Product Features
- 12-piece hard-anodized aluminum cookware set featuring scratch-resistant nonstick ceramic-based surface
- Water-based Ceramica nonstick surface won't peel off free of PTFE and PFOA
- Superior heat conductivity resulting in less energy use; oven- and broiler-safe
- 8-inch skillet; 10-inch lidded deep fry; 1-1/2- 2-1/2-quart lidded saucepans; 3-quart lidded everyday pan; 6-quart lidded Dutch Oven; steamer insert
- Limited lifetime warranty; hand wash only; oven safe up to 500 degrees F
We have now been using this set for 6 months. When we first received and began using them the pans were perfectly nonstick so that food including eggs could be cooked without any oil and cleaning was fast and easy. Unfortunately this is no longer true -- the pan we've used most often now requires oil in order than food doesn't stick despite hand-washing and following the manufacturer's other directions. If no oil is used the pan is like a traditional pan and not only does food stick but the pan requires prolonged soaking and scrubbing to get it clean. You must also be careful not to stack the pans (chipping and scratching).
The pan handles do not get hot but the lid handles do so be prepared to use a potholder to move the lids.
The set must be hand-washed and handled carefully to avoid chipping but this is not a problem for us.
I would have rated the set 5 stars had it retained its nonstick performance. The loss of the nonstick capacity and the subsequent difficulty with cleaning the pans drops my rating to two stars.
1/3/10 Edited to add: We've now been using this set for a year and I've noticed several minute to small chips out of the cooking surfaces of more that half the pieces. We do not use metal utensils (silicon only) and are careful with cleaning and storing. One piece has also absorbed the smell of the food that was cooked in it. I am now looking for a different set of cookware and regret buying this one. While I prefer a "green" eco-friendly product I think this one needs some improvements in quality and design.
