New home chefs, dieters, and busy moms like me are always looking for cookware that lets us cook with little oil without a tough cleanup. The Anolon Advanced bronze collection is a hard-anodized aluminum cookware set that’s a heavy-duty option with a tough non-stick surface.
Anolon Advanced is known for making good quality pots and pans that don’t break the bank, like this eye-catching bronze-colored collection.
But is it a good investment? We’ll go through everything you need to know in our Anolon Bronze Cookware Reviews so you can see if this is the right option for you.
Contents
Things to Consider Before Buying a Hard Anodized Cookware Set
Hard anodized cookware sets are the right choice for those busy people who don’t want to spend a long time cleaning up.
That’s because they normally come with a nonstick coating that is easy to wipe clean.
They’re also very lightweight, so they’re ideal if you want a set that’s easy to maneuver in the kitchen. Sautéeing, especially, requires you to move your pan around, and for this, aluminum is a top option.
Do note that the Anolon Advanced set is eye-catching with its color, but there’s no actual bronze in it. It also comes in blue, black, and two tones of gray if you’re not sure about the color.
Before we get to the Anolon Advanced review, these are some of the things to look for when buying a new cookware set.
Value
Hard anodized aluminum is more durable than other non-stick cookware, but the non-stick surface will eventually scratch and start wearing out. If you’re looking for a set that lasts you a lifetime, you may want to look into other materials, such as stainless steel or cast iron.
Weight
Hard anodized aluminum is among the lightest materials for cookware, but much tougher and more corrosion-resistant than simple aluminum.
Maintenance
Hard anodized pans normally come with a special coating on the inside. It’s this non-stick layer that is usually easy to clean, often just by rinsing with water. If you have a nonstick coating, avoid hard brushes and high heat, which may harm or scratch the surface. Always check manufacturer guidance before using the dishwasher.
Safety
Hard anodized cookware is generally safe. While common aluminum pots may leach metal into your food and even alter its taste, the hard anodization process makes it more resistant.
The anodization refers to the process of creating a layer of non-reactive aluminum oxide on the surface.
However, the non-stick surface on hard-anodized pans can deteriorate over time. Once a non-stick surface deteriorates, as they all eventually do, it’s time to throw the pan out. The key distinguishing quality here is how long they take to deteriorate.
Non-stick pans may also have polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE fumes (emitted at very high heat) can be toxic, so make sure you control the temperature. Never heat an empty nonstick pan.
Anolon Advanced Bronze Review
In this Anolon bronze cookware review, we’ll give you all the information you need to have before making your decision. Quality non-stick pans like these allow you to cook with little oil to create healthy dishes for your family. They likely won’t last you a lifetime, but with the right care, you’ll be able to enjoy this cookware set for years.
You can also buy these pans separately if you’re not looking to get the entire set.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Heats up fast and evenly
- Tough and durable (for non-stick)
- Affordable (for anodized aluminum)
- Comfortable handles
- Tempered glass lids to see your food when cooking
Cons
- Despite the company’s instructions, metal utensils may scratch the surface
- Not dishwasher safe
- No helper handles on large pans
- Anodized aluminum is more expensive than normal aluminum
- Contains PTFE (main ingredient of Teflon)
Features and Benefits
The manufacturer makes some interesting claims about this cookware set, especially the easy clean up, oven-safe cool-touch handles and tempered glass lids.
Are they true? Keep reading to find out.
Pieces
This cookware set from Anolon Advanced comes with 11 pieces. It has two deep saucepans of 1.5 and 3 quarts (1.4 and 2.8 liters) that are perfect for small everyday dishes, and an 8-quart (7.5-liter) stockpot. It’s large enough to make soups and stews for even a large family.
The set also has a 3-quart (2.8-liter) sauté pan with a tempered glass lid and high walls that works for frying, searing and making sauces. For those looking for a large pan for searing, the Anolon Advanced bronze set also comes with a 12-inch (30 cm) grill pan. The set also includes two handy frying pans of 8 and 10 inches (20 and 25 cm).
Heating
Hard-anodized aluminum heats quickly and evenly. If you make sure to only use medium to low heat, the pots and pans shouldn’t warp nor give you hot spots.
Look
This cookware set has a bronze tone on the outside of all the items, including the handles, as well as the inside surface. The design is sleek and attractive, and the color is definitely eye-catching.
Do note that the outside may scratch over time, which will reduce some of the attractiveness of the set.
If you want to reduce the wear, use some kitchen towels or cardboard between the pans when you store them, so they don’t scratch against each other. Also, make sure not to use harsh metal sponges, even on the outside, when cleaning.
Maintenance
This set is not dishwasher safe, and the best way to care for the items is by washing with soap and warm water. If something’s stuck on the bottom of your pan, you can soak it in water.
Cooking sprays will leave a residue that’s hard to wash off and might end up burning your food, so it’s best to stick to oil or butter. For the health-conscious, you can also use a non-stick pan with little to no oil, or use some water or broth in its place.
Remember that you should never use metal utensils on Teflon or nonstick coatings because it strips away the nonstick coating.
Comfort
The set includes Anolon’s SureGrip handles that are padded and comfortable to hold. They’re thick and riveted, so you’ll get a nice grip and remain quite cool to the touch.
Anodized aluminum is light and easy to maneuver, making it a good option for older adults and people with arthritis. However, this set does have a triple-layer non-stick surface that adds a bit to the weight. On the positive side, this tough construction makes the pans more durable and less likely to warp.
These pots and pans are not flimsy, but they’re also not as heavy to handle as stainless steel or cast iron pans.
One thing that’s missing on this set is helper handles on the bigger pans to help you carry them around. It may not seem relevant when the pan is empty, but a 3-quart sauté pan filled with sauce can get quite heavy.
Glass Lids
The sauté pan, the stockpot, and the saucepans have shatter-resistant glass lids that prevent splashes. The see-through lids allow you to control the cooking without lifting the lid and letting out the heat. The lids fit tightly on the pans, thereby minimizing any spatter.
Non-Stick Surface
The non-stick surface contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that, if overheated, may emit fumes. (PTFE is the active component in Teflon.) If you want to keep your exposure to a minimum, make sure to control the temperature. Never heat an empty pan.
The multi-layer non-stick surface on these pans is of good quality, and the company claims it’s even safe for metal utensils. Still, some customers report problems with the coating getting scratched by metal.
If you want to err on the safe side, it’s best to stick to wood, plastic and silicone utensils.
Oven Safe
The pots and pans are oven safe up to 200°C (400°F). It’s better to not use the lids in the oven because glass can shatter in high heat.
Value
This Anolon Advanced bronze hard anodized nonstick set is overall of good quality. All the pots and pans are lightweight and easy to maneuver in the kitchen, and the non-stick surface is quite good.
If you treat your cookware right and don’t overheat the items, they should last a long time without warping.
This set represents good value given the range of cookware supplied and its quality.
Alternatives
Here are some of the alternatives to the Anolon Advanced Bronze cookware set, so read on to see how they compare to it.
Gotham Steel Hard Anodized 13-Piece Set
This affordable set from Gotham Steel is made from hard anodized aluminum, but it has a bronze-colored ceramic and titanium interior. They also have a bottom that works on induction stovetops, and the set includes one chef’s pan and one skillet more than Anolon Advanced.
This set is PTFE and PFOA free, and ceramic is an affordable cooking material that’s also nonporous and non-stick. It may stain if you don’t treat it properly or overheat it. Some users mentioned it can get chipped or scratched, at which point it’s safer to replace your ceramic cookware.
If you want to avoid PTFE or Teflon then I would recommend this set instead.
- Induction stove compatible
- Tough ceramic and titanium interior
- PTFE free
- May scratch if not treated with care
- More complete set
Want to know more? See my guide to Gotham Steel.
Circulon Premier 13-Piece Hard-Anodized Set
The Circulon Premier set is very close to the Anolon Advanced set in the color and overall feel. It has a PTFE-free cooking surface that has a circular pattern at the bottom to prevent sticking.
The items are dishwasher safe, but they’re so easy to clean you likely won’t need to. Note that if you do put them in the dishwasher, they may not last as long. The handles stay cool, and the pots have tapered rims and spouts for easy pouring.
- Not PTFE-free
- Circular pattern in the cooking surface to prevent sticking
- Cool handles
- Easy to clean
- Easy-pour spouts
Anolon Advanced Review: The Final Verdict
Anolon bronze pans are a home chef favorite because they’re easy to use and clean, as well as lightweight. The bronze tone on the exterior looks good, and the pans are comfortable to maneuver.
Overall, my Anolon Advanced review shows this cookware set is a good investment. It works both for experienced cooks and beginners, and for families and single people alike.
PTFE (Teflon) Free alternative to Anolon
Although I would recommend the Anolon Advanced pans, some people prefer a PTFE alternative. This is because, although Teflon is safe if treated right, it is a chemical that many like to avoid.
If you consider yourself in that boat, then a great alternative is the Gotham Steel Hard-Anodized 13-Piece Set. This ticks all the boxes of the Anolon Advanced (including an exotic look) but is PTFE, and Teflon, free.
