We all want pots and pans that can perform up to expectations in terms of heat distribution, food release and durability among others. But there are also many people who want cookware that not only performs well but also looks good in the kitchen. That is why cookware sets in various colors can be found on the market to tap into consumers’ demand for beautiful-looking pots and pans. They also offer more options in terms of color apart from the traditional silver, grey, and black. So, let’s check out this Epicurious cookware review below which featured a colored set that would easily grab anyone’s attention.
Epicurious Cookware Review – 11-Piece Cookware Set
The 11-piece Epicurious cookware set is one of their more popular items and it consists of the following:
- 8-inch open fry pan
- 10-inch open fry pan
- 1.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 2.5-quart saucepan with lid
- 4-quart sauté pan with lid
- 8-quart stock pot with lid
- Universal stainless steel steamer insert (fits 1.5 and 2.5-qt. saucepans)
Note: There is also a 14-piece bundle for those who want a more complete set for their collection.
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The Epicurious cookware set has a heavy-gauge aluminum construction. Aluminum is a common material used for cookware because of its heat conduction properties. This makes heat distribution more efficient across the cooking surface. The bottom is an impact-bonded stainless steel base which helps to deliver heat evenly on all stovetops including induction.
The interior is nonstick and metal utensil safe. The exterior finish is available in a few colors including blue, red and copper. There is also a hard anodized version that comes in black color. The silicone handles stay cool to touch om the stove and are dual-riveted to the body of the cookware. The tempered glass lids have stainless steel rims to keep in heat and moisture. The cookware is dishwasher safe and oven safe up to 350ºF. The pots and saucepans have a belly shape that gives them a pretty look while enhancing heat and moisture circulation.
Pros And Cons Of The Epicurious Aluminum Cookware
Pros
- Looks beautiful – The vibrant colors give the pots and pans an eye-catching look. The Epicurious aluminum copper cookware is also much sought after because the color makes it look classy without the hefty price tag of a solid copper piece. The belly shape further adds to the attention to make the cookware stand out. Other colorful nonstick cookware that you can find on the market include the Vremi Nonstick and T Fal Metallics.
- Handles stay cool – Many cookware pieces have handles that will become too hot to touch during cooking. The Epicurious cookware uses a silicone handle that has better resistance against heat so that you won’t accidentally scorch yourself when you lift the pan.
- Doesn’t stick – The Epicurious cookware has a triple layer nonstick coating that has great food release properties. It is easy to cook with and many buyers are happy over the easy clean-up too.
- Functional for the price – The Epicurious nonstick cookware is not cheap but neither is it one that will cost you a great deal of money like the All Clad Nonstick or Swiss Diamond. It is good enough for household cooking without being too flimsy with just the right weight for an average user. Your food will cook evenly with an efficient heat distribution throughout the cooking surface.
Cons
- Color fades – While the cookware looks pretty when new, the Epicurious cookware reviews from some online buyers have mentioned about the paint chipping and color fading over time. This is the risk of buying colored cookware compared to stainless steel such as the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic which is more durable and resistant to heat and wear and tear.
- Dents – Online buyers have also complained of lids failing to fit perfectly onto pots because the pot rims are not perfectly round in shape. This could be the result of imperfect packaging that caused the pots to be misshapen during handling and shipping.
Is Epicurious Cookware PFOA-Free?
At the time of writing, there is no indication on the company’s website itself of what kind of nonstick coating is used for Epicurious nonstick cookware. However, PFOA has been phased out in today’s cookware manufacturing and many, if not all, cookware sold in the USA by reputable brands will comply with the no PFOA standard.
Some manufacturers will proudly declare that their cookware line is PFOA and PTFE-free. The best ceramic cookware on the market will tend to have this selling point in their product descriptions. The CeraPan Marble Hill is one example and so is the WearEver Pure Living cookware. But other manufacturers may not be so forthcoming with such kind of information, especially for nonstick cookware that contains PTFE. They rather remain silent on the type of coating used in their pots and pans although they may highlight that the cookware pieces are PFOA-free to comply with the current practice.
So, if there is a lack of information, you would have to use your own judgment on whether you would want to take the risk of buying such nonstick cookware like the Epicurious in this case. The consolation is PFOA has indeed been phased out while there is nothing wrong in PTFE-based formula because research has shown that it is safe to use and would not be harmful even if ingested.
Should You Buy The Epicurious Cookware Set?
Given the Epicurious cookware reviews from online buyers over different web retailers, the conclusion that we can draw is pretty clear. If you are buying it for the nonstick properties, it works well. But if you are buying it for the looks, be prepared that the attractiveness will fade, sometimes rather quickly too. If the nonstick coating lasts you 2 to 3 years, you might be stuck with an ugly pan for that duration before it needs to be replaced. This is something that you would have to bear in mind when buying colored cookware.
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If you don’t care about the looks fading but just want the pan to last, the complaints from buyers about the nonstick coating are not frequent from what we can see from the Epicurious cookware reviews. By and large, the nonstick coating seems less of an issue compared to the exterior paint chipping and fading. But then again, any nonstick cookware would not last you a lifetime. So, the price is an important consideration in deciding whether any nonstick cookware is a worthwhile buy for you.
i have epicurious cookware and i love it but the 4 qt pan has pitted out and peeling off. Disappointed that it did this….it also sits flat on the flat top stoves….I have had this set for at least 7 years and it has not faded. I will buy this set again when it finally pits out and peels.