Marilyn Monroe told the world that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Blue Diamond Cookware wants you to know that diamonds are also a cook’s best friend. We thought we should do a Blue Diamond cookware review to see if that claim is true.
Diamonds and cooking? It doesn’t seem like those two words go together at all, does it? Blue Diamond pots and pans would beg to differ. In fact, according to the manufacturer, it is because of the diamonds that Blue Diamond cookware is a step above other brands of non-stick cookware.
Blue Diamond Cookware Review – Company and Product
Who or what is Blue Diamond? Let’s start by answering this question. Blue Diamond is actually a product line launched by the Cookware Company in 2016. The line itself is intended to be of high quality but at a reasonable price point. The parent company began in 2005 and focuses on cookware, as you can tell by its name.
The Cookware Company’s products are designed and engineered in the USA, but don’t be fooled. The production facilities are in Korea, China, and Germany. So is the Blue Diamond line made in China? Probably.
Millions of Diamonds?
The biggest claim made by Blue Diamond is that it is “the strongest, longest-lasting non-stick pan” and that it is infused with “millions of diamonds.” Diamonds? Millions of them? Could that be true?
Actually, the part about the millions of diamonds is true. The manufacturing process includes a non-stick covering made of diamond dust. This process, according to the manufacturer, makes the bottom of the pan scratch resistant because diamonds are the hardest material known to man.
But does it really Hold Up?
We hate it when what is stated by a manufacturer doesn’t measure up to our testing. This one does — sort of. If you really want your pans to live up to the claims made by Blue Diamond, you have to follow their recommendations. Unfortunately, their recommendations seem to contradict their claims.
For example, the folks at Blue Diamond state that “metal utensils have found their match,” but they also recommend using nylon and wooden utensils. You must use nylon and wooden utensils if you want your cookware to last the ten times longer than they claim is possible.
Another Example?
Blue Diamond states that their products are dishwasher safe. Those of us looking for easy clean-up love the sound of that! The truth is that Blue Diamond recommends hand washing with a soft sponge in hot soapy water “to keep the durability of your non-stick.” Yes, it technically is dishwasher safe. Should you use the dishwasher? Not if you want it to last.
And a Guarantee?
A great feature of this cookware is that it comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. The manufacturer states that if for any reason you are not satisfied with the Blue Diamond cookware, you can return it within the first three months after your purchase date for a refund of your purchase price. They will not cover shipping and handling nor the cost of a replacement product.
This is a limited lifetime warranty, though, and does not cover damage due to misuse or abuse of the product. It also does not include normal wear and tear, which ironically includes scratches on a product that they claim is scratch resistant. It does cover defects in materials and workmanship.
One more thing…
If you have an induction stove, move along. The pots and pans in this Blue Diamond line are not compatible with induction stovetops.
So now that you know a bit about the product line and the company behind it, let’s take a look at their individual products in our in-depth review of Blue Diamond cookware.
The Best Blue Diamond Cookwares Reviews
1. Blue Diamond CC 001951-001 Cookware-Set, 14 Piece Set – Best Large Blue Diamond Cookware Set
The first item we’ll review is actually the largest set of Blue Diamond cookware available. If you are looking for a complete cookware set, you will be pleased with the versatility of the pots and pans offered here. We certainly were.
What’s included?
This is a 14 piece set, which includes a 5-quart covered stockpot, a great size for making soup or chili. There are also a 2-quart and a 3-quart covered saucepan, a 2.5 quart covered skillet, and a 7” and a 9.5” open frying pan. It also has a stainless steel steamer and three black nylon cooking utensils. There is everything you need for whatever kind of cooking you like to do.
The cookware is suitable for all stovetops except induction, so as long as you’re using gas, electric, ceramic, or halogen, these pots and pans will work just fine. Even more impressive is that this is oven and broiler safe up to 850 degrees, more than twice as high as most other non-stick cookware.
What’s the catch?
Because the cookware is oven and broiler safe for such a high temperature, there cannot be rubber, plastic, or other “cool-touch” handles. The Blue Diamond handles are the same steel used to forge the pots, and they get very, very hot. If you plan to purchase these pots and pans, you should also plan to keep an oven mitt or a pot holder handy.
This particular set comes with four matching glass lids that are tight-fitting to seal in moisture and nutrients. The lid handles also get hot from the stove, so pot holders or oven mitts will be regularly needed with this cookware.
PROS
- Wonderful variety of cookware.
- Oven safe up to 850 degrees.
- Toxin-free.
- Dishwasher safe.
CONS
- Handles get hot.
- Highest of the options reviewed.
- Not good for induction stoves.
2. Blue Diamond CC001602-001 Cookware Set, 10 Piece Set – Best Small Blue Diamond Cookware Set
Blue Diamond Cookware offers another set of their pots and pans. This ten-piece set also includes a 5-quart stockpot with a lid, a 2-quart covered saucepan, and a 5-quart covered skillet. Two frying pans are also included, one 7-inch and one 9-inch. It also comes with two black nylon cooking utensils.
Are nylon utensils necessary?
The manufacturer recommends nylon or wooden utensils to prolong the life of the non-stick surface. Is it necessary? According to the manufacturer, their surface coating will last ten times longer than any other non-stick surface coating due to the hardness provided by the diamonds.
In real life, however, metal utensils will scratch the surface. How do we know? We used metal spoons and spatulas on the products we tested. What happened when we did? The pans scratched just as other non-stick pans do when metal utensils are used. In fact, one of our testers had a bit of flaking after two weeks of using metal kitchen utensils.
Want it to last?
If you want the non-stick coating to last, you must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. These recommendations include more than just using nylon or wooden tools. They also suggest cooking on low to medium stovetop settings and using a few drops of high smoke point oil or butter.
All of the pots and pans in the set feature the toxin-free ceramic non-stick coating. All the pots and pans are also oven and broiler safe. In addition, they’re all dishwasher safe as well. Talk about easy clean-up!
Especially nice…
Our testers found the product to be very lightweight, which was especially nice with the two 5-quart items. A 5-quart container gets heavy just with the volume of food, so cookware that is already heavy when empty just adds to the muscle strength needed to cook!
PROS
- Wonderful variety of cookware.
- Oven safe up to 850 degrees.
- Toxin-free.
- Lightweight.
- Dishwasher safe.
CONS
- Handles get hot.
- Higher end of the price range.
- Not good for induction stoves.
3. Blue Diamond CC002617-001 Round Grill Pan, 11” – Best Blue Diamond Round Grill Pan
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of these pots and pans on an individual basis. First up is an 11-inch round grill pan with lid. This pan is perfect for grilling veggies, fish, and other meats. It has raised strips on the bottom of the pan so you can get those grill lines on your salmon without having to cook it outside on the barbecue.
Even when cooking on the stove only and not using the oven or broiler for the pan, this handle gets too hot to handle. You must use some kind of protector in order to not burn yourself. Keep those oven mitts handy for this cookware.
Could be a breeze…
Cleaning between the raised portions on the grill bed should be a breeze due to the ceramic non-stick coating. The truth is that this is true only if you are diligent in following the manufacturer’s instructions about using a bit of oil and cooking on a low to medium heat setting.
Our testers found that if you cooked on too high a heat, perhaps to sear on those grill lines, you could indeed quickly damage the coating. On one of our testers’ pans, a spot developed on which everything stuck no matter how much oil or butter was used.
You get what you pay for…
Listen, folks. You get what you pay for. This pan is very low in price compared to other non-stick frying pans of this size on the market today. If you purchase this and follow the manufacturer instructions, you could probably get two years of easy-clean cooking bliss from this pan.
If, however, you mistreat it by cooking on too high a temperature, you will damage the pan. Plus, if you use metal utensils instead of the nylon and wooden ones that are recommended, you will damage the pan. The coating will no longer act as a non-stick coating. It may scratch, or flake, or warp.
PROS
- Ridges for grilling.
- Toxin free.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Low end of the price range.
CONS
- Handle gets hot.
- Not good for induction stoves.
4. Blue Diamond CC01811-001 Sautepan, 5 Quart – Best Blue Diamond Saute Pan
This next item in our Blue Diamond Cookware review is one which should be in every kitchen. The 5-quart saute pan comes without a lid and is the perfect size for many everyday cooking needs. This large pan allows you to saute, fry, stir fry, and even bake. Yes, you read that right.
Why is that cool?
Many recipes, most stews, for example, require you to brown the meat before cooking slowly in the oven. With Blue Diamond’s saute pan, you can do both jobs in the same pan, saving you time on clean-up after you cook! Blue Diamond pans are oven safe up to 850 degrees. Just be careful of the handles, as they do get hot.
Blue Diamond says their forged base allows for even heat distribution and that their diamond-infused coating is a great heat conductor. We thought this pan with its large flat bottom was perfect for testing those qualities. Our testers made a pancake that filled the bottom of this large pan. We found that the pancake did cook evenly, as claimed.
What’s even better?
The large bottom with straight sides makes this a wonderful frying pan. The diameter of the interior of this pan is right around 12 inches, which makes it a perfect size for making grilled cheese or pan-frying hamburger patties. Its size makes it perfect for soups and chilies.
In spite of its large size, this pan is not extraordinarily heavy. This means that it is handleable even when filled with whatever you’re cooking, a very nice feature.
PROS
- Even heat distribution.
- Oven safe to 850 degrees.
- Middle of the price range.
- Light in weight.
CONS
- Not good for induction stoves.
- Handle gets hot.
5. Blue Diamond CC001597-001 Open Frypan, 10’ – Best Blue Diamond Frying Pan
The more we cook, the more we’ve agreed that you just can’t have too many frying pans! This Blue Diamond frypan is a convenient 10” in diameter. We love the angle of the sloped sides… sloped, but allowing for the maximum area on the flat base of the pan. Good for scrambling eggs or making a couple of hamburger patties, this size frying pan is a must for any kitchen.
What makes it different?
You might be wondering what makes this Blue Diamond frying pan different from any other non-stick frying pan. Well, according to the manufacturer, this toxin-free, ceramic non-stick coating is manufactured without PFAs, PFOA, cadmium, or lead. That means that if you accidentally overheat this while cooking, it will release no toxic fumes.
Furthermore, Blue Diamond’s special diamond-infused coating does last quite a while as long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Cook on low temperatures are recommended and hand washing rather than use the dishwasher, and this very inexpensive pan should last quite a while.
What about value vs. quality?
This particular pan is the least expensive of all the Blue Diamond pots and pans we’ve reviewed. It is also the smallest, so that makes sense! But the truth of the matter is that all of the cookware reviewed is a fantastic value as long as you are not expecting it to last for as long as your mother’s stainless steel pots and pans.
Let’s face it; the non-stick feature is a coating. Coatings, whether they’re a sunscreen film on a window or a non-stick on a pan, will eventually separate from the surface to which they’re adhered. Blue Diamond has set up some specific recommendations that will help your skillet last for as long as you should expect for the price.
PROS
- Toxin-free.
- Lowest of the items reviewed.
- Oven safe to 850 degrees.
CONS
- Not good for induction stoves.
- Handle can get hot.
Looking for more Cookware Options?
If so, check out our T-Fal Cookware Reviews, our Emeril Lagasse Cookware Set Review, our Kirkland Cookware Review, and our Cook N Home 12-Piece Set Review.
Also, be sure to take a look at our reviews of the Best Gotham Steel Pans, the Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets, the Best Ceramic Cookware Sets, and the Best Stone Frying Pan Brands currently available.
Blue Diamond Cookware Review – What’s the Verdict?
Blue Diamond is an inexpensive ceramic non-stick cookware product. It lasts very well as long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for care. We have found that if you follow these recommendations, this cookware will last about as long as you would expect for the price.
If we just wanted to try Blue Diamond in one piece of cookware, we would choose the…
Blue Diamond 5-Quart Saute Pan
This would allow you to see how you get on with the pan before committing to buy a larger set.
If, however, we had to replace a full set of pots and pans and wanted to try Blue Diamond’s cookware, we would get the…
Blue Diamond Cookware Set, 14-Piece
Whichever you choose, you should not expect it to last forever, but it will last as well as can be expected for the cost.
Happy cooking!
