Is Anolon Cookware Good? (Reviews & Buying Guide)

Tara Williams

Food Writer & Editor For KitchenSanity

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

Learn more about KitchenSanity's Editorial Guidelines.

Many brands have similar offerings while others, like Anolon, take a more innovative approach.

Is Anolon cookware safe? And is it worth it?​

If we had to choose just 1 set, we would pick Anolon Nouvelle Copper Nonstick Cookware because it offers not only a nonstick surface, but the heat benefits of copper.

In this buying guide we will explore Anolon cookware options in our Anolon cookware reviews and comparison chart to help you determine if this brand is worth considering for your kitchen.

Anolon Cookware Reviews​

Anolon Advanced Review

The Anolon brand was created and branded as a more durable, thick cookware, which has led to heavier pots and pans. The handles are riveted, but don’t bulge like other riveted cookware.

What’s the difference between them? While these sets are similar in technical specifications, each of these sets offer slightly different types of cookware and color.

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 11-Piece, Gray

Top Features

  • Hard anodized aluminum construction
  • Aluminum core extends from the bottom to the sides for heat transfer
  • Stylish glass lids for superior fit and visibility
  • Metal utensil safe

Unfortunately, the stockpots don’t have a steam hole in the lid, which is somewhat off putting. So the only place for excess steam to go is everywhere, which rattles the lid.

The coating on the outside of the bronze and umber sets is purely decorative and doesn’t do anything special. Of course, some of us want to have cookware that matches the rest of our kitchens decor.

Anolon’s warranty doesn’t cover “normal wear and tear,” so when the coating gives out, you’ll have to buy yourself a new set. This is pretty average and not really a point of concern.

The Anolon Advanced Bronze, Umber, and Regular Advanced cookware set look great, durable, and functional. With great heat transfer and a proven nonstick surface, they may be a great addition to your kitchen or worthy of consideration.

Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware

Anolon Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 11 Piece, Dark Gray

Top Features

  • Full layer of copper between layers of anodized aluminum for maximum heat conduction
  • Induction capable

We know that copper cookware is expensive and nonstick cookware doesn’t last for years on end.

Being innovative is usually the way to advance and Anolon has tried to do that here with their Nouvelle Copper Hard Anodized nonstick cookware.

If you’re going to shell out for an oxymoron, this one is at least plausible. It may not suit everyone’s budget, but the brand indicates that it’ll last.

The copper layer on the inside of these pots and pans isn’t decorative, it’s there to help them heat up quickly and evenly.

For best results, in our opinion, they should be used on an induction cooktop or a gas range. A radiant or electric coil stove will be sluggish on its own and won’t show off the heat conductivity of the copper cookware quite as well.

The nonstick coating in this line covers the rivets that connect the handles to the bases. This is a welcomed feature and helps ensure that cleaning is always quick and easy. You don’t have to worry about bits of food collecting and hardening around the rivets.

Related | Anolon VS Calphalon

The actual lifespan of your cookware will depend on how you use, store and clean it. Still, we think you should plan around the idea that you’ll replace this set in a couple years.

The handles and lids of this set are stainless steel. This is great for oven safety because plastic or silicone coated handles don’t do well with high temperatures.

Speaking of temperature, this set is rated up to 500F which is more than enough for most home cooks.

If you’re willing to spend a little bit more on a nonstick set, the Anolon Nouvelle Copper is definitely one to consider.

Anolon Titanium Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set

Anolon Titanium Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-Piece Cookware Set

If you’re looking for an extremely heavy duty nonstick cookware set or one for professional use, the Anolon Titanium series might be a worthy contender.

The Anolon Titanium cookware set utilizes a non-Teflon DuPont non-stick coating that is claimed to be scratch resistant (DuPont says that their coating is “metal utensil safe”).

DuPont voids the warranty on this set if you cook on high heat or use cooking sprays.

As long as you follow their instructions, the Autograph 2 coating is reasonably durable. Like other non-stick coatings, it has a finite lifespan, but it’s on the longer end of the scale.

While each piece is dishwasher safe, we always recommend cleaning cookware by hand to avoid the harsh environment of a dishwasher.

This set utilizes titanium composite on the exterior. It’s a bit misleading because we often think of titanium cookware as being some new hardcore nonstick surface coating.

After all, nonstick coatings are usually the first thing to break down.

A simple fact is that titanium is lighter and stronger than steel. Because of that, cookware manufacturers can use less material without sacrificing strength.

However, this is not the case here. The shipping weight of this 10 piece set is 26 pounds, some 1.5 pounds more than the non-titanium set we review below.

Thick rivets and sturdy all-metal handles contribute to a sense of heft and durability overall.

And everything is oven safe to 500 degrees, which is quite high for nonstick cookware. Again, we wouldn’t recommend using any nonstick coating to this temperature.

Finally, it may take some time for the handles to get hot, but once they do, the stainless steel retains heat very well.

The included lids are metal, meaning they’ll get hot too. You’ll probably want to use potholders with the Anolon Titanium cookware set.

Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware

Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 10 Piece

Update: While we weren’t so impressed with their original stainless set, they now offer a copper stainless steel that is made with 18/10.​

Copper conducts heat up to twice as well as aluminum, depending on the measure you use.

Cookware manufacturers claim that because of this, sandwiching a layer of copper between sheets of stainless steel and aluminum helps your pans heat up more quickly and evenly.

It also makes them a bit heavier. One of the first things you notice about this cookware set is the heft. Each piece is still easy to lift with one hand, but you can really notice the copper bottom as you do so.

The whole set looks very unique, visually. Anolon describes the pots as “tulip” shaped, but you could use words like “hourglass” as well. Burnished, shiny exteriors and domed lids complete the aesthetic.

While this design is visually appealing, the bottoms of the pots are on the thin end of the hourglass. This means you have less surface area in contact with the burner, slowing heat transfer to your food.

This isn’t an issue at all for the more “normal” looking pans, but the pots may boil water a bit more slowly than you’d expect, especially given the copper-layered bottoms.

With stainless steel interiors, this cookware set won’t chip or flake.

You’ll have to manage your heat and use cooking oils to avoid things sticking to the pan. If something does stick, the whole set is totally dishwasher safe with no caveats. However, it is probably best to hand-wash your cookware to help keep it looking shiny and spotless.

The unique aesthetics of Anolon stainless copper cookware makes it quite appealing, while the stainless interior gives it the longevity to last with proper care.

Anolon Triply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware

Anolon 30822 Triply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 12 Piece

Top Features

  • Induction ready
  • Stainless lids and handles
  • Oven safe to 500F

The first thing that stands out about Anolon Tri-Ply Clad cookware is that it isn’t constructed from 18/10 steel. Anolon claims that it avoids 18/10 steel for greater induction capability.

We disagree with that. It could easily include an inner layer of 18/10 while maintaining a magnetic outer layer. Heck, it could just have a thin coating of surgical steel for the cooking surface.

Related | Induction Cookware Reviews​

18/10 steel is a blend particularly noteworthy for its durability and ease of cleaning in cookware. The steel in this set is perfectly fine, but it just doesn’t come with the extra-high-quality stamp that we think you should look for.

If you’ve never cooked with stainless steel, you’ll have to use a bit of care while cooking. In our best stainless steel cookware buying guide, we include tips to help you prevent food from sticking which helps make both cooking and cleanup easier.

On the other hand, you won’t need to worry about a nonstick coating failing, so should be able to keep these pans for years with normal use.

While the Anolon Tri-Ply Clad stainless cookware set doesn’t blow our minds, we think that it is a good option to consider for those who plan to enter in to the stainless steel cooking world.

What Is Anolon Cookware?

Anolon is one of several brands owned by Meyer Corporation. Meyer is the biggest cookware distributor in the US and the second biggest in the world.

Cookware lines owned by Meyer include Farberware, Circulon, SilverStone and private brands for Macy’s and Sur La Table. The manufacturing division of Meyer is based in Hong Kong and operates factories in China, Italy, and Thailand.

In 1984, Circulon, a Meyer Corporation brand, came up with a new idea in nonstick cookware. It produced a line of hard-anodized aluminum products that were strong, conducted heat well, and featured small grooves on the interior to increase the lifespan of the Teflon coating.

This line of products was so successful that Meyer branched out and founded an additional cookware brand, Anolon, in 1989. Anolon focused on providing thicker, dishwasher safe non-stick aluminum cookware for home kitchens.

Many of the features common in modern aluminum cookware were pioneered by these early Meyer brands, including rubberized handles.

The early Anolon designs weren’t patented, so their innovations were quickly picked up by rival brands and spread throughout the entire cookware market.​

Today, Anolon produces bakeware, cutlery and kitchen gadgets in addition to cookware.

Its hard anodized aluminum lines are still produced, and it’s added on some interesting variations on its traditional themes including a line with copper bases and a line with a bronze colored exterior. Their cookware lines are famed for their durability.​

Is Anolon Cookware Safe?

Anolon is definitely a safe brand to use so long as you use their cookware within their guidelines and specifications. They are backed by a major corporation with ongoing research and development.

The nonstick coating is made by DuPont, a very common nonstick coating that has a good reputation. However, Anolon claims that is safe to use with metal utensils.

We’re not entirely sold on the idea, as we’ve seen issues with other similar nonstick cookware, but hopefully a single night of laziness or guests using these pans won’t totally ruin the coating.

Where Is Anolon Cookware Made?​

Depending on the cookware set and piece you will find that it is manufactured in China, Thailand or Italy.

In comparison, the majority of cookware in Western markets is manufactured in China, and sometimes assembled in the USA.

If you want to avoid cookware made in a certain country, it will be important to check the box or listing before purchasing.

Anolon Cookware Comparison

ModelCore MaterialSurface CoatingMax. Oven Temp
Advanced BronzeHard AnodizedDuPont400F
AdvancedHard AnodizedDuPont400F
Nouvelle CopperCopperDuPont Autograph 2500F
Anolon Tri-Ply CladStainless SteelStainless Steel500F
Advanced UmberHard AnodizedDuPont400F
Nouvelle Copper StainlessCopperStainless Steel500F
Anolon TitaniumHard AnodizedDuPont Autograph 2500F

Final Thoughts​

In this guide we have determined that they are in fact safe to use, where they are manufactured, and identified some great options to consider.​

The Anolon brand offers a wide selection of cookware sets that are suitable for home use, while their titanium set offers professionals and serious home chefs a chance to invest in next level cookware.

Let us know in the comments with your favorite set and experiences with Anolon cookware.​

Written By Tara Williams

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

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