Culina 12" Fry Pan Tri-ply Bonded 18/10 Stainless Steel Cookware with Lid, Silver, Dishwasher safe

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I consider 18/10 tri-ply to be top-of-the-line stainless steel. The 18/10 corresponds to the percent of chromium and nickel combined with iron (and some other elements, I think) that make up stainless steel. It's the chromium and the nickle combo that makes steel resistant to rust and pitting, easy to clean and looking beautiful, shiny and silvery for a long, long time. It is the tri-ply layering of steel, copper and aluminum that makes top-quality tri-ply stainless steel heat quickly, distribute heat evenly, and release food nicely when it has a good sear.



This Culina pan does all those things. On my gas stove, it works just as well as my more expensive All Clad 12" pan. But, this Culina pan DOES MORE because of an extra layer of 310 steel inside the bottom layer gives the pan magnetic properties that allow it to work on induction cook tops and induction plates. And, I'll tell you, it works very well on induction.



I'm not saying it doesn't work on gas or ceramic/glass cook tops--it does, perfectly, but I am saying it works great on induction, which is the up and coming heat source. I currently have a gas cook top--and it works great with that. I also have two induction plates--a Viking and a smaller inexpensive one. My All Clad 18/10 12" pan** does not work on those induction plates at all. Soon, we will be moving to a neighborhood that does not have natural gas lines, and I will have to change to an electric cook top. It will be induction, no doubt about it, and I am already preparing by buying cookware that works on induction heating. If you find yourself in a similar situation, check this line out: It works on all heat sources--your cookware won't become obsolete when you move to a different place. (**There are different series/styles in the All Clad lineup: Mine don't work with induction, but I have heard that other All Clad styles do.)



Many induction-ready pans have a metal plate soldered onto the bottom of the pan. Not this pan: To make this pan induction-ready, 310 steel is incorporated into the outside of the tri-ply on the bottom of the pan.



Just for comparison sake: This Culina 12" pan weighs 3.pounds 8 ounces. My All Clad, of the same diameter, weighs 3 pounds, 11.2 ounces. If you find your All Clad a bit too heavy to lift, this is a great alternative: It weighs a few ounces less because it has the aluminum core, it heats the same and distributes the heat quickly, and it has a helper hand. My All Clad 12" does not have a helper hand. The All Clad has a fraction of an inch higher sides, but the bottom surface is basically the same diameter. This pan has a lid, too. My All Clad does not. And I love--I need--a helper hand.



The combination of a wide lip on the lid, and the lip on the pan prevent steam and heat from escaping. The handle on this pan is beautifully designed, is easy to hold, and feels great in the hand.



Also: It is beautifully (and properly) packaged in Culina's trademark black and orange box. Last, but definitely not least: It has a lifetime guarantee.



**I received a sample product from Culina.