Cuisinart FCT193-18 French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless 3-Quart Saucepot with Cover

I did a great deal of comparison, between these and the "WAAAAY" more expensive lines. These are the same physical thickness as the American brand (which is now owned & produced by China...), slightly thinner than the Belgian pans and about the same as the French and Italian lines - depending on which line you choose. The French company still has a line that is thicker, but they are hard to find in the US, and if you have to ask the price? You can't afford them. These are made in France - they still make great cookware there. These are a great weight, heavy enough to distribute heat well - even over cheap wonky burners - but still light enough to lift & move with one hand, even full. It is much harder to burn things! I LOVE the mirror finish and the polished interiors, makes them clean easier! If you use the stainless method (heat pan till water skates, add oil, heat oil till it waves, THEN add food, WAIT...) the food releases properly and does not stick - it does take a bit of practice, as those of us used to no-stick cookware tend to rush it. They go in the dishwasher (yea!) the design is lovely, clean lines, beautiful handles - which not only look gracefully curved and balanced, but fit nicely in your hand, no cutting edges, and the curve is functional, it keeps the handle away from the flame so they don't get hot. The thumb dimple works! It lets you grab the handle in the right place without having to look. The style is straight sides, which I love, but for those who like the rolled lip, that could be a negative. I moved to stainless, for the multitude of reasons, but significantly, because I was tired of hand washing everything - not necessary with these as they go in the dishwasher! But even hand washing is much easier than my anodized aluminum. The wonderful things is that they have taken cooking to a new level, things are easier, fonds better, less burning and scorching! I LOVE these pans! They are Stainless steel triply at it's best - beautiful pans, easy cleaning, more fun cooking, and absolutely BEAUTIFUL! AND they are significantly cheaper than the other brands. If you are thinking of switching to SS, this is a great way to go.

So, I needed to replace a 1 quart saucepan that I burned up on the stove. I was totally ticked off at myself because it was my favorite saucepan. The one I used the MOST. And I KNEW I wouldn’t be able to replace it because it was an older saucepan, made in South Korea and I know darn well that the Koreans have since moved away from the manufacture of light manufactured things like pots and pans and their economy is now very sophisticated enabling them to tackle much more complicated things like; cars, computers, tvs and high quality kitchen appliances. And, yup, search as I might, I could not find a saucepan like the one I stupidly ruined.So, now what?I was resigned to my fate, to have to buy something more expensive, that I would not like as much. But after much searching and comparing and googling “Best Pots & Pans”, etc., I finally settled on this Cuisinart French Classic Tri-ply stainless 1 quart Saucepan w/cover. An all stainless saucepan! They are still made! Without the BS, fragile, non-stick “miracle coating du jour” that is certain to wear off within a year or two and probably poison me in the process.With some trepidation, I pluncked down the $50, expecting to be disappointed with all that money down the drain as penance for my clumsy sins in the kitchen.The Cuisinart arrived quickly! With bated breath I opened the box and……...gasp! Holy Toledo!This thing is a SERIOUS piece of cooking equipment! It is built like a TANK. WAY more saucepan than a mere screw-up like I deserve. Very well weighted, it doesn’t tip when empty with the lid removed. The bottom is thick stainless steel; well designed for even heating. No question, this one pot is the classiest, highest quality piece of equipment in my kitchen.However, all that good stuff being said, I do have a complaint. The design of the edge of the pan does NOT allow liquids to be poured out of the pan! Without a "rolled" top edge, liquids run down the side instead of pouring neatly out over the edge. So, this pot cannot be used for example, for boiling water for pouring into a Melitta coffee filter funnel.Now all I have to do is try to live up to, “The Promise of the Pan”.............here’s crossing my fingers, wish me luck.