Review of Download Culinary Institute of America Masters Collection 12"

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List Price: $170.00
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Actually, I'd wanted a 12 inch All Clad Saute pan, but they don't make a 12 inch saute with a helper handle on the opposite end. This (CIA Masters Collection) pan DOES have one, and is every bit as well made (if not better, since it has an aluminum AND copper core). And like All Clad -it's hefty -so when you add food it helps to have the helper handle. It performs flawlessly. I'm glad I found one that meets all my requirements.

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Like other reviews have pointed out, this is a large, heavy, solid pan.

That said, it's definitely worth it. It heats very evenly (make sure to pre-heat for a few minutes and use some real oil/butter, not the aerosol stuff), cleans up well (polish with Bon Ami if desired never use steel wool) and feels like it's been forged of one continuous piece of metal (unlike other pans where cheap rivets make the handle attachment wobbly).

This has become my go-to pan for most stove-top tasks. Admittedly it's a tad big for some small jobs (a single fried egg looks comically tiny), but that's no reason not to buy.

This purchase has made me want to get more pieces from the CIA Masters Collection I like the brand better than All-Clad for both performance and price. FYI, this also comes in a 10" version and both sizes are available with a nonstick coating.

Tip: If you want to move this pan one-handed when it's laden with food, you can grab close to where handle is attached and brace it against your forearm (the handle's curve and size makes it feel like it was designed for this). While not as easy as using both hands and the helper handle, it's a good way to muscle things about.

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Pan is heavy, and needs the auxiliary handle. It heats well and evenly on low heats. We bought this for specific use on a glass top range. I am not a large person, and found that I can pick up the skillet with my left hand, the trick being to use the heighth and length of the handle against my forearm for support. I can transport it to the table that way, serving with my free hand. I believe it was great value for the money.

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I bought this hoping to make this my go-to pan for most dishes. It distributes the heat pretty well, cooking my chicken cutlets nicely even up on the edge. Sears pretty well not losing much heat from a cold piece of meat. My problem is that I have a glass top stove, and after about 4-5 uses it developed a warp where the center of the bottom bumped out just enough so that the pan now spins like a top when set on my glass cooking surface. Urrgh! I didn't think I abused it by dousing it in cold water too quickly, but I don't know...must have. I thought the 7 layers helped match the thermal expansion so this wouldn't happen, but no. Don't buy this unless you are ridiculously careful with the cold water wash or don't have a flat cooking surface.

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This is one of those times I should have checked out the product in person prior to purchasing. It's a great saute pan, and cooks very evenly. However, it is so heavy it is difficult to lift, even with the "helper handle". Still love it though.