Cuisinart 4-Quart Skillet, Stainless Steel Cookware

Great saucepan
The 12 piece MultiClad Pro set MCP-12N, sold elsewhere on this site, is by far the better value per piece and includes the 1 1/2QT and 3QT saucepans sold individually here. But I often need to use two 1 1/2QT saucepans at the same time, and I wanted to evaluate product performance before investing in the larger set, so I started with this individual one.I’m no longer comfortable using my old non-stick anodized aluminum pots and pans, for health reasons. If you’re reading this, you likely have the same concerns and already decided on stainless steel, are wondering whether to get this one or another brand.Get this one.The top two brands are All Clad and Cuisinart, all others fall short in one way or another. All Clad are made in the USA, and you pay for that. Cuisinart are made in China, but this is one example where the product is of comparable quality. It really comes down to whether or not you think the Made in USA aspect is worth up to twice the price.Below are some comments meant to apply to the MultiClad Pro line in general as well as this individual saucepan. But for this saucepan specifically, in the 1 1/2QT size I found it to be wider and shallower than my old non-stick. This was a plus, because it created a larger surface area on the bottom – on my gas range it was difficult with the old one keeping flames from going up the sides even on the smallest burner, but that hasn’t been a problem with this one. The first time I used it, for some broth-based soup, I had some vaguely “rainbow” discolored stains on the bottom. These are hard water stains and they disappeared instantly after applying a little white vinegar. Subsequent uses and cleanings have been easy with no residue requiring extra steps.In general:Construction – these have three layers running throughout the cookware, both bottom and sides (many other brands are only layered on the bottom). Inner layer / cooking surface is 18/10 (aka 304 grade) stainless steel, the gold standard for stainless steel kitchenware (316 grade is more corrosion resistant but there’s no advantage in the kitchen, only marine environments). Middle layer is aluminum for heat conductivity (SS by itself is a poor conductor). Outer layer is 18/0 stainless steel, which is magnetic for induction stove compatibility. The middle aluminum layer is completely encapsulated and does not come in contact with food. Handle is cast SS and of a design that stays cool while in use. Lid is all SS. Overall slightly more hefty than non-stick ano aluminum but much lighter than modern cast iron (and cast iron is a poor choice for saucepans anyway).Cooking – the aluminum core distributes heat quickly and evenly. You really can effectively cook using a lower heat setting than you would with non-stick ano aluminum. Stainless steel is NOT non-stick, doesn’t matter which brand, but that’s more relevant with skillets than saucepans.Cleaning – it comes with a cleaning guide, which states that after you finish cooking with it, fill it with hot water, add some dishsoap, then let it cool to room temperature while you do your other dishes. This has been surprisingly effective, with a quick scrub using a blue non-scratch scrubbing sponge being sufficient to finish the job. Really, with this saucepan specifically, I usually don’t even have to do that much, just wash it normally like any other pot. If you get some discoloration on the cooking surface, that’s likely hard water stains which are easily and quickly removed with a little white vinegar, also as stated in the included cleaning guide. Anything else you can’t get off can be removed using Bar Keeper’s Friend (a widely available cleaning product), but you typically won’t need to use that unless you’re just burning everything to carbon all the time. It’s also dishwasher safe though that will create more wear over time. Overall, not a challenge to clean if you follow the instructions.Recommended.

excellent Pan
This is an exceptional cooking pan. If you follow the care instructions it will last a very long time. Cook time is great, I see no rust, very functional and on normal heat no sticking.

Professional Cookware but Heavy and Stubborn Cleaning
This is a solid and aesthetically beautiful piece of professional quality cookware. That said, if I could I’d give this 3.67 stars due to its oppressive heaviness and the fact that it’s a bit of a pain to clean. While attempting to lift this, one feels like Lou Ferrigno (the Incredible Hulk, Mr. Universe). There were several times where I had to put it down to regain strength while scooping out rice. At 5 lbs, it’s HEAVY! To handle it I often wear a wool grill glove. The handle is also a bit large and oddly shaped, so it’s best to grab it firmly where the handle is welded to the pot. I recently replaced my old non-stick cookware (a saucepan and skillet) with this 4 QT stainless steel saucepan and the Cuisinart SS Stir-Fry ‘Wok’ Pan. Both of these items look beautiful next to each other on my electric stove. The finish shines and sparkles.Like all stainless steel, this pan can be a pain to clean. I purchased special steel sponges specifically for cleaning my new SS cookware. It becomes much easier to clean if it is soaked in the sink for 5-10 minutes in soapy water.I’ve mostly used this for rice and pasta, but it is large enough to simmer, boil, and braise about 3-4 pounds of food for stews and soups. If already purchased, this saucepan has a learning curve, so I recommend waiting about a month before deciding whether the weight is a deal breaker.

High quality saucepot!
This saucepot is a bit heavy because it is excellent quality. I use it mostly on an induction hot plate, and am delighted with both. The handle stays cool and is long enough to brace on my forearm when I lift it. The lid fits well, but sadly it isn’t see-through. Like all uncoated stainless cookware, it cleans easily and occasionally needs soaked to remove burned-on foods. Highly recommend!

muy buena calidad de la sartén su acabado es muy brillante y si la usas adecuadamente nada se le pega. la limpieza es muy fácil sólo agua con vinagre dejar reposar lavar con una esponja suave y listo, hay que secar después de lavar y es mejor usar espátulas de silicón para no rayar la sartén

great pan – looks good and cooks well. perfect size.

Must have size for daily use and it’s serve’s multiple purpose, easy up clean. My everyday go-to vessel