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High-quality cookware is one of the most vital components of a well-equipped kitchen. Cookware is as essential to a kitchen as water is to a fish – there’s no going without it. Most who spend time in the kitchen will admit that they’d happily spend thousands on excellent cookware as, without it, you cannot cook delicious food.
Kirkland Cookware vs Calphalon
| Kirkland Signature Cookware | Calphalon Cookware | |
| Origin | Kirkland, Washington – 1995 | US, 1903 |
| Durability | Hard-Anodized & Stainless Steel | High Durability, Tri-Ply |
| Features | Lightweight, Cool-Touch Handles, Non-Stick Surface, Excellent Heat Retention, Induction Ready | Ultra-High Temperature Cooking, Unbeatable Heat Dispersion, Two Layer Nonstick Coating, Induction Ready, Long Handles |
| Oven-Safe Temperature | 400°F. | 450°F to 500°F. |
| Product Ranges | Tri-Ply, Five-Ply & All-Clad Kirkland Signature | Simply Calphalon, Calphalon Classic, Select By Calphalon, Calphalon Simply Easy, Calphalon Contemporary |
| Affordability | $199.99 & $124.99 | $239.99 & $599.99 |
| Considerations | Industry Leading Non-Stick Coating, Excellent Affordability | Unbeatable Quality, Durable, And Precision Engineering – Commercial Grade |
Kirkland Cookware vs Calphalon Comparison
Once you’ve decided that you’re going to spend your money on quality cookware, the most important question is what type of cookware to pick and which company is the best cookware manufacturer?
In this article, we present our readers with two of the best cookware manufacturers available. Here we’re providing you with an unbiased review of Kirkland Cookware vs. Calphalon so that you know which is the better option for your kitchen.
The Kirkland Signature range is some of the finest cookware available. Each product from Kirkland is durable and sure to give you years of good service at a price that often can’t be beaten. Not only are Kirkland affordable, but the performance of Kirkland Signature pots and pans will wow you too.
Let’s take a close look at the exact highlights and what you can expect from this fine manufacturer of quality cookware.
- Origin
US retail giant Costco started the Kirkland Signature in 1995. Its name was taken from the corporate headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, which has since moved to Issaquah.
- Durability
Kirkland is famous for its durability. Each pot or pan from the Kirkland Signature range features either tri-ply or five-ply all-clad construction. You’re provided a polished stainless steel cooking surface with excellent heat distribution thanks to the aluminum core.
The magnetic outer layer means that all Kirkland cookware works perfectly with induction cooktops which means that all stoves and ranges are supported.
- Features
Heavy-gauge hard-anodized construction with tri-ply or five-ply construction grants cookware that heats up quickly, dispersing heat evenly.
Kirkland cookware is designed to be lightweight enough to heat up fast and remain extremely manageable even when filled. Cool-touch handles make Kirkland cookware easy to handle at all times, while the rims are designed to be drip-free. All Kirkland Signature cookware is NSF certified.
- Oven Safe Temperature
The Kirkland Signature range is rated oven safe up to 400°F.
- Product Range
Kirkland Signature cookware sets are either 5-ply all-clad stainless steel or 3-play hard-anodized pot and pan sets. The 5-play does not have a non-stick coating and instead has a polished stainless steel cooking surface while featuring a stylish exposed copper ring that improves heat retention.
The 3-ply anodized pots have a PFOA-free nonstick coating and do not feature copper in the pot/pan design.
- Affordability
The 10-piece 5-ply stainless steel cookware set from the Kirkland Signature range retails for $199.99, and the 12-piece hard anodized cookware set sells at $124.99.
- Considerations
One of the best features of Kirkland Signature cookware from Costco is the advanced Eclipse™ HB nonstick coating.
Unfortunately, you’ll struggle to find a better-performing non-stick surface at an equally low price. It blows budget competitors out of the water but can’t compare to the durability of Calphalon. If you’re running a commercial kitchen or cook often, you’ll typically be looking for something that’s better suited to repeated use than a Kirkland pot or pan.
When it comes to high-quality cookware and cutlery, no conversation is complete without discussing Calphalon Cookware. As one of the world’s most esteemed manufacturers of commercial-grade cookware, you can’t fault the quality or performance of these pots and pans. Here’s a breakdown of what makes Calphalon such a prized name within the kitchen and cooking industry.
- Origin
Calphalon is a subsidiary of Newell Brands Inc., an American manufacturer and global distributor of a range of products, including but not limited to cookware, kitchen electrics, and small appliances. The Newell Company was founded in 1903, but Calphalon cookware emerged as a new company in 1963 as the Commercial Aluminum Cookware Company.
- Durability
While Calphalon cookware is manufactured from high-quality materials, its durability can’t quite match the Kirkland Signature range. Expect Calphalon pots and pans to last for several years, but Kirkland will typically last longer.
- Features
Calphalon has a wide variety of cookware to pick from. There are varying qualities of hard-anodized nonstick cookware and all stainless steel pots and pans available as well.
Cookware from Calphalon comes with a two-layer durable PFOA-free nonstick coating while the long brushed stainless steel handles stay cool at all times. Brushed stainless steel cooking surfaces retain their non-stick ability for a long to come, withstanding use very well.
- Oven Safe Temperature
All Calphalon cookware is oven safe. You won’t find a pot or pan that’s rated safe lower than 450°F, while certain products from their high-end line can handle up to 500°F.
- Product Ranges
The entry-level Calphalon cookware ranges are Simply Calphalon, Calphalon Classic, and Select By Calphalon. For higher quality cookware, look towards the tri-ply and hard anodized ranges, namely the Calphalon Simply Easy (anodized) and the Calphalon Contemporary (high-quality stainless steel.)
- Affordability
The most comparable Calphalon Cookware set is the Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized 12-Piece Cookware Set which retails for $239.99, which is $115 more expensive than the 12-piece hard-anodized set from Kirkland. You’ll also find that the Calphalon 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set retails for $599.99, which is a whopping $400 higher than Kirkland’s entry-level stainless.
- Considerations
Calphalon’s durability and scratch-resistant surfaces are second-to-none. You can’t beat the durability. A well-cared-for set of pots and pans could well last a lifetime. Whether for home use or commercial applications in a hotel kitchen, you can rely on Calphalon’s long-lasting quality for repeated, heavy-duty use.
Which Is The Best Between Kirkland Cookware vs Calphalon?
The best option for most kitchens will be a balanced range of products from both Kirkland Cookware and Calphalon. There are certain items within Calphalon’s range that Kirkland can’t compare to.
At the same time, the affordability of Kirkland Signature makes it rise above the competition when it comes to mid-tier cookware. Both manufacturers deliver quality that you can rely on and superior performance to help you prepare food faster and easier than ever.
Kirkland Cookware vs Calphalon Conclusion
We hope that this article provides everything you need to know to decide between Kirkland Signature cookware and Calphalon’s range. You can’t go wrong with either option.
When it comes to Kirkland cookware vs Calphalon, each proudly stands as a winner in its own category. For high-end, luxury cookware, we suggest checking out Calphalon’s products but don’t discount Costco – Kirkland cookware will surprise you with its value-for-money.