Circulon Elementum Hard Anodized cookware set is one of the newest line of nonstick cookware by Circulon. The company Circulon has been around since 1984. The company falls under a umbrella of company by the Meyer Corporation. They own various cookware brand such as Prestige, Faberware, Ruffoni and even Hestan. The price ranges from bargain to high end. In other word, they know how to make a cookware. The Circulon brand will fall right into the mid tier category. The construction of these cookware are relatively good but they still fall under the pitfalls of nonstick cookware. This review will take a closer look at its overall design and construction. We will see what their marketing team claims and whether you should trust it.

Circulon Elementum Hard Anodized Cookware Set Quick Summary

Categories	Circulon Elementum Hard Anodized Cookware Set
Performance	Good
Colors	Black
Brand Awareness	America
Handle	Metal with Silicone
Oven Safe Temperature	400 Degree Fahrenheit
Pouring Lip	Yes
Thoughts	A good performing nonstick cookware with a mid tier build quality. However, this build quality also comes at a slightly higher price. Whether you think its worth it depends on how you like their fit and finish. But ultimately, the durability of any nonstick pan is down to the nonstick coating.
Reviewed Cookware	Circulon 84564 Elementum Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Pots and Pans Set, 10 Piece

Hard Anodized vs Teflon

Both Hard Anodized and Teflon uses similar nonstick coating. The main difference is how its applied. In a traditional nonstick cookware, the pans are sand blasted then painted on. It is then finished in a oven to bake the teflon.

On hard anodized cooking, the coating is affixed via anodizing. Anodizing is done via a electrochemical process where they bathe the pan in a solution. A electric current is then run across it, hardening the aluminum oxide layer. This in turns make the nonstick more durable than your conventional nonstick cookware. However, this usually results in a higher cost for the cookware. Whether the additional cost is worth it, is up to you. In my experience they do last a little bit longer.

Circulon Elementum Cookware Set Design

This section will discuss the various aspect of Circulon Elementum. We will take a look at its handle, finish and general performance.

Handle

The handle on Circulon Elementum looks like it was just lifted from Anolon cookware. Since they fall under the same company, this doesn’t surprise me at all. This probably saved them millions in manufacturing cost. Given that, the handles are pretty well designed. It is an all metal handle that is covered in silicone. This ensures that it will stay cool and prevent it from slipping in your hand. The problem with these silicone handle is that there is usually a upper oven safe temperature. On the Circulon Elementum the oven safe temperature is 400 degree, which isn’t bad at all. But if you had an all metal one, you can usually boost it upward to 500 degree.

The handle tapers inward and has a ergonomic focused design. It feels comfortable to the hand and its affixed via rivets. Other handles that is attached via screws comes loose over time. Sometimes manufacturer will even put tamper proof screws to prevent you from tightening it. Overall, the handle is pretty well designed.

Shape and Pieces

The shape of their skillets can be improved on. The base cooking diameter is small, forcing you to sear food in batches. The pan also have a very sharp corner making it difficult to whisk sauces. A skillet with a gradual slope are in general better. These design also prevent food from getting trapped.

For their sauce pot, they have two design. one is the traditional narrow but tall design. These are only good for preparing liquid based items. It is not recommended to sear food as it will cause it to crowd and steam. The wider base version that they also have is better for searing. Since the food has room to breathe, they can sear easier and develop a better crust. If you plan on making a sauce from the fond, the wider version is better.

As for their dutch and saute pans, those are well designed. They have ample room and lets you sear or cooking anything you would need.

One final thing to note, the lids and utensils count as individual pieces. most manufacturer seems to do this so it looks like you get more. Its annoying but something you should be aware of.

Lids

The lids are pretty unique. They are made of glass and has pouring spots. Since the the pots themselves have lip, you can use the lid as a drainer. What I dont like about them is that there made of glass. Glass are sometimes unpredictable. If you manage to hit it wrong of expose it to extreme temperature, they can shatter. For that reason, a metal lid is more durable and better. Besides, you cant even see inside the glass lid once it starts steaming.

Circulon Ridges High and Low

In their video, they said that their ridges gives the pan circles that make last longer. They ran a knife through it to show that it will be more durable. However, in the video, the nonstick coating still got scratched… While it does have less contact point than a pan with no ridge, you still shouldn’t use a knife or metal utensils. The fact remains that nonstick cookware are wear items. After one or two year, you can expect to replace it.

One way to make it last longer is to not use metal utensils. The second is to never use a high heat. A high heat is the main cause of failure of nonstick cookware. One way you can temper the heat is by adding oil to a cold pan. If you should see smoke emit from the pan, you overheated it. It is a sign that you should lower the temperature.

Induction Capability

Circulon Elementum should not be induction cappable. For it to be induction capabale, it needs to be magnetic. Manufacturer will usually stick a stainless steel plate on the bottom. But since the body is mostly aluminum, the magnetic pull is too weak to do anything.

Circulon Elementum Hard Anodized Cookware Set Thoughts

For a nonstick cookware, it is pretty well designed. They feature some unique design such as the ridges. However, they also cost a little bit more than their competitor. The question is whether the extra features and design worth it to you? It is a little more well constructed, but remember nonstick cookware only last as long as the nonstick coating.

If you would like to see more articles like this GreenLife Ceramic Cookware Set review, please visit our Pots and Pans Review page.