easily burns I see that other people are thrilled with this pan, but I'm frustrated with it. The food burns onto the bottom of the pan almost every time. It's not just the scrubbing to get it clean, it's the burned food that's driving me crazy. Any insight? easily burns I see that other people are thrilled with this pan, but I'm frustrated with it. The food burns onto the bottom of the pan almost every time. It's not just the scrubbing to... » Read More easily burns I see that other people are thrilled with this pan, but I'm frustrated with it. The food burns onto the bottom of the pan almost every time. It's not just the scrubbing to get it clean, it's the burned food that's driving me crazy. Any insight? « Show Less
788816
I love this pan and never have problems with sticking. I use it mostly for meats. You must preheat the pan (make sure it is hot) before you add oil or butter and then add your food. This pan reduces wine and stocks wonderfully. Clean up is easy, I just soak it in hot water (no dish soap) and wipe it out with a paper towel. You can also scrub if need be with coarse salt and water. I never, ever use dish liquid to clean this pan. I make chicken marsala a lot and it does a great job on the chicken.
788817
Calphalon is the only pan that I have in my kitchen. I do not have any problems with clean-up or sticking. My Grandma had always said the secret was to heat the pan up then heat the oil if you were using any and then cook with it. It sounds like a pain but I heat the pan while I am preparing the food I am going to cook in it. I like these pans also for casseroles. You can cook your meat and then add your layers right into the pan and put it into the oven. It makes for less dishes.
788818
I got this Pan from my Parents in Law, they told me, they have the hole set since years and OHHHH so good .... BUT THE FACT: I tryed everything they've said in the user guide- and still, it sticks!I don't have the problem that it is discoloring but no matter what i try to cook it's sticking. ok there is one thing Pankaces don't but I bought the Pan for meat's not sweet's!!!!The Pan is easyly to clean, some hot water right after you cooked leave it for an hour and there you go!
788819
I also heat the pan then heat the oil. You didn't mention if you are cooking with gas or electric. It stands to reason that the "commercial" line was meant for gas cooking. I have a ceramic cooktop and the problems with sticking and cleanup are horrendous.
788820
I have the pan and I cook on an electric range. The only time I have something stick to the bottom is when it wasn't properly cleaned. The food sticks to food residue left in the pan after washing. If it is properly cleaned, this problem doesn't happen. Also, preheat before adding oil, butter, etc. Fred
788821
RAV, I have a 12 qt. Calphalon commercial pan, and I have the same exact problem. Last week, my meatballs stuck to the bottom of the pan and I had a terrible time with it. My friend raves about it. However, she has a gas stove and mine is electric. I really think that has a lot to do with it. I even called the company because I found that the outer perimeter of the pan doesn't heat very well. My friend has no problem in that regard, so I am convinced that it was specifically made for gas cooking. I'm going back to T-Fal. Although they are not durable, they work best for me. Jackie
788822
I have the same problem (food burns and sticks to bottom of pan). And yes, I also have an electric stove.
822613
use very carefully. it cooks very hot and tends to burn things. be careful when cleaning--lots of very sharp edges inside.
151647
I have had mine for almost a year and nothing sticks as long as I cook on low or medium heat. A couple times my daughter used high heat and things stuck but we soaked the pan for just a few minutes and the mess all rinsed right out. Hope lower heat works for you!
579786
This is the first real wok I've owned and we love it. Depending on what I cook there can be some "stickage" but nothing has burned. I make sure to remove it from the heat right away. :-)
768122
Hi Carol, you more than likely need to cook with lower temperature. If I cook any higher than med-low food starts sticking. At that level pretty much nothing sticks. If you are still having issues, you may have to re-season the pan. There are tons of articles on the net on how to do this.
558419
It gets a little hot but I've never seen it get hot enough to burn. Ouch! That sounds awful!
462300
I've been using mine for a little over a year now. However, I seldom use the right burner, which is for warming or simmering. But, I use the main burner all the time. I haven't had an issue at all since my purchase.
1306479
Yea a pain! I soaked it and used a scrubbie. Turns out that pan is very resistant to all types of cleaning products if anything sticks. I usually let the pan soak overnight. It's my favorite pan
2153442
We haven't figured it out. It doesn't pop at first and then after a lot of "cooking" time it does but it is burned. We would love to figure it out since the idea is great it is just the application of that idea that we are having a problem with.
614214
Yes, all the time. I think it is normal. Annoying too. I'm sure if you add less water it might burn off but you don't want to burn the plate out.
787720
I got on here specifically looking for an answer to this question because the outside of mine is scorching hot. I wonder if I got a defective one. I went to move it and it was so hot that I burned myself. Its as hot as an iron skillet handle that's been on a stove top. I may have to return mine, which is too bad since I got it because my larger Cuisinart 6.5 slow cooker is so perfect!
1937801
It is easy if you haven't cooked over the cook area too hot! In the beginning I cooked at too high of a temperature. Now some butter or Pam and a temperature no higher than 6.0 and it washes up nicely. Induction cooks like gas. It gets some getting used to. I rarely cook anything higher than 7.5!
249230
I turned mine on a little too high once and noticed that the spatula (which came with the cookware set) melted a little on the surface. I couldn't get it completely off when I washed the pan. I think it has worn off now, but I wasn't thrilled about that because I don't really like using plastic to begin with. This is the ONLY problem I've had so far with this cookware.
1577858
I wouldn't waste my $ on the pan. We are very disappointed with it. It is not a solid bottom pan and scorches very easily. We only use it when one of our others are being used.
583287
I suspect that you didn't have the top properly attached; it is a little tricky to get it right. I've found the best way to learn how to use it is NOT to prepare some elaborate meal where there is a lot at invested (time and money.) You know you can cook nothing, then try it till you get it right. (Tip: get a round shaped, chrome-plated heat diffuser for the bottom to cut down on cooking errors.) Good look, it's worth it to master this cooker. Lance
166813
It took me a few tries to figure out how to get this pan clean. When food sticks to it, the easiest thing I've found is to wait until it cools off and then fill it with water, let it soak for a few minutes, and then scrub it clean. Usually just a few minutes in water loosens up anything that's stuck. Otherwise, a couple of times I've used a kitchen scrub brush (the cheap kind with bristles) to deal with really tough spots, and that takes care of it. I've even run this pan through the dishwasher a few times when I've cooked things that aren't stuck too bad, and it goes through the dishwasher very well! It took me a few tries to figure out how to get this pan clean. When food sticks to it, the easiest thing I've found is to wait until it cools off and then fill it with water, let it soak for a few minutes, and then scrub it clean. Usually just a few minutes in water loosens up anything that's stuck. Otherwise, a couple of times I've used a kitchen scrub brush (the cheap kind with bristles) to deal with really tough spots, and that takes care of it. I've even run this pan through the dishwasher a few times when I've cooked things that aren't stuck too bad, and it goes through the dishwasher... » Read More It took me a few tries to figure out how to get this pan clean. When food sticks to it, the easiest thing I've found is to wait until it cools off and then fill it with water, let it soak for a few minutes, and then scrub it clean. Usually just a few minutes in water loosens up anything that's stuck. Otherwise, a couple of times I've used a kitchen scrub brush (the cheap kind with bristles) to deal with really tough spots, and that takes care of it. I've even run this pan through the dishwasher a few times when I've cooked things that aren't stuck too bad, and it goes through the dishwasher very well! « Show Less
1224144
Here's what I remember from mine: Don't use any abrasive cleansers or scrubbers (not needed anyway because things don't stick), don't plunge the hot pan into cold water, use medium heat or less, and don't store pans on top of it unless you use the pad they provide. Oh, and no metal utensils to be used inside the pan. It's holding up very well for me - a couple of months now and no signs of wear.