another advantage of the Simply Calphalon set is its silicon handles. These handles stay cool for a long period of time, making it easy to grip your pans. The Classic cookware set, on the other hand, has stainless steel handles that get hot easily and take a while to cool down. Of course, this gives the Classic lineup an advantage, too. Unlike the Simply Calphalon, the Classic cookware set is heat resistant up to 450ºF.

Care and Maintenance

These Calphalon nonstick cookware sets are easy to clean but does require special care.

The Calphalon Classic has a thicker and more robust construction evident in the weight of its cookware. As such, it tends to handle daily use better than the Simply Calphalon set. Caring for both, however, requires a lot of attention. These pans are not dishwasher safe. If you’re going to hand-wash them, you must not use abrasive sponges, especially on the nonstick coating.

There are reports of the said coating peeling off, but they can also be attributed to user error. Both cookware sets are not compatible with metal utensils. To minimize scratches or peels, use only the right kitchen tools when cooking with these wares.

Verdict

Although both mid-range nonstick cookware sets perform well, the Classic Calphalon can handle daily use better than the Simply Calphalon.

Calphalon is a tried-and-tested cookware brand that offers an extensive catalog of kitchen essentials. Its nonstick products like the Simply Calphalon and Classic Calphalon continue the company’s approach to premium and practical wares. With Simply Calphalon, you’re getting a nice addition to your kitchen. The cookware set offers more actual pans since the Classic lineup counts No-Boil-Over inserts as components.

The Classic Calphalon set, however, is better suited for daily use. The lineup’s pans are a bit more heavy-duty, and the stainless steel handles translate to better heat resistance. Either way, you’re getting your money’s worth for these mid-range cookware sets. They’re definitely a level-up from cheaper alternatives and knockoffs. Just keep in mind that these wares require more than your usual care to ensure they last for a while.

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