Calphalon is a mid to high quality cookware brand and all its products are decent. Two of its many lines are Select and Premier.
I’ve spend hours researching these lines and their various products, across both non-stick and stainless steel to come up with a recommendation.
In general Premier is the more premium product and Select the more affordable one. But both lines offer value for money and decent quality.
In this review of Calphalon Select vs Premier pots and pans, I will be looking at the following cookware sets / pieces:
- Premier Stainless Steel set (Amazon, BBBY) – My Recommendation
- Select Stainless Steel Cookware Set (Amazon)
- Select Non-Stick set (Amazon) – My Non-Stick Recommendation
- Premier Hard-Anodized Non-Stick set (Amazon, BBBY)
- Premier Non-Stick Space-Saving (Amazon, BBBY) – Ideal for Small Spaces
I’ve used Calphalon cookware for years. In my experience, both the Select and Premier pots have their pros and cons. Both the stainless steel and the non-stick versions have their virtues and vices.
Today, this review will cover what I like about these products and which ones I recommend to you.
Contents
At a Glance
For the stainless steel review, my top choice is the Premier Stainless Steel set. It’s lightweight, durable, and extremely versatile for any kitchen creation.
For the non-stick comparisons, my favorite is the Select Non-Stick. My Select by Calphalon review will outline how this cookware set is more worry-free and dependable than its Premier counterpart.
My secondary choices are worthy competitors. The Select Stainless Steel set is best for anyone with an affinity for Dutch Ovens or a more inexpensive stainless steel option. The Premier Non-Stick set is perfect for anyone who needs a scratch-resistant pan interior.
Let’s get started with the stainless steel review below.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Stainless steel cookware is often the number one choice for anyone who wants a durable, scratch-resistant, affordable, and safe set of pots and pans.
However, if you’re a first-time buyer of stainless steel pots and pans, there’s a learning curve to using them correctly. It takes a long time for stainless steel to heat up, and it’s easy for food to stick to the interior.
Before you buy, consider:
- If you want a pan/pot that can do more
- If you are willing to learn a new cooking process
- If you need scratch-resistant or hardy pots and pans
Stainless Steel Product Reviews
The two products up for review are the Select Stainless Cookware Set and the Premier Stainless Steel set.
Premier Stainless Steel
This 11-piece set includes the following:
- 10-inch (25.4 cm) frying pan
- 12-inch (30.5 cm) frying pan with cover
- 1.5-quart (1.4 liters) saucepan with cover
- 2.5-quart (2.4 liters) saucepan with cover
- 3-quart (2.8 liters) Saute pan with cover
- 8-quart (7.6 liters) stockpot with cover
Calphalon’s Premier Stainless Steel set uses 3 ply metal construction to give you more evenly-cooked food. Each piece is metal-utensil safe and durable for long-lasting use. They are also dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
If you want to shop around, this Premier 11-piece set is also available on Bed Bath and Beyond:
Select Stainless Cookware Set
This 8-piece set includes the following:
- 8-inch (20.32 cm) frying pan
- 10-inch (25.4 cm) frying pan
- 1.5-quart (1.42 liters) saucepan with cover
- 2.5-quart (2.37 liters) saucepan with cover
- 5-quart (4.7 liters) Dutch Oven with cover
The Select Stainless Cookware Set covers all your essential kitchen needs and saves you space with these eight stackable pieces. The set uses impact-bonded aluminum bases to give you more control and consistency when cooking food. Each piece proves dishwasher-safe and oven safe up to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
However, the handles do make this set rather heavy. There are only side handles for the lids instead of top handles, which some users might find cumbersome.
Comparison
Below are the top features of both sets and how they compare to each other.
Construction
Both stainless steel sets encourage uniform heat distribution for even cooking.
The Select Stainless Steel uses an impact-bonded aluminum base while the Premier Stainless Steel uses 3-layer metal construction. While Select’s construction is still commendable, Premier’s multiple layers also protect against utensils and general wear and tear.
Winner: Premier
Handles
The Select set uses ergonomic silicone handles whereas the Premier set has stainless steel Stay Cool handles. However, Select’s silicone handles are heavier, making the cookware more difficult to lift or stack neatly.
Winner: Premier
Stackability and Storage
Both sets boast stackability so you can save space in your cupboards. However, the Select set can stack in any order and also uses a unique interlocking system to help your pots, pans, and lids balance accordingly.
Winner: Select
Versatility
The eight-piece Select set includes a Dutch Oven, which usually is not a part of cookware sets. The eleven-piece Premier set, by comparison, does not include a Dutch Oven but instead includes a sauté pan and stockpot.
Both sets provide wide versatility options if you want to cook different kinds of foods or cuisines. However, the Premier set has more to offer the average cook, as it includes more traditional options while also providing a wider range of use.
Winner: Premier
Affordability
You should check the price as sometimes there are offers, but usually the Select line is more affordable. It’s also worth noting that the Premier line seems to have wider availability.
Winner: Select
Calphalon Select vs Premier Stainless Steel: The Winner
When considering the Calphalon Select vs Premier cookware sets, the Premier Stainless Steel eleven-piece set is the best overall choice. Not only does it have more to offer the average home chef, but it also can withstand higher heat while being lightweight and more durable.
If you want something a little more affordable and stack worthy, the Select set will suit you better. This is especially true if you need a Dutch Oven. However, if you have more general needs for your kitchen and want a wider range of durable pots and pans, the Premier set is the way to go.
Or check it out on Bed Bath and Beyond:
Things to Consider Before Buying a Non-Stick Cookware Set
If you don’t have the time or capacity to deal with a stainless steel cookware set, non-stick is a more convenient option. As the name says, these pots and pans have a non-stick surface for easier clean-up and less frustrating meal preparation.
If you have a busy schedule or want to use less grease in your pans for your health, buying a non-stick cookware set will suit your needs. However, if you don’t trust non-stick surfaces to prepare food safely, you should consider buying a stainless steel set instead.
Before you buy, think about:
- Whether your life demands convenience over luxury
- Whether you should cut back on your grease intake
- Whether you can find less risky non-stick surfaces
Non-Stick Product Reviews
The two products in this review are Select Non-Stick and Premier Non-Stick cookware sets.
Select Non-Stick
This 12-piece set includes:
- 8-inch (20.32 cm) frying pan
- 10-inch (25.4 cm) frying pan
- 12-inch (30.5 cm) frying pan with cover
- 1.5-quart (1.42 liters) saucepan with cover
- 2.5-quart (2.37 liters) saucepan with cover
- 3-quart (2.84 liters) Saute pan with cover
- 6-quart (5.7 liters) stockpot with cover
Made from hard-anodized aluminum, this cookware set is resistant to corrosion and warping for long-lasting use. Each addition has a 2-layer non-stick surface for easier cleanup and food preparation.
Both the pans and the tempered glass covers are dishwasher safe. The set is also oven safe up to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
Stacking this set is doable but works best with the lids placed upside-down. They are not compatible with induction stovetops.
Premier Hard-Anodized Non-Stick
This 8-piece set includes:
- 8-inch (20.32 cm) frying pan
- 10-inch (25.4 cm) frying pan
- 2.5-quart (2.37 liters) saucepan with cover
- 6-quart (5.7 liters) stockpot with cover
- 13-inch (33.02 cm) deep skillet with cover
This Premier hard-anodized cookware set has three layers of non-stick interior, making it resistant to scratches from metal utensils. In comparison with previous Calphalon cookware sets, it has 40% longer-lasting non-stick capabilities for easier cleans and quicker meals.
Dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C), both the pans and lids can withstand years of wear and tear effortlessly.
Use only silicone or wooden utensils and hand wash to make this set last longer. It is not compatible with induction stoves.
Find more hard-anodized cookware sets in this review.
An 11-piece version of this set is also available on Bed Bath and Beyond:
Premier Space-Saving
Also in the Premier line is this stackable cookware set. Non-stick cookware normally shouldn’t be stacked to avoid scratching the non-stick coating. However the Premier space-saving cookware set is specially designed to allow stacking.
This allows you to fit a lot of cookware in a small space. This is especially useful if you have a small kitchen, RV or boat.
The space-saving cookware set, with fewer, pieces is also available on Bed Bath and Beyond:
Comparison
Below are the features of both sets and how they compare.
Construction
Both cookware sets use hard-anodized aluminum as their base. The Premier set uses three layers of the non-stick interior. The Select set only uses two. The three layers of the Premier set make it more durable and scratch-resistant than the Select.
PTFE
Both cookware sets contain some PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) for their non-stick surfaces. PTFE is the active component of Teflon. There are some worries about the risk of Teflon, but as long as you don’t misuse it you will be fine.
Never heat an empty non-stick pan, keep to low or medium heat and don’t scratch the cooking surface.
Winner: Draw
Versatility
If you have a wide range of cooking abilities and prefer more pots and pans, the Select set is your best bet. Then again, if you only need a few good tools, the Premier cookware set will give you everything you need.
Calphalon Select vs Premier Non-Stick: The Winner
My top choice for this non-stick section is the Calphalon Select Pans. This cookware set has more range and less risk for health issues, even with fewer non-stick layers.
If you want more versatility in the kitchen and a terrific non-stick surface, the Select Non-Stick cookware set is for you. However, if you prefer more room in your cupboard and better scratch-resistance, the Premier set is the way.
Calphalon Premier vs Select: My Recommendation
My overall recommendation for these comparisons would be the Premier Stainless Steel cookware set. It provides even heat distribution and terrific versatility while being well-made and durable. It also is very stackable and cuts out any worry about PTFE.
Though stainless steel isn’t always the most manageable material for pots and pans, it’s longer-lasting, better looking, and more reliable than non-stick options.
