Only from France, where many kitchens are tiny but people take their home cooking seriously, could a concept like Cristel cookware come. Fancy and small are two words that don't usually come from American designers.
Cristel pans are multi-ply stainless steel with an aluminum wrap for even heat distribution and easy clean up. Saucepans have a thermodiffuser base, which Cristel claims eliminates the need to cook with water or fats. Of course, that's dismissing the taste-based reason for cooking with certain fats, but we'll take that as a "plus" in the design.
Because the handles are detachable (and really, you only need one), the pans store much easier in a cabinet than traditional cookware. The nest neatly, without tipping or taking up a huge footprint the way traditional, long-handled cookware does. Of course, if you're using a pot-rack, this is a moot point.
The line is dishwasher-safe, should you happen to have such a luxury in your "tiny kitchen."
OK, so it's a little gimmicky, but for the right home, this could be the perfect line of cookware. Starting around $100 for a 5.5" 1-quart saucepan (lids and handles are extra), the line isn't inexpensive, but given its sturdy construction, I am guessing this is cookware for life.
What if you strike it big, and move into a big kitchen and you actually want all those handles attached to your cookware? Buy yourself a set of All-Clad and put the Cristel on your boat.
Cristel is available in the US only from these retailers:
Rose & Radish
San Francisco, CA
415.864.4988
Gallic Traditions
Saint Paul, MN
715.299.8116
Richard's Passport
Pelham, NY
914-738-0606
Gourmet Depot & Kitchen Shoppe
Mineola TX
903.569.2015
• Cristel's North America website
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$100 for one pot? Ow! Ow! Ow!
these are cute, but i have to say that a former roommate had a cuisinart pan set with a detachable handle and it sucked. soo awkward and it always fell off. it also made washing the pans a bit awkward. i guess if my kitchen was super super tiny it would be worthwhile, but then again i just couldn't rent a place like that.
that is some serious dough. might as well go with the all-clad set you were waiting to win the lottery to buy and make some space for it.
Kitchenware is one of my few splurges, so $100 per pot isn't insane in my book. While the set is lovely, I couldn't bring myself to replace my currently functional set. I do like that it looks like it's possible to buy in stages, rather than having to buy the whole set at once.
We received a medium-size pan as a present and it is really wonderful! But other (less expensive) companies besides Cristel sell pots and pans with detachable handles in France. I am sure I saw a few different brands the last time I was at the BHV.
i just saw a post on another blog about the tiny pot & pan set for kids at IKEA (Duktig). Does anyone know if these are actually made for stovetop use? I haven't seen them in person and I'm sure they are pretty cheap construction but the website does say "not microwave safe" - which makes me think they assume you'll use it in the kitchen. Hmmm..
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00084863