Cuisinart MCP19-18N MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel 2-Quart Saucepan with Cover

The 12 piece MultiClad Pro set MCP-12N, sold elsewhere on this site, is by far the better value per piece and includes the 1 1/2QT and 3QT saucepans sold individually here. But I often need to use two 1 1/2QT saucepans at the same time, and I wanted to evaluate product performance before investing in the larger set, so I started with this individual one.I'm no longer comfortable using my old non-stick anodized aluminum pots and pans, for health reasons. If you're reading this, you likely have the same concerns and already decided on stainless steel, are wondering whether to get this one or another brand.Get this one.The top two brands are All Clad and Cuisinart, all others fall short in one way or another. All Clad are made in the USA, and you pay for that. Cuisinart are made in China, but this is one example where the product is of comparable quality. It really comes down to whether or not you think the Made in USA aspect is worth up to twice the price.Below are some comments meant to apply to the MultiClad Pro line in general as well as this individual saucepan. But for this saucepan specifically, in the 1 1/2QT size I found it to be wider and shallower than my old non-stick. This was a plus, because it created a larger surface area on the bottom - on my gas range it was difficult with the old one keeping flames from going up the sides even on the smallest burner, but that hasn't been a problem with this one. The first time I used it, for some broth-based soup, I had some vaguely "rainbow" discolored stains on the bottom. These are hard water stains and they disappeared instantly after applying a little white vinegar. Subsequent uses and cleanings have been easy with no residue requiring extra steps.In general:Construction - these have three layers running throughout the cookware, both bottom and sides (many other brands are only layered on the bottom). Inner layer / cooking surface is 18/10 (aka 304 grade) stainless steel, the gold standard for stainless steel kitchenware (316 grade is more corrosion resistant but there's no advantage in the kitchen, only marine environments). Middle layer is aluminum for heat conductivity (SS by itself is a poor conductor). Outer layer is 18/0 stainless steel, which is magnetic for induction stove compatibility. The middle aluminum layer is completely encapsulated and does not come in contact with food. Handle is cast SS and of a design that stays cool while in use. Lid is all SS. Overall slightly more hefty than non-stick ano aluminum but much lighter than modern cast iron (and cast iron is a poor choice for saucepans anyway).Cooking - the aluminum core distributes heat quickly and evenly. You really can effectively cook using a lower heat setting than you would with non-stick ano aluminum. Stainless steel is NOT non-stick, doesn't matter which brand, but that's more relevant with skillets than saucepans.Cleaning - it comes with a cleaning guide, which states that after you finish cooking with it, fill it with hot water, add some dishsoap, then let it cool to room temperature while you do your other dishes. This has been surprisingly effective, with a quick scrub using a blue non-scratch scrubbing sponge being sufficient to finish the job. Really, with this saucepan specifically, I usually don't even have to do that much, just wash it normally like any other pot. If you get some discoloration on the cooking surface, that's likely hard water stains which are easily and quickly removed with a little white vinegar, also as stated in the included cleaning guide. Anything else you can't get off can be removed using Bar Keeper's Friend (a widely available cleaning product), but you typically won't need to use that unless you're just burning everything to carbon all the time. It's also dishwasher safe though that will create more wear over time. Overall, not a challenge to clean if you follow the instructions.Recommended.

I'm more than pleased with this triple-ply 1.5 qt saucepan so far and I'm glad I found it. I've boiled water in it (see below), used it once to reheat food including sticky cheese, and washed it in the dishwasher. It still looks new and I don't anticipate any problems with it. The bottom is flat and fits my smaller size 6" burners perfectly. It's heavier weight than the one it replaced. The stainless steel handle doesn't get hot and I like the design of the lid and the no-drip rim. I usually cook one or two servings and 1.5 qt is probably my most often used saucepan size.Some reviews complain about rust and discoloration. Maybe that was an older version? Stainless steel should not rust and if some foods discolor it, vinegar or Bar Keepers Friend should take care of that. One concern of mine was that Cuisinart's instructions say to not ever use it on high heat, even to boil water. What?! I don't use the highest heat setting for anything other than bringing water to a boil, but I've never had bringing water to a boil on high hurt any pan. I tried it with this pan and it was fine too. (I'm not telling anyone else to do that, but that's what I've always done and will do.) I don't do things like put cold water in a hot pan, boil pans dry, etc., but I didn't want a pan I must baby. This seems to be a great pan and a great value at $20. (It was $40 at Kohl's.) If it shows any rust or corrosion later I'll try to come back and edit this review. My other stainless steel cookware has never rusted in decades of use and I don't expect this one to do so either.

We have an All-Clad d5 3qt saucepan and needed to replace a cheap aluminum 1.5qt. I wanted another all-clad so they’d match and because I just like having nice things. My spouse was skeptical about spending $200 on a new pot. So I caved and looked for one that would do the job without breaking the bank.This one more than fits the bill. I was happy with the weight of the box when it came, and the quality and weight of the pan is great. It’s maybe a touch lighter-duty than the AC but that’s to be expected since it’s 3-ply instead of 5-ply. The AC’s handle is a little more robust but this one is adequate. Otherwise I can’t notice a difference in quality that would warrant a $170 price difference. The pot looks great and the lid has a nice mirror shine. There are very few saucepans out there for less than $80 or $100 with fully-plied sides. Other inexpensive ones that claim 3-ply often only triple-layer the bottom. Additionally, Cuisinart is a known brand with a lifetime warranty that you know will be around to honor it. They also claim to be dishwasher safe—I’m not certain if AC even claims that. For $30, I feel I got about 95% of the utility for like 20% of the price of AC. It’s still new and maybe time will prove me wrong, but right now I’m happy with the purchase. This is discounting the fact that AC are made in US (I think), and ignoring whatever value there is in having matching pans. Nice pan and unpretentious too.

This Cuisinart set is a real workhorse in my kitchen! The pans heat up evenly and hold heat well, which is perfect for searing meats or simmering sauces. The stainless steel is easy to clean and looks great. I especially love the tight-fitting lids that keep everything contained while cooking.

Excellent quality. Its high mass enables even heating and boiling.