| This 8-quart saucepan is constructed from the same heavy-gauge, hard-anodized aluminum used in Calphalon's traditional line of cookware, so it heats evenly and quickly with no hot spots and no worries about warping. Its distinguishing characteristics are its easy-to-clean nonstick surface, stay-cool handle, and domed stainless-steel lid. Washed with a sponge in hot, soapy water, the LRS3 (Lifetime Release System) nonstick surface easily wipes clean, and scouring pads and manufacturer-approved cleansers work fine on the exterior. With its thick bottom and sides, this pot is an ideal choice for long simmering at low temperatures. Being ovenproof to 450 degrees is a valuable trait: the richest broths are made from charred vegetables and bones. With this pan, it's easy to roast and then simmer the ingredients in the same pot. The well-balanced twin handles really do maintain a temperature that's comfortable to the touch, even after hours over a low flame, though potholders for the handles are needed if the pot's used in the oven. Its domed stainless-steel lid lets steam rise from mixtures, and the curved handle on the lid provides plenty of clearance for fingers. The gleaming stainless-steel lid and handle make an attractive contrast to the matte charcoal-gray body of the pot. --Patricia Draher |
