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An appreciation of the appeal of Circulon cookware must be framed within the discussion of the properties that make Circulon unique in the marketplace. While it is known for its trademark spiral pattern, after which it is named, exclusive focus on that pattern overlooks what makes that pattern possible, and useful, in the first place: the material from which it is made.

Circulon pans are made from anodized aluminum, and it is this remarkable material that imbues them with many of the properties for which they are rightly well known. For many purposes in cooking, anodized aluminum is an ideal material. It is naturally non-stick, or at least resistant to sticking; it is lightweight, which makes for easy handling; it conducts heat well, which makes it responsive to temperature changes; and it is robust enough for easy cleaning. Because of this suite of properties, anodized aluminum makes a very effective material for a wide range of applications.

For example, sauteing, where high heat must be transferred from the heat source to the food, the pan must be light for maneuverability, and sticking can be very detrimental, may be a perfect anodized aluminum application. Similarly, grilling applications for foods that do not require high amounts of heat or high temperatures, such as fish or pancakes, may well be ideal as well. On the other hand, grilling foods that do require a high degree of heat for a long time, such as searing a steak, where the bulk of the meat itself requires a metal capable of holding on to, and doling out, heat over time, may be less suited for anodized aluminum. There is a reason why cast iron is useful in such cases. Other examples include recipes that call for a sauce to be made from a deglazed pan: non-stick surfaces simply do not create the fond necessary for good sauces.

Anodized aluminum, then, is but one possible material for making pans with. No one material has every desirable property, if for no other reason than that at different times, opposite, contradictory characteristics are desired. But it is nonetheless a very effective material in a wide range of uses, and the popularity of Circulon reflects that.

Surely, the material is not the sole reason for that popularity. There is no doubt that Circulon deserves recognition for producing a superior product: Circulon pans are well-constructed, durable, and ergonomic. Furthermore, the unique spiral pattern undoubtedly serves a valuable role in maximizing the non-stick and conductive properties of the metal by minimizing surface contact and concentrating heat transfer, thus making the most of material from which it is made. In demonstrating excellent workmanship and innovation, they are first and foremost good kitchen wares: but their greatest strength is in playing to the characteristics of their base material.

Yet it is precisely for these reasons that Circulon pans are not ideal for every situation. Just as anodized aluminum is not a universally useful material for all cooking applications, so Circulon pans are not optimal in all settings. But this does not discount their wide range of usefulness and their quality, for which reasons they are justifiably popular.

Learn more about this author, Jonathan Caro.
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