Your Cookware Helper

What exactly is hard anodized?
An abundant and inexpensive material, aluminum in its natural state is soft and reactive with acidic foods. The anodizing process takes natural aluminum and treats its surface electrochemically to create a tough scratch resistant surface. Hard anodized aluminum takes the process one more step making the surface smoother, much like a non stick surface, tougher, and even more scratch resistant. The end result is a smooth piece of cookware that does not react with foods, and fits most budgets.

What type of cook is it good for?
Referring to our exclusive article, Matching Cookware Materials To The Cook, we find that hard anodized cookware is great for the "reluctant cook" and the "busy cook." This covers a majority of people. What makes it great for these types of cooks is that it is lightweight, durable, and some can even be put into the dishwasher. For those folks who are a little tough on their cookware, hard anodized cookware can withstand the rigors of professional kitchens and busy homes alike. Hard anodized cookware is considered safe for everyone except those rigorously trying to reduce aluminum in the diets.

The cookware sets
Sets provide a great way to get all the key pieces of cookware at one time. For example, the Anolon Advanced 12 piece hard anodized cookware set includes:

• 2 quart saucepan w/ lid
• 3 quart saucepan w/ lid
• 4 quart saucepan w/ lid
• 10 quart stockpot w/ lid
• 8" skillet / fry pan / omelet pan
• 10" skillet / fry pan / omelet pan
• 12" 5 quart saute pan w/ lid

What else to look for in a cookware set:
Always be sure to read the care and use instructions. For example, the Anolon set listed above has a lifetime limited warranty, but requires hand washing. There are other sets available claiming to be dishwasher safe. What kind of interior surface does it have? Most hard anodized cookware, by itself, is considered low stick. Some, like the set listed above, are lined with a non stick surface. Can the cookware be placed in the oven, and if so, to what max temperatures? Are the handles big and sturdy enough to handle a full dish of food?

Hard anodized cookware set pricing:
Sets retail from $200 to $700, but are often discounted to the range of $150 to $600. Generally you can expect to get a quality set in the $200 to $350 range.

Offering durability that can last many years, lightweight, scratch resistant, low or non stick, and priced very well, the hard anodized cookware set can be a treasured item in the kitchen.

Happy Cooking!

Your Cookware Helper

PS. If you are looking for cookware that must be non stick, then check out the section on Non Stick Cookware.

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