I wanted to replace my old Cuisinart MultiClad Pro saute pans (original 2001 clamshell long handle). After 20 years, I got tired of the long handle getting in the way on top of the stove, and barely fitting inside my oven. The saute pans had served me well but I also wanted something more even heating. I had eyed the newer 2nd generation Multi-Clad Pro 2-handled casserole pans on Amazon; alas they were actually different dimensions (I thought they would be the exact same body, just different handles, but no).
So a few months ago, I looked into other brands like Fissler and Lagostina. I liked the Fissler with its thick Au bottom. I came across a sale on Wayfair, but by the time I decided to pull the trigger, it was sold out. I scoured the internet and found out that the 11" Original Profi rondeau/roasting pan I was after was sold out everywhere and had by now been in fact discontinued. The Lagostina was likewise sold out, at least here in the 51st state (aka Canada).
Kicking myself for not pouncing sooner on the Fissler rondeau at Wayfair, I decided to adjust my expectations…upward! I started looking at the Falk rondeaus, based on Kaleo’s recommendation. I wasn’t sure at first whether the Falk rondeaus could exactly replace my saute pans, since they were a half inch shorter (3" vs 3.5" depth). I thought I might miss that half inch in height for extra food, if not for extra ceiling room for boiling/steam, etc. While pondering everything, I noticed Falk Canada was having a sale on at the time (late January) and since my birthday was coming up, I decided to take a chance and splurge on myself. I bought the 11" (technically 10.75") copper core rondeau, even though my wallet hated me for it.
After cooking with the Falk for nearly two months, I have to say it was worth the price. It’s actually a fantastic piece of cookware engineering. I chose the copper core line as I figured the outer s/s layer would trap some of the heat from escaping, and I was right. I can hold my fingers against the outside while it heats up for a while before having to remove my hand. Yet it heats up remarkably quickly – so fast in fact that the sheer speed took me by surprise. I’m still getting used to how fast it is, both in heating up and cooling down. I’ve cooked packaged frozen foods and frozen burgers, and also deglazed with chilled white wine, and yes, the temperature crashes at first, but rebounds fairly quickly. The interior is kind of a matt grey color and functions perfectly fine. I would say foods stick only just ever so slightly more on the Falk compared to the gleaming silver polished s/s lining on my MultiClad Pro saute pans, yet it makes it better for creating fonds. Clean up with the Falk is a breeze with the tiny rivets and I can place the whole 11" rondeau in my sink, which I couldn’t do with my long handled 11" saute pan. I found out that after cooking in the rondeau for several weeks, the matt grey interior develops kind of a bronzing color over time that doesn’t come out with normal hand washing. But a sprinkle of Barkeepers Friend brings it back to looking new again. Another pleasant surprise was discovering the 11" rondeau does not feel heavy when handling it, only just over 6 lbs (2.88 kg).
Of course the biggest advantage over my saute pans, apart from the more convenient short handles, is the evenness of cooking. I have electric coil burners, and when I place the 11" rondeau on a 8" coil (technically 7.5"), that even though there is a 3 inch size differential (1.5" all around from the burner edge) the Falk copper heats evenly right to the outer edges. So far I’ve cooked pork tenderloin medallions, Danish frikadeller, spaghetti sauce, onions, chili, and also tried toasting bread in the rondeau, and everything has come out perfectly even, right to the edge.
I have to say, I do miss the height of my 11" saute pan. That half an inch in depth does make a difference as I have to be a bit mindful not to overfill the rondeau. However, that’s a minor adjustment I’m slowly getting used to. Also, because the rondeau is technically 10.75" (interior) and not 11", the lid from my 11" MultiClad saute pan doesn’t perfectly fit the Falk, but it’s close enough and functionally acceptable.
Overall, I’m extremely pleased with the Falk copper core rondeau, and I’m already saving up for a large 32 cm paella pan to replace my large long handled fry pan (the paella pan is the same geometry as the fry pan, but just with two short handles).
