About

Durable, hard-anodized skillet construction Crafted with copper delivers optimum heat control and performance on all stovetops, including induction

Premium-quality nonstick is long lasting and metal utensil safe with superior food release and effortless cleanup

Cast stainless steel handle is attached with flat-rivet technology to provide a smooth interior skillet wall

Oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the induction-suitable skillet functions beautifully alongside other items in the Anolon Nouvelle copper collection

Lifetime warranty

From countertop to stovetop and beyond, the induction-suitable, European-inspired Anolon Nouvelle copper nonstick 12-Inch French Skillet delivers superior, professional-quality performance with a sophisticated look. This versatile, large-sized skillet features durable, hard-anodized construction Crafted with copper to deliver optimum heat control, and its double full cap base includes a copper core layered between aluminum and magnetic stainless steel, making it suitable for all cooktops, even induction. The skillet's restaurant-tested premium-quality nonstick is metal utensil safe and easy to clean, so a frittata made with farm-fresh eggs requires little to no butter or oil, and each delicious serving releases from the pan with ease. A generously appointed cast stainless steel handle is attached to the pan body using innovative flat-rivet technology for a clean and continuous interior surface. Oven safe to 500°f, this European-inspired skillet is an ideal complement to many other items in the Anolon collections. Grab solid hold of professional-level cooking performance, style, and durability with the Anolon Nouvelle copper nonstick 12-Inch French Skillet, for savory culinary results with easy cleanup.

  • Color: Black, silver, copper
  • Weight: 3 lb 10 oz
  • Made In: Thailand
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime
  • Dimensions: 12-1/2" across; 20-1/4" with handle; 3" high
  • Composition: Anodized aluminum, copper, aluminum, stainless steel
  • Manufacturer: Meyer Manufacturing Co.
  • Other versions: 10-inch Skillet; 8-inch Skillet
  • Product number: 82517

Ambitions

Apparent goal: kids gift/registry home kitchens restaurants everywhere
Intended audience: novice advanced beginner good home cook gourmet professional
Diet/nutrition: does not apply scary empty promises helpful essential
Green?: not especially neutral mixed blessing earth friendly green!
Innovative: step back standing still progress trendy genius
Problem solving: no better baby steps solid steps giant steps a revelation
Competition: outclassed follower in the pack strong challenger likely champ

Utility/Quality

Ease of use: impossible frustrating OK simple child's play
Intuitive: Ph.D. required barely logical effortless brilliant
Instructions: missing incomprehensible adequate unnecessary excellent
Quality: cheesy questionable good years of service impressive
Parts to lose: inevitable some/many one-piece self-storing not a problem
Power source: none hands batteries outlet stovetop/oven
Clean-up: nightmare wipe clean soap & water scouring pad dishwasher
Does it work?: not at all adequately well very well perfectly
Availability: airfare required online kitchen store department store supermarket

Packaging

Easy to open?: impossible maddening tolerable good opens itself
Green?: fills a landfill huge waste passable minimal waste impressive

Economy

Time saving: time wasting not really modest substantial huge
Labor saving: less efficient marginal a bit noticeable remarkable
Money saving: money wasted none $ $$ $$$
Beats the old way: worse no change better definitely entirely new
Where will it live?: garage/attic drawer cabinet countertop rack

Summary

Fulfills ambitions: falls short almost there satisfies exceeds home run
How often used: once/twice ≥daily ≥weekly ≥monthly ≥yearly/holidays
Worth the space?: no does not apply w/unlimited space w/limited space absolutely
Need it?: a luxury discretionary basic equipment for serious cooks get it
Value: ouch! a little pricey worth splurging on the money a deal
Overall rating: skip it fair good very good excellent

Comments: Is there a limit to how many layers of metal can be fused together to make the bottom of a pan? Quite possibly not. Manufacturers fiddle with layers of copper (the best conductor of heat), aluminum (next best, but reactive with some foods), anodized aluminum (incredibly strong and less reactive), stainless steel (many virtues, but not a great conductor), etc., and the thickness and arrangement of those layers, all in hopes of finding pan Nirvana (which may not exist…)

A more relevant question may be, is there a point at which a good home cook cannot practically discern the differences between one good pan and another – no matter how many layers of metal are on the bottom? Even testing pans constantly in the Ochef test kitchen, we often cannot find much practical difference. At what point does butter burn in the pan over high heat? When does the roux burn? When does cream boil over? At some point it is less about the quality of the pan and more about the attentiveness of the cook. Restaurant kitchens do not generally use the fanciest pans, but the cooks give them all of their attention.

Falling in love with a pan often comes down to personal preferences and small details, like pan weight and how wide the handle is. It would be nice if everyone had a chance to test drive many pans before deciding on something they're likely to cook with for 20 years or more.

Enough philosophy.

Into this fray comes the Anolon Nouvelle Copper line. These anodized aluminum pans have a layer of aluminum at their base that is encapsulated with copper followed by more aluminum and finished with an impact-bonded magnetized stainless steel bottom. The manufacturer says this creates outstanding heat distribution and will work on all stovetops, including induction. It has a "restaurant-tested" nonstick interior and can be used in the oven up to 500°F (260°C). The very serious cast stainless steel handle is attached to the pan body using flush-rivet technology, which along with the nonstick interior makes clean-up quick and easy.

In our tests, it worked great. The nonstick surface performed admirably. With its little strip of copper showing at the bottom, it looks elegant. It's silly for us to say so, since you can get pans in every size, but we love the size of this 12-inch pan. The bottom is not so huge than you can't fry a couple of eggs, but the sides flare up so broadly, that it seems like you could cook enough food for a modest sports team. We find that anodized aluminum discolors in the dishwasher, so hand-washing is best.