Calphalon® Premier™ Stainless Steel 5 qt. Covered Saute Pan with Helper Handle

I ordered this 5-Quart saute pan + lid because I wanted something with a multi-ply construction, a wide footprint for searing and caramelizing big portions, and respectable volume to use as a workhorse for family meals. I have no issues regarding the quality of the pan to these ends, which additionally has a nice flared and tapered lip for easy pouring, and arrived flat, sitting squarely on my countertop. The issues begin with the lid, which in reviews I've seen nearly discouraged me from ordering the product entirely. I should have listened, because the lids that come with this series are totally atrociously designed. Immediately apparent upon unpacking, the lid rattles around on top of the pan instead of fitting snugly, and has a rounded lip, forming a poor seal with the pan and preventing effective self-basting. Following that, upon the maiden wash and boil of water in the pan, water runs down the tempered glass into a poorly-sealed, spacious gap between the rolled metal and edge of the glass. The water can be seen and heard trickling as I tilt the lid around, and with difficulty, seeps out of the cavity onto both the top and bottom surfaces of the glass, indicating that the lid is through-and-through not-airtight. My main concern is that as the lid comes into contact with foods, cleaning products, splashes and all the things in the kitchen, residue will build up and be trapped in the cavity, impossible to clean, meaning that it is a very unhygienic product. Liquids and vapors that you want to have stay in the pan and self-baste will run into and out of the cavity and prevent functionality from occurring as normal. To me, this lid is completely unacceptable both in terms of cooking performance and hygiene. I would happily recommend this product to anybody looking for a pretty-looking mid-range stainless steel saute pan and willing to drop the extra money on a separate lid with a better construction, but the lid it comes with is a decoration at best, and an insult to the good quality of the pan it accompanies.