I am interested in purchasing a set of high quality pots and pans, but there are some parameters. I like Caphalon, but my boyfriend wants pots that are both non-stick AND can go into the dishwasher. Looking for suggestions. Thanks!

Hi Judy,
Your question will bring various responses based on preferences. In a nutshell, I prefer stainless steel (tri-ply) pans for durability and heat conduction. However, it's also nice to have some nonstick pans when a higher heat isn't always needed...such as for eggs or fish. Both stainless and nonstick are nonreactive when it comes to anything acidic...same with anodized cookware. For me, the ideal is having some of each. Calphalon is an excellent choice for nonstick, but I wouldn't want all my pans to be nonstick...gotta have the stainless, too. For stainless, you simply can't beat All-Clad BUT it's really expensive. Another great choice for stainless is Tramontina...drastically cheaper and high quality.

This link might help you with some info on nonstick and anodized aluminum...

http://www.finecooking.com/item/21504/t ... k-coatings

To your boyfriend's requirement of putting the nonstick pots and pans in the dishwasher, go to search on this site and type "dishwasher." You'll find discussions about the pros and cons.

I never put my non-stick pans in the dishwasher and I have Calphalon non-stick skillets that are 20 years old and still good.
The dishwasher detergent has a scouring agent that will degrade the surface of non-stick pans and render them useless in just a few years.

The Calphalon-type sets carried at Costco and Sam's Club are virtually identical to the name brand and hold up very well at a fraction of the cost.
Tramontina pans are excellent and also the newer Cuisinart Stainless-Steel Multiclad Pro line has received many rave reviews.
Buy the basic set and add the non-stick skillets in the 8 and 12 inch sizes. And I would add the 4-quart saucepan as I often use both a 3qt and 4qt at the same time.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Multicl ... B0007IQQN0
The cost is reasonable and except for the non-stick pans, they clean beautifully in the dishwasher.
I volunteer at a local women's shelter and they have these pans in the kitchen, which get heavier use than in most homes and have held up nicely.

Judy, here's a little more to toss out to you. Sam's Club used to sell an excellent set of stainless steel cookware. It was their own brand, Member's Mark, and was another one equal to All-Clad in most ways. I'm sure it's very similar, if not identical, to the Tramontina. I think there was a time when you could only buy Tramontina from Walmart, hence the connection with Sam's. Anyway, the Member's Mark stuff is also tri-ply stainless with aluminum sandwiched between. They're tri-ply all over the entire pot/pan instead of just the "disk" around the bottom.

Calphalon now makes a Unison line that says it can go in the dishwasher.