Others say...

"$79.99 for a 2 tier metal steamer but why is the lid knocking?"
I use this piece at least once a day for making pasta or steaming food.

This is not a big size at all and is good for everyday cooking tasks. It is not priced as a try-me and I don't think $80 is a particular bargain for what one gets although the 2 inserts are the reason I picked this one. It seems to be a very basic piece of equipment. I have a feeling that its lower price compared to the pans is because the usage is expected to require a lower degree of quality and that that expectation has been incorporated into the production process. I plan to use the pasta insert to boil food without burning.

The lid made popping noises the first time I used it to simmer stock. Calphalon did not reply to my message about any special considerations regarding the lid. I am crossing my fingers.

For $20, you can buy the All Clad version but I don't mind ordering this one because I like gazing at the contents through the glass lid.

Made in China

"NOT aluminum core on sides"
After stocking up on Calphalon cookware through Amazon, I almost purchased this item after reading the official Amazon review. Fortunately, I examined one while browsing a local store, and saw that only the bottom was aluminum core, not the sides, and the bottom was impact-bonded with a seam. Examine the Amazon close-up picture and you also can easily see the seam at the bottom.

The box I looked at clearly stated this as well. The multi-pot that I examined was definitely Calphalon Contemporary Stainless, not the less expensive Simply Calphalon series. This is not the 8-quart stockpot, which is much more expensive, and does not come with any inserts.

I am purchasing the Calphalon Tri-Ply Stainless 8-quart stockpot instead, and finding an after-market stainless steel steamer insert. The inserts for this pan and the Simply Calphalon Stainless 8-quart multi-pot do not fit the Tri-Ply. The two pasta inserts that Calphalon offers for sale alone are for the professional and contemporary stainless stockpots only, and also do not fit the Tri-Ply.

The official Amazon review needs to be revised.

"Wonderful stock pot"
This 8-Quart pan is a very nice. I used to have a "non-stick / 99 year warantee" stock pot of the same size, but the coating came off into my cooking -- ick! This stainless cleans up easily, is dishwasher safe, and fits into the dishwasher. The tri-ply technology (aluminum inside, going up the sides) really does seem to help. I've found this pan better than the non-stick coating pans for not sticking, as long as you (1) let food warm to room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes or by warming in water, and (2) pre-heat the pan according to the manufacturor's directions. Though, sticking is seldom problematic for soup. Perfect size for a batch of vegetable soup or chicken stock. Comes with two free inserts, one for pasta and the other smaller, perhaps for use as a strainer. The shape & handles are elegant, and the glass lid really helpful for glancing over to make sure your stock/soup doesn't simmer dry. Highly recommended.