Anolon is a long established brand name in the cookware industry. It has been around since the 1980’s and together with its sister brand, Circulon, they are well-known for their hard anodized nonstick cookware. As time goes by, Anolon has branched out and is now carrying a number of cookware lines. The Anolon Nouvelle Copper review below will take a look at its stainless steel cookware.
Anolon Nouvelle Copper Review – Stainless Steel Cookware Set
In the Nouvelle Copper collection, there is a 10-piece set with the following pots and pans included:
- 1-1/4-quart covered saucepan
- 2.5-quart covered saucepan
- 6.5-quart covered stockpot
- 3-quart covered saute pan
- 8-inch French skillet
- 10.5-inch French skillet
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There is also an Anolon Nouvelle Copper 11-piece cookware set available with bigger saucepans, stockpot, and skillet. The bigger 12-inch skillet also comes with a cover which gives the whole set 11 pieces in total. There is no lid available for the skillets for the 10-piece set.
As the cookware name implies, the construction of the pots and pans include a layer of copper. Copper is often touted as a good conductor of heat that can react fast to any changes in temperature. This gives it an advantage in heat control and distribution. So, if you need more precise temperature control for your dishes, copper cookware is the one to get.
For the Anolon Nouvelle Copper cookware, the base is multi-layered. The copper is sandwiched between aluminum layers and finally, bonded with stainless steel layers. The outer cap is magnetic which makes it suitable for induction cooktops. The exterior is polished stainless steel with a brushed finished interior to make scratches less obvious over time. There is also a copper ring on the exterior near the base to highlight its copper content.
The handles are cast stainless steel and dual riveted to the body of the pan for extra security. The dome lids are also made of stainless steel with much clearance between the handles and the lid for your hand to lift. Being stainless steel cookware, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper is oven safe up to 500°F and dishwasher safe.
Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware
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Apart from stainless steel, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper cookware line also includes a hard anodized version. So, if you like a layer of copper in your cookware but prefer nonstick pieces, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized cookware may be your cup of tea. Another hard anodized cookware line for this brand would be the Anolon Advanced Bronze.
Except for the DuPont Autograph 2 nonstick coated interior and a hard anodized construction with a dark gray exterior, the rest of the features remain the same. It is also induction cooktop compatible and oven safe. But with its nonstick coating, this hard anodized cookware should be hand washed and not put into the dishwasher.
Pros And Cons Of The Anolon Nouvelle Copper
Pros
- Heats evenly – The base with a copper layer conducts heat very well to give it an even distribution across the cooking surface. It reacts to heat quickly to make cooking a more enjoyable experience. The thick base also prevents food from burning easily and it works well for searing too.
- Feels solid – The base is heavy with 5 layers of metal. It is definitely heavier than those $50 cookware sets and slightly more so than those $100 ones. The heavy base makes the cookware more stable on the cooktop and less likely to tip over when empty.
- Thick handles – The handles are thick enough to give you a comfortable grip and hold securely when pouring.
- Looks classy – The stainless steel exterior with a copper ring makes it visually appealing. It is a cookware that you wouldn’t mind transferring from the cooktop straight to the dinner table when serving guests.
- Affordable – For copper-layered cookware, Anolon Nouvelle is considered cheap compared to the All Clad Copper Core. Although there are differences in their construction, this Anolon cookware set is only a fraction of the cost of the All Clad.
Cons
- Need maintenance – The stainless steel and copper ring can lose their shine easily. If you want to maintain their looks, you will need appropriate cleaners to have them looking new. Even then, the looks may deteriorate over time with the usual wear and tear.
- Thin sides – While the base is thick, it does not extend to the sides. So, on a gas burner with high heat, the sides can heat up faster than the base if the flame is huge enough to flare up the sides.
Anolon vs All Clad
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The All Clad Copper Core will cost you 4 to 5 times more than the Anolon Nouvelle Copper. One of the main differences between the 2 cookware is the way it is constructed. All Clad Copper Core has a 5-ply construction and this is not limited to the base. It runs all the way up the sides of the cookware. On the other hand, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper 5-layer construction is only limited to the base. The sides are, therefore, thinner.
The second difference is the manufacturing location. The All Clad Copper Core is made in the USA. This naturally will command a premium. Anolon cookware is made in Thailand, Italy, and China depending on parts and product lines.
Of course, the little details will also differ such as the lid and handles design. But the All Clad model is also oven and dishwasher safe.
Should You Buy The Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware?
The Anolove Nouvelle Copper reviews from buyers across various online retailers are generally positive. The ratings are above average and it is not surprising because it is a good quality cookware set for the price. Once you have compared the All Clad Copper Core pricing with the Anolon Nouvelle, you will probably feel the former is way overpriced.
Of course, some people will still prefer a fully clad 5-ply cookware rather than just a thick base. The performance may be better but the small incremental improvement may not justify the huge price differential. For us, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper is good enough for home use. It is not flimsy and it will last for quite some time, unlike nonstick and ceramic cookware. So, the mid-range price is reasonable.
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Furthermore, you are less likely to be disappointed as the stainless steel exterior starts to discolor with use if you go for a cheaper set. This will happen to all stainless steel cookware, even the highly expensive ones. Food will also stick if you don’t know how to cook with stainless steel. Thus, if you have not used stainless steel cookware before, start with the cheaper Anolon Nouvelle Copper rather than going all out to splurge on an All Clad cookware set.
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