Kitchen cookware is one of those purchases that can seem overwhelming. From materials to price points and everything in between, it’s tough to know what brand is right for you.
One name that frequently pops up in the cookware world is Delarlo. But are their pots and pans worth the investment?
In short: For most home cooks, Delarlo’s high-quality craftsmanship and cooking performance make their higher prices worthwhile.
Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at Delarlo cookware to help you determine if it should earn a spot in your kitchen. We’ll cover:
- An overview of the Delarlo brand
- The pros and cons of Delarlo pots and pans
- Reviews of Delarlo’s top cookware lines
- Delarlo cookware costs and warranties
- How Delarlo compares to competitors
- Tips for choosing the best Delarlo sets for your needs
So whether you’re outfitting a new kitchen or looking to upgrade your current pots and pans, keep reading for the full scoop on Delarlo cookware!
Overview of the Delarlo Brand
Delarlo was founded in Italy over 60 years ago by the Delarco family, who aimed to craft high-end kitchen tools that embodied quality Italian design.
Today, Delarlo still manufactures their cookware in Italy using Italian and European materials. Their pots and pans combine durable, performance-driven construction with beautiful aesthetics.
Delarlo’s cookware lines offer sets and open stock pots and pans across a range of materials:
- Stainless steel – This is Delarlo’s core material, used in their top cookware lines. It offers excellent durability.
- Nonstick – Delarlo uses ceramic and titanium-reinforced nonstick coatings on skillets and pots. These provide easy food release.
- Copper – Delarlo has a premium copper line with stainless steel exteriors. Copper is prized for its quick, even heating.
- Cast iron – A small but popular Delarlo cast iron collection provides cooking versatility.
Within each material category, Delarlo has different collections geared for every budget. Their cookware is sold by premium retailers like Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Now let’s dig into the pros and cons of this luxury Italian brand.
Pros of Delarlo Cookware
Delarlo’s higher price tags come with some stellar benefits you get in return. Here are the top advantages of their cookware:
Durable, High-Quality Materials
Delarlo uses top-grade metals and coatings to ensure their cookware lasts a lifetime.
Their stainless steel pots and pans contain 18/10 stainless steel – 18% chromium and 10% nickel – along with aluminum cores for optimum heating. Testers confirm Delarlo stainless steel is thick, heavy, and very durable under daily use.
The nonstick coatings are also made to withstand extensive cooking and scouring. Delarlo uses Greblon, a ceramic-infused nonstick, and titanium-reinforced Teflon coatings rated for metal utensil use.
Reviewers say these nonstick coatings are far more scratch-resistant than cheaper options.
Excellent Cooking Performance
Thanks to their quality materials, Delarlo pots and pans heat quickly and evenly. This prevents hot spots that can lead to burning.
The thick aluminum cores in their stainless lines, along with responsive copper in their high-end cookware, provide exceptional heat control ideal for searing and sauce-making.
Here’s what one home cook had to say:
“These Delarlo pans have fantastic heat distribution. Meat and veggies cook perfectly edge to edge without any scorching or undercooked spots.”
Delarlo pans are also praised for their ability to brown and caramelize food beautifully. Nonstick skillets allow effortless cooking and release of delicate foods.
Attractive, Modern Designs
While performance is key, Delarlo doesn’t skimp on style. Their cookware has polished, contemporary aesthetics to complement any kitchen decor.
Many sets come in a choice of colors like red, black, navy, or grey. And handles are ergonomic, with a mix of materials like cast stainless steel or silicone.
One reviewer gushed:
“This Delarlo set is so gorgeous I want to keep it out on display. But I wind up using the pans daily because they cook so beautifully.”
Delarlo sets offer a nice balance of sophisticated style and functionality.
Oven and Dishwasher Safe
Most Delarlo cookware is metal utensil, oven, and dishwasher safe, adding to its convenience.
Their stainless steel and cast iron pieces can move from stovetop to oven up to 500°F. And you don’t have to hand wash these durable pans – just toss them in the dishwasher.
The only exception is Delarlo’s nonstick ceramic cookware. While metal utensil safe, these should be hand washed gently to protect the coating.
Strong Warranties
Delarlo offers outstanding warranty coverage to back up their quality claims.
Their stainless steel lines come with limited lifetime warranties that cover defects in materials and workmanship. Nonstick sets have 10-15 year warranties.
These industry-leading warranties give you peace of mind that your investment is protected. Delarlo proves they stand behind their products.
Cons of Delarlo Cookware
No cookware is perfect, and Delarlo pots and pans come with a few potential drawbacks to consider:
Expensive Price Points
There’s no avoiding it – Delarlo commands premium prices. Expect to spend $250 and up for a starter cookware set. Open stock pots and pans range from $50 for a skillet up past $200+ for specialty pieces.
While Delarlo sets costs more upfront, keep in mind you’re paying for outstanding longevity that can ultimately save money over time. But the investment required is something to factor in.
Heavyweight Materials
Delarlo cookware leans heavy due to its thick, high-quality materials. For instance, their 12″ skillet weighs nearly 5 pounds.
While this substantial feel adds durability, it may be tiring for some users to maneuver, especially a large stock pot full of liquid. Just something to keep in mind.
Not Induction Compatible
Some Delarlo collections contain aluminum cores, meaning they won’t work on induction cooktops. Make sure to double check your set will work with induction if you have this type of stovetop.
Their stainless steel and cast iron both work on all stove types. But some nonstick lines don’t play nice with induction due to their aluminum bases.
Nonstick Coatings Wear Over Time
With enough use over many years, Delarlo’s ceramic and titanium nonstick finishes will eventually show signs of wear.
This is the fate of all nonstick pots and pans. But Delarlo’s coatings last significantly longer than cheaper brands before losing any effectiveness. Just be prepared to eventually replace heavily used nonstick pans after 5-10 years or so.
Now that we’ve weighed the pros and cons, let’s look at reviews of Delarlo’s most popular cookware lines.
Reviews of Top Delarlo Cookware Lines
Delarlo has an extensive cookware portfolio across four main materials. Here, we’ll highlight their best-selling collections in stainless steel, nonstick, and cast iron.
Delarlo Aurora Stainless Steel
The Aurora series represents Delarlo’s core line of stainless steel pots and pans. This versatile cookware is crafted from thick 18/10 stainless steel with an encapsulated aluminum core.
It’s compatible with all stovetops including induction, oven safe to 500°F, and dishwasher safe. The ergonomic handles stay cool while cooking.
Key features:
- Brushed stainless steel exterior with polished cooking surface
- Encapsulated aluminum core for fast, even heating
- Tempered glass lids to monitor cooking
- Cast stainless steel handles with signature Delarlo hole accent
- Limited lifetime warranty
Aurora earns glowing reviews for its excellent heat conduction and control. Owners say it browns beautifully while resisting hot spots or scorching. And the hefty tri-ply construction stands up to daily use without warping. An excellent choice for stainless steel cookware with fantastic performance.
Popular sets in the Aurora line include:
- 10 piece set with 8″ and 10″ fry pans, 2 qt and 3 qt saucepans, 3 qt sauté pan, and 8 qt stockpot
- 7 piece smaller starter set with 8″ and 10″ skillets, 1.5 qt and 2 qt saucepans, and 3 qt sauté pan
- Open stock pots and pans available from 8″ skillet up to 8 qt stockpot
Delarlo Celine Ceramic Nonstick
Celine is Delarlo’s premium ceramic nonstick collection. The Greblon ceramic coating provides effortless food release and easy cleanup.
This PFOA-free nonstick surface is scratch resistant and metal utensil safe. It’s paired with hard anodized aluminum for fast, even heating without hot spots.
Top features:
- Greblon 3-layer ceramic nonstick finish
- Hard anodized aluminum base
- Riveted stainless steel handles
- Glass lids for visibility
- Oven safe to 400°F
- 10 year warranty
Owners love how slick the Celine pans are – eggs slide right out without sticking. The durable nonstick holds up well over years of use. And pre-seasoning gives it a natural patina right out of the box.
While you pay a premium for Celine, fans say the phenomenal nonstick performance is worth it. The most popular Celine sets are:
- 11 piece set with skillets, saucepans, sauté pan, and stockpot
- 7 piece set with smaller skillets and saucepans
- Individual fry pans, saucepans, and more for open stock purchases
Delarlo Castella Cast Iron
Finally, Delarlo’s Castella cast iron proves you don’t need to sacrifice quality for price. This budget-friendly cast iron still provides excellent heat retention at a fraction of the cost of premium cast iron brands.
Castella pans feature a matte black enamel exterior and rough cooking surface to improve seasoning. They’re compatible with all stovetops and ovens up to 500°F.
Notable features:
- Rough cooking surface to help seasoning stick
- Matte black enamel exterior for easy maintenance
- Pre-seasoned with soy-based oil
- Oven and broiler safe
- Includes limited lifetime warranty
Users say Castella cast iron provides incredible searing capability right out of the box. The pre-seasoning allows food to release nicely after the initial break-in period. And the pans only improve with age.
Castella cast iron comes in all the must-have pieces. Shoppers recommend:
- 10.5 inch skillet – perfect everyday pan
- 5 qt Dutch oven – great for soups, stews, and bread
- 10 inch grill pan – for patties, steaks, and more
- Cast iron sets with multiple pieces
As you can see, Delarlo offers high-performing cookware across the most popular materials. Next let’s look at typical Delarlo prices and warranties.
Cost of Delarlo Cookware
As a premium brand, Delarlo cookware doesn’t come cheap. Here’s what you can expect to pay:
Delarlo sets:
- Stainless steel sets – $250 to $700+ depending on number of pieces
- Nonstick sets – $300 to $600+ for ceramic nonstick
- Cast iron sets – Around $200 to $300
Individual Delarlo pots and pans:
- Skillets – $50 to $100+ depending on size
- Saucepans – $60 to $120+
- Stock pots – $100 to $200+
- Specialty pieces like roasting pans or woks – $150 to $400
For the level of quality and performance, most owners agree Delarlo pans are well worth the investment – if they fit within your budget.
Where this cookware really provides value is in its outstanding warranties:
- Limited lifetime warranty on stainless steel lines
- 10-15 years on ceramic nonstick
- Limited lifetime on cast iron
These policies cover manufacturer defects. With proper care, your Delarlo pots and pans are built to last decades in your kitchen.
How Delarlo Compares to Other Premium Cookware Brands
Delarlo cookware goes head to head with other luxury brands like All-Clad, Le Creuset, and Scanpan. How does it compare on performance, quality, and cost?
All-Clad – Neck and neck with Delarlo for quality stainless steel and nonstick cookware. All-Clad pots do cost slightly more on average though.
Le Creuset – The leading cast iron brand. On par performance but Delarlo costs much less. Excellent budget alternative for cast iron.
Scanpan – Similar ceramic nonstick quality as Delarlo but Scanpan has lower heat tolerance. Delarlo’s better for searing.
Calphalon – Not quite as premium quality but Calphalon offers similar performance at lower price points. A good budget-friendly alternative to Delarlo.
Cuisinart – More affordable than Delarlo but doesn’t have the same reputation for durability over decades of use.
T-Fal – The most budget-friendly nonstick around but lifespan and performance don’t match Delarlo.
So while not the absolute cheapest, Delarlo holds its own against even the leading luxury cookware names. You get outstanding quality at a fair price point.
Which Delarlo Cookware Is Right for You?
With so many excellent collections to choose from, which Delarlo set should you buy? Here are our recommendations:
Best Stainless Steel: Aurora
Go with the Aurora stainless line for the best balance of quality, durability, and price. It will serve you incredibly well for a lifetime.
Best Nonstick: Celine
Celine earns rave reviews for its top-notch ceramic nonstick. It’s a splurge but worth it for the easy cooking performance.
Best Cast Iron: Castella
Castella gives you all the benefits of cast iron for an affordable price. Ideal for those new to cast iron cooking.
Best Starter Set: Aurora 7-piece
The 7-piece Aurora set has the essential pans for most home cooks at an approachable price point.
Best Splurge Set: Celine 11-piece
Treat yourself to the flawless nonstick performance of the 11-piece Celine set – a must for eggs, crepes, and more.
Best Open Stock: Skillets and Dutch Ovens
Beef up your current pots and pans with Delarlo skillets and Dutch ovens. These are the most used pieces for any home chef.
Caring for Your Delarlo Cookware
To keep your Delarlo pieces performing like new, follow these care tips:
For stainless steel:
- Hand wash or dishwasher safe
- Use non-abrasive sponges and scrubbers
- Remove stuck on food with simmering water or non-abrasive cleaners
For ceramic nonstick:
- Hand wash only
- Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers
- Don’t use baking soda; it can dull the coating
For cast iron:
- Season regularly with vegetable oil
- Rinse with water or deglaze, no soap needed
- Fully dry after washing to prevent rust
With the right care, Delarlo’s superior craftsmanship ensures their cookware will serve your kitchen for decades.
Is Delarlo Worth the Investment?
In the world of premium cookware, Delarlo stands out for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. Their pots and pans deliver professional-caliber performance that improves with age.
While certainly an investment, Delarlo offers outstanding value for money. Their pieces should last 20-30 years or more with proper maintenance – making the higher prices justifiable.
If you’re serious about cooking and equip your kitchen with long-lasting tools, then Delarlo can be an excellent choice. Their combination of durability, cooking prowess, and striking Italian design make them a cookware set to treasure.
So for those seeking heirloom-quality pots and pans, Delarlo certainly delivers. Their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail result in cookware worth handing down to the next generation of home cooks.
