Cuisinart MCP-12 MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Cuisinart MCP-12 MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set
Customer Review: If you're thinking of buying this cookware, read review number 4 on page one, and buy it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been wanting stainless steel cookware forever, but the price for quality was more than I cared to spend. I was reading the reviews for this cookware and read one in particular that convinced me to buy this cookware. If you're thinking about the MCP Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless-Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set, read the 4th review on page one and you will be convinced this is the way to go.
Prior to purchasing this cookware, I was looking at a 7 piece set of All-Clad in a High-End cooking catalog and drooling over it. My husband wanted to buy the $700.00 (!!!!) set for me as a gift. I just couldn't bring myself to buy something so expensive without doing some comparison shopping first (the guilt factor working here!). That's when I came to Amazon and started reading the reviews for this cookware. Review #4 on page one convinced me that this cookware was just as good, if not better than All-Clad and he was so, so right!
First let me say that I kept my eye on the Amazon price. I ended up getting this set for $239.00 plus FREE Shipping! It's a no-brainer.....$700.00 for a well-known name brand (7 piece set) or $239.00 for a well-known name brand of the same quality (12 piece set)? I had to wait 4 weeks to get it, but it was more than worth the wait. While I waited for my cookware I decided to buy the All-Clad 12 inch fry pan with lid for $89.95 just so I could do a true comparison myself and the MCP set doesn't come with a 12 inch fryer, so it would also be a useful pan to have (get the MCP 12 inch fryer with helper handle...if you need a 12 inch fryer...it's $21.00 CHEAPER). I got my beautiful new cookware in November, right before Thanksgiving. Well, let me say....there is no difference except price and in my opinion, that's a HUGE factor. I honestly see no difference in the cookware...other than the name. They cook the same, they heat up the same and they clean up the same. In fact, the handle on the MCP is much more comfortable for me to use and the larger rolled edge for pouring makes the MCP better than the All-Clad....no drips down the side of the pans. The lid fit on the Cuisinart is no different than the lid fit on the All-Clad. Quality/construction difference? None. I truly do not see any difference in the 2 different brands. I am THRILLED with my decision to buy the MCP.
I was in awe when I opened my box of new cookware. It's beautiful, hefty, well-made and pure quality! I love the brushed exterior....no fingerprints! The lids fit very well and the lid handles, on the stove-top, stay cool to the touch for a long, long time (simmering soup for hours will make those lid handles hot!). The long handles never get hot (except in the oven, of course). The small helper handle on the saute pan and stock pot handles get hot, but that's a given IMO. I have used every piece of my MCP and it is absolutely fabulous cookware. It cooks evenly, no hot spots. The clean-up is a breeze too. I just soak the pans while we eat and a simple wash with a soft cloth wipes it perfectly clean. Cuisinart says the cookware is dishwasher safe, but I hand wash it. You may choose to use the dishwasher, but that may leave water spots. If water spots don't bother you, use the dishwasher. I have had white shadowy areas after cooking, but Barkeepers Friend takes it right off (get Barkeepers Friend in the grocery store in the kitchen cleaning product aisle...by the Comet cleanser). It looks brand new and I know it always will. I use wood utensils or nylon utensils and will never have scratched bottoms. No metal utensils if you don't want scratched cookware! I did purchase the 5 1/2 quart casserole with lid separately and I LOVE it. It's the perfect size for just about everything.
I have cooked everything from bacon and eggs, chicken breasts, to pork tenderloin (finished in the oven), to pasta dishes and soup/chili and everything came out perfectly. I've never burned anything in these pans and for me (and the smoke detector) it's a Good Thing. I ALWAYS had burned chili or soup because of hot spots in my other pans, even on the lowest heat setting on my stove. Simmering soups for hours in my old cookware just resulted in terrible hot spots/burned bottom. Not with this cookware. I start heating the pans on low and only go up to med/lo to medium and have never had a problem. The only time I took the heat to high was boiling water for pasta, other than that, cooking at a medium heat is perfect. I also love the fact that this cookware can go from the stove-top to the oven for finishing certain dishes. You can't do that with all cookware....especially teflon. The "secret" to cooking with stainless steel is to heat it BEFORE you put your food in it. If you do that, the food won't stick....even eggs.
I just love it and I know it will be the last set I ever have to buy. This was money well spent and probably the best value EVER. $239.00????? Are you kidding me? Buy this cookware. It's worth every dollar paid...even at $299.00, it's worth it, believe me it is.
Customer Review: Cuisinart Multiclad Pro 12pc Cookware Set
Summary: 5 Stars
We had just purchased a new glass top cooking range, (our first smooth top) and reading about their requirements of flat, clean and smooth bottomed pans to keep from scratching/ruining the glass top, helped us decide it was time for a nice set of cookware (a first for us also). After all, our current "set" of mis-matched, thin, cheap, peeling (if you know what I mean), and warped pans were far from up to that task. So I started looking at what was on the market.
The first criterion was a quick review of prices. This without a doubt, threw A11 C1ad right off the table (my table anyway). After that easy determination, all the other brands were comparatively priced in their categories of construction type and set size.
The second criterion was durability. The first thing I decided was that non-stick was off the table, as I've never heard of any type of non-stick coating lasting the life of the pan it's placed on. Not to mention eating the stuff in your food once it does start to wear out, and the alleged health concerns of ingesting some of these coatings.
This left me looking at uncoated stainless steel pans. Which of course are also the best looking pans you can get. (IMHO) Now when you start looking at S/S pans, you will notice that there are basically 3 different kinds/construction of them, thin single-layer light weight ones, thin single-layer light weight ones with an aluminum/copper clad bottom and lastly, heavy double layer ones with an aluminum core that runs through the bottom and up around the walls of the pan. Hence the term clad pans. Not to be mistaken with "bottom" clad pans, of which only the bottoms are clad, (of course).
clad, clad*ding, clads
1. To sheathe or cover (a metal) with a metal.
2. To cover with a protective or insulating layer of other material.
In the case of stainless steel clad pans, you have a soft aluminum layer which is one of the best heat conductors there is, with a protective layer of stainless steel on each side of it totally encapsulating the soft aluminum. Not only does this give you a great even-heating pan, it also creates a very sturdy pan. If you've heard of composite materials used in the construction of newer aircraft among other things, it is merely a series of flimsy "layers" of a material that as a whole, form a very sturdy material.
So when you compare these three different construction types of s/s pans, it only makes sense to have the full clad. Why stop with one layer of s/s when you can have two layers with a layer of aluminum in between to give you a "composite" sturdiness to last a lifetime for just a little more money.
We decided on the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro set. We placed this pan set into our Amazon shopping cart and checked back almost daily for about a week waiting for the right price drop and ordered. We got free shipping on top of the lowest price we've found. And it shipped on the next day and arrived on the third day of shipping, although shipping speeds can differ based on location.
You may have heard eggs can be a difficult item to cook in s/s. Well my wife's first attempt was an omelet that left her wondering if she had made the right decision, because it stuck a little compared to her old non-stick pans. But that didn't stop her from trying again and let me just say... they are the best looking omelets she has ever cooked. So you will learn to cook a little different if you're used to non-stick pans but my wife now loves them and we are looking to add to the set with some individuals and plan to have them around for a very long time.
This pan set is a great deal!! Are there other brands of the same construction? Sure. Are they any better, or cost any less? I read lots of reviews on different pan sets and what I read for these convinced me these were the ones for us.
We totally love cooking in them, they are great looking and display well, they are solid and built to last, and the chances of needing to ever replace them are thin to none! Couldn't be happier!! Don't look to long.... These will be hard to beat, trust me!
Customer Review: Basically Good but I Got a Spotty Potty
Summary: 3 Stars
First, let me say Amazon is nothing short of amazing in shipping this item. I ordered it in the morning June 3, and received it in perhaps less than 24 hours later on June 4. That's as close to instant gratification as you can get. Thanks Amazon.
I do like the pots and the basic good clad quality. They heat evenly but I've noticed I have to crank up the heat on the sauce pan to get water to boil. I was expecting thing to heat up quicker, but I haven't noticed much of a difference from the 18/10 I've been using. I'm not giving it 5 stars because as another reviewer noted, I'm getting white spots in the bottom of one of the sauce pans after the very first use. (Tried BarKeepers Friend to no avail.) It also appears that another spot is starting to form after the second use, it looks like it spreads with every use. They're just permanent white stains--weird. I've been cooking potatoes and rice in the pan. Not sure what this is but when you start buying high-end cookware, you expect a certain level of quality. I'm buying these instead of getting the 14-piece All-Clad set I've always wanted because of all the favorable feedback and the price. But I'm now reconsidering that decision. Especially after hearing what one reviewer said about her ordeal with Cuisinart, in which she had white spots forming on one of her pots and said after 3 months of Cuisinart having her pot, it had not even been opened and then once opened it was returned to her and not replaced. They told her she would have to replace the pot. I do not want to go through such an ordeal and having a missing sauce pan as well. I plan on contacting them and asking them what they will do about it and if the matter will be handled swiftly. I'll come back to update you on what happens. White spots seem to me to be a problem with workmanship and/or defective materials. And obviously it's something that is being duplicated in the manufacturing of the pots. They should replace it. I only used them to cook in and I haven't got a clue to why this would happen except that it's a defect.
If we are buying high-end cookware, we are perfectionists and spotty pots are unacceptable and Cuisinart should honor their warranty. We will see.
**UPDATE**
I called Cuisinart and was told to return the sauce pan to them and they will have it evaluated and "IF" there is a defect they will send a replacement. They said it would take 4-6 weeks. They also informed me of the "Limited Lifetime Warranty." They even suggested that I send the set back to Amazon--at my expense of course. You won't get the feeling it's important to them to try to accommodate you or make you happy. Hmmm. I purchased a KitchenAid Blender from Amazon 3 years ago and didn't really use it much. I realized (and this was just last week--it was purchased in 2007) it was not working properly and immediately thought, oh shoot, guess I'll have to start looking for another one even though I never really used it much at all. I called KitchenAid and told them it wasn't working, gave them the serial number and they shipped me a brand new one that day, which arrived the same day as my Cuisinart set. Cuisinart could learn a thing or two from KitchenAid for branding customer loyalty. Boy was I pleased and surprised. It works great. Now that leaves an impression.
I've decided, it's not worth the hassle and the price of shipping (both ways Cuisinart told me), or the wait and being without my pot. Come on, they should be much, much more accommodating to their customers and get me out a replacement right away. Well, now, I'm not going to buy all the additional pieces from Cuisinart. I'm still in love with All-Clad and will purchase additional pieces from them. Might as well go with the product I fell in love with since I ain't getting no love from Cuisinart. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder but I'll just keep my spotty potty by Cuisinart anyway.
Customer Review: Second to All-Clad and in Some Ways Bettter
Summary: 5 Stars
I've done a lot of research before making this purchase. I've looked at Cuisinart Chef's Classic, Caphalon, All-Clad, and Emeril Stainless & Proclad sets, all in person. The Cuisinart Chef's Classic and Emeril Stainless both are NOT clad.. they have thin sides and just a disc pressed onto the bottom of the pan. The others are clad and I was impressed with the quality of all of them. However I didn't like the interior of the Caphalon; it didn't seem polished enough. I didn't like the handles of the All-Clad. The Emeril Pro-clad set had nice handles and nice glass lids; this set seemed pretty good. However, all these clad sets were much more expensive than the Cuisinart Multiclad Pro set and I also read very good things about the Multiclad set here in the reviews. I took a chance, since I haven't seen this set in person at a department store or at Williams Sonoma.
Well it paid off, because not only is this the most affordable set, the quality is incredibly good as everyone said. Nice polished interior; easy to keep up with barkeeper's friend. The lids are well built with nice handles. The handle to the pots & pans are much more comfortable than the All-Clad and lots thicker than the Cuisinart Chef's Classic line. These pots & pans really feel on par with All-Clad to me; i've held a lot of All-Clad at the stores. They cook things very evenly and have great response due to the clad aluminum core. Fond build up is wonderful in these pans; I love how easy stuff can stick to them to then be easily deglazed since it is stainless steel. If you need to fry an egg, use a lodge cast iron skillet; you can buy them at Walmart for less than $20. The stainless steel frying pans are for french style cooking .. you want stuff to stick to the pan to form a fond to then be deglazed and made into a sauce.. the stuff that sticks to the pan tastes *good* and is a wonderful base for a sauce. For the rest of the pans.. they are great .. perfect for sauces, marinaras, soups, stock, boiling water, etc.. I am very happy with this purchase.
I also purchased the 1 quart Henckels Clad Saucier pan for making sauces for two to four (I'll be writing up a review on this later.) I bought it because cuisinart doesn't offer a 1 quart saucier and all the other clad sauciers tip over because the handle is too heavy for the body. The Henckels has a hallow cast handle, making it well balanced and hard to tip over.
I still need a 12" stainless steel frying pan, and I am considering Multiclad Pro or All-Clad copper core.
I highly recommend this set of cookware either for personal use as a gift. They seem like they will last me a *very* long time.. maybe 30 years or longer.
UPDATE: I am not really impressed with the Henckels Clad Saucier since the interior isn't perfectly rounded to make it truly whisk friendly. Also there is no rolled rim / flared lip, so stuff is hard to pour out of it without making a mess. I'll be selling this. I also bought an All-Clad 2 quart stainless saucier (which also does not have a flared lip / rolled rim); I bought this because I felt the 1 quart wasn't big enough, but to be honest I think 2 quarts is too big for me. Then I recently bought an All-Clad copper core 1 quart saucier for $67 used off amazon, but I am returning it because I am not impressed with it.. the copper core isn't very thick. I FINALLY found the saucier I need, and is probably the best made in the world and the most affordable: The Falk Culinair 1.5 quart 2.5mm thick Copper Saucier w/ stainless interior; it is currently on sale for $125. It's the perfect size, nice and heavy, easy to clean, rugged and the copper provides unparalleled conductivity. Excellent for delicate sauces. Anyways, I guess I am rambling on about a saucier because Cuisinart doesn't offer one in their Multiclad Line, and well copper is best for a saucier.
Customer Review: Very Disappointed and Dismayed!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I highly suggest you do not buy this cookware set, or you will be very dissappointed like I was. Amazon.com did a wonderful job in sending this cookware set right away, and arranging for the merchandise return with refreshing and friendly ease and efficiciency. However, Cuisinart was terrible to deal with. These being new pots and pans, I used kit gloves in my care and use. Upon receiving the cookware, I gently unpacked and washed each piece, and put them away. The next day, I used the stock pot to cook pasta. I boiled the water and pasta on the medium-low heat of a gas stove. After washing and drying the pot, a bluish stain covered the inside of the pot. I was not too phased by this. The small 1-quart pot I used to heat up the pasta sauce cleaned up very well, as did the lids. The next day, I heated up some already cooked soup in the next sized sauce pot on medium-low heat. Despite my stirring efforts, the soup stuck to small areas on the bottom of the pot. After letting the pot cool, I washed it and dried it to find the pot's interior bottom was severely discolored brownish-rust colored. I was through with this cookware. I had seen enough. My husband asked me to test the skillets before calling Cuisinart. The next morning, I attempted to cook an omelette in the 8-inch skillet, only to have the eggs stick to the bottom, no matter how low I turned down the heat. The skillet cleaned up very nicely, though. That night, I sauted some diced potatoes in the saute pan, only to find the potatoes began sticking to the bottom. I had the heat on low, and added a lot more oil to no avail. The potatoes took longer to cook, and left a thin layer of potato and oil stuck to the interior bottom. Although the saute pan performed the worst of all the pots and pans, it cleaned up OK after I soaked it for about 10 minutes. The stuck on food came right off with the use of a nylon dobie pad. However, this pan was severely discolored as well. Finally, I just had to try the 10-inch skillet only to find similar disaapointing results. All of the lids cleaned up very well, and appeared to work as advertised. Upon trying to call Cuisinart, I was treated somewhat unsympathetically, and was placed on hold for perhaps 45 minutes. I did not sense that Cuisinart would help me, even though I told them I had only used their pans once. In my opinion, Cuisinart's warranty is useless if they have no concern for the customer, and require the customer to pay shipping both ways for defective merchandise. I wonder how they would have treated me if a year or two elapsed since buying their product? Even though the Amazon webpage indicated this cookware set (All Clad Pro) was made of 18/10 stainless steel, one Cuisinart representative told me it was not, and "we have no control over what Amazon writes on their webpage". He also said if the pans were made of 18/10 stainless steel, it would be imprinted on the bottom of each pan. There was nothing on the box, or in the skimpy literature enclosed, or imprinted on the pans' bottoms that showed the pans were made of 18/10 grade stainless steel. Another Cuisinart representative told me, after a considerable period of time on hold, that the pans were made of 18/10 stainless steel according to "corporate". When I asked if Cuisinart could provide this in writing, she said they could not. Moral of the story: if it says All Clad, and it's only $219, and it does not indicate the grade of material, tread carefully and buy at your own risk. When I brought my complaint to Amazon.com, they were very friendly and empathetic. They almost immediately sent me a pre-paid shipping label by email, and refunded my account within 48 hours of receiving the returned merchandise. If you have to buy something, purchase it through a reputable retailer like Aamazon. They run a good, tight ship.