()I can honestly say that my wife and I have never used cookware that is of higher quality than this Anolon Nouvelle 10-Piece Cookware Set. We received a set of Emeril Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pans(8" and 12") as a gift recently and though decent, the difference in quality is readily apparent. The handles are thin and heat up, and the pans are thinner and cook less evenly. Comparatively the Anolon Nouvelle cookware is thicker with layered bases for even heating and have the best handles I've ever had the pleasure to take a hold of. They are thick and easy to grip, and the ends stay cool even if the pan or skillet has been sitting on the heat for a while, eliminating the need to use pot-holders. Even the smaller stockpot handles remain cool enough to pick up the pot when cooking (i.e. spaghetti). The bases where the handles meet the pots do warm up a little though.
I've had this set for just under two months, but we do not eat out and everything is home made so this cookware set has undergone a trial by fire, as it were. We've made a variety of dishes on our glass top stove and everything has been cooked to perfection. Water boils rapidly in this cookware, perhaps due to the double full cap bases. Cooking is even too in the pancake test, all of the pancakes were evenly browned the same hue. Rice, stir-frys, spaghetti, soups, sauces, veggies, fried foods -they all are easy to prepare properly with the Anolon Nouvelle set. That isn't to say that they'll keep overcooking from spoiling a meal but it seems hard to do wrong with them. Directions do not recommend cooking with anything higher than medium heat, but we haven't had any issues occasionally going higher. The tight fitting lids help keep dishes from boiling over and lock in the steam to help keep them from drying out. Lids on or off, these are very attractive looking pots and pans. We have a pot-rack, and hanging the Anolons from it gives the kitchen a more elegant look.
I intentionally left some sauce in a pot on medium heat even after we were done making a meal. It dried up and stuck to the bottom and sides and looked like it would be a hassle to clean up. I poured some water and detergent into the pot and let it sit for a while. When I came back to clean it, it wiped off easily. I'm really impressed with the nonstick coating on this set, it just works. The DuPont's Autograph 2 Teflon coating is supposedly the best currently used by Anolon. The flush nonstick rivets are another nice touch. Note: this set is not dishwasher safe. I've re-heated food in the oven a couple of times with no problems, though I doubt I'll ever test the 500 degree limit.
A star comes off for few reasons. The steep price tag may dissuade a casual buyer, though you are paying for a quality product that should last at least five years. You have to decide if a set in this range is what you need. Casual cooks may not need cookware so sturdy.With the amount my family cooks, these will be a good value. Chefs who prefer glass lids will need to look elsewhere. I also wish a 12" skillet was included in the set, but the 10" can handle most of what we'd need the other for. With 6 pans (and 4 lids) in the most common sizes, this set should be able to handle everything except some specialty dishes. The pots are slightly heavier than others I have used, but their sturdy handles make them easy to maneuver and lift.
I am very pleased with how the Anolon Nouvelle set has performed so far and look forward to creating many more mouth watering dishes in them well into the future. If any durability issues arise, I will be sure to append this review to make note of them.
** Update 01/11/2012 My wife and I have been using this cookware for almost a year now and are very pleased with its performance and durability. Everything I posted in my review previously still stands.
** Update 01/29/2012 I've had the opportunity to use very similar Analon brushed stainless steel set and my review for it can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R9YTX1JRXPQN5/
~ Kort
()Summary:Overall, a solid set of pans.However, there are some trade-offs.I would recommend this set to someone who likes the appearance or the handle design.However, considering the price, I personally would choose to either save money on a set that is very close in quality, or spend a little more money to get an even nicer set.In balancing all the features (some two stars, some five) into one overall rating, I came up with three stars, "It's OK".The smaller cooking surface and the cost were the primary reasons why three stars instead of four or five.
Assumptions:When shopping for a set of pans, I would first make sure I need every pan in the set.Choosing individual pans (instead of a set) can save money and ensure you only buy the pans you truly need.For example, there is not a 12" skillet or 12" sauté pan in this set (which would add cost if you buy separately), and you may not use the included 10" skillet very often (which you still pay for as part of the set).For this review, I assume every pan size and type in this set is needed.I am comparing features relative to all price points (Mauviel, All-Clad, Demeyere, Calphalon, George Foreman, and pans that were "free" with groceries) and rating the overall value based on what else is available relative to the cost of this particular set.
Appearance:One benefit of this set is that there is an exterior glaze which reduces stains that can otherwise permeate untreated anodized aluminum.The exterior is more of a glossy light gray pearl color.It is not the flat charcoal gray of a typical anodized aluminum.I found this difficult to determine from the photo.However, the appearance is solely a matter of personal preference.
Function:The non-stick is not any better or any worse than other pans anywhere near this price range, including the free pans.The flush rivets are coated in non-stick, which is a great feature to avoid accidentally scrubbing delicate non-stick while trying to get sticky rivets clean.The working area in the center of the skillets and the sauté pan are a little smaller than competing pans of the same size.The stock pot is perfectly proportioned between its diameter and height, allowing a little better access than my same-size Calphalon that is taller and thinner.
The solid base helps with even heat distribution at the bottom of the pans, but the thinner anodized aluminum sides do not share this benefit.This is not a clad set of pans, to it's understandable that the sides will not distribute heat evenly.However, the solid exterior base is smaller than the cooking surface of each pan, so heat will be a little different at the center of the pan than it is at the far edges.This may not seem like a big deal, but the copper base is the big selling point and it's partially negated with uneven heat.(Note:The copper will patina unless polished, and this is unavoidable with all copper cookware.)A slight flare at the rim of the stock and sauce pots help pour more easily than all other straight-edge pans where liquid dripples down the side instead of pouring cleanly off the edge.
Hands down, these are the best handles of any cookware I've used.They are thick and very easy to maneuver.By comparison, All-Clad handles are thinner awkward when pouring.The lids look nice, with welded handles (avoiding a rivet).The handle loops look taller, and provide as much or more clearance (for a hot pad, etc.) as other manufacturers.
Analon recommends using no more than medium heat to avoid warping, which isn't uncommon (and to avoid unsafe fumes and melting the non-stick coating into your food), but is a drawback.Being oven safe to 500 degrees is a great advantage.It is not safe for the broiler, but few if any non-stick pans can be used in the broiler.It is also not dishwasher safe, though most nonstick pans get pretty beat up in the dishwasher, even if they claim to be dishwasher safe.
I hope these considerations are helpful.You will not be disappointed if you ultimately purchase this set after considering the pros and cons.
Buy Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set Now
()Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set
It would have been a full 5 stars if you could only use them in the broiler for finishing and use them in the dishwasher, but I live in a dream world!
The very first thing I'm going to say is to read the instructions that come with your cookware set very carefully since the manufacture is taking the easiest way out and has printed the directions that are for more than just the Anolon Nouvell Copper Anodized set. It can be quite confusing if you don't have the directions/instructions right in front of you. The manufacturer notes that the copper-bottomed set needs special care before using the first time. Also, this particular set cannot go in the dishwasher.
The second thing I'm going to say is to take their reprimand about dry boiling quite seriously. I haven't done so in the past, but after reading the warning I'm a bit petrified that I may somehow do so in the future and that would be very ugly!
What I did love hearing is that we can use this cookware in the oven up to 350° degrees Fahrenheit. These are NOT broiler safe. No non-stick is broiler safe.
In my first test of this product I did a simple one which was to simply boil water and to see if having copper clad bottoms made a difference...it did come to a boil somewhat faster but not at warp speed or anything.
I was also a bit worried to find that these pots and pans were a lot heavier, and sturdier than my old stuff as I am getting older now and my grip isn't what it used to be. But the handles are well balanced, and even with a full load in the larger sauce pan, I had no problems getting it to the stove. A real worry since I have a glass top stove and I really don't want to drop anything on it and break it.
Next up was seeing if it heated evenly. And using my hand to test the bottom of the large frying pan I could tell that every part of the bottom was heating at the same time. I know it's not a scientific test, but heck I'm not running a professional test kitchen! I am just your everyday average home cook. I do not cook uber fancy.
I cooked simple food that can leave a mess. Rice for instance. The rice came out lovely and since the saucepan is made so sturdily, and the lids on ALL the pieces fit so snugly, the water never boiled off and was perfectly absorbed by the rice. (Perfect rice)
Hamburger patties---not my favorite on the stove top, but a good test nonetheless. The large pan holds 3 very large burgers and fried them up perfectly.(Perfect patties)I used the frying pan next to cook some fried then simmered pork chops, (Perfect)
Lastly I used this to make a typical Hungarian dish--Chicken Paprikas and Hungarian Dumplings which can be difficult and time consuming to prepare and cook. But, I am happy to report that this cookware has the ability to cook perfectly sautéed onions and stew the chicken. And the stockpot held enough dumplings that it made even them almost fun to do. Again, clean up was a breeze . (Perfect Chicken Paprikas with dumplings)
The non-stick coating is sufficient in that I had no scrubbing to do even when I had a little problem with an over-cooked, (oh okay, I'll admit it I burned something I wasn't watching) spot. Not scrubby needed just a nice short soak in hot water and a sponge. These are not dishwasher safe.
Edited to add---it has been almost a year that I've had these and they remain as perfect as the day I got them.I will even admit to throwing them in the dishwasher now and again with no adversereactions.
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The ex-wife took most of the cookware in the divorce time to replace. Reviews of Anolon's products convinced me to give them a try. The holiday deals for their 'Copper' set with bonus pieces was also appealing. Ordered the 10 piece set. The construction, weight, appearance and overall quality were very-very-good BUT you don't buy cookware to look at it. So, fire it up! Went for the basics eggs of various kinds, grilled cheese, browned hamburger, pasta and sauce,... It was so easy to use these pans & pots they heat quickly, cook evenly, and are even easier to clean nothing seems to stick to them! I was so impressed that I purchased a handful of the other pieces not included in the starter set. I am very happy with their products and am sure they will have a long and useful life. A note though: the square griddle they sell as a companion piece is NOT induction compatible to their credit, it DOES say that in their description but it means you might need to look elsewhere for something that is (I'm installing an induction cooktop in the next month so it matters to me).
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I received this set as a gift and absolutely love it.The handles feel good in my hand, they are very solid and well made, and they look great on the stove.Although you might think the flush rivets are a minor improvement, they actually make cleaning the items significantly easier.5 star and fully recommended...
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I got this item for my wife for Easter.It is replacement pans for some item that she currently has that the non-stick coating has become unusable.
