Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Grill Pan

 (59 customer reviews)

I had been toying with the idea of a non-stick "grill pan" for some time, and could never justify the expense... After all, I had a large George Foreman, and used it very rarely.

But I was running out of cookware to shop for <grin>, and began tracking several with the plan of buying the first one that came on at a great price.... I tracked both All Clads, and this one. I almost bought the large All Clad, but discovered they didn't qualify for the Amazon promotion, so that blew that!

Then this one came up at $29.99 and I jumped all over it!

I have done beef steaks, pork steaks and salmon on it with excellent results. Cleanup, though not a breeze, is quick enough. Cooking residue tends to stick tighter on either side of the rounded ribs, but I have yet to need anything more than a little dish soap and hot water on a terry dish cloth.

One caveat - I seriously doubt those with solid top Electric Ranges will be satisfied with this pan. The...Read more

This is the perfect hamburger or grilled fish pan -- and it also makes great panninis, so you don't have to clutter up your kitchen with an extra single-use pan. Fits 4 burgers at a time and as long as you take care of it properly, sears nicely without anything sticking. More useful than the round shape, and easier to get the spatula in to turn things. Highly recommended.

Pros - Very nonstick, browns meat well even if it's nonstick, easy to clean up, easy to carry, stay cool metal handles, useful shape and size.

Cons - Like all nonstick, can't use high heat.

I've only had this pan a week, so I'm not sure how well it will hold up, but it's performed excellently so far. I used it to sear a whole beef tenderloin (before transferring to a roasting pan for the oven). The instructions said to avoid high heat, so I seared it over the equivalent of medium high heat on my 22K burner. The roast browned beautifully and I got good grill marks in the center (not as much towards the corners, but maybe because I didn't brown long enough).

Clean up was a breeze, with a couple drops of dishwashing liquid, hot water, and a soft bristle brush to scrub lightly.

I've also fried bacon, and the square shape makes it easy to pour out the rendered fat.

It's been easier & faster to preheat this pan than to preheat (& later...Read more