First of all, I didn't get these products for free, I bought them. Simply Calphalon was rated a Best Buy by CR and I found the features of the KitchenAid KitchenAid KCH1S10KD 10 Piece Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set - Black Diamond remarkable. I have been in the catering industry for over 30 years, so I have a lot of experience with pots, mainly professional sets. So that's my starting point. Calphalon and Kitchen Aid were in the same midfield (170-220) in November 2015. In truth, they are very similar, but not the same. The first thing I noticed was that the Simply Calphalon were slightly smaller. Especially the pot. Kitchen Aid is dishwasher safe, Calphalon is not. For better or worse (as in this case, you'll read better), but Kitchen Aid is heavier. Calphalon has a double-coated non-stick coating, Kitchen Aid has a triple-coated one. The KA packaging says it can be used in the oven up to 350 degrees and cal. says 400. Revane says 500 for KA versus 400 for Cal. Oddly enough, I've had both in the oven for 15 minutes at 425 with no problems. Both are made of hard-anodized aluminum. If you have an induction hob, only KA is compatible. What is hard anodized and does it matter? Hard-anodized pans have a natural non-stick coating and are completely chemical-free. These pans consist of an aluminum base that is essentially immersed in a bath of sulfuric acid through which small electrical charges are passed. As it cools, it causes anodization of the outer surface of the pans. The hard-anodised pan is extremely hard-wearing, has a long service life and does not stick because it is almost non-porous. Add a few coats of non-stick coating and you've got a great, relatively inexpensive (priced) skillet. So what are the significant differences? Most importantly, and most overlooked by consumers, the Calphalon set is 3.2mm thick while the Kitchen Aid is 4.5mm thick. This means (ceteris paribus) that Kitchen Aid is more thermally conductive and more durable. And my unscientific tests show it. The KA heats up much faster, holds heat longer and cooks more evenly. It's not even close. Boiling water in KA took about 1:30 less time, and eggs boiled over medium heat in much less time. I had to lower the temperature of everything I tested with the KA kit. It conducts heat much better than my old Cuisinart or Simply Calphalon. The difference in thickness also explains the difference in weight. Calphalon has a double coating and KA has a triple non-stick coating. The name is pretty self-explanatory, but does it really matter? Yes and no. Right out of the box, there's not much of a difference. However, after 4-5 years there should be a difference. Triple Coated Kitchen Aid should last longer and look better. Let's wait and see. Kitchen Aid is dishwasher safe, Simply Calphalon is not. Honestly, I don't care what the manufacturer says, if you want your dishes to last, don't put them in the dishwasher. The non-stick coating makes cleaning effortless so it's not worth it. Also, do not use metal tools and never use cooking spray. Buy silicone utensils and oil mist. The dishes are cheap and the Mister lasts forever and costs less than 2 cans of Pam. Experience cooking in the real world. After spending a week on it each week, I gave Calphalon to my son who had recently moved out. These are good pans and should hold up to most of its abuse, but they're no match for the Kitchen Aid set. Cooking is faster, food cooks more evenly and looks great. The jet black finish and flat surface is a drastic change from the gray domed paraphernalia you usually see. I found the grips of the Calphalon set to be a bit more comfortable. But that's subjective. Who holds pans longer than 10 seconds at a time? The handles on both sets got hot, but as expected, the handles on the lids of both devices got hot. Finally, I love the look of the Kitchen Aid flat lids. you have problems. Domed lids like Cal. Allow condensed water to run off continuously. Flat lids tend to collect condensation when you remove them. water is everywhere. You will quickly learn to tilt them when shooting, but this is something to be aware of. Whether they are a professional set, no. But restaurants cook over 300 meals a day with people who don't care if there are enough pans for the next shift. So why pay three times more? Well, the speed at which a 6mm or 7mm kit gets up to temperature. nice, but that's the only difference. Usually, the Kitchen Aid Set is a bit larger than the Simply Calphalon, but it's worth it. So I don't think you'll find better value for money for a mid-range cookware set than Kitchen Aid. I hope this helps you decide. All the best.
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