All Clad Vs. Calphalon non-stick pan – Read this detailed comparison of the two top brands and learn which one is better nonstick cookware for you.
Both brands, All-Clad and Calphalon, are most sought-after and loved by not only home-chef culinary lovers but also professionals. But in general, All-Clad is more expensive, whereas Calphalon offers both premium and mid-range cookware options. You can also check our recommendations for the best copper non-stick pans.
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In This Article
Overview of All-Clad and Calphalon
The main difference between All-Clad and Calphalon is that both non-stick collections of All-Clad have a triple-layered non-stick coating, and Calphalon produces non-stick collections with both dual and triple-layered non-stick coating. Apart from that, All-Clad is expensive, and Calphalon’s dual-layered coated pans are economical.
All-Clad and Calphalon both manufacture stainless steel and non-stick cookware.
All-Clad is recognized for its “cladding technique” where two different metals were bonded at high pressure so as to reap the benefits of both the metals in cooking.
Calphalon pioneered a “hard-anodized technique” in which untreated aluminum is subjected to an electrolyte process and is hardened twice as much as untreated aluminum, making it more durable, unreactive, and corrosion-resistant.
From above, it’s clear that All-Clad’s specialty is stainless steel, and Calphalon’s uniqueness is non-stick pots and pans, but both brands offer quality cookware overall.
All-Clad Vs. Calphalon – Non-Stick Pan Comparison
Construction
All-Clad and Calphalon both use high-gauged hard-anodized aluminum in their non-stick pans. Also, both brands use Teflon non-stick coating without PFOA. In Calphalon, you can also find non-stick pans without Teflon, made of Ceramic coating.
Comparison of Non-Stick Collection
All-Clad has just two collections of non-stick products – HA1 and Essentials. The difference between HA1 and Essentials is the induction compatibility.
The HA1 collection has a bonded metal at the base that makes it compatible with induction burners, whereas the Essential collection is not for induction burners. Both collections use three layers of Teflon coating.
Calphalon has seven different collections for non-stick. Many of these collections also have stainless steel sets too.
| Collection | No. of Teflon-coated layers | Oven-safe temperature |
| Signature | Three layers coating | 500°F |
| Premier | Three layers coating | 450°F |
| Elite | Three layers coating | 500°F |
| Contemporary | Three layers | 450°F |
| Classic | Two layers | 450°F |
| Simply Calphalon | Two layers | 400°F |
| Select | Two layers | 400°F |
Cooking Performance
Both brands have a slick non-stick coating, so the food doesn’t stick in any of them.
However, Calphalon’s budget-friendly two-layered Teflon coating (Classic, Select, and Simply Calphalon) has low-gauged aluminum, so they don’t heat as evenly and are more prone to warping.
All-Clad and Calphalon’s Signature and three-coated non-stick pans have a similar performance.
Durability
All-Clad’s both collections, due to triple layer coating, are more long-lasting and resilient. Calphalon’s triple-coated pans also have good durability, but their budget-friendly options don’t last as long as their expensive sets.
Design
All-Clad has a simplistic classic style design and follows the same design in both their non-stick collections.
All-Clad has stainless steel handles, whereas Calphalon’s designs vary according to their collection. Some collections have stainless steel handles; others are wrapped in silicone sheath to keep the handle cool during cooking.
Their handles are also long with a forked design (in stainless steel handle) and more comfortable to hold than their competitor All-Clad.
Manufacturing Place
All-Clad has an image of “Made for America” as all their products are made solely in the U.S. Calphalon sources their products from Germany and several other Asian countries.
Most of the products’ manufacturing process has also moved to China. Finding out an American-based product line is hard, and you might have to call their helpline to confirm.
Quality Control
Since the product manufacturing and sourcing of Calphalon has moved overseas, quality control is an issue in which All-Clad takes the lead clearly.
Price
The prices of both their non-stick lines are neck-to-neck. However, Calphalon also offers budget-friendly options.
Oven Safety
All-Clad and Calphalon both offer oven safe nonstick pans. But All-Clad’s collections are oven safe up to 500°F, whereas only two collections (Elite & Signature) from Calphalon offer oven-safety up to 500°F.
Dishwasher Safety
Both the brands offer dishwasher safe pots and pans, however, this functionality is limited to their three layers coated collection only. But washing it daily in the dishwasher is not recommended by any manufacturer.
Care and Maintenance
All the non-stick care and maintenance rules apply to both the brands irrespective of their price or the number of Teflon-coated layers. You can’t heat the pans empty, nor can you use abrasive cleaning materials or scrubs. You can’t use every pan on high heat or use metal spatulas on it. So, both brands are equal in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is All-Clad really the best?
All-Clad has gained a reputation due to its quality construction, materials, and cooking performance. But saying it’s the only brand (the best) producing quality cookware is an exaggeration. Calphalon’s non-stick range is also versatile, offering high-end and budget-friendly options too.
What is the best non-stick coating pan?
The best non-stick pan coating in terms of durability is Teflon (without PFOA). Ceramic coated pans may offer better oven-safe temperatures, but their coating isn’t as durable as Teflon. However, you can’t risk cooking on high temperature in Teflon coating as the coating emits toxic fumes at high temperature.
Is Calphalon worth the money?
Yes, Calphalon’s worth the money and is one of the best brands in non-stick cookware, offering versatility so you can find the exact type of non-stick cookware for your cooking needs.
All-Clad Background
All-Clad is basically a metal crafter company that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in manufacturing and revolutionizing cookware. All-Clad’s expedition started in 1971 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, when a metallurgist, John Ullam, brought his metal crafting knowledge to produce cladded cookware. He used two different metals, Aluminium, and stainless steel, bonded them together to make pots and pans that had better heat conductivity than stainless steel and didn’t change acidic food taste as aluminum cookware did.
The multiple layers are not limited to the pot’s base only but also extend to the rim, making it more desirable than ordinary disc bonded cookware.
Calphalon Background
Based in Ohio, the company was founded in 1963 by Ronald M. Kasperzak under the name of Commercial Aluminum Cookware. In 1968, they invented the first-ever hard-anodized aluminum. The technique was initially used in the aerospace industry and then reconstituted the concept of aluminum and made it more durable, warp, and corrosion-resistant.
From there, the company hit its stride by establishing itself and changed its name to “Calphalon” in 1992. Now, the company’s lot of production has moved to China to keep the cost low.
Here, in this article, we will keep our focus only on non-stick comparison and similarities.
Verdict: All-Clad Vs. Calphalon
These brands have been in the cookware industry for decades and are known for their craftsmanship, techniques, and materials. If you are looking for budget-friendly options, you should definitely look into Calphalon’s collection, but if you use the non-stick pots and pans daily, then choose All-Clad or the high-end options of Calphalon (Signature and Elite). Calphalon also offers ceramic-coated non-stick pans, so if you want to avoid Teflon, you can check their classic pans.
