Description
Dimensions: The Circulon Contempo Red Saucepan is 4 5/8″ high without the lid. With the Lid on it is 7 1/2″ tall. The saucepan measures 7 1/4″ wide not counting the lip on each side. The handle on the saucepan is just under 7″ and the handle on the top of the lid is just under 4″ This pan holds 3 quarts
The Saucepan: The Circulon Contempo Red Saucepan is a bright shiny red on the outside with the normal circulon interior. The inside is a dark charcoal color with rings that go around the inside bottom. The bottom of the outside of the pan does not have the red color but looks like a brushed aluminum. The pan is a medium weight with a thick enough bottom that things do not burn easily. Each side of the saucepan has a lip for pouring. The handle has a silicone coating to keep it from getting hot. Oven safe to 400 degrees.
The Lid: The Lid is Clear with a red silicone handle attached on the top. The side of the lid is metal and slides down into the sauce pan while in use. On each side of the lid are straining holes. One side has larger straining holes and the other side are smaller. The larger size is slightly smaller than a pea and the smaller side is about half that size.
Our Experience
My uses: I use this Circulon Contempo 3 quart saucepan primarily to boil chicken when I make my cats food. I love that I can add a little more than I did with the 2 quart pot.
Using the straining lid during cooking: Besides straining the straining lid comes in handy to allow whatever you are simmering to vent without boiling over. If you want it to vent just put the straining holes so they match up with the lip on either side of the saucepan. If you do not want them to vent twist so that they are not near the lip. I think I like this lid for venting almost as much as I do for straining.
Straining with the lid: If you are cooking pasta or vegetables you can use the straining lid to save you from having to get out a strainer. I have strained all kinds of things and it is easy with the silicone handles to manage straining over the sink. I also like that they put a lip on each side of the saucepan so it will work for both left and right handed people.
Clean up: Clean up could not be easier. I put this in the dishwasher as I have all my other circulon pans. The red enamel outside comes out looking great. I put the lid on the top shelf just to be on the safe side.
