Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The reason I got this is because I have two saute pans that did not come with lids. Sometimes, I want to turn off the stove but cover the saute pan so that heat is trapped in. The manufacturer of this lid makes several claims suggesting the lid would work well for my purposes. They characterize it as a "universal lid." They say that the lid specifically fits "saute pans" that have a diameter of 7" to 12". They also claim the "inner ridges provide a customized fit." These claims are misleading. After trying out the lid, I now realize that most saute pans, including mine, have a handle that extends upward -- higher than the plane of the rim. So when you attempt to rest a wide lid like this on the rim of the pan, the handle is in the way. It will never lie flat. So for my 8" saute pan, this lid is pretty much worthless. My 10" saute pan is big enough so that the lid ALMOST rests flat on the rim. So if you have a saute pan that is more than 10", it might work for you. By the way, the lid is very flat. The "ridges" really don't seem to change anything in that regard. It's also thin and light. The manufacturer claims the lid is 18/10 stainless steel. That may be, but it is a thin 18/10 stainless steel. I have mostly KitchenAid and All-Clad cookware made of 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel. I don't consider the stainless steel in this lid to be like my cookware. The quality here is more comparable to the inexpensive pots and pans that you find in department stores. Aside from that, the lid seems to be structurally sound. October 2011 UPDATE: I've been using this lid occasionally for a couple of years now. I have to say it's held up well. I've gotten kind of used to it as an emergency lid for pots or pans with at least a 10" diameter. I now think it was worth the $20 I spent. Still not happy with the manufacturer's representations, but I see they've toned down their claims to be a little more accurate. Anyway, I'm upgrading this from 3 stars to 4. 2016 Update: I've now had this utility lid for over 6 years. It's very durable. It's held up well in the dishwasher. It's come in very handy for pots and any pan that is either 10 (or more) inches in diameter or doesn't have a handle that goes above the rim. I now think it's worthy of 5 stars. My only complaint is the way it was advertised at Amazon when I purchased it in 2010.